Friday, September 28, 2012

Daily Quote

September 28, 2012:
"Women are one-half of the world's population, perform two-thirds of the world's work, receive one-tenth of its income and own less than one-hundredth of its property"(Now two-hundredths of its property). - Barber Conable: The World Bank 

Jane Manning James: What True Faith Is

There are many women who have left great legacies for us however we only focus on a few of them in church.  So many more women need their stories told and I hope to be able to share a brief history of one such woman whose legacy has impacted my life and needs to be shared; her name is Jane Manning James.            


Jane Manning James was born in 1822 in the beautiful state of Connecticut and was the first free African-American woman to come to Utah.  She was born as a free-servant and when she was six years old she left her home to work for a wealthy white family, where she was mianly raised by their daughter.  She grew up as an active member of the Presbyterian church in her local town, but she recorded that she never felt satisfied. Eighteen months after that journal entry she met Charles Wandell, a Mormon missionary. 

The pastor of the Presbyterian Church forbade me going to hear them as he had heard I had expressed a desire to hear them; nevertheless I went on a Sunday and was fully convinced that it was the true gospel he presented and I must embrace it.  The following Sunday I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints.” (http://www.blacklds.org/manning)   Jane was not only baptized, but she was also baptized along with some of her family members.  A year later she along with six of her family members left Connecticut and headed for Nauvoo. Jane and her family members were refused passage on a steamboat leaving from Buffalo, New York because they were black. Determined to make it to Nauvoo and join the rest of the Mormon saints, they started out on foot (http://www.ldsgenesisgroup.org/archivenews/jane.html).

“We walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground. We stopped and united in prayer to the Lord; we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet. Our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith (http://www.blacklds.org/manning).”

Not only did they have to deal with worn out shoes and sore feet, but during their journey they were threatened to be imprisoned, dealt with extreme cold and life threatening illnesses.  During the course of their journey and hardships, Jane and her family were still serving those that they came in contact with.  When they arrived in La Harpe, Illinois they came upon a child that was sick.  They administered to the child and the child was healed.  They continued on their way to Nauvoo where they were directed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  

“When we found it, Sister Emma was standing in the door, and she kindly said, “Come in, come in! Brother Joseph said to some white sisters that was present, “Sisters, I want you to occupy this room this evening with some brothers and sisters that have just arrived.” Brother Joseph placed the chairs around the room and then he went and brought Sister Emma and Dr. Bernhisel and introduced them to us. Brother Joseph took a chair and sat down by me and said, “You have been the head of this little band, haven’t you!” I answered, “Yes sir!” He then said, “God bless you! Now I would like you to relate your experience in your travels.

"I related to them all I have above stated–and a great deal more minutely, as many incidents has passed from my memory since then. Brother Joseph slapped Dr. Bernhisel on the knee and said, “What do you think of that, Dr.? Isn’t that faith?” The Dr. said, “Well I rather think it is. If it had have been me, I fear I should have backed out and returned to my home!” Joseph Smith then said, “God bless you. You are among friends now and you will be protected.” (http://www.blacklds.org/manning)

There in Nauvoo, Jane’s family was able to find work and homes for themselves, but Jane was unable to do the same. The prophet and Emma were very welcoming to Jane and allowed her to live with them and do some household work with Emma. In fact, the Prophet and Emma offered to adopt Jane, but Jane did not know the meaning of adoptions.  She turned them down kindly and remained a member in their home.  There she built close relationships with Mother Smith, Emma and the Prophet.

As persecutions broke out against the saints in Nauvoo, it became increasingly hard for them to find work.  Jane asked the Prophet if she should take her sister and go to Burlington for a time.  The Prophet encouraged them to leave so that they would not be harmed admist all of the persecutions.  During the three weeks that Jane and her sister were in Burlington, the Prophet and his brother were martyred.  She recounts the agony and sorrow that she felt after learning of the prophet’s martyrdom. Jane went to live with Brother Brigham Young until he, along with the rest of the saints, traveled across the country to the Salt Lake Valley, escaping Nauvoo’s persecution. Before leaving, and while living with Brother Brigham, she met her husband, Isaac James, who worked for Brother Brigham.

Jane and Isaac along with their baby son, Silas, arrived in Salt Lake on September 22, 1847. She and Isaac had a total of 9 children, burying all but two.  While in the Salt Lake Valley, she and her husband worked on Brother Brigham’s land.  They became very prosperous until the plague of grasshoppers and crickets destroyed everything.

Of this plague Jane said, “They layed our crops to the ground, stripping the trees of all their leaves and fruit, bringing poverty and desolation through out this beautiful valley.  It was not then as it is now.  There were no trains running bringing fruits and vegetables from California or any other place.  All our importing and exporting was done by the slow process of ox teams.

“Oh how I suffered of cold and hunger, and the keenest of all was to hear my little ones crying for bread, and I had none to give them; but in all, the Lord was with us and gave us grace and faith to stand at all.

“I have lived right here in Salt Lake City for fifty-two years, and have had the privilege of going into the temple and being baptized for some of my dead.  I am now over eighty years old and am nearly blind, which is a great trial to me.  It is the greatest trial I have ever been called upon to bear, but I hope my eyesight will be spared to me–poor as it is–that I may be able to go to meeting, and to the temple to do more work for my dead.

“I am a widow; my husband Isaac James died in November 1891.  I have seen my husband and all my children but two laid away in the silent tomb.  But the Lord protects me and takes good care of me in my helpless condition.   And I want to say right here that my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints is as strong today–nay it is if possible stronger–than it was the day I was first baptized.  I pay my tithes and offerings, keep the Word of Wisdom.  I go to bed early and arise early.  I try in my feeble way to set a good example to all.  I have had eighteen grandchildren (eight of them are living), also seven great grandchildren.  I live in my little home with my brother Isaac, who is good to me.  We are the last two of my mother’s family.” (http://www.blacklds.org/manning)
          
 Jane served all those around her until the day she died in 1908 , at the age of sixty-eight.  She dedicated her money to the St. George, Manti and Logan temple funds, as well as to the Lamanite mission fund.  Although at times her living was meager, she still gave all that she had to the struggling saints around her. While she also was never given permission to be able to go to the temple to receive her own endowments, she yet she stayed faithful and never complained. She continued to love the temple and had faith that those blessing would be given to her and her family one day.

Jane has been a light to me during times of trial and hardship.  She is an example of how strong our Heavenly Parents’ daughters are. She has taught me that even though we may not be able to explain or understand why certain things happen to us during our lives or why we may feel that we are being denied certain blessing during this life, we can still find comfort in our faith in God.
           


           

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Daily Quote

September 27, 2012:
"I do not wish them to have power over men, but over themselves." - Mary Wollstonecraft 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Body Image and the Countenance of God


Living as a young LDS woman in today’s society can be a brutal task at times. One of the greatest challenges we face is developing a healthy body image of ourselves. And I think the biggest hang up in that problem is the word “body”. We have been taught in our culture that our image of ourselves should be grounded in how our physical self appears to the rest of the world.  It becomes quite challenging to live in the world (but not of it) when we are surrounded, bombarded, attacked, and infiltrated by worldly ideals that do not match our religious tenets.

But what is it that our faith teaches us about the body? We know that the body is a house, a temple, for our spirit. We know that we have been created ultimately by our Father in Heaven. We know that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). Notice that the scripture says “worth of souls” rather than “worth of bodies”.  Additionally, we know that the soul is a union of the spirit and the body in mortality. God does not judge us based on our outward appearance, but rather what we do with the body and life we have been given.

Body image is something I have always struggled with. At times I have felt that the Church and gospel doctrine provide no counter examples for how I should feel about my body. The world’s ideology on the matter is intrusive, but I had yet to feel the same way about anything I had learned in Church. A few months ago I was pondering this situation, unable to shake the constant thought that was consuming and flooding my mind. As I read my scriptures one night I came upon Alma 5:19. The verse asks, “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?”  I was astounded in that moment to realize that my body image should have absolutely no foundation in how my body looks in comparison to worldly standards. Our body image should rather pertain to the image of God we carry with us. At baptism we take upon us the name of Christ. We are thereafter to represent him in all that we do. This will be shown in our countenances. As I contemplated more I was impressed that should I have the image of God clearly written all over my face, displayed in all my actions, and ingrained into my soul, my image of myself would be stronger. I would feel empowered, motivated, impervious to the subversive whisperings of social norms.

While I do not believe that we should ignore our bodies in order to pursue a wholly spiritual side of our self-image, I do believe that if we first focus on that, it will be so much easier for us to love our bodies. We will begin to see our bodies as vessels of our spirits; as vehicles of hope, love and change in the world. A body image grounded in these goals will surely help us love our bodies for their unique characteristics and their astounding capabilities.

What experiences have you had in your life that helped you see yourself more as a Daughter of God, understanding your self-worth beyond that of your body and the world’s expectations?

Daily Quote

September 26, 2012:
"Women belong in the house... and the Senate." - Author Unknown 

Monday, September 24, 2012

"The Liberal Shall Be Blessed"


I recently received my undergraduate in Political Science from BYU, and as such I have always been fascinated by the origination of social change. Couple that with a minor in Women’s Studies and I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing I find the suffrage movement, particularly in Utah.

It is a poorly misrepresented fact that the territory of Utah gave women the right to vote in 1870 (far ahead of the rest of the United States which would follow 50 years later). This was revoked by congress in 1887 in an attempt to rid the state of polygamy, who believed women were being manipulated to vote for polygamist rights and ideals. This act was denying women the power and privilege of political activism, that had been granted them for 17 years, and it sparked a fire that would ignite Latter-day Saint women all across the territory.

One such woman to be set aflame was Sarah M. Kimball. You have heard of her, I promise, she is the woman who bargained with her husband upon the birth of her son, who was said to be worth $1,000 and she would become determined donate her half to the Church. After, I am sure, much discussion her husband Hiram, relinquished $500.00 worth of property to the Church, though Sarah maintained that the contribution was hers. She was also the woman who mustered other women to join a charitable ladies’ society in order to provide new shirts for Nauvoo Temple workers. In an attempt to ensure the organization was grounded with a sure foundation she asked Eliza R. Snow to create a constitution and bylaws for the society. It would be the beginnings of our modern –day Relief Society one of the world’s largest women’s organizations. Starting to sound familiar?

Sarah’s story begins further back then we often discuss and continues on much further than we know. She was born in Phelps Ontario County, New York on December 29, 1818, a very small town about 20 miles between Palmyra and Seneca Falls (the place where Elizabeth Cady Stanton presented the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments which was a resolution to promote the attainment of civil, social, political and religious rights for women). It was the restored gospel, and in particular, Joseph Smith’s teachings on equality of the sexes that would drive Sarah’s devotion in the Church throughout her years.

In 1882, she became an active participant in the Utah Constitutional Convention and less than a decade later (1891) she was named the leader of the Utah Women’s Suffrage Association. She was by her own definition a “woman’s rights woman”.  This position as president enabled her to petition the Congress of the United States to stop the atrocities inflicted by federal deputies on Latter-day Saint women (often over issues of polygamy). Sarah was not a hot-headed woman, nor were her compatriots. These women were highly skilled at mobilizing and organizing for support and were extremely knowledgeable, the Relief Society being their primary means of meeting and discussing political topics (could you image the PR scandal that would follow today if we were to follow directly in their footsteps?). In fact, as soon as she was elect as president, she suggested each woman read over the United States Constitution at least six times and start studying municipal governments as it “would lead to [their] advancement and the enlargement of [their] capacities”. Under her leadership, fifteen hundred members would participate in mock legislation assemblies to help women understand the process of a bill to law.

Sarah saw the suffrage movement as  fulfilling the “turning of the key” (as proclaimed by Joseph Smith at the inception of The Relief Society) and she proclaimed that “the sure foundations of the suffrage cause were deeply and permanently laid on the 17th of March, 1842.”

Unfortunately, Sarah M. Kimball passed away without seeing the national franchisement of women in 1920. Jill Mulvay Derr, a noted LDS historian, concluded, “if she was exceptional it is not because her options were significantly different [than other Mormon women of the time], but because of her own strong-mindedness and charity made her exercise of those options exceptional, and often exemplary. ‘The liberal shall be blessed,’ she had told her sisters… and that statement seems a fitting tribute to her ideology and works” (Italics added, Derr 1976: 69).

I glean strength from the political activism and strong-mindedness of Sarah M. Kimball. She was active, involved and passionate about her beliefs in the equality of the sexes. Her legacy was of charity, and her stories are full of true zeal.

I wonder when we lost it. I know I generalize, but I don’t see fervent activism from the women that surround me (in my peers, or in my relief society sisters), when did we stop being the vocal organization that pursued the cause of the just and abhorred the evils of the world? Perhaps we have forgotten that less than a hundred years ago, our sisters were not able to propose legislation, run for congress (heck run for president), nor were they able to cast a simple ballot denying an outrageous school budget in a town vote. I don’t know when we stopped or why. Maybe it’s the ease we so easily feel in Zion or maybe the fear of being labeled a feminist (slippery slope- one vote and next a flaming bra) or maybe time gets away from us. But I see small glimmers rising, it’s my hope that we can be set aflame like the women of the Utah territory and that we can honor the memory of Sarah M. Kimball and so many others who fought with their whole souls to grant us the privilege of casting a simple ballot. So do your research, pick the best candidate, become active in your town meetings, because it is not the options we have available to us that makes us extraordinary but rather how we exercise our options that do. I truly believe the liberal will be blessed.

-Kyra

*Note: Liberal is defined by dictionary.com as an individual favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs. An individual favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible especially as guaranteed by law and secured by government protection of civil liberties. 

In what ways have you become politically involved? Any good educational websites for us to check out? Please share your thoughts and ideas!


Burgess-Olson, Vicky, ed. 1978. Sister Saints. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 23-40.
Black, Susan Easton and Mary Jane Woodger. 2011. Women of Character: Profiles of 100 Prominent LDS Women. American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc.,169- 171.
Derr, Jill Mulvay. 1976. Sarah M Kimball. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Historical Society. 

Daily Quote

September 24, 2012:
"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people." - Cheris Kramarae & Paula Treichler 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Daily Quote

September 23, 2012:
"I see my body as an instrument, rather than an ornament." - Alanis Morissette 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Daily Quote

September 22, 2012:
"To tell a woman everything she may not do is to tell her what she can do." - Spanish Proverb 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Daily Quotes

You may or may not have noticed, but we have a Daily Quotes section! Everyday (hopefully) we will be posting a little quote for you to think about. If you have any favorites or come across something, send it in and we'll feature it (with your name!). In case you don't make it over to the Daily Quotes page, we'll also post each quote on the homepage as well. Here are the past couple of days in case you missed them :

September 17, 2012:
"You don't have to be anti-man to be pro-woman." - Jane Galvin Lewis

September 18, 2012:
"I believe in women. I desire...to do those things that would advance women in moral and spiritual, as well as educational work." - Emmeline B. Wells

September 19, 2012:
"History is herstory too." - Author Unknown 


September 20, 2012: 
"No woman is required to build the world by destroying herself." - Rabbi Sofer 

September 21, 2012: 
"The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes." - Bella Abzug 

- Catie 

Mia Love

As our blog expands and our material increases, we hope you will begin to notice some themes. We have a lot of great projects planned and are looking forward to providing as many resources as possible for you. This next article is part of a collection of pieces we've written about women in politics. It is our goal to be featuring different political female figures, as we explore who they are both personally and politically. Some will be historical, some local, and many will be international. Just as men add their own unique perspectives and points of view on a subject, so do women. Having men and women working together in any field is a necessary strength. We look forward to highlighting Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Queen Rania, Queen Elizabeth II, Nancy Pelosi, Angela Merkel, Queen Noor, and so many others. If you have any political women you would like to see featured or to learn more about, let us know. For today, please enjoy this piece on Utah's Mia Love!
--------------------------------

We've seen the bright orange t-shirts, we've heard the "love" embedded slogans, but who in the world is Mia Love?

The brief bio taken from her website (www.love4utah.com) breaks down into something like this:

- Her Haitian parents are legal immigrants to the States.
- She was born in New York, Brooklyn to be exact, but then moved to Connecticut.
- She has two siblings.
- She graduated from the University of Hartford, with a fine arts degree.
- She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- She married her husband Jason.
- She moved to Utah.
- She served on the city council of Saratoga Springs for two terms.
- She served as Mayor of that same city.
- She is running for Congress against the well-known Jim Matheson.

Congratulations! You have no joined several thousand other people who know that Mia Love is a black, Mormon, woman running for Congress. But let's take a deeper look at Mia Love. After all, both Paul Ryan and Ann Romney, big names in the GOP, have recently endorsed her.

So what does Mia Love stand for? You can certainly read what her critics have to say, as you can also read what her supporters think. The only thing worse than listening to a politician speak though, is listening to a politician speak about another politician. let's cut out the middleman (or woman) and see what Mia Love has to say about herself. Take a look here:
http://www.love4utah.com/announcements

- Love supports both Romney and Ryan, promising to make every effort to help their agendas pass in Washington. She draws a clear line between herself and her opponent, as Matheson has been advancing "Obama's big government agenda, and fighting against Paul Ryan's fiscal reforms."

- If elected to Congress, Love is committed to ensuring that the federal government discontinues its practice of operating outside its constitutional bounds. power should be with the states and with the people, not in a large government.

- Love believes in the concept of personal accountability, specifically in the need for Americans to return to our roots of individual liberty and person responsibility. We are charged with working hard and providing for ourselves, not looking to our government to provide services we should be providing for ourselves. In cases where individuals are unable to do so, as a society we share a collective responsibility in looking out for one another.

Mia Love is more than a black, Mormon, woman running for Congress. She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants, a graduate of the University of Hartford, a partner in an inter-racial marriage, a mother of three children, an avid runner, a former councilwoman, and a current mayor. She is a Republican running for Utah's 4th Congressional District. Whether or not you vote for Mia Love in this upcoming election, recognize her efforts and strength as a female politician in a greatly male-dominated field.

- Catie 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Name Change


In May I married my best friend. And now that all the planning, tension and stress of wedding preparations are over, there is just one final touch I need to make to my new married life. My last name.  I simply do not know what to do about changing (or not changing) my name. Let me lay before you my messy and complicated thought process.

I am the oldest of four girls, and there are no brothers among us to carry on the family name in the traditional manner. In fact, as of this writing, we only have one male cousin with our last name. I believe that my name also carries with it a heritage and legacy of my family that I want to continue. I am proud of my family, proud of what that name means. I am afraid that in giving up my name, I give up my family and our heritage. It feels as if I am tossing away their sacrifices, their struggles and their victories that have inadvertently affected my life. My maiden name has been an integral part of my identity for over 20 years. Parting from it is not a simple matter.

 I also worry about the social censure both my children and I will experience if we have different last names. Whispers of “Is she married?” “Is she married to their father?” “Is she divorced?” and so forth will follow us everywhere. And maybe I should just be strong and totally disregard the gossip and judgments of others, but I think a lifetime of that would become exhausting. 

(And on a side note, although I haven’t legally changed my name, I go by my husband’s name at church to avoid much of this. In the LDS culture, it’s also just the norm. And I don’t fill particularly inclined or moved to shake up the Mormon social customs over something like this. The traditional social unit in the Church is the family, which is subsequently recognized with one surname, at least in the United States. This doesn’t offend me nor do I personally see intentional and malicious intent to oppress women in the practice.)
 

Now here’s the other side. I love my husband tremendously. I married him in the temple and I am intending to spend all of eternity with him. While we remain autonomous individuals, my individuality is no longer complete without incorporating him into my self-image. I believe that both of our eternal exaltation depends on the other. I cannot make it without him and he cannot make it without me. I see our marriage as a partnership (and because he agrees with this view, I married him). We’re going through this very odd experience we call life together. This makes me want to take his name. I want us to be unified together. I see us as equals taking on this life together. Having the same name seems appropriate under this frame.

So what about the happy middle: keeping my name and taking his? Well in principle that is my favorite option, but aesthetically, it’s atrocious. That would make my name this long: 1234567 – 1234567. That is a death sentence for legal matters, like signing papers to purchase a home (or really a mortgage). And then I have to ask, is that simply petty? Should I just get over it and live with a 15-character last name despite my abhorrence at the site of it? And there is also the option of keeping my maiden name as a second middle name (I'm too attached to my middle name to let that go either).

So people of the blogosphere, let me hear your stories and insights. It probably won’t persuade me one way or the other, but hearing your stories gives me strength in my struggle. It makes me realize that I am not alone, that I am not the only person who can’t reconcile my desires and make a decision. And then you give me hope that I can make a decision one way or another.

Happy Birthday Kobie!

While this is still the first week and we realize that you may or may not know all of us here on the blog, we still want to wish a very happy birthday to Kobie! We are putting together little introductions on the four of us, so that you have a better idea of who we are.. but for now I will say that Kobie is an absolutely incredible lady and was the one who first hatched the idea for this project. In honor of her birthday (and feminism in general) tell a friend all about feminism and then send them here! And don't forget to read our Wednesday post (which she authored)! I won't spoil the surprise, but it's a subject which just about every single woman has seriously mulled over.. 

Happy Birthday Kobie! 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Coming To Terms With Being a Feminist



Growing up I never knew exactly what a feminist was, but I knew it was not a term of endearment. While on a study abroad this past fall semester, I remember sitting in my classroom in Amman, Jordan having a rather heated discussion with my classmates. I don’t remember the exact conversation, but somehow women were involved and of course I was the only girl in a room full of men. Never once did I raise my voice or become over-emotional. I did however advocate for women having the right to choose the direction their lives should go. The entire conversation was held in Arabic, being the language we were there studying. As the comments flew back and forth our professor quietly smiled to himself as I continued to present my case. After one of my longer “speeches” about the unfortunate plight of women around the world, our professor silenced us all as he broke into English for the first time that entire semester to say three simple words directed at me, “our little feminist.” Never before had I been called a feminist. In fact, I had never even considered myself a feminist. Feminists were bad and I did not want to be associated with such a group. Instantly I felt confusion, shame, and embarrassment. The fact that my professor even spoke English was a bit of a shock in and of itself. But there was more to it than that. The English coupled with his tone of voice clearly indicated his desire to insult me. His face bore the expression of one who thought that he was better than me, who knew that my passion was useless because there was nothing I could do to change ‘the way things have always been.’ The power of that simple statement, “our little feminist” stung like nothing before. I thought I had done something wrong. I thought I might have been too passionate or unreasonable. I was quiet for the rest of the day as I re-played that class discussion over and over again in my mind. I knew I didn’t like being labeled a feminist, but I didn’t know why.

The longer I thought about it, the more confused I became. What part of myself was causing this revulsion to a simple word?  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the LDS culture has always been the largest influence on my life. It was here that I traced by phobia of feminism. But why? What is it about church culture that turns people away from feminism? Is it simply the culture or is it actually the doctrine of the church? Does feminism go against the teachings of Jesus Christ? The more I’ve come to understand feminism and understand the church, I’ve realized that of course the teachings of the church support women. Doesn’t the gospel advocate liberation for women? Don’t our church leaders ask us to vote in local and national elections? Don’t we believe in marriage between a man and a woman? Wouldn’t God want women to have the right to employment with pay based on experience and qualifications instead of gender? There isn’t anything in the teachings of the church that forbids women to wear jeans. The church does support women, women’s right, and women’s well-being. Time and time again the brethren of the church have counseled women to seek higher education. They urge us to develop our skills and do all we can to better ourselves. President Hinckley said, “In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so” (http://www.lds.org/new-era/2007/09/words-of-the-prophet-seek-learning?lang=eng&query=education+women). In that same address he reminds us, “You have the potential to become anything to which you set your mind… You must get all of the education that you possibly can… Sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field.” Yes, the brethren of the church reflect the gospel’s doctrine in supporting and uplifting women. They urge men and women everywhere to gain an education, to seek employment, and to be the best citizens they can be.

            A year has passed since that classroom experience and my professor’s powerful “insult” has acted to change my life. I finally know what a feminist is and marvel to think that I was once embarrassed and ashamed to be associated with such a powerful group of people. I am currently finishing my degree in Middle Eastern Studies Arabic and have added a Women’s Studies minor as well. I look for every possible way to reach out and better the lives of women around me, and am excited to spend the rest of my life doing so. Today, nothing makes me more proud than to be called a feminist.

- Catie 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Welcome to Daughters of the Restoration


Hello Blogosphere!!


We believe that there can never be enough feminist blogs on the web, especially ones that connect Mormonism with feminism, and so, we’ve brought you another one! Daughters of the Restoration is a blog written by a handful of young Mormon women. We believe that feminism and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, support one another. We are here to facilitate and encourage dialogue with one another as we explore questions regarding the relationship of religion and feminism. While we emphasize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the LDS community, we hope that our discussions will be inclusive of men and women in all religions. By analyzing them together we expect to discover new ways of thinking about the social and cultural world we live in. We are deeply interested in all issues related to women ranging from politics to breastfeeding to historical accounts of suffragettes to female pioneers. Not only do we have a lot we want to share with you, but we need you to participate in the dialogue we are trying to create. You may contribute to this very important conversation through your comments. We would also like to feature our author’s and their unique stories through full-length posts. We believe as we continue to be open with others and share our life’s experiences and stories we will be able to widen the area of discourse regarding LDS women and work towards a world of greater understanding and respect for all of God’s beautiful children. 


Although we are still working out the fine details and logistics of the blog, we hope you will visit often for new posts and insights into the lives of women. 


Below is a statement regarding our vision and goals for the blog. The vision and goals page will be located at the top of the blog for future reference.  ENJOY!


Our Vision:  


Our vision is to create an atmosphere conducive to the discussion of LDS doctrine in the lives of women: past, present and future.  We hope to engage in relevant, controversial topics and inspire women of our generation to recognize and wield the power that is innate within them. We sustain the power of the priesthood and modern revelation through our priesthood leaders and personal lives. We seek to be a resource for women who may have questions, concerns, or internal battles with these topics as we all seek to find our personal and global identity. We seek to unite women, by open conversation and working through issues together. We believe that we are daughters of God entitled to the recognition and privileges associated as children of deity.

Our Goals:


-        We seek to discuss Latter-day Saint doctrine as it pertains to women; all of our comments will be substantiated with quotations from the Brethren of the Church (modern and past), Prophets, and scholarly works.
-        We seek to highlight significant women of our past and the consequences their lives bring to our future.
-        We seek to revitalize interest and support for the Relief Society organization.
-        We seek to inform readers of Latter-day Saint interests and the Church’s position on prominent controversial issues.
-        We seek to promote an open and safe forum in which women from all walks of life, all religions, and all backgrounds may gather together and express their views and opinions about this sojourn we call life.


We discourage any conversations or discussions that may be disrespecting toward the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as toward each other. We encourage mutual respect and understand that we are each created equally in the eyes of God, both male and female.


We are not affiliated with Brigham Young University or any organizations within it. Neither are we sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are independent of any organization and seek to remain so.


Get involved, we would love to hear from our readers and engage with your ideas and personal battles. Please e-mail us a draft of your post and we will review it for posting. (All posts will be held to the same standards as our editors. Please make sure they adhere to the goals and mission of our organization).
Daughtersoftherestoration@gmail.com