{"product_id":"women-and-authority-reemerging-mormon-feminism-9781560850144","title":"Women and Authority: Re-Emerging Mormon Feminism","description":"\u003cp\u003eMormon women today might be surprised to learn about their foremothers views on feminist theology and womens issues  according to Maxine Hanks.  In 1842  founder Joseph Smith foresaw the LDS Womens Relief Society as \"a kingdom of Priests \" that he \"would ordain them to preside over the society...just the Presidency preside over the church.\" Originally  the LDS Womens Relief Society paralleled the LDS mens priesthood quorums. Women were \"ordained\" to various positions  as well as set apart to be healers \"with power to rebuke diseases.\"  In the 19th-century  Mormon theology also spoke of a Mother God  having \"all power and glory\" with the Father in Heaven. Mormon doctrine also hinted at the divine status of Eve  Mary  and Mary Magdalene.  The 19th-century Womans Exponent  published by the LDS Womens Relief Society  editorialized in favor of \"equal rights before the law  equal pay for equal work  equal political rights.\" The magazines masthead read  \"The Rights of the Women of Zion and the Rights of Women of All Nations.\"  One Relief Society founder  Sarah Kimball  referred to herself as \"a womans rights woman \" while another leader  Bathsheba Smith  was called on a Relief Society mission in 1870 to preach \"womans rights\" throughout southern Utah. According to the Womans Exponent  a womans place was not just \"in the nursery\" but \"in the library  the laboratory  the observatory.\" Women were encouraged to pursue formal education and career opportunities  study medicine and involve themselves in politics. Mormon women were assured that \"when men see that women can exist without them  it will perhaps take a little of the conceit out of some of them.\"  Women who served inside LDS temples were termed \"priestesses \" while LDS Womens Relief Society president Eliza R. Snow was known as a \"prophetess.\" Snow discouraged women from confiding their personal issues to male bishops  saying that such matters \"should be referred to the Relief Society president and her counselors.\"  In 1875  LDS Womens Relief Society president  Emmeline B. Wells  could say with confidence: \"Let woman speak for herself; she has the right of freedom of speech. Women are too slow in moving forward  afraid of criticism  of being called unwomanly  of being thought masculine. What of it? If men are so much superior to women  the nearer we come up to the manly standard the higher we elevate ourselves.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45279768412213,"sku":"ByrdShop_1560850140","price":227.94,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781560850144.jpg?v=1780609605","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/women-and-authority-reemerging-mormon-feminism-9781560850144","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}