The Lives of Mormon Women
Mormon women are considered to have a critical role in the family, that of caring for the people in it. Because Mormon beliefs focus strongly on the importance of family, the role of a homemaker is considered a sacred and essential role. When done properly, it is more challenging than any paid career. Mormon women believe there is more to homemaking than just doing the dishes, although certainly that matters. They try to create a home that is peaceful and welcoming, and their parenting is intentional and well-thought out, as they work to raise children of God.
The ideal that is taught is that mothers remain in the home to raise their children, although of course, sometimes circumstances require otherwise. They are taught to be home if at all possible, however.
Even though Mormon women are encouraged to remain in the home, they are also taught to get all the education they can. A recent study showed LDS women were more likely to graduate from college, and to have graduate level degrees, than were Catholic or Protestant women. They’re expected to have an education and to continually upgrade their skills so they are prepared to provide for a family should they have to do so, and so they can use their educations in raising their children. When they have a special passion for a subject, they can share the knowledge they have with their children.
Mormon women have many opportunities to develop new skills and leadership abilities within the church. Their church is a lay church, meaning there isn’t a paid clergy. Everyone volunteers, and there are so many jobs to be filled in this comprehensive program that everyone who wants a job, which Mormons refer to as callings, can have one or more. Jobs are assigned and frequently rotated, giving each member an opportunity to try many different things. A mother who spends her days caring for toddlers may spend additional time running a literacy program or leading a group of teenagers. Mormon women can serve as presidents over the programs for children, teenage girls, and adult women. In fact, men are not allowed to lead these three organizations. There are other leadership jobs open only to women, or to men and women equally. For instance, the literacy program can only be headed by a woman, although men can serve in the program as teachers. It is under the direct supervision of the women’s auxiliary, known as Relief Society.
The Relief Society, the oldest and largest women’s organization in the world, is responsible for the education of the women in the church. They have classes in spiritual matters, but also provide opportunities for women to learn more practical skills, such as budgeting, car repair, and cooking. One group spent a summer learning to do tasks normally done by their husbands, such as plumbing repairs, car maintenance, and yard care.
The Relief Society also does extensive compassionate service, as their name suggests. They oversee the needs of families who need food or other compassionate care. They participate in humanitarian aid projects that benefit people of other faiths or even no faith at all, such as making quilts for those in need or assembling neonatal kits.
Preparation for womanhood begins early. At the age of eight, girls join a program called Activity Days. Twice a month, they meet together to learn useful skills for their current and future lives. They might learn to sew by hand, plant a garden, or knit scarves for a homeless shelter. At the age of twelve, they move into a program for teenage girls. Here they have their own presidencies, planning and carrying out their own program as adults provide “shadow leadership.” This means the adults provide leadership training and monitor the work of the girls to be sure they meet church guidelines and that the activities have a useful purpose. The young leaders can turn to their leaders for advice, and the leaders can ask gentle questions that guide the girls to an understanding of what to do. This prepares them for a future as leaders in their homes, churches, and communities.