What was up with the LDS Church and the ERA?

[_bcspace]

In essence, the Church opposed the ERA because it opposed women having certain freedoms. The Brethren felt---and continue to feel--that a women's identity should conform to a certain "ideal."

Doesn't seem to be the case according to the Church's own statements which I referenced above.

[_Bond...James Bond]

I remember it well, Bond. I was there in the Capitol during the vote (I was covering it for the University of Utah student newspaper, The Utah Daily Chronicle). What a travesty.

Now you see this just goes to show how bad Utah's colleges are in general. Why would they allow a 7 year old cover the vote?

(/Blixa flattery off)

[_Mister Scratch]

In essence, the Church opposed the ERA because it opposed women having certain freedoms. The Brethren felt---and continue to feel--that a women's identity should conform to a certain "ideal."

Doesn't seem to be the case according to the Church's own statements which I referenced above.

I'm not so sure about that:

Morals have to do with standards of right and wrong. We believe that, for many social issues in contemporary society, God has given applicable moral standards of right and wrong. These time-proven principles are important to us as a religious people. Previous First Presidency statements have identified some of the areas where issues of morality are involved, such as failure of fathers to care for their families, elimination of statutory protection for women and children, problems resulting from women in the military, homosexual and lesbian activities, abortion, and similar concerns

(italics ibid)

What, I'm wondering, is meant by this rather vague and Orwellian "similar concerns"? Here's another passage which appears to support my interpretation:

When God created male and female, he gave each important differences in physical attributes and family responsibilities. Though imperfect, our country’s laws have generally supported those differences.

Many women, wives and mothers included, must of necessity work outside the home. The inequalities they encounter can be dealt with under existing law. For those, however, who choose to remain in the home and maintain a traditional family, passage of the ERA may make their choice more difficult.

The Brethren seem to have wanted to maintain this image of women being stay-at-home mothers who focus principally on child-rearing. For whatever reason, they felt that the ERA threatened this (and, let's face it, they probably worried very much that this would lead to demands that the priesthood be given to women), hence their opposition.

[_Bond...James Bond]

In essence, the Church opposed the ERA because it opposed women having certain freedoms. The Brethren felt---and continue to feel--that a women's identity should conform to a certain "ideal."

It would appear so, the LDS default position appearing to be conformity > individuality.

I also wonder if the LDS organizational system (and it's focus on American society [as opposed to more global religions with similar organized hierarchies like Catholicism which also might support traditional gender roles]) allowed it to react fairly quickly and on a fairly large scale in getting the anti-ERA message out.

[_cinepro]

The topic is well covered in Ed Kimball's recent bio of Spencer W. Kimball. You should definitely check it out if you can.

[_Chap]

Now if only Coggins7 was still posting on this board, he would be able to explain fully about the ERA. He has really thought deeply about this question, and has many insights that he could share with you.

Unfortunately, I think he left because he was offended by Runtu calling him on Pay Lay Ale, and offering him the choice between 'lying sack of crap' and 'world's worst memory'. A choice that he seems to have found uncongenial.

http://www.mormondiscussions.com/discus ... 433#134433

Pity. We shall probably have to discuss ERA without him.

[edited for typos]

[...]

(I miss Coggy. [...]

Oh hell. So do I. I hereby promise never to mention the 'Pay Lay Ale' issue in relation to him if only he will come back and play with us.

[_Blixa]

I remember it well, Bond. I was there in the Capitol during the vote (I was covering it for the University of Utah student newspaper, The Utah Daily Chronicle). What a travesty.

Now you see this just goes to show how bad Utah's colleges are in general. Why would they allow a 7 year old cover the vote?

(/Blixa flattery off)

You know Bond, it still makes me sick to remember that day.

You should also check out the Women's Conference of 1975 (these were held in all states as part of the U.N.'s International Women's Year celebrations). The church had its paws in that as well. Its too bad we both aren't in Utah right now as I could take you through the Marilyn Warenski papers at the University of Utah. She did a lot of oral history/interviewing around issues of Mormonism and gender, especially the anti-ERA organizing.

[_Bond...James Bond]

You know Bond, it still makes me sick to remember that day.

Sorry the day was such a bummer :(

You should also check out the Women's Conference of 1975 (these were held in all states as part of the U.N.'s International Women's Year celebrations). The church had its paws in that as well. Its too bad we both aren't in Utah right now as I could take you through the Marilyn Warenski papers at the University of Utah. She did a lot of oral history/interviewing around issues of Mormonism and gender, especially the anti-ERA organizing.

Can't we take in a Real Salt Lake game instead?

(I hate research. . .)

[_Blixa]

(I hate research. . .)

You didn't just say that.

Research is where its at, bub. I LIVE for it these days. You gots the interwebs with digital archives and databases up the wazoo. Not to mention the pleasure of getting into onsite archives and collections.

Kids today....

(pm me if you want help. I'm off this week for Spring Break, which means two things: the gym and research. Oh yeah, how bout using an interview with an actual participant of the era for research? Ever think of that, genius???)

[_Bond...James Bond]

You didn't just say that.

Nope. Just thought it and typed it. :P

Research is where its at, bub. I LIVE for it these days. You gots the interwebs with digital archives and databases up the wazoo. Not to mention the pleasure of getting into onsite archives and collections.

Yeah...um....well I guess it beats retail. You can like, sit down when you're doing it. Totally a plus. :)

Kids today....

You didn't just say that. :P (alright I deserved it, but still. :)

(pm me if you want help. I'm off this week for Spring Break, which means two things: the gym and research. Oh yeah, how bout using an interview with an actual participant of the era for research? Ever think of that, genius???)

Nope. And did you just call me genius??? Oh shizzle. That's sarcasm right? What a downer you can be :P