Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings

Posted on 25 January 2019 by Joanna Brooks

This groundbreaking collection gathers together for the first time the essential writings of the contemporary Mormon feminist movement from its historic beginnings in the 1970s to its vibrant present, offering the best Mormon feminist thought and writing.No issue in Mormonism has made headlines than the faith s distinctive approach to sex and gender From its polygamous nineteenth century past to its twentieth century stand against the Equal Rights Amendment and its twenty first century fight against same sex marriage, the Church of Latter day Saints LDS has consistently positioned itself on the frontlines of battles over gender related identities, roles, and rights But even as the church has maintained a conservative position in public debates over sex and gender, Mormon women have developed their own brand of feminism by recovering the lost histories of female leadership and exploring the empowering potential of Mormon theology The selections in this book many gathered from out of print anthologies, magazines, and other ephemera walk the reader through the history of Mormon feminism, from the second wave feminism of the 1970s to contemporary debates over the ordination of women.Collecting essays, speeches, poems, and prose, Mormon Feminism presents the diverse voices of Mormon women as they challenge assumptions and stereotypes, push for progress and change in the contemporary LDS Church, and band together with other feminists of faith hoping to build a better world. New Read [ Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings ] By [ Joanna Brooks ] – kino-fada.fr I loved this book SO MUCH I think some people might be put off by the title and I wasn t sure what to expect but it s really just a collection of personal essays, poems, and talks written by LDS women on what it means to be an LDS woman There were so many historical gems in here that I had never heard before especially about the history of Relief Society, which was SO different in the early years of the church than it is today Calling s...Brilliant, fascinating, and useful for scholars, students and mormons alike Reading through the chronology of modern mormon feminism is fascinating and appalling, inspiring and infuriating EVERYONE should read this book, it really is essential.I grew up in a small Wyoming town with four younger brothers, largely unaware of female concerns or issues in the Church My own mother, though well read and thoughtful, is like me a constitutionally happy, optimistic, and faith oriented person, and I never heard or sensed discontent from her about spending years of her life primarily in our home She has told me she does no...This compilation was incredible Having a legitimate volume of Mormon Feminist canon from the 1970s on is invaluable to my studies as well as a Mormon Feminist It is hard to have a reference point regarding past efforts in the movement, Church response to the movement, member and leader thought on th...Personal Profound This is a must read for Mormons, especially Mormon women We have a rich heritage and it is time to bring it forward again and build anew.Disclaimer Two of my poems are anthologized in this book.This is indeed an essential book, gathering together important writing by Mormon feminists from the 1970s to the early 2000s As an LDS woman, I was encouraged and discouraged by the various entries in the book I learned, and my thoughts were provoked, and I came away wishing that every Church leader and member, male and female, could read many of these writings and experience the pain, joy, anger, faithfulness, despair, intellectual Disclaimer Two of my poems are anthologized in this book.This is indeed an essential book, gathering together important writing by Mormon feminists from the 1970s to the early 2000s As an LDS woman, I was encouraged and discouraged by the various...I will start by saying I think every woman and man should read this book if they are Mormonism, feminism, or theology or all three I really did LOVE it I will also add that I hesitate in recommending it because I know some people especially women will have a hard time reading it It isn t a book you can read quickly and forget about It makes a deep impression and can leave someone feeling very uncomfortable It will change the way you view your place as a woman in a religious community or I will start by saying I think every woman and man should read this book if they are Mormonism, feminism, or theology or all three I really did LOVE it I will also add that I hesitate in recommending it because I know some people especially women will have a hard time reading it It isn t a book you can read quickly and forget about It makes a deep impression and can leave someone feeling very uncomfortable It will change the way you view your place as a woman in a religious community or it will change the way you view other women as well I think the awareness this book brings will help others to change their vocabulary in speaking of women in the LDS church and make them think twice before accepting the generic comments made to women At times I struggled reading it becaus...I love having all the documents in one place The commentary introduces us to the movers and shakers in the different waves of Mormon feminism and puts everything in historical perspective The diversity of views in these movements might be surprising to many, but with the globalization of the Church and the changing political climate, this is to be expected I ve followed the movement for years, but as a white American living a day s drive from Mormon headquarters, I especially appreciated the I love having all the documents in one place The commentary introduces us to the movers and shakers in the different waves of Mormon feminism and puts everything in historical perspective The diversity of views in these movements might be surprising to many, but wit...I hate to use the phrase a must read about books because then it makes them seem like homework, but this book is indeed essential reading At once heartbreaking and encouraging, it s a fascinating entry point into the w...Excellent, moving, important works collected in a well edited volume Each contribution is prefaced by an insightful contextual introduction, and the overall chronological organization helps see the development of activity over time However, I chose to read it topically using the topic guides in the back Many of these pieces were deeply meaningful to me and I wish I had known of these works years earlier Surprisingly though, the chronology of events that is in the introductory material was Excellent, moving, important works collected in a well edited volume Each contribution is prefaced by an insightful contextual introduction, and the overall chronological organization helps see the development of activity over time However, I chose to read it topically using the topic guides in the back Many of these pieces were deeply meani...

English
25 January 2019

Joanna Brooks