Large institutions move slowly. Sometimes painfully slowly. When your own impressions of the need for change occurred decades before you saw an evidence of movement—and you're afraid you will literally be dead before what you dream for comes to fruition—it can be excruciatingly painful.
To be clear, I believe our Heavenly Parents both love all of us infinitely. I do not believe they favor men over women, nor do I think they want men to be the sole decision-makers and women to be subordinate followers. I believe they are the quintessential equal partnership and hope for the same for all of us.
But, back to earthly reality, there were two small changes this spring and I think even small positive change is worth noting and celebrating.
More Female Speakers in Conference Than Ever Before
First, I have not done an exhaustive search of every conference session in the history of the modern church. If I'm mistaken, please note it in the comments.
Second, I'm not counting the Relief Society session (which did not occur this time around) nor any of the past addendum meetings for women. I'm not doing so because those meetings are specifically defined by tradition to have a very particular makeup. At this time, the meeting always has three female speakers—chosen from the presidencies of the female-lead auxiliaries—and is always keynoted by a male, chosen from the first presidency. (How I wish the priesthood session included a female speaker, for balance, but I digress.))
With regard to the four general sessions of General Conference, we had three female speakers, which is more than ever before to the best of my recollection. Since women (finally) began speaking in General Conference, there have usually been two (one on Saturday and one on Sunday). April 2017 was the exception, featuring only one (on Sunday morning).
Edit per Emily W. Jensen: Three women spoke in general sessions in April 2002. Good news and bad news. Good that it happened. Bad that it took 16 years to replicate. Let's hope it's not another 16 before it happens again. Can't we take the baby step of having just one woman per session amidst the, oh, 5–9 men speaking? Would that be so hard?
Edit per Tamara Bahr: Four women spoke in the April 1984 conference general sessions. (Of course, that was offset by the October 1984 sessions when exactly zero spoke.) So 18 years before the three spoke. Winner winner chicken dinner. By my calculations that means we should have three (or four) speak again in 2032. Awesome… An additional note both of the 1984 General Women's Meetings began with a “Coordination and Cooperation” speech.
Solemn Assembly Sustaining Order Moves Adult Women Before Boys
During the last Solemn Assembly (to sustain President Monson), I sat with my family around the TV. As Dieter F. Uchtdorf went through the process, asking one group after another to stand and sustain the new prophet, first presidency, etc., my 14-year-old daughter, exasperated, finally blurted out, “When are they ever going to ask any of the girls?!”
Indeed, every group in the church, down to the deacons, was asked for a sustaining vote before any women included.
On March 31st, 2018, there was a slight change. After general members who were Melchizedek Priesthood holders were asked to stand and sustain, members of the Relief Society (women ages 18 and up) were called to sustain the prophet. After that, Aaronic Priesthood boys and then Young Women (girls 12-18) were called (in that order) followed by the call for all members without classification.
Big Deal or Nah?
Yes, I realize men still precede women of similar position in all cases. But this small moment seemed significant to me. Yes, I realize it's sad that such a thing is significant. But I'll still gladly accept each step toward real side by side work as it comes.
I can’t accept these crumbs as progress. It’s ridiculous.
Your prerogative, of course. I did say the moves were tiny. 😂
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Spring 2018 General Conference Thoughts
I’m glad others noticed the changes. Many chances have been coming to pass in the last few years. Can’t help but wonder what’ll come next. I couldn’t help but think of some of the notiably big changes that have occurred before, especially of men if color receiving the priesthood and how they felt when that occurred.
Josefina, so true! I hope they just keep on coming. The end of BSA is another!
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Overheard at the Boys’ Second Breakfast
My memory is so faulty that it is good for me to have these changes noted. For some reason, I was really expecting a female speaker in each session (and made a prayer or two?) and was disappointed that there were only three. I am glad to have it pointed out that it is progress, because it helps me not to be discouraged. Our normal Sunday meetings are pretty equal, in terms of who is talking–we sometimes have all men or all women speak on a Sunday but most of the time it is split and most of the time the prayers are given by both genders. I would love for our general conferences to have a similar pattern. Also, I would love if women who are not in leadership positions (since there are so few for women) were occasionally invited to speak in conference.
You forgot to mention one very big change for gender equality this general conference – having the young women and young men ages 14+ help in ministering efforts, just as the young men started home teaching when they were 14. I think it is beautiful to have the Young women involved and learning how to minister from their adult female companions.
Megan, I didn’t think anyone missed that. 😠This post was only about two small things that were not explicitly noted by anyone, they just occurred.
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Spring 2018 General Conference Thoughts
I don’t think it matters the order in which we were asked to sustain our Prophet. It just matters that we were asked.
It’s always interesting to me to hear which things matter and which don’t. For example, it doesn’t “matter” that women are almost never given titles and titles are almost never used to address or refer to them. Even if they actually have a title. Because, I mean, it’s just a vain, worldly construct. But if you happen to call ELDER Bednar “Brother Bednar” or PRESIDENT Eyring “Elder Eyring,” you are promptly and thoroughly corrected on the appropriate respect owed.
In other words, as an isolated incident, tiny things don’t matter much. In cumulation, they speak volumes.
Look at these examples:
This talk was given by PRESIDENT Oaks. And is thusly attributed.
This talk was given by ELDER Bednar. And is thusly attributed.
This talk was given by PRESIDENT Bingham. She’s just good old “Jean.”
Alison Moore Smith recently posted…Spring 2018 General Conference Thoughts