LDS controversies over the last few decades regarding gender have centered in three areas: the idea of a heavenly Mother (or Mothers), women”‘s role in the LDS Church, and same-sex issues.
LDS author Linda P. Wilcox, in her essay, “The Mormon Concept of a Mother in Heaven,” describes a Mormon cartoon in which a woman asks her husband, “What do you think Heavenly Mother thinks about polygamy?” To which her husband replies: “Which Heavenly Mother?” This cartoon indicates a ripening of the LDS doctrines about God”‘s spouse (or spouses), but at a grassroots — not male-leadership — level among people in the LDS Church, according to Wilcox. She notes, “At present, the nineteenth-century generalized image of a female counterpart to a literal male father-god is receiving increased attention and expansion and is becoming more personalized and individualized.” Other writers describe the doctrine of a Heavenly Mother as “mainstream” ““ though forbidden in discourse — in the LDS Church. Also at the forefront in the minds of Mormon feminists (and yes, absolutely, there are Mormon feminists) are issues such as those raised by Melodie Moench Charles, who believes that in a church based on changes in revelations, there is hope that “the time will come when opportunities for service in the Church will be based on talents rather than gender.” (Actually, one of Mormonism”‘s finest scholars, D. Michael Quinn, contends that Mormon women have held priesthood since the days of Joseph Smith, and gives evidence to prove this assertion.)
For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today (Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices.
