Anyone wanna suffer through the RS broadcast with me, again?

[MoPag]

Who's ready to get mansplained too?

[MoPag]

Oh it's DFU. Maybe it won't be that bad.

[MoPag]

Okay, she asserts that the world will make us feel worthless, but the church constantly shows
us that we are worthless.

Did she really say that second part?

Haha! No that is my thought

[MoPag]

Points for Heavenly Parents mention.

[MoPag]

I really liked the middle part of his talk about dealing with anger and being Christ like to those who hate. It shows that he is aware of the tensions and problems in the world, but instead of just condemning them he is giving advice on how to deal with them. Looks like we are kind of ending with a hold to the iron rod/stay in the boat speech.

[MoPag]

MoPag, Thanks for taking one for the team! It's useful to know what some of our spouses are being spoon-fed this fine evening.

It's a nice distraction for me. It's kind of ironic that I was never this attentive or into Women's Conference as TBM.

[DPRoberts]

Wow! A lot of empty seats.

I know right?

Any guesses as to where they are?

At only a couple minutes in they are probably still going through the metal detectors. Either that, or like my wife, they have decided that going through security at the Conference Center is not worth the hassle.

[MoPag]

At only a couple minutes in they are probably still going through the metal detectors. Either that, or like my wife, they have decided that going through security at the Conference Center is not worth the hassle.

Metal detectors? Have they always had those? Or did they get installed after the opposed votes in GC started?

[Mormorrisey]

Seconded, glad the sisters watched it for us so I didn't have to. I only caught the end of the silver fox's talk, and it wasn't too bad; despite the stay in the boat stuff at the end.

But an interesting discussion in our home afterwards. DD complained that church leaders always tell her to turn off her negative emotions, instead of validating that people can feel bad sometimes. I was impressed that even though Sis. M tried to initially leadersplain what was said, she quickly saw that DD was a tad distraught and moved to comfort her a little more. She's a good woman, despite the conditioning. I think I'll get off the inter webs and go snuggle with her a little bit.

[Give It Time]

At only a couple minutes in they are probably still going through the metal detectors. Either that, or like my wife, they have decided that going through security at the Conference Center is not worth the hassle.

Metal detectors? Have they always had those? Or did they get installed after the opposed votes in GC started?

They had them when I sang in the choir over a decade ago.

I'd say they're more about the Olympics/post 911 world.

[MoPag]

My take away.. It wasn't that bad really. No veiled homophobic remarks. No pushing the "ideal" family. In fact there were some really good parts. I liked that several speakers addressed real problems and gave ideas about how to solve those problems; not just some wishy-washy "be righteous and you won't have problems." I felt a sincerity from most of the speakers.

Here's the problem. Mormon women pray to a male God. They learn of and try to emulate a male Savior. I'm going to say, 95% of the scriptures are about men doing men stuff. As Mormon women, we have no spiritual identity.

All of the authority within the church is male. The final decisions and the final permissions come from men. As Mormon women we have no real power with our church. We have plenty of work to do. But we are powerless.

And deep, deep, deep down every TBM woman understands this. They bury it. They put a lot of energy into avoiding it. They might even pretend that they like it. But it's there. Then Women's Conference comes around. And it's the church that you love so much, the church that you sacrifice for, the church is reaching out to you saying come and be nourished. And what happens it the equivalent of feeding a starving person breath mints. You hear some nice talks, hear some pretty music, and sit with the other spiritually starving women. And parts of it make you feel good. But after it's over, you slowly realize you are just as hollow, lost and powerless as you were before.

[MoPag]

But an interesting discussion in our home afterwards. DD complained that church leaders always tell her to turn off her negative emotions, instead of validating that people can feel bad sometimes.

That is very true. What a smart DD you have.

[DPRoberts]

At only a couple minutes in they are probably still going through the metal detectors. Either that, or like my wife, they have decided that going through security at the Conference Center is not worth the hassle.

Metal detectors? Have they always had those? Or did they get installed after the opposed votes in GC started?

I think those showed up post 9/11 and have been there ever since. Getting thousands through Conference Center security is logistically difficult despite all the volunteers they have to throw at the problem. You have to show up quite early to be sure to get your ticketed seat. And it's a royal pain lining up outside in the rain as may have been the case tonight.

You would think Divine protection is made of sterner stuff.

[Give It Time]

My take away.. It wasn't that bad really. No veiled homophobic remarks. No pushing the "ideal" family. In fact there were some really good parts. I liked that several speakers addressed real problems and gave ideas about how to solve those problems; not just some wishy-washy "be righteous and you won't have problems." I felt a sincerity from most of the speakers.

Here's the problem. Mormon women pray to a male God. They learn of and try to emulate a male Savior. I'm going to say, 95% of the scriptures are about men doing men stuff. As Mormon women, we have no spiritual identity.

All of the authority within the church is male. The final decisions and the final permissions come from men. As Mormon women we have no real power with our church. We have plenty of work to do. But we are powerless.

And deep, deep, deep down every TBM woman understands this. They bury it. They put a lot of energy into avoiding it. They might even pretend that they like it. But it's there. Then Women's Conference comes around. And it's the church that you love so much, the church that you sacrifice for, the church is reaching out to you saying come and be nourished. And what happens it the equivalent of feeding a starving person breath mints. You hear some nice talks, hear some pretty music, and sit with the other spiritually starving women. And parts of it make you feel good. But after it's over, you slowly realize you are just as hollow, lost and powerless as you were before.

This is very good. Your breath mints statement really hit home for me for a different reason.

After the 9/11 attacks, I went to all the sessions of GC both spiritually thirsty and starving. You remember there were both Anthrax attacks and the Beltway shooters happening around that time? The prophet had declared that the Olympics coming to SLC was fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah about the house of the Lord being established in the mountains and the nation's flowing unto it.

These were clearly the last days and I was eager to hear from our prophet. I needed to hear words of uplift, encouragement and clear vision for those times. I have to be honest. I can finally be honest. President Hinckley's talk was disappointing. He seemed to be just as hurt, confused and frightened as the rest of us. I confess it now, though I didn't want to admit it to myself then. I thought, as I was listening to him talk, "if you can't give us direction and comfort from the Lord, if you can't tell us the Lord's mind at this pivotal time in history, what good are you?"

I felt so ashamed of that thought, but it was how I honestly felt. The chips were down and the heavens were apparently closed for this man. Right now, I'm feeling kind of sorry for GBH. If he believed, I wouldn't be surprised if it came to light that his not receiving any clear revelation at this time, must have been very difficult for him.

[Culper Jr.]

All of the authority within the church is male. The final decisions and the final permissions come from men. As Mormon women we have no real power with our church. We have plenty of work to do. But we are powerless.

And deep, deep, deep down every TBM woman understands this. They bury it. They put a lot of energy into avoiding it. They might even pretend that they like it. But it's there. Then Women's Conference comes around. And it's the church that you love so much, the church that you sacrifice for, the church is reaching out to you saying come and be nourished. And what happens it the equivalent of feeding a starving person breath mints. You hear some nice talks, hear some pretty music, and sit with the other spiritually starving women. And parts of it make you feel good. But after it's over, you slowly realize you are just as hollow, lost and powerless as you were before.

This! You really nailed it. I think DW is starting to see this. RS broadcast used to be a big deal for her; she would go to church to watch it. Last night she started it online a half hour late and it played in the background while she did other stuff. I asked her how it was and basically, "Meh, the usual stuff." Baby steps.

After the 9/11 attacks, I went to all the sessions of GC both spiritually thirsty and starving. You remember there were both Anthrax attacks and the Beltway shooters happening around that time? The prophet had declared that the Olympics coming to SLC was fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah about the house of the Lord being established in the mountains and the nation's flowing unto it.

These were clearly the last days and I was eager to hear from our prophet. I needed to hear words of uplift, encouragement and clear vision for those times. I have to be honest. I can finally be honest. President Hinckley's talk was disappointing. He seemed to be just as hurt, confused and frightened as the rest of us. I confess it now, though I didn't want to admit it to myself then. I thought, as I was listening to him talk, "if you can't give us direction and comfort from the Lord, if you can't tell us the Lord's mind at this pivotal time in history, what good are you?"

Oh yes, I remember this well. DW still mentions this; it was a big shelf item for both of us.

[Emower]

My take away.. It wasn't that bad really. No veiled homophobic remarks. No pushing the "ideal" family. In fact there were some really good parts. I liked that several speakers addressed real problems and gave ideas about how to solve those problems; not just some wishy-washy "be righteous and you won't have problems." I felt a sincerity from most of the speakers.

Here's the problem. Mormon women pray to a male God. They learn of and try to emulate a male Savior. I'm going to say, 95% of the scriptures are about men doing men stuff. As Mormon women, we have no spiritual identity.

All of the authority within the church is male. The final decisions and the final permissions come from men. As Mormon women we have no real power with our church. We have plenty of work to do. But we are powerless.

And deep, deep, deep down every TBM woman understands this. They bury it. They put a lot of energy into avoiding it. They might even pretend that they like it. But it's there. Then Women's Conference comes around. And it's the church that you love so much, the church that you sacrifice for, the church is reaching out to you saying come and be nourished. And what happens it the equivalent of feeding a starving person breath mints. You hear some nice talks, hear some pretty music, and sit with the other spiritually starving women. And parts of it make you feel good. But after it's over, you slowly realize you are just as hollow, lost and powerless as you were before.

I have had some discussion with my wife about women not having power in the church and being spiritually on the sidelines. She feels like that is only true if one does not put any value on being a mother. If raising children is not very important, then it is true that women dont have a lot of power or influence. But if children are important and that is what is valuable then they actually have some real influence on the church. I have to kind of agree with that except that the power and influence only come through something else, as always.