43: Mormon Women's History & the ERA: A Case of Subservience Over Conscience

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In this episode Valerie walks you through a historic tragedy to demonstrate what happens when a community is trained to obey authority over honoring common sense, conscience, and sound judgment.

Valerie takes you back to the 1970s and recounts LDS church headquarter's handling of the national Equal Rights Amendment [ERA] and how large numbers of church members gladly relinquished their own wisdom and judgement in the service of loyalty to the institution.

After tracing these fascinating events, Valerie shares several thoughts about what this cautionary tale can teach us about the dangers of a society that struggles cultivating in its membership spiritual discernment, psychological freedom, and agency to act according to conscience.

Even when earnest authority figures sincerely feel that they are protecting us by assuming the role of collective conscience governing personal, spiritual, and political choices, it is always our divine right and responsibility to own our own sacred consciences and act accordingly.

Book referenced in this episode

• The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, by D. Michael Quinn

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Insightful

Valerie talks about real problems and issues that the LDS faith has and does deal with. she not only highlights the issues but tries to discuss ways of fixing them. she encourages everyone to think for themselves and follow their personal inspiration above what they are told by other people. My wife and I love discussing these topics and we have noticed, I a convert and she a lifelong member, that we are paying more attention and highlighting things we notice that dont seem right in our church lives. highly recommend to everyone!