LDS women, men 'very close' in religious observance

"That's how women learned to help in building Zion," Holbrook said.

Those pioneer sensibilities continue to enhance and inspire the agency of contemporary LDS women, who have "endless choices," said Dr. Claudia Bushman, professor of American Studies at Columbia University.

"We choose from among different alternatives, and then we make choices within those alternatives," she said. "Some people consider Mormonism oppressive, but if it is oppressive, that's a choice we have made."

Even when confronted by church policies or practices with which they may disagree, Bushman said LDS women still have a choice.

"You pick and choose the things you are going to get worked up about," she said. "It's picking and choosing that is the answer to everything."

The conference was directed by Holbrook and author and professor Matt Bowman. Sponsors included several different programs at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and the LDS Church History Department.

Email: jwalker@desnews.com