Question: Are Mormon Women Oppressed?
Some people, including the media, seem to believe that Mormon women are oppressed. They may say that Mormon women are an oppressed majority within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Do Mormon women really feel this? Are Mormon women really oppressed?
Answer: There will always be a conflict for Latter-day Saint (Mormon) women who seek after the honors of the world. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ requires us to leave those honors behind and focus on the things of eternity. While a mother's efforts in the home may go unheralded by the world, they are of the greatest worth and value in this life and in the life to come.
Those women who lose their focus and seek after worldly honor will inevitably find dissatisfaction. The Church oftentimes becomes an easy target for their frustrations. Be assured that these women are not the majority.
The average Mormon woman is at home nurturing her children. She's teaching them to read, to serve, to do good in the world. She's helping her neighbor or planting a garden. She's developing a new talent or comforting a loved one. She's reading a book, she's coaching her child's team, she's serving in the local PTO, or writing to her local congressman. She's rocking a baby, she's praying, she's sharing the best of herself with those who matter most. Though she may experience sorrow from time to time she is generally happy and at peace with herself.
The prophets and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ have always taught both men and women to honor each other and to respect their roles as fathers and mothers. The role of motherhood is divine and is a part of every women, whether or not she bears children of her own.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to the men and young men of the Church and taught them to honor motherhood, to honor sisters, to honor wives, and to preside in love.1
Elder Richard G. Scott, also an apostle of God, said:
Notes:
1. "Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women," Ensign, May 1999, 38.
2. "Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well," Ensign, Nov 2008, 44–47.
3. Also see this beautiful Mormon Messages video, "Create" based off President Uchtdorf's General Conference talk, "Happiness Your Heritage."
Those women who lose their focus and seek after worldly honor will inevitably find dissatisfaction. The Church oftentimes becomes an easy target for their frustrations. Be assured that these women are not the majority.
The average Mormon woman is at home nurturing her children. She's teaching them to read, to serve, to do good in the world. She's helping her neighbor or planting a garden. She's developing a new talent or comforting a loved one. She's reading a book, she's coaching her child's team, she's serving in the local PTO, or writing to her local congressman. She's rocking a baby, she's praying, she's sharing the best of herself with those who matter most. Though she may experience sorrow from time to time she is generally happy and at peace with herself.
The prophets and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ have always taught both men and women to honor each other and to respect their roles as fathers and mothers. The role of motherhood is divine and is a part of every women, whether or not she bears children of her own.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to the men and young men of the Church and taught them to honor motherhood, to honor sisters, to honor wives, and to preside in love.1
Elder Richard G. Scott, also an apostle of God, said:
"Therefore, as a husband or son, express gratitude for what your wife and mother do for you. Express your love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer, more pleasant and purposeful for many of the daughters of Father in Heaven who seldom hear a complimentary comment and are not thanked for the multitude of things they do. As a husband, when you sense that your wife needs lifting, hold her in your arms and tell her how much you love her. May each of us ever be tender and appreciative of the special women who enrich our lives."2As Mormon women we find joy through creating beauty and serving others.3 We are not oppressed, but are respected and loved.
Notes:
1. "Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women," Ensign, May 1999, 38.
2. "Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well," Ensign, Nov 2008, 44–47.
3. Also see this beautiful Mormon Messages video, "Create" based off President Uchtdorf's General Conference talk, "Happiness Your Heritage."
