Women of God vs Feminism


If you were to look up the word Suffrage in the dictionary, you would see that the word means “the right to vote.” A Suffragist was one who desired to achieve this privilege, and a Suffragette was a negative label put upon those who took things a step further and wanted equal rights.

Mormon women, living in the 19th century, fought for suffrage, and were known as suffragists. Back east there were two groups of women fighting for suffrage. The Suffragists wanted nothing to do with “those polygamist Mormons”, so the Mormon women went to the Suffragettes, the more radical group, to fight for their rights in Utah. However, I would like to clarify, that Mormon women were never striving to be “equal to the men.” This was not their objective.

Eliza R. Snow was a woman with a lot of power, influence, and leadership ability; but she never usurped the power of any man. She was always obedient, and willing to accept the final word of the Brethren. In fact, a group of Relief Society sisters covenanted with one another “that we speak no evil of each other, nor of the authorities of the Church, but endeavor by means in our power to cultivate a spirit of union, humanity, and love.” This idea was prevalent in Mormon society, not because of male dominance, but because of the Patriarchal Order.

It is generally accepted that Emmeline B. Wells got the vote, for the women, singlehandedly. She was fierce in her determination to be heard, yet she, herself, was a polygamist wife.  

When Joseph laid out those original mandates in the early Nauvoo Relief Society meetings, he wanted to “instruct the Society and point out the way for them to conduct that they might act according to the will of God.” This is not how the world perceives powerful women, but this is the Lord’s way.

He also said, “You must put down iniquity and by your good examples provoke the Elders to good works.” Belle Spafford, ninth General RS Pres., spoke often about the ability we have as women to “influence for good” those around us; not through manipulation or coercion, but by spiritual insight, and our womanly gifts.

The Lord has given womankind special gifts to fulfill the ends of our creation. Joseph said, “This is according to your natures, it is natural for females to have feelings of charity. You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms.”

Women didn’t feel so special in the 19th Century. They were practically owned by fathers and husbands and had few rights to call their own. There wasn’t much to look forward to beyond managing a household and having several babies, most of whom would die at a young age. Joseph informed these early sisters that “females if they are pure and innocent, can come into the presence of God.” We take this news for granted, and maybe even scoff at the words “pure” and “innocent”, yet this was precious information not known before. These women were going to be saved and brought back into the presence of God.

Satan has power over the earth. His attractions are meant to blind us, sway us, and cause us to stumble. Joseph Smith said, “The devil has great power. He will so transform things as to make one gape at those who are doing the will of God.” It has never been popular to do the will of God, but this is what Latter-day Saint women must do, by separating themselves from those pesky worldly influences.  

The world is full of angry women. And yes, there are many reasons to be angry, but again, Joseph warned us,

“You need not be tearing men for their deeds, but let the weight of innocence be felt, which is more mighty than a millstone hung about the neck. Not war, not jangle, not contradiction, but meekness, love, purity, these are the things that should magnify us.”

Historically, there have been three waves of women fighting for their rights. The first wave was fighting for Women’s Suffrage in the 1800s.

The second wave came in the 1960s when some women called themselves feminists and wanted more than the right to vote. They wanted the right to own their own bodies, which popularized Planned Parenthood, hoping to legally allow the option to abort their unwanted babies. The Equal Rights Amendment was fought for but failed.

The third wave of feminism began in the 1990s. The second wave did not accomplish what it had set out to do, so this third wave was a second try at bringing about change through acceptance of diversity. There are too many societal problems feminists wish to address that they are un-unified, and not as organized as they could be. But, this is changing.

Note that the second and third waves are not the same platform as the first wave. There are different tones and objectives from these voices.

There is no question that women have gone through abuses, over the years, at the hands of men. Women of the world have sought various ways to get even; typically to claim power and bring Man down; not equal, as they proclaim. And there is no question that evil, conspiring men, have lorded over women for centuries, abusing, demeaning, and imprisoning in such a way that causes women to feel weak and helpless, thus angry and resentful. There are heinous crimes being committed against women throughout the world, but that is not the cause or initiative of many of these feminist organizations.

Please recognize that the world’s solutions are not God’s solutions.

Richard Wilkins, a BYU law professor, wrote the book Sacred Duty, about his experience at a UN Conference in Istanbul. Angry women, who were manipulating the conference and presenting actions that would allow women to “be free from tyrants,” surrounded him. He admits that he didn’t know what he was doing there, or what he could possibly say that would make a difference, but with much prayer, he put his faith in the hands of the Lord. One desperate call to his wife led to her suggesting that he base his speech around The Family: A Proclamation to the World. A journey of miracles led him to be able to voice this doctrinal document. Afterward, others, whose voices had been previously silenced by the Women’s Caucus, came to him and said, “Where have you been.” They expressed joy at his claim of the proper role of men and women, working together at their respective duties and responsibilities without fear or shame.

Our RS and YW General Leaders used to be members of the National Council of Women since before the 1900s. There was a time when this council sought for women’s rights, which is a good thing to fight for. Our leaders served as Board members, and even president, of this Council. I believe our membership was discontinued, during the second wave, when the Council changed its platform.

When Barbara Smith was forced to face feminist women in the 1970s, as the Equal Rights Amendment was being presented to our government as a passage of a law, by the spirit, she was able to bring knowledge and truth to the forefront. The Equal Rights Amendment never passed. 

The Equal Rights Amendment continues to come up in Congress. Gay marriage and Gender Advocacy is now closely associated with this amendment.

I believe in women; we have power, ability, and purpose. Joseph Smith said, “This Society shall have power to command Queens in their midst. I now deliver it as a prophecy that before ten years shall roll round the queens of the earth shall come and pay their respects to this Society—they shall come with their millions and shall contribute of their abundance for the relief of the poor—If you will be pure, nothing can hinder.”

This prophecy has indeed come true over the years, and we continue in this great blessing of power, ability, and purpose.

I can never call myself a feminist. I choose to align myself with God, not the world. Thus, I am a Woman of God.

The quotes from Joseph Smith are all found in the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo Minute Book.