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.
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.
"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.)
Many of us learned to be "good girls," meaning that we understood that our purpose was to please others and not to please ourselves. Layered in with this teaching were messages about sex and sexuality.
We didn't want to be chewed gum or a licked cupcake. We wanted to keep ourselves safe from the sexual urges of the opposite sex. And, of course, not to be sexual ourselves; that was associated with sinning.
While these messages were likely intended to keep us safe, they did so at a cost,
which usually reveals itself in the marriage
bed. What does a good girl do with sex?
Join Sybil, Amelia, Sara, Heather, and Jenni for the second half of their discussion about their experiences with and the causes and effects of Good Girl Syndrome.
Join Sybil, Amelia, Sara, Heather, and Jenni for the first part of their discussion about their experiences with and the causes and effects of Good Girl Syndrome.
As a teen, Janice converted to the LDS church as part of an attempt to cure herself of her lesbianism. She served a mission and married in the temple as part of her determination to be "fixed." Her journey to find her whole self — the wild woman, the lesbian, the feminist — led her into the depths of depression and to the brink of taking her own life where she was gifted with a deep realization that God loved her.
Janice will be watching the comments so she can respond to questions and issues brought up in her story.
As you leave comments, remember that Daughters of Mormonism seeks to provide a safe place for women to share their stories. This is a real story from a real person. Please see the Comment Policy for further details.
A little while ago, Jena contacted me about a project she has started to fast for revelation about Heavenly Mother. In this episode, she tells her story as she grew in her interest and desire to know her Mother God and how she came to start this project. She extends an invitation to fast on the third Sunday of each month for specific and official revelation about Heavenly Mother. For more detail, check out these links:
There is a common saying that there is no rest for the wicked. What about for the righteous? Especially those who are so righteous, they are constantly engaged in "the Lord's work"? Ah, yes, the Lord's work. Didn't Jesus say something about come unto me and I will give you rest? In this podcast, I talk about the issue of busyness in Mormonism. I also alert listeners that this podcast will be undergoing some changes as I step back from the project. This means that it will be publishing every other week rather than every week.
Charity Never Faileth by Thomas Monson (Note: To hear the part I'm quoting, which is near the beginning of his address, you need to listen to the audio or watch the video. The transcript cuts this part of his talk.)
Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Courtney, one of our panelists.
She shares her path in finding great health and connection with the Earth and the Divine through yoga and Buddhism.
Courtney will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.
Here's a great special edition! While I was staying in Utah, I had the opportunity to visit Zilpha from Mormon Expression at her recording studio.
During our afternoon together, Zilpha interviewed me about my new project: The Daughters of Mormonism podcast. At the time, I had just posted Sara's interview, so there were only four episodes up.
It is exciting to see how fast this podcast has grown in the short time since that interview. During this episode, we discuss various women's issues in Mormonism, especially as they relate to our own lives, and I give more of my story.
