excerpted from Leonard J. Arrington
“In 1906, a Mormon historian, Orson F. Whitney, wrote: ‘Among the outward evidences of the divine origin of ‘Mormonism’, there is nothing that testifies more clearly or eloquently to the truth of the Latter-day work, than the provision made therein for the uplifting and advancement of women; for the salvation and exaltation, in this world and in the world to come, of woman as well as man.’
 |
| Profile of Joseph Smith, Jr. (circa 1843) drawing by Bathsheba W. Smith |
"It began, no doubt with the First Vision of 1820, the organization of the church in 1830, the forming of the Female Relief Society in 1842, and the prophet’s subsequent action in turning the heavenly key to women that they might have a better day. Women used their privileges, as they referred to them, in creating programs and building institutions that would be helpful to them and to the church as a whole. Many women active in the Utah church heard the prophetic voice, acted upon it, and made lives brighter for their sisters. Articles and editorials in the Women’s Exponent and Relief Society Magazine usually in the March issue of each year when the anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society was celebrated, reminded the women of the prophet’s promise, and spurred the women on to helping realize it. That women had achieved equal suffrage, equal educational opportunity, could now own property and will or deed it away, could obtain divorces, stood equal before the law, were all attributed in some measure to Joseph Smith’s first vision and the divine revelations that followed.
“In April 28, 1842, at the sixth meeting of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo… the prophet Joseph Smith made the following remarkable statement: '[Sisters], I now turn the key to you in the name of God, and this Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time. This is the beginning of better days for this Society.'
“His divinely appointed task was the Restoration, and an essential part of it was restoring to women the status they enjoyed in early Christian communities. … The Lord’s creative plan called for an approach to equality, and pointing society in this direction was one of the most sincere convictions of the prophet—one that he believed was divinely inspired. Under the blessing of God, as he believed, these women—and indeed all women—were to have a better day. The women of the Restored church, those who were present at this meeting and at other meetings where the prophet spoke, believe this to be a revelation on their behalf, and as they saw a gradual improvement in the position of women, in the church and in civilized society, they were quick to attribute this to the Lord, to divine influences for good.
“Latter-day Saint women were forerunners in many areas. In advance of many Christian women, they voted with their husbands and brothers to sustain church leaders and the policies they presented in conferences. They exercised leadership in the programs of their local congregations. In Utah, they were the first women in the United States to exercise the right to vote in political elections, and for that reason, with minor exception, they were the first women in the nation to observe on juries. They ran for office and sometimes were elected. A Latter-day Saint woman was the second woman in the nation to be elected to serve as a state senator, another was the first woman in the United States to serve as a county home demonstration agent. Latter-day Saint women comprised the largest bloc of women medical doctors of any group in the nation. And Latter-day Saint women held important positions in the National Council of Women, the International Council of Women, and the World Peace Movement. A Latter-day Saint woman, as legislator, sponsored a bill creating the first state arts council in the nation.
“Unquestionably, the prophet Joseph Smith led the way. One of his earliest revelations was addressed solely to a woman, his wife Emma… When Joseph learned that Sarah Granger, a fifteen year old… had seriously studied [all available scripture], he invited her to meet with the School of the Prophets. He encouraged the Relief Society to exercise leadership in teaching, in midwifery, in supervising relief to needy families, and in performing ordinances for the sick. He encouraged the sisters to go to school. He treated women with respect and kindness. He counseled with women as well as with men about programs and practices.
“This pattern, as with many others pioneered by Joseph Smith, was followed by Brigham Young. With his approval and encouragement women were not only given the privilege of voting in territorial elections, but they were also encouraged to found the Woman’s Exponent, first magazine published by and for women west of the Mississippi, and the Deseret Hospital, speak in general conference, operate cooperative stores, put on fairs and bazaars, write poetry and novels, go East to study medicine, engage in farming and business, and attend the University of Deseret. Remarkable in American educational history, there were as many women students as men in that institution.”
Clearly, the views on women espoused by the prophet Joseph, developed under the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and allowed women to take charge of their own destinies.
(Written by Kathryn Latour, member of JRCLS WIL and Media Committees)
No comments:
Post a Comment