Mormon Women. I just googled it. Do Mormon women want the priesthood? Some? Mormon Women Naked? Yes at least once daily, most often twice! Truth be told, Mormon women are often the stay at home mom next door. I think LDS women are getting a bad rap lately, and I often mention that I am a primary president in my ward — so how does that all work, you not-yet-or-ever LDS readers? What is the Mormon Woman’s role in the Mormon church?
**FYI — that old lady in the photo there on my pinnable image is Emmeline B. Wells. She was an early church pionner, a writer, served in the state legislature and was the 5th Relief Society President (see more about Relief Society Below). I lived in her dorm for one of the most transforming years of my life. She is one of my heroes. She is a true example of all that an LDS woman can do. Also, our real name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that didn’t fit on my image very well. We consider “Mormon” a nickname that modern society has given us. I, for one, embrace it.
1. Primary. I am in the primary president. Every organization has a president and then 2 counselors, and then a secretary. I, of course, because I am special — I have a 3rd counselor, but that’s a post for another day {we actually use the 3rd counselor as a rotating sub, she is wonderful}. Primary is a place for children ages 3-12. We have 3 “parts to the about 2 hours that is primary:
- Sharing time — we have fun activities to teach a principle — this is taught to 1/2 of the kids at a time (a younger section and an older section). I teach this about every 3rd Sunday and I really try to make it fun and interactive. It’s not very long, and the church assigns the topics so we all are doing similar things each week across the church (at least, that’s the idea).
- Singing time — if you talk to anyone who grew-up LDS, one of the main things they remember is the songs. We spend about 20 minutes of just singing. We are lucky to have REALLY fun singing leaders in our ward. This is a great time to get your wiggles out and have FUN while also learning gospel principles. Our church has amazing songs. The end.
- Class time — the kids are separated by age into Sunday School classes. The teachers have just over a half an hour to teach a pre-assigned lesson. We switch lessons every year but they are provided, and activities are usually also provided within the lesson (although I used to add a princess story before each lesson because I had all girls one year)
There are 3 other parts that are run by Primary:
- Children 18 mo to age 3 go to nursery, that is also run by the primary. That lasts the full 2’ish hours.
- Boys age 8-12 belong to the cub scout program, which is also run by primary
- Girls ages 8-12 do “Activity Days”, which is also run by the primary
I only oversee all these things. Besides sharing time, I not actually in charge of any of these activities. I do love to help out though. While primary can be a draining time for the leaders, I really do feel like I am making a difference in these kids lives. I am close to watch over our teachers, the children’s parents, and also the children as I feel that is truly an important part of my responsibility in there.
Related post: What happens at an LDS Baptism
2. Young Womens. Girls ages 12-18 belong to Young Women’s. They attend a Sunday school class with boys their age for an hour’ish and then head to Young Womens were the lessons deal a bit more with how to apply Jesus’s teachings to their lives here in 2014. They also go to activities on weeknights, and they have girls camp in the summer. I helped in Young Women’s for a long time in California. You grow a wonderful and amazing bond with those girls. It’s a lifelong calling. I felt VERY blessed to be with those wonderful girls, and also work among wonderful women who helped me grow into who I am now.
3. Relief Society — kind of a weird name, but it truly is that. A society to provide relief. It is actually the largest women’s society in the world (and actually has members in almost every country in the world). Their motto is “Charity Never Faileth”. It is run in each ward by a president, two counselors, a secretary. They also have teachers that teach lessons on Sundays. During this 3rd hour of church women and men meet separately. The men go to “Preiesthood”. I love Relief Society, even though I can’t remember the last time I went (but I still belong to it because I am a female member of our church). They also have women who help run weeknight activities, for the women, once a month, women who coordinate help for people who need it in the ward (meals, childcare if people are sick, etc).
4. Another thing that all women in the church do is visiting teaching. The basic example of this is that two women are assigned to befriend other women in the ward (I am guessing that is what is portrayed in the laundry folding photo above). Yes, you get a paper that says who are you are in charge of. You check on them (at least monthly, hopefully more often), and just see if they have any needs or anything you can do for them. This is, when done correctly, the most Christlike of the callings, I think. People need to be ministered to one on one and this does just that.
5. Mormon women have input. I sit on our ward council twice a month and we discuss all the things in the ward. I am in contact with the members of our Bishopric quite frequently and when I don’t like something they’re doing, I tell them so. I am grateful for Priesthood holders (which is all of the worthy men in our church) who listen to female input and value it. THAT is the way the church is run. If it’s not being run that way it is unfortunate (and becoming more and more rare, and also not how it is outlined in the handbook or by our leaders).
So, that’s the basics of the LDS church for women. Now I can link to this post every time I talk about primary. 🙂
Sarah A says
One of my best girlfriends is Mormon and I have to say sometimes I wish I was to just because the community is AMAZING! Like you mentioned in the relief society and visiting teaching there is always someone there to help you when you need it and give guidance when you need that to! It seems to be such a tight knit community.
Hilary says
Yes, I think especially when something goes wrong many people envy the support system of the LDS church. It truly is pretty amazing! 🙂
Amanda Taylor says
I’m going to admit that I’m still pretty lost about LDS religion, but it does sound like you have a great support system in place.
Amanda Taylor says
I’m going to admit I really don’t understand your budget, but the system might just be different than what I’m hoping for, for us. I recently obtained YNAB, which is what I’ll be using the budget.
Hilary says
I have heard that one is great. You just need one that works. 🙂
Amanda Taylor says
It’s free for college students which is great for me!
Hilary says
Hey, that IS cool!