Session 173: Mormon Motherhood - Choice or Destiny?
Recent reports in the media and on other blogs have pointed to some tense words and disagreements arising out of this session at the 2008 Sunstone Symposium. Unfortunately the emphasis has been placed on a few ill-chosen words, and the controversy appears to be overblown.
While it is true that there was a strong disagreement in the hallway after the session, it’s also true that the participants were engaged and committed enough to keep talking. Sunstone encourages mutual respect, and while we see some disappointing actions on occasion, overall the symposium is a place where competing ideas and faith questions can be worked through. The important thing to remember about these participants is that they are engaged with, thinking about, and wrestling with the issues.
There were many great sessions at this year’s event, and we will highlight some of these in the coming days and weeks. Further, all sessions will be available for purchase and download soon on SunstoneMagazine.com. We are working to get them processed and available.
So, to begin with, we offer Session 173 as a free download. We hope you enjoy it. Judge for yourself whether this was a controversial session, or merely a session with thoughtful-yet-competing ideas. And, as always, we welcome your comments on this issue below.
Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium 2008 - Session 173 - Mormon Motherhood [94:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
August 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I was standing about 10 feet away from the participants as they, uh, “worked through their differences”… far enough away to only hear snatches of conversation, but close enough to see that both felt very passionate about their respective position. From what I was able to piece together, I think they were both right — they were just answering different questions.
While I wouldn’t want to see Sunstone sessions devolve into shouting matches, I thought this particular argument was great! A little disagreement now and then really wakes people up. I didn’t think either party was feeling unnecessarily picked on; each gave as good as he/she got. And it made good theatre.
So while I missed this session, I look forward to listening to the audio.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I was on hand for this incident too, and I think it is an excellent example of what Sunstone is all about.
It’s true that Camille and Paul disagreed very deeply (though, like Matt, I think they were arguing different questions). And it’s true that they were very frustrated with each other. But guess what? THEY KEPT TALKING.
I can’t emphasize that enough. Too many people believe that once two people disagree (especially on matters of deep import) the conversation is over. I’m here to tell you that they both stood their ground with passion and grace. And neither of them stalked off in a huff. Bravo to both!
As far as I have ever experienced, Sunstone is the one place in the Mormon community where two people so deeply in disagreement can meet and talk, even if emotions run high. We really need to have these conversations. We really need to get people like this together, not so we can have entertainment in the hallway, but so that we can start to understand each other, even if we never agree.
August 16th, 2008 at 8:59 am
As a PhD graduate student at UCLA, I was unimpressed by the intellectual rigor of these speakers, especially given many of them are academics. To be candid, I am a bit annoyed over many of the reactionary, negative, and demeaning comments. I would expect statistics, evidence, controlled experiments, literature reviews, charts, graphics, etc. Where is the evidence for their assertions? Our academic culture is based on what is seen, measured, and logically understood. Thus, I expect more than compliants from a panel discussing something as important as motherhood.
I’m glad Sunstone had this seminar. This is a very important topic for women to discuss. Some of the ideas raised were absolutely brilliant. We should certainly use church buildings as a place for child care–as long as it doesn’t become abused. However, vitriolic undertones will get this cause nowhere because church leaders will be offended by the critical motivations of these suggestions.
Instead, let’s work within the system! Revelations in the D&C were often given when Joseph Smith HAD A QUESTION and then ASKED THE QUESTION. He didn’t complain about the question–he did something about it.
Women–let’s do this as well.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Rory,
Thanks so much for sharing the mp3. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and thought everyone was both respectful and intelligent. I learned a great deal and hopefully will be a better person to my wife and other women.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
rory, thanks so much for making this available. LOVE IT!!!
October 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I loved the session but was just a little disappointed that there is a complete absence of discussion on stepmotherhood. I wonder what percentage of LDS women are stepmothers because I could certainly benefit by having others to talk to about it
October 30th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I agree, Alene. Nothing in my lifetime of attending church prepared me for becoming a stepmother. I learned a lot from a co-worker who was a long-time stepmother and I’d vent to her when things were rough. She totally understood that.
How about we put together a session for the next Salt Lake symposium on LDS stepmothers or step parenting?
There probably are more LDS step parents out there than we realize, but I’m not aware of any concerted efforts to track numbers or develop resources for them.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
YES! Absolutely stepmothers need to be recogonized in the church!