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LDS leader's '07 address still causing controversy
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Your comment that women need to understand and accept their role sounds like the Taliban. Maybe understanding and accepting their mission in life would be more appropriate. Which, by the way, applies to men also. We all need to recognize our gifts and use them where ever the spirit leads. Personal revelation is just that. There are too many who judge others by their own perceptions. Too many who like to hold mirrors up to others instead of turning it around to see their own imperfect reflection.
After I take a step back, reflect, and evaluate myself, I ALWAYS find that I am being prideful and in need of making corrections in my life.
I listened to the talk at home when it was given. I left the room and went to listen to it somewhere else.
I was not going to listen to it in the same room as my wife and visiting mother-in-law.
I have been listening to GC talks for decades. I have never felt like this before or since. The Proclamation on the Family has comments that discuss individual situations. Perhaps Sister Beck can learn that from reading it again.
A friend of mine in her early 20's had a record deal that would have ensured wealth and fame due to her amazing talents. She "chose" to walk away from it to become a mother. She knew that pursuing either wealth or fame would have greatly compromised her ability to be the wife and mother that she wanted to be. I applaud her. I admire her. The world could learn great lessons from her.
Sister Beck was simply trying to provide council along those lines. Motherhood is one of the greatest privileges available to mankind.
I applaud all women who get that fact and do their best!
PS What a jerk who called her a slave. Are you kidding me?! I hope he wasn't a member.
I, personally, cried throughout Sister Beck's talk (what, does that make me some kind of feminine wimp?). I felt totally validated that I was doing the right thing for MY family: raising MY OWN children. Not everyone can do it, but I can, and I was grateful for her words.
So lay off, all you feminist Nazis. Make your own decisions, pray about them and with your answer, move forward. It doesn't matter what anyone says to you then, does it? But be prepared if the answer is not "go to work," but instead "care for your own babies." Your answer may change at times in your life, but if it's "stay home," then bless the soul who chooses the vomit over the money.
Contrary to what Beck appears to think, WE ARE NOT ALL ALIKE. There are some women who happily bear numerous children and thoroughly enjoy staying home, house-keeping and caring for the children. Some women don't want, or can't have, children, and enjoy having a career. The largest number (like me) both want to bear and care for children AND pursue their careers. All are valid lifeways, and I support the right of each woman to choose the path she wishes to follow.
Beck implied that only the first of those three kufeats is valid and worthwhile. By her comments, she demeaned the hopes, desires and wishes of a large number of the people she is supposed to represent and, in the process, invalidated the women woho don't fit her perception of what a woman is supposed to be. That set my teeth on edge.
Sad.
Of course it is hard not to be able to do what you know is the most important thing in life is. All that other stuff; careers, degrees, publications, hobbies, Church callings, whatever, is just there to facilitate something more important - or then to provide some uplifting experiences.
No argumentation changes the fact that parenthood is the most important project in our lives. Unlike marriage, parenthood only has a window of 15-20 years to really make a difference (often much less). Why not give it your best shot? That is what sis. Beck's talk was about.
Because, face it, your degrees and colleagues won't come visit you when you're 90 and can't get around anymore. Your kids will, if you gave them what they needed.
And notice: All this said without using the words "woman" or "man". It is equally true for both. Make your own application and quit kvetching.
My mom was a first-time mother at 20, with "only" two college years under her belt, yet she is one of the most intelligent women I know. Just because a woman becomes a mother at a young age doesn't mean she leaves her brain at the door of the hospital delivery room.
I have been fortunate enough to marry a man who wanted me to do whatever would make me happy, and while we will never be rich (or upper middle class either), I've been lucky enough to be able to stay at home most of our marriage since our first child was born. I chose this - and I am supremely happy with my choice. I home school, I pursue hobbies, I work hard at keeping our expenses down and I do a lot that other people pay others to do - so I figure I contribute a lot financially as well. I pity the fool who calls me a slave or mindless idiot. :-)
You forget that not all of these 500 women are neccesarily in the church. Janice Allred is no longer a member, and is probably among the top ten most guilty people under the catagory "Evil Speaking of the Lord's anointed". She along with Lavina Anderson has formed an organization dedicated to exposing church leaders for committing "spiritual abuse" whatever in the world that is.
Margeret Toscano has also been excommunicated. So that is at least 20% of the presenters are not part of the 13 million plus members.
You clearly did not LISTEN to the message. Out of all that was presented you came away with men must wear white shirts??? Then you make the grand canyon sized leap and obnoxious overreaching comment that Sister Beck is on the road to becoming a "RS nazi" and refer to her as a "loose cannon"???
Sounds like you're on a road...
Oh yeah, I checked out the list of signers on the site, the ones in my area are the same ones that complain about anything church leaders have to say. They don't have issues, they have the full subscription.
Forget "You Can be a Mormon and a Nudist." How about "You Can be a Mormon and a Wierdo." These fringe members seem to suffer from delusions of normalcy.
Still laughing.
Canadiandy
You may or may not be right. But, this site, like others, is for comments. People have a right to comment. It is something people do every day in many ways. Sites like this can enlighten, or anger, or make you laugh. I don't think that is a bad thing. Freedom of expression is fine. So is freedom to agree or disagree. I would never consider myself an intellectual. I am just getting use to being human. Besides, who could qualify as an intellectual? The best definition I ever heard was: "Anyone who can listen to the William Tell overture and NOT think of the Lone Ranger."
What?!
How in the world did Margaret Toscano ever get that?
I've heard Sis. Beck's talk and that idea wasn't even close to being in there.
Offenses....if you want to find them, you will.
I'm sorry you did leave, but that was entirely your choice. I'm glad you've found a level of peace in your decision.
But I think what Jesus said was, "Come follow me." He didn't say, "Hey, only follow me in those things you agree with, but if perchance there's some areas where we disagree, well, what the heck, that's OK. Go ahead and ignore my advice and it's still OK."
I'm reminded of the young man that came to Jesus and asked him what he should do. Jesus told him to keep all of the commandments. The young man said he had kept them all from his youth. Jesus told him to then sell all his possessions and follow him. But the young man put his head down and walked away.
Using your philosophy, I suppose the young man was just fine in what he did?
No one said he was bad -- he just didn't do everything he was asked.
It's not always easy is it?
DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ANYONE WHO WOULD TRY TO MINIMIZE YOUR ROLE AS A FAITHFUL LATTER-DAY SAINT AND A LOVING, STAY-AT-HOME MOTHER!!!
GOD W-I-L-L BLESS YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS AT RAISING HIS CHILDREN.
Others may rant and rave if they wish, but stand strong, sister, stand strong!!!
God bless you in your righteous endeavors as a Latter-day Saint woman and mother.
Regards - Dan Maloy
Enid, OK
That said, I did read Julie Beck's remarks and feel they may have been misinterpreted by some. The title of her talk was not the greatest choice...had it included the phrase "to mothers who know" or "to mothers of the church", it would have been more clear that she was addressing LDS mothers, rather than marginalizing women who are single or childless.
And rather that an attack on LDS women who are mothers and who work and who do a good job of both, the talk could also be viewed as a wake up call for stay at home LDS moms who aren't the greatest homemakers (poorly kept homes or large numbers of children lacking discipline...anyone who has been to a family style restaurant in Utah knows what I mean, you've all seen them).
I applaud you for your wisdom in recognizing Sis Beck's.
Amen to you, Sir! Amen!
Heber C. Kimball, from the "Life of Heber C. Kimball", pg 446
Is that not what the Lord's chosen prophet speaks?, the words of God?
"And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the POWER of God unto salvation." - Doctrine and Covenants 68: 3-4
Now, who says LDS women are doomed to weakness and second-class status?.....
You do the best you can with your situation, while striving for the ideal. I think most Latter-day Saints understand this concept. If there are areas that you can change, selfish endeavors that may need to be put away in order to live the ideal, then we need to try and make those changes. One thing is certain, the lack of mothers living up to the principles Sister Beck taught is causing many problems in society today. It can have lasting effects on a family for generations. Thank you Sister Beck for teaching us principles that are badly needed in today's world.
But money put a roof over the heads of yur family, food on the table, clothes on their backs, school supplies, pays for weddings and missions, and your retirement.
Instead of this:
"Dads - Provide for and protect your family. Help your wives with ALL she's in need of. She has a much tougher responsibility than you anyway.
Moms - Nurture and raise your children to be positive influences on society. Sustain and support your husbands, because you can be their largest ego inflators and they like that."
Try this:
Dads and Moms- Provide for and protect your family. Help your spouse with ALL they're in need of.
Nurture and raise your children to be positive influences on society. Sustain and support your spouse, because you can be their largest ego inflators and they like that.
My problem with the current patriarchal system in place is that it absolves fathers of providing fatherly nuturing ("Wait until your father get's home" mentality.)
My wife and I both teach, clean, and take responsibility for our kids.
More father's should.
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without them having to admit to ii and the flock is left with same question of "Is this doctrine or not?"