Combatting the “Too Broad, Too Vague, and Too Non-Definitive, Blanket Approach” to Finding Solutions for Women's Issues: The Essential Barbara B. Smith in Defining the Role of Women in the LDS Church

Keywords

Equal rights amendments, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gender roles, Women, Gender equality, Monuments, Womens rights, Men, Fruiting seasons, Mormon history

Abstract

During the 1970s, many Americans questioned women’s roles. Some defended the traditional view of the ideal woman in the home.1 Others labeled that “stereotypical, confining, and demeaning.”2 With this discussion, the LDS Church’s traditional family theology took on political implications including Church leaders’ opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). According to Church historian J. B. Haws, “The level of their political involvement was unprecedented and surprisingly effective, and this drew sharp criticism from the amendment’s supporters, some of whom were Mormons distressed at their church’s intrusion in the nation’s political life. Yet for Latterday Saint officials, the decision to speak out against the ERA was part and parcel with their pro- family agenda. It was an identity they sought to cultivate.”

Original Publication Citation

Woodger, Mary Jane and Carrie Taylor Anguiano, “Combatting the ‘Too Broad, Too Vague, and Too Non-Definitive, Blanket Approach to Finding Solutions for Women’s Issues: The Essential Barbara B. Smith in Defining the Role of Women in the LDS Church,” no. 3, July 2017,vol. 43 Journal of Mormon History, 122-144.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017-7

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6614

Publisher

Journal of Mormon History

Language

english

College

Religious Education

Department

Church History and Doctrine

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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