A while ago I posted about how the feminist movement convinced women that in order to be happy they had to leave an environment over which they had a great deal of control for an environment over which they have almost no control.
Well, this same movement seems to have convinced women they have no need of improvement. Not only that, but any insinuation they might need to improve must be met with the strongest of responses. Instead of responding to these insinuations, feminists largely resort to ad hominem attacks, hoping to deflect the criticism instead of responding to it.
I bring this up because of what I would consider a firestorm (or the nearest thing to it in the LDS church) that has erupted over a talk given by General Relief Society President Julie Beck in the most recent General Conference (October 2007). What seems like a lot of women have taken issue with her talk, largely, in my opinion, because it dares to paint a (beautiful) picture of what a woman CAN be and holds it up for all to see (no rhyme intended).
I’m not sure what these sisters expected. Do they think President Beck should describe a mediocre woman and say “well, sisters, you’re not perfect, so don’t try too hard”. Heavens no! Sisters, don’t sell yourselves short. You can be everything Sister Beck said you can be! I urge you to listen to both the words and the spirit of her message and look for ways to improve your lives. Good heavens, that’s what Conference is for! I hear about 10 talks every conference that point out where I’m lacking and can improve. Let’s appreciate the guidance when it comes so easily and strive to follow it.
Don’t let yourselves get sucked into the same wrongheaded thinking that Affirmative Action has given us, namely, “you couldn’t get here without us”. Bull.
Finally, there’s a petition going around that seeks to rebut the things Sister Beck said. I guess my only thought is that I’d think twice before I signed a petition that says:
“Several ideas within the body of President Beck’s talk conflict with our inspiration and experience. We are authors of our own lives, and this is the story we know to be true”
Please be careful.
Well said, Love! I loved Sister Beck’s talk and felt uplifted and inspired to strive to be the woman she described.
whoa, I never even hear about people doing a petition like that…I’m sure it has something to do with where I moved to.
I thought her talk was inspirational too. People are so silly, they get offended at the most ridiculous things!Like my mom (and millions of others) who hate going to church on mothers day because they feel inadequate. Whatever.
Wow, a petition? That is ridiculous! What happened to sustaining our Church leaders? I loved her talk… I can’t see how anyone could take offense at it! People are just so thick headed sometimes.