Religion professor and popular LDS podcaster and apologist Jared Halverson set off a firestorm this week with a video urging women to stay in the Church, even if they feel unseen, unheard, and second-class. The backlash was swift and fierce, with women from across the Mormon spectrum calling out the spiritual harm embedded in his message. On Mormonism After Dark, RFM and Bill Reel brought in powerhouse voices Dr. Julie Hanks and Britt Hartley to dissect the issue — and their responses struck a nerve. Halverson eventually issued an apology… but did it land? Did he really get it? Tonight, we break down the full timeline of this unfolding controversy — from the original video to the fallout, the apology, and the deeper implications about patriarchy, power, and performative faith. Was it a misstep — or a mirror held up to the system itself? Join us for a full, unfiltered look at the Halverson Escapade — only on the Mormon Newscast. In addition, we also have more temple updates, namely the Fairview and McKinney Temples and the public buzz around them. We look at a new ai LDS tool that has just been announced, check out the new clothing styles permitted by the sleeveless garment, and ensure everyone is ready for Conference just around the corner!
Link to the Mormonism After Dark Episode featuring Britt Hartley and Dr. Julie Hanks discussing Jared Halverson – https://youtube.com/live/trTS-xBmbTM?feature=share
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I listened to this episode on Halverson, and I’m still mystified as to what he actually said that was offensive. I’m genuinely confused. Obviously I can see that it upset some women, but I wish you would be more specific about the actual words or phrases that he said that were hurtful because I’ve listened to it three times and I don’t know.
I listened to the podcast about the backlash regarding women leaving the church because they feel marginalized, unheard and unappreciated. Having been a member of the church since 1953, I have seen…and experienced phenomenal growth in the manner in which women are regarded. As I have matured, so has the focus of the leadership with regards to the important contributions of women. I remember hearing the comment….”brothers…love your wives. Sisters, pray for your husbands… they need all the help they can get.”
A conference talk “A Plea to My Sisters” where the prophet counseled the brethren to listen to the sisters…they see things we don’t notice and they have valuable input into our leadership.
I have come to the conclusion that Heavenly Father gave priesthood to the men to balance out to some degree what He gave to women.
Should there be any women concerned about priesthood authority being withheld from them…I invite them to become ordinance workers in the house of the Lord where they officiate as holders of the priesthood.
One prophet responded to the question of the status of women in our church by saying….”What do we feel about women in the church?? We step out of their way and watch in amazement all that they accomplish!”
I don’t ever aspire to be “equal” to a man….I’d have to give up way too much. I’m grateful that in the hereafter men will interact with multiple “fallen” worlds and women will be blessed to take care of their babies and welcome home the children that are returning from their laboratory of learning. I personally don’t want to observe the mortal world…I know the bitter cups that have to be swallowed there.
Utah is the second-most sexist state in the nation, behind only Arkansas, according to a new index of sexist attitudes.
But one factor in particular appears to have pushed Utah up in the rankings: Women’s own “internalized” sexist attitudes.
The researchers unveiled their findings this month, not long before the personal finance website WalletHub on Tuesday deemed Utah the worst state for women’s equality, based on an array of metrics covering economic equality, education, health care and political representation.
But the setbacks for Utah’s women today likely began long ago, when they were children, shaping their identities and absorbing cultural norms that taught them to imagine their futures within “strict roles” that did not include leadership, Madsen said.
“You just don’t see women leading when you’re a girl, and then you don’t think women should lead,” Madsen said.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/08/21/researchers-identify-most/
https://www.mormonstories.org/home/truth-claims/women-in-mormonism/
A sincere desire for understanding could come from researching the topics that were discussed. Do a little work on your end. These ladies aren’t being paid to teach you about ” patriarchy, power, and performative faith.” Multiple books, blogs, podcasts and even lds website resources already provide information about these topics. Moreover, the episode summary on this very blog answers your question. Did you read this summary? “Religion professor, popular LDS podcaster and apologist Jared Halverson set off a firestorm this week with a video urging women to stay in the Church, even if they feel unseen, unheard, and second-class.”
The issues that have generated the “discussion” which followed upon the concerns expressed over the remarks of Jared Halverson are complex and challenging. Open and respectful discussion with genuine sincerity and humility will yield the best consequences for all involved. I have listened to the comments of the moderators and two invited guests, Dr. Hanks and Britt Hartley. I agree that you are all intelligent and articulate people. You have obviously spent much personal time and devoted much effort to the cause of women, with a particular interest in the question of the beliefs, traditions, and practices of “churches.” There are observations which I wish to make about what I heard in the “discussion.” I hope these will be constructive and helpful in future efforts to deal with, debate, and discuss the important concerns and issues that Jared Halverson’s video drew out.
At the outset, let me make clear that I have a specific bias on the relevant issues. I openly note that I have concerns and opposing views concerning the opinions and views held by those of you who are moderators and invited guests. I also note a strong motivation to let my feelings and emotions color any commentary that I make. I am making an effort to be reasonable, respectful, and open to learning as I make the following comments. Finally, as my name suggests, I am male and you should know that I am an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now, I hope that you will accept the following observations and comments as somehow constructive and helpful in the ongoing realities of your stated concerns.
1. There was a clear and present tone and expression of disdain, derision, and ridicule coloring the statements and observations made in critique of the content of Jared Halverson’s statements. Express and implied, accusations of naivete’, blindness, and lack of sincerity were stated and sanctioned by all of the participants. Resorting to denigration of the person whose statements are at issue is singularly unproductive. That is particularly so when those assertions are not founded on any personal knowledge of the person or his overall body of work.
2. I just completed the reading of a book called “Beloved Emma.” My wife recommended it to me and said that she often found herself in tears over the unspeakable hardships, losses, sacrifices, and challenges that Emma confronted in her unflagging devotion, both to her husband/prophet and to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was deeply moved by that book as well. In the end, it is clear that no one really knows what was in her heart and mind when she elected to remain behind. We are left to surmise and conjecture. For my part, I choose to honor her greatness and sacrifice with the belief that she continued her undying and eternal commitment to Joseph and the divinity of the work that he did. I don’t believe that there is any evidence or reason to believe that she did so in protest of the Church’s treatment of her or any of her sister members as women. In fact, the irony is that someone engaged in protecting the rights of women in a Church which Emma literally co-founded, would resort to turning a statement of reverence, awe, admiration, and love for her into a veiled suggestion that she “wasted” that life in advancing such an institution.
3. Please recognize that there are millions of women members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who do not share your views about the Church. I respect your right to believe as you do and to advocate and speak for the cause of women as you see it. Please be careful and respectful as you do. Using an expletive in describing a Prophet of this Church is offensive and inflammatory. It is also clearly not indicative or representative of who all of you really are.
4. Finally, I have no doubt that the fallible human beings who constitute both the membership of our Church and the rest of our brothers and sisters – children of a Heavenly Father – are still capable of inappropriate conduct. In the face of an admonition of our current Prophet that we should engage in repentance daily, there is no other conclusion to be reached. There are no exceptions. We all need to engage in the spiritual, social, and physical hygienics that encourage, foster, and bring about the full flowering of each individual’s full potential. You have been and are privy to regular reminders being given to the brethren of the Church to improve and perfect their marital relationships. Doctrine and Covenants 121 strongly urges that because it has long been our experience that when man is given a little authority, he immediately begins to exercise unrighteous dominion. For that reason, priesthood authority (and by implication any authority) is not to be so usurped – it is to be exercised with true humility, long-suffering, charity, meekness, patience, etc. etc. Where it is not so exercised, “amen to that authority.” I am certain that we all, women and men, are in need of a constant reminder of the requirements and attributes that accompany the righteous exercise of authority of any kind. As Jared Halvorsen takes great pains to point out, these scriptural mandates have application “to all” – men and women alike. In other words, we are all in need of the specified attributes of long-suffering, patience, and charity.
I have rattled on too long. Another “fault” that my children regularly point out.
Thank you for reading.