Episode 39: Childless by Choice Part II

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In the second part of the discussion, Sybil, Amy, and Shelby talk about how they've thought being mothers and alternatives to bearing children.

* By having this conversation, we are in no way saying that motherhood or children are wrong or undesirable. We are only expressing our own experiences.

For resources and references, and to comment on this panel discussion, please see Part I.

Episode 38: Childless by Choice Part I

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Because motherhood and having children are such an intrinsic part of the way women are defined in the church, trying to have a conversation among those who have chosen not to have children ... it can be difficult. In some ways, child-free women can feel marginalized and/or invisible in the church because they aren't "fulfilling their purpose" as a mother.

In this panel discussion, Sybil is joined by guest panelists Amy and Shelby to talk about their experiences as women who have currently chosen not to have children. They also discuss how they remain childless, their fears and thoughts about motherhood, and more.

* By having this conversation, we are in no way saying that motherhood or children are wrong or undesirable. We are only expressing our own experiences.

The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to ideas and issues brought up in this discussion. 

Resources

• The Childless By Choice Project
• The Childfree Life Forum
• Two Is Enough: A Couple's Guide to Living Childless by Choice
• Inspiration for Childless and Childfree Women: Big Deal?
• Things You Should Never Say to a Person Who is Childless by Choice by DefyGravity 
• Childfree in the Church by Cha Cha from Feminist Mormon Housewives

References

"One of our family members recently overheard a young couple on an airline flight explaining that they chose to have a dog instead of children. 'Dogs are less trouble,' they declared. 'Dogs don’t talk back, and we never have to ground them.' We rejoice that so many Latter-day Saint couples are among that unselfish group who are willing to surrender their personal priorities and serve the Lord by bearing and rearing the children our Heavenly Father sends to their care. (from "Unselfish Service" by Dallin Oaks)

"How can mothers justify their abandonment of home when they are needed so much by their offspring? Rationalization must take over as they justify themselves in leaving home and children." (from Faith Precedes the Miracle by Spencer W. Kimball, pages 116-17.)

Episode 37: Re-Visioning the Garment Symbols

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Art by Mara Berendt Friedman

Sometimes our thirst for divine reflection of our gender can lead us to fascinating places. In this panel discussion our panelists Jenne A and Jenni B are joined by their friends Jena and Genevieve to present an interpretation of the garment symbols that includes the Divine Feminine. In addition to the meaning they give the symbols, they have also created daily rituals that help them to connect to their garments in a positive way.

The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to ideas and to elaborate on the symbolism and practices they share in the discussion. 



Resources and References

• LDS Endowment (Be advised: This site contains direct wording and description of the Temple Ceremony) 
• Ephesians 6:11-18 (verse 14 about loins girt with truth, verse 16 about the shield)
• 4-part Godhead
• Ideas about Multiple Mortal Probations by Jenne A
• My Search for the Divine Feminine by Ryan Thomas (Exponent article about why people believe that the Spirit might be female: page 25 in this issue) 
• Eve as Balance to Christ from Daughters of Mormonism
• The Sacrament of Birth by Analiesa Leonhardt 
• The Two Trees by Valerie Hudson
• How to Worship Our Mother In Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin Barney
• Jenne A's blog post on the above article

Two Facebook Groups that Happened as a Result of this Panel Discussion

• Wildly Speculative (Feminist) Mormon Theology 
• Mormon Moon Circle: Once a month on the new moon this group (which includes the women from the panel discussion) hold a "live" meeting where they explore and enhance their spirituality by sharing experiences or epiphanies they’ve had, and doing a group visualization/meditation and prayer circle.

Episode 36: The Descent of the Wounded Soul

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Christ of the Abyss

Special Episode for Easter: There are so many of us who hide our wounded souls, fearful that others will see our pain. Often we are drowned in feelings of hopelessness and despair of ever healing.

In this short episode, I give my own interpretation of Christ's atonement and resurrection. In my view, he is showing us the path of our own healing. When Christ said, "Come follow me," perhaps he was showing us the way into our own darkness. 

Isaiah Reference: Isaiah 61:3

Please share your own experiences of wounding and healing in the comments. Please also feel free to share things that have helped you on your journey.