Episode 21: No rest for the busy

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Art by Jim Thompson

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.

References

• Comments from Episode 18: "Looking for Balance" — Courtney's Story
• Wives and Daughters of the First Presidency panel discussion: Excerpts from the 1996 and 1999 Brigham Young University Women's Conference
• 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.)

Episode 20: "I have found my violin" — Motherhood vs. Education & Career, Part II

PART II
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Motherhood by Ann Gardner

This is the second half of the interview with Beatrice where she discusses her life after having her child and how she found balance between motherhood and her passion for research and teaching.

What have been your experiences in finding a balance between motherhood and your own dreams and passions?

Beatrice will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.

For resources and references,
see Part I of this interview.

Episode 19: "I have found my violin" — Motherhood vs. Education & Career, Part I

PART I
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Violet and Her Violin by Ann Gardner

Much has been said about the role of motherhood. Ezra Taft Benson, in particular, spoke at length about women's roles. Because of the strong directive to stay at home and be mothers, many women have felt conflict over desires to pursue educational and career opportunities. More recently, leaders have spoken of the importance of women getting a good education.

In this two-part episode, Beatrice shares her passion for teaching and research as she tells about getting her PhD and having her first child. She compares her strong drive toward pursuing her dreams to the intimate passion a violinist feels for her violin.


What have been your experiences in finding a balance 
between motherhood and your own dreams and passions? 

Beatrice will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.

Resources from Beatrice

• Beatrice's Blog: Both Sides Now
• Hi, I'm Emily! from the recent Mormon Ad Campaign
• LDS Family Ideals versus the Equality of Women:Navigating the Changes Since 1957 by Carrie A. Miles
• My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
• The Chosen by Chaim Potok

The Crosswicks Journals by Madeline L'Engle

• A Circle of Quiet
• The Summer of the Great-Grandmother
• The Irrational Season
• Two Part Invention: The Story of Marriage

Episode 18: "Looking for Balance" — Courtney's Story

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Art by Gina Rose Halper

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.

Resources Courtney Recommends:

• The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
• The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
• The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope
• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
• Weston A. Price Foundtation
• Little Buddha film
• Mother Wove the Morning by Carol Lynn Pearson
• Zelophehad's Daughters
• The Exponent
• Feminist Mormon Housewives
• Sunstone Magazine
• Dialogue Journal
• Exponent II

Episode 17: "She wasn't a wife for me": Polygamy in Mainstream Mormonism

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Polygamy has been a part of the Mormon church almost from the beginning. Current church policy prohibits the practice of marrying and living with multiple wives, although there are still men who are sealed to multiple women.

This episode is the story of a woman who grew up in mainstream Mormonism and how she and her husband searched for a way to practice the doctrine of the plurality of wives inside the dictates of the church and the law of the land.

Michelle will be watching the comments so she can respond to questions and discuss issues brought up in her story. 

As you leave comments, remember that Daughter 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.

If you would like to learn more about polygamy in the early Mormon church, here are some resources.

Websites

• Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith 
• Family Search Record for Joseph Smith
• LDS.org entry for Polygamy (Plural Marriage)

Books

• Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery 
• In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith by Todd Compton 
• Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman

Podcasts

• Mormon Stories: Intro to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 1
• Mormon Stories: Intro to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 2
• Mormon Stories: Intro to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Pt. 3
• Mormon Expression: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith 
• Mormon Expression: Book Club: Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith
• Mormon Expression: Polygamy Manifesto for Dummies Part 1 
• Mormon Expression: Polygamy Manifesto for Dummies Part 2 

Episode 16: Finding Her Everywhere: Symbols of the Divine Feminine

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Female Symbol

Asherah Statue

Recently we did a two part panel discussion about the Divine Feminine. As part of continuing this conversation, this podcast presents different symbols that can remind us of Goddess, Heavenly Mother, and the Female Divine.

In this episode, Jenni takes us on a tour of nature symbols, ancient goddess lore, and elements found inside of Mormonism.


If you have a symbol that helps you connect with the Divine Feminine, please share it in the comments.

Jenni will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in this discussion.

Maiden, Mother, Matriarch

Links on Symbolism & the Divine Feminine

• When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone
• Contemplating Mother Goddess from Mother Wheel by Jenni
• Nephi and His Asherah by Daniel Peterson  
• How to Worship Our Mother In Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin Barney
• Sophia of the Proverbs at Mormon Matters by Bored in Vernal
• Serpent Mythology from Mother Wheel by RasJane

Episode 15: "Not in Conflict" — Jenni's Story

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Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Jenni, one of our panelists. She shares her journey through marrying a divorced man with a child, her miscarriages, and her integrated belief system of paganism and Mormonism.

Jenni will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.


Links from Jenni's interview:

• Integrated Path post on Jenni's Blog
• Mormon Stories Podcast on Masonry and Mormonism
• MO 2.0 Facebook Group 
• LDS WAVE: Women Advocating for Voice and Equality
• The Crunchy Mormon Forum (also "The Coven" inside that form)
• The Mother Wheel
• Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd
• Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler

Episode 14: "Replanting My Garden" — Heather's Story

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Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Heather, one of our panelists. She shares her experiences with unassisted childbirth, "lactivism," the garden of her testimony, and more.

Heather will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.

Links from Heather's interview:

• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
• Applebee's Nurse In 
• Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding isn't Obscene (Official Petition to Facebook)
• Laura Shanley, author of Unassisted Childbirth
• Zelophehad's Daughters
• The Exponent
• Feminist Mormon Housewives
• Dance of the Dissident Daughter
• Mother Wove the Morning
• With Your Mutual Approbation

Heather's Blog Posts:

• Modesty and Breastfeeding 
• Breastfeeding in Church
• Margaret's Birth Story (also published in the book Simply Give Birth)
• Isaac's Birth Story
• Green Garment Campaign