In 1935, the Mormon Church's Prophet and his two counselors, in a message to the church, said, “The true spirit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life” (Messages of the First Presidency, 6:5).

Women who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints belong to Relief Society, the Mormon women’s organization who purpose was originally supposed to be humanitarian in nature. There is also a Young Women organization for girls between twelve and eighteen. Mormons believe that women who have children have the main responsibility for their nurture, while fathers are responsible for providing for the family; this concept has is confusing and disappointing to many LDS (Mormon) women who are trying to raise their family the best way they can, which may include working outside the home. Only Mormon men can hold the priesthood. Family life is supposed to be the top priority for both men and women in the Church; but sometimes falls by the waistside to accomodate Church callings (positions) that keep families seperated while they are at Church as well as throughout the weekend and weekday. As spoken by prophet David O. McKay, "No success can compensate for failure in the home." These messages have been misconstrued by Morman women who wish to remain in the home and avoid work outside the home.

MotherhoodEdit

Mormons believe that raising children is truly the only thing women have really been designed to do. To nuture is to also be a "homemaker" according to Julie Beck (Relief Society President). This concept has been more than disturbing to both Mormen men and women who consider the real terminology of the word.

The Church frowns upon women having careers and will only condone a woman doing something outside the home for emergencies.

The Church does not legislate on the use of birth control; however, the official Church Handbook doesn't approve of vasectomies or artificial insemination. The Church considers abortion (except in situations of rape, incest, or health of the mother) to be a grievous sin.

EducationEdit

The Mormon Church advocates education for women. In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of Mormon Scripture, in section 130 verses 18-19, it says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” This applies to both mormon men and women. Mormon women are encouraged to develop employable skills, even if they marry and have a husband who provides for the family. The path of study a Mormon woman chooses to pursue is a personal decision and is not decided by the church.

The Mormon Church never seeks to oppress women. One of the main criticisms of the Church is that women cannot hold the priesthood. This is true, however, women have all of the opportunities men do to receive the blessings of the priesthood (as noted several times.) The ordinances (rites) of the priesthood that are performed to qualify humankind for salvation are available to women who honor their divine calling of mothers in the home. The priesthood is the power of God, which only men posess. The power of the priesthood comes with many duties to serve. Women are not asked to do these things for several reasons: For example, God has commanded only men to hold the priesthood. Also, women have other house duties that require their full attention. God does call women to many positions within the Church, giving them the power and revelation they need to fulfill their own callings.

Mormon women are not subservient to Mormon men:

However; women are cautioned to not engage in "causes" as instructed by Julie Beck. Despite these statements which regard women as not only less than man, but less than other women who do engage themselves outside the home; Prophets have said “The place of woman in the Church is to walk beside the man, not in front of him nor behind him

Mormon women are expected to exercise their divine right to achieve the highest temple ordinances:

“Never in history have women enjoyed the freedom of thought and action accorded the women of this Church. From the day of its restoration women have been accorded their full religious franchise, and in the temples of the restored Gospel a man may not partake of the highest ordinances without his wife by his side. In all life pursuits she is given her entire independence. This gives to woman a mighty responsibility which, if she honors and uses, will be increased in power upon her; but if she ignores it or treats it lightly or fails to magnify it, she may lose that which she now possesses and thereby forfeit her birthright. For this great privilege women of this Church should be eternally grateful and willing to use and cherish this precious and priceless relationship. Where much is given, much is expected” (Leah D. Widtsoe, Priesthood and Womanhood, as quoted in Priesthood and Church Government, comp. John A. Widtsoe, pp. 90–91, as found at MormonWiki.com).

Men and Women Need Each OtherEdit

Mormons believe that women and men are created differently. Gender is a crucial and eternal part of identity that allows men and women to complement each other; the men; working outside the home and providing for financial needs; the women in the home; caring for children and cooking. Sheri L. Dew, a member and former leader of the Relief Society, stated, "He [God] made us enough alike to love each other, but enough different that we would need to unite our strengths and stewardships to create a whole. Neither man nor woman is perfect or complete without the other" ("It Is Not Good for Man or Woman to Be Alone," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 12).