Mormonism and Feminism?

Only men can reach a priesthood within the church

There is a difference between the LDS and the FLDS know it all. hey jack are you going to work or a ball game.

and clean your room buddy

I really like your pitch Jack,

I'm Mormon and agree with you that feminism can be embraced by Mormonism. I think that LDS doctrine is very pro-woman. Utah Mormon women were leaders in the women suffrage movement.

Of course, we also have to take into account that there are many different types of feminism. For example, some feminists simply want women to be paid the same amount as men while others want natural childbirth to be totally replaced by artificial forms of childbirth so that women will no longer be "oppressed" by having to bear children. I've also heard about the LDS feminist scholars who faced disciplinary councils but do not know all the details of the situation. I'm not sure what brand of feminism they were advocating. Do you?

I think there's one aspect of LDS doctrine we should keep in mind that complicates this whole issue. That's that Mormonism teaches that women are ennobled by being mothers. I feel very strongly that this is true. I have spent a lot of time working with youth and seen that it's much easier for a parent to raise a child on the right path than for someone else to try to help a troubled youth get on the right path. I know that usually women are much better than men at helping children in this way. Children, especially those who are not yet at school, receive huge benefits when mom is at home with them. Is it a sacrifice on the part of the mothers? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I feel sad when I see some people who want to go out and save the world by helping adults fix their problems but they neglect the opportunity to be a dedicated parent who helps the next generation avoid those problems.

That being said, I feel that it's very important for moms to make their children the priority while still being involved in other service, hobbies, and even occupations that do not take unnecessary time from their children. I knew an awesome LDS woman who was also a university professor of Sociology. She only taught one class at the university so she could give lots of time to her children. That one class was really important to her because it allowed her to give most of her time to the children while still using her God-given passion for teaching and sociology. Also, her time away from home at the university energized her and helped her come back home a better mom.

I think my view here is backed up by an address given by LDS apostle M. Russell Ballard at the recent April 2008 Church General Conference. He said that some women will have to work in today's modern world but that they need to make motherhood their priority. He also said that mothers need to find ways to be emotionally balanced.

So, my opinion is that LDS doctrine is very pro-woman and that LDS culture has not always agreed with that doctrine. Today, the Feminist movement is helping LDS culture to become more aligned with its doctrine. My concern is that some of us might take that too far and the children will suffer.

P.S.: It's kind-of silly in the first place that two men (Jack and I) are having this discussion. I hope in my masculine ignorance, I haven't said anything that would offend any of our wonderful friends of the opposite sex. I would love it if some LDS women came on and added some threads to this discussion.