In LDS General Conference last month, Relief Society President Julie Beck gave a talk, entitled MOTHERS WHO KNOW, that set the Mormon world a spinning. There have been some female strides inside the intense patriarchy known as Mormonism, but it’s always been a two-steps-forward, six-steps-back kind of progress.

After all, women cannot hold the “Sacred” priesthood. This “power” alone rules and runs the Church. Everyone knows this. But some Mormon woman continue to convince themselves that they hold their own “power,” and that the Church is listening to them, and valuing them as human beings who have something important to give to society besides a garbage dump full of disposable diapers.

Wrongo. I think we need an exorcism, because Beck seems to be channeling Boyd K. Packer, or some of the other ancient Mormons apostles (I know, I know, they are ALL ancient, but you know what I mean).

I practically expect to see Beck’s head spin around and watch her spew perfectly simmered and seasoned pea soup at the next General Conference. There can be no other explanation for this speech, unless it’s a time warp.

Key points from Beck’s speech include:

Mothers Who Know Bear Children

Mothers who know desire to bear children.

Well, HELLO, duh? If they don’t BEAR children, they aren’t MOTHERS. This makes no sense at all. What kind of crap is this? Being female alone does not make you a mother. Did she even THINK about this before she wrote it? And what about those who CAN’T bear children? Let’s just rub the salt in the old wound again, shall we?

Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants

Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants. I have visited sacrament meetings in some of the poorest places on the earth where mothers have dressed with great care in their Sunday best despite walking for miles on dusty streets and using worn-out public transportation. They bring daughters in clean and ironed dresses with hair brushed to perfection; their sons wear white shirts and ties and have missionary haircuts. These mothers know they are going to sacrament meeting, where covenants are renewed. These mothers have made and honor temple covenants. They know that if they are not pointing their children to the temple, they are not pointing them toward desired eternal goals. These mothers have influence and power.

What the HELL does dressing your children up have to do with the temple? This makes no sense. The connection is not there. This is influence and power? How? Better do some ’splaining, Julie, because your talk is not only disjointed and nonsensical, but your making some PRETTY BIG leaps here.

Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers

Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness.5 To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world.

Okay, Sister Beck, now you are REALLY starting to irritate me. You are taking HUGE liberties with the meaning of the word NURTURE. The dictionary says:

1. to feed and protect: to nurture one’s offspring.
2. to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.
3. to bring up; train; educate.
–noun
4. rearing, upbringing, training, education, or the like.
5. development: the nurture of young artists.
6. something that nourishes; nourishment; food.

It doesn’t say ONE word about keeping an orderly home. Nor does it say to “nurture” is female. Men should, and in many cases are, just as involved in the upbringing of their children. I say we call an exorcist and try to get BOYD K. PACKER back where he belongs.

There are more than a few other key points, but they were kinda boring. I included a link to the talk itself, so feel free to go immerse yourself in the propaganda and brainwashing.

There are more than a few LDS women up in arms over this talk, and rightly so. Except I’m not sure what they expected. After all, the roles in Mormonism are, and always have been, very clearly defined. Women have a place. It is by the side of their “priesthood bearing” husband, and only THROUGH him can they achieve the highest of God’s kingdoms. If he ain’t there to call your name, and pull you through the veil, then you are NOT getting through.

This alone is the perfect example of what Mormons REALLY believe and teach. For no MAN needs a woman to get him into the Celestial Kingdom. But women? Not the same rules.

Apparently, the current atmosphere of sexual equality has someone in the LDS hierarchy disturbed, and thus, they set Sister Beck about RIGHTING things, and making sure that women known just exactly what their place is.

It’s interesting to see the reaction from around the Bloggernacle. For example:

From Feminist Mormon Housewives:

So, as Mormon women, how do we approach a talk like Beck’s? Is “in one ear and out the other” okay? Would it be inappropriate to respond directly, write her a letter listing in detail the things I find flawed and disappointing in her approach, or is that not sustaining my leaders? Almost worse than my annoyance and dismissal is the (unnecessary) guilt and shame I think my orthodox friends probably took right to heart.

The thing is, I want to sustain Beck, I don’t want to bash her, but there is no way that I can believe that “keeping our homes as tidy as the temple” or “being the best homemakers in the world” are the vital lessons that will bring myself and my family closer to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Shesh.

I’m curious to know if faithful but progressive Mormon women really thought that things were changing? I would love to hear some comments from them.

Comments that don’t start with, “U r really stoopid,” that is. Those usually come from young Mormon males, actually.

I personally found her comments ridiculous, and her talk poorly thought out. There were huge leaps of logic, and it did not tie together well. If anything, the masses should be in an uproar because she obviously needs some laying on of hands or something, so she can become as eloquent and well-spoken as… Oh wait. There aren’t many Mormon women known for that, now are there? In fact, you don’t hear much from women at all. Especially during conference. Why is that? Oh YEAH. Patriarchy. Always has been. Nothing new, people. I don’t see what the furor is all about.