Claremont Mormon Studies newsletter

Fall 2014  Issue 11

The Continuing Relevance of Mormon Studies

We’re certainly not in 2012 anymore, but Mormonism continues to make the news.

by Patrick Q. Mason howard w. hunter chair of mormon studies

admit it. I was wrong. I After Mitt Romney’s loss in the 2012 presiden- tial election, I thought that was the last we would In This Issue hear from Mormonism in the national media for a while. Given that every news article or feature mentioning Mormonism during that year was Claremont’s Mormon Studies Mission in some way really about Romney, I figured that Romney was the real story, and Mormonism only New Summer Dissertation Fellowship a curiosity for journalists desperate for an angle. As soon as Romney was out of the picture, I sup- Thanks to Fall Donors posed, Mormonism would be too. I had full confi- dence that Mormon Studies would continue as an New Students academic field, but guessed that it would lose its relevance to the current news cycle. Waterworks in the Holy Land We’re certainly not in 2012 anymore, but Mor- monism continues to make the news. Not just local Lecture Events: Adam Miller and news, or Utah news, or the LDS Church-owned Deseret News, but also national and international Sheri Dew news including the likes of the New York Times and NPR. In the past two years we have seen high-level (continued on the following page)

– 1 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 (continued from page 1) media coverage of faith crises among members no doubt helped raise a modicum of awareness of (and some leaders) of the LDS Church; passionate and respect for Mormon Studies, in the end the debates over women’s ordination, centering in the field must stand on its own two feet.… At the core controversy over Ordain Women and culminating of the university is the presumption that certain in- in the excommunication of movement leader Kate tellectual and aesthetic pursuits simply have intrin- Kelly; and the Church’s new transparency in a se- sic worth. They are not worthy because they are ries of essays on traditionally vexing historical and tied to politics, or to the latest Broadway hit—they doctrinal issues such as Joseph Smith’s polygamy, are worthy because they are part of the human ex- the race-based priesthood-temple ban, and Mor- perience. At its best the academy protects the hu- mon undergarments.1 man value that we can dedicate ourselves to the These stories are difficult for many Mormons study of something simply because we are drawn to understand or talk about, and all but incompre- to it. Some things are just good, some things are hensible to outside journalists trying to decipher just beautiful, some things are just interesting, for what’s going on. In each of these cases journalists no greater reason than they simply are.”2 have reached out to me and to other well-informed At Claremont Graduate University we continue Mormon Studies scholars for understanding and to lead the charge in Mormon Studies, especially perspective. It has been a productive and symbiotic in terms of training graduate students who will relationship: scholars are able to apply their hard- be tomorrow’s scholars and teachers. The media won expertise to informing the general public, will keep calling—and heaven help us if Romney and journalists working on a deadline are able to throws in his hat again in 2016. But in the end get the story straight. Those reading, listening to, Mormon Studies matters most of all when it tells or watching the news stories come out better in- us something about the human condition, and that formed, both about the particular issue and about matters whether or not it shows up in the news.  Mormonism’s place in the broader culture. So I was wrong that Romney’s loss would mark 1. For examples, see http://www.thedailybeast. the disappearance of Mormonism in the media. It com/witw/articles/2013/04/11/mormon-women- turns out that Mormonism has become part of the face-off-over-right-to-priesthood.html; http:// national (if not quite global) imagination. For rea- bigstory.ap.org/article/mormon-woman-awaits- sons that run deeper than any particular election decision-excommunication; http://www. cycle, Mormonism both captures and speaks to deseretnews.com/article/865613981/Polygamy- certain elements in the American psyche. Rumors essays-provide-information-about-early-LDS- of Mormonism’s demise and its spectacular growth Church-2-and-current-leadership.html?pg=1; have both been exaggerated, but the religion and http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865604750/ its people remain a steady presence and will con- LDS-blacks-scholars-cheer-churchs-essay-on- tinue to inform and reflect the national conversa- priesthood.html?pg=all; http://www.theatlantic. tion. And Mormon Studies scholars will be crucial com/national/archive/2014/10/mormon- in helping make sense of it all. underwear-revealed/381792/. Even though I was too quick to write Mormon- 2. http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/guest- ism’s obituary in the national media, I do think I post-patrick-mason-why-romneys-loss-is-good-for- was right about one thing. As I wrote back in No- mormon-studies/. vember 2012, “The worth of what we do in the academy cannot be measured simply by popularity or media attention. While the Mormon Moment

– 2 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 Claremont’s Mormon Studies Mission

“The goal … is understanding; we don’t expect everyone in the world … to agree with us, but we would like people to understand us.” — Jeffrey R. Holland, Meet the Mormons Premiere, October 7, 2014

by Steve Bradford howard w. hunter foundation vice chair claremont mormon studies council chair

ith approval from the First Presidency, the make room for Mormon voices. Indeed, after writ- WHoward W. Hunter Foundation is honored ing a ground-breaking book entitled When Women to stand on the broad shoulders of the 14th presi- Were Priests, Claremont’s then School of Religion dent of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day dean, Dr. Karen Torjesen, invited the Mormons Saints. We are also honored by our association and several other historically marginalized faiths with Claremont Graduate University, which oper- with whom she has periodically disagreed to join ates one of the world’s elite graduate programs in what she calls “the master narrative.” religion, and is the only university awarding doc- In the few years since Mormons joined Clare- toral degrees to students specializing in Mormon mont’s academic discussion, these new narratives studies. include a Sandy, Utah native named Patrick Ma- Claremont’s Mormon Studies program encour- son, who now leads Dr. Torjesen’s Department ages academically qualified scholars—whether of Religion, and Claremont’s Mormon Women’s Mormon or not—to come study the history, theol- Oral History Project, where scholars are collect- ogy, and culture of this relatively new religious tra- ing, cataloguing and publishing the stories of a dition. Its graduates pursue careers at BYU, CES previously silent majority of rank-and-file Mormon and beyond, where they widely disseminate an ac- women across the globe. curate picture of Mormonism. These and other compelling Mormon narra- Claremont shows the value of examining Mor- tives are emerging thanks to Claremont’s willing- monism from both faithful and scholarly perspec- ness to include us at the academic table (while tives. While the faith of Church leaders, member- saving money on the wine). Our Mormon Stud- missionaries and my BYU alma mater are of the ies mission, as articulated by Elder Holland at last utmost value to me personally, Claremont’s schol- month’s Meet the Mormons premiere, “is under- arly approach is also crucial because, in the world- standing; we don’t expect everyone… to agree with wide court of public opinion, it’s correctly regarded us, but we would like people to understand us.” as informed and unbiased. Faithful Latter-day Saints like me and many of Last month we saw some of this first hand, as you are critically important to this pioneering aca- Deseret Book CEO Sheri Dew packed Claremont’s demic adventure. Our first allegiance will always 2,000-seat Bridges Auditorium to address and an- be to the Church we love and the causes it cham- swer pointed questions about how Mormon women pions. But with the Church under greater scrutiny, channel the blessings of heaven. This event under- including Claremont within our circle of causes scored Claremont’s magnanimous willingness to is greatly expanding the world’s understanding of

– 3 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 cherished Mormon values. mon studies careers outside of CES. This new fel- Elder Holland had us in mind when he ob- lowship honors two prime catalysts of the Hunter served: “The Lord’s work … goes forward through Chair, Joseph and Marilyn Bentley, who have the inspiration and spontaneous service of [its] now taken their prodigious talents to the Newport lay members.… The Mormon Studies program at Beach Temple as its new president and matron. Claremont is at the forefront of this movement.… We’re also grateful to several who’ve pledged This is an emerging and important way in which $10,000 a year for five years to help fully endow the Gospel of Jesus Christ is going forward.” these crucial student fellowships. We’re hoping Soon after completing the Hunter Chair endow- others will join this noble quest to raise a million ment, Roy and Carol Christensen have continued dollars from 20 families pledging $10,000 a year to lead the way by creating and most generously for five years. It’s not Herman Cain’s 9/9/9, but it donating $500,000 to the Robert L. Millet Fellow- is Howard Hunter’s 20/10/5—please join the fun! ship for Claremont scholars seeking BYU and CES We’re indebted to these and other inspired in- careers. We’re now working to double their gener- vestments assuring the Church we love has a per- osity (and received a major boost last month from manent chair at the academic feast. Thanks to you, Don and Jette Laws). the leading edge of your beneficence is already out In addition, we’re working to endow a compan- teaching and enhancing the world’s appreciation ion $1,000,000 fellowship for students eying Mor- for Mormonism, with many more to come. 

The 2014 CGU–Tanner Humanities Center’s Summer Dissertation Fellowship

With this fellowship, The Mormon Council at CGU has created a fabulous support for PhD candidates in Mormon Studies, working to complete their dissertations.

by Elisa Pulido

had the privilege this summer of being the first course, was the access I had to a greatly increased Irecipient of the CGU/Tanner Humanities Sum- number of documents pertinent to my research. mer Dissertation Fellowship in Mormon Studies. My dissertation is about the spiritual evolution of The eight weeks I spent at the Tanner Humanities Mexican Mormon dissident, Margarito Bautista Center forwarded the writing of my dissertation (1878-1961).It uses Bautista’s life as a lens through by providing me with a stipend, a workspace for which to view the convergence of Mormon evan- research and writing, and by placing me in close gelization, Mexican nationalism, and indigenous proximity to important archives. religious improvisation in the Mexican/U.S. bor- The most gratifying part of the experience, of derlands during the early twentieth century. In (see fellowship, page 7)

– 4 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 Thanks to Our Fall 2014 Donors

We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous donors We did our best to include all our wonderful donors, but without whose contributions there would be no Mormon we apologize in advance for any oversights and request no- Studies Program at Claremont Graduate University. Here tification of any donors inadvertently left off or listed incor- are the pioneers of Mormon Studies in the academic world: rectly. For any corrections, please notify Christie Frandsen at [email protected]. 

$1,500,000 or above • Paul & Dorothy Hatch • David Andrews & Stephanie Bennett • Roy & Carol Christensen • P. Blair & Janet Hoyt • D. B. Barber, Jr. • Mr. & Mrs. Fred Huckvale • Joan Behrens $1,000,000 or above • R. Randall & Kay Huff • Val & Shanna Blake • Gerald H. McQuarrie Family Trust • Richard A. Hunter • Mary Lythgoe Bradford $500,000 or above • Maurice Lam, md • Dr. Greggory & Dorothy Winder DeVore • Menlo F. Smith • Bruce & Helen McGregor • Roger Doxey • Mike & Debbie Milam $100,000 or above • Joe & Lynda Grigg • Craig & Theresa Rossell • Dianne & Steve Callister • Joseph Grigg • Douglas & Diane Steimle • John & Louise Dalton • Val & Alice Hemming • David & Jill VanSlooten • John & Rebecca Hawkins • Louine Hunter • John S. Welch • Don & Jette Laws • Scott A. & Kristy Hunter • Anonymous • Cynthia Kofford $50,000 or above • The Oneida B. Foundation • Joseph & Marilyn Bentley • Mark Paullin • Dr. Oi Lin Chen $5,000 or above • Steve Mauss • Rondell B. & Joyce P. Hanson • Gerald & Barbara Bowns • Ralph & Jeanne Muhlestein • Rodney Hawes, Jr. • Richard & Claudia Bushman • Patrick & Luisa Perkins • Armand & Ruth Mauss • Weatherford & Lisa Clayton • Dr. William & Lani Reynolds • Ed Mauss • Charles Schofield $10,000 or above • Marty & Julie Newton • Dr. Gary & Deborah Scott • Stephen & Jane Bradford • Robert & Lo-Mari O’Brien • Hon. Milan D. Smith • Robert Briggs • Morris & Dawn Thurston • Charles & Tammi Woodhouse • Richard & Diane Dow • Bill & Marilyn Wright • Robert & LaDorna Eichenberg $1000 or above • Russ & Christie Frandsen • Bryan & Phi-Phi Anderton Up to $1,000 • Dan & Judy Galorath • Keith Atkinson • Patricia Anderson

– 5 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 Up to $1,000 (continued) • Randall H. & Carole Johnson • Frank & Anna Rolapp • M.R. Ballard • Robert & Maureen Keeler • Bryant & Betty Rossiter • Jonathan & Sunny Beutler • Cree-L Kofford • Dr. Tammi Schneider • Scott Bradford • Stephen & Barbara Larson • Kendall Seymour • Dr. R. Lanier Britsch • Scott Parks Lettelier • Hon. Clay Smith • Steve & Carol Bush • Jack & Betty McEwan • Daniel & AnaMarie Stevenson • John & Shirley Carmack • Gordon & Barbara Mauss • Brian & Janet Thompson • LeGrande & Marguerite Eliason • Thomas & Martha Mumford • Ed Tolman • Dr. Lee W. Farnsworth • Orlin & Opalgene Munns • Dallas Brent Tolton • Glen Franks • Mr. & Mrs. Michael Munson • Betsy VanDenBerghe • Larry Fulgate • Guy Murray • Regina Vigneault • Christopher & Jennifer Halloran • Ralph Neilson • Dr. Gayle Vogt-Schilling • Monte & Melanie Harrick • Craig Nelson • Robert & Donna West • Donald & Susan Haslam • Richard G. Olson • James Wilkinson • Donald C. Houle • Brian & Lisa Palmer • John R. Williams • Jacqueline Howard • Carol Lynn Pearson • Robert & Diane Wilson • Larry & Lisa Ivancich • Robert Rees • Anonymous • Robert & Kerry Jenkins • John B. Richards

New Students

April Makgeong Randy Powell April Chabries Makgoeng began producing Randy Powell ([email protected]) is currently an documentary films on religious topics while teaching MA student in the History of Christianity and Religions in the Theatre & Media Arts Department at Brigham of North America program. He earned his BA from Young University. In 2006, she left academia to produce Brigham Young University–Idaho in History with a documentaries for National Geographic Television in Humanities minor in 2014. His many interests include Washington, D.C. Now based in Los Angeles, she is an Mormon studies, American religious history, and interdisciplinary PhD student in Religion and Cultural European religious history. He lives in Claremont with Studies with an emphasis in film. In the summer of his lovely wife Heidi. 2015, April is looking forward to spending more time in her husband’s hometown of Gaborone, Botswana doing research with the CGU Women Studies in Religion program. Along with other scholars, she will be gathering oral histories of LDS women living in Africa.

– 6 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 (fellowship, continued from page 4) 1945, Bautista established a utopian community 22 made enquiries for me on specific questions with kilometers outside Mexico City where polygamy archivists and researchers in Mexico. and the Law of Consecration were practiced. My The expenses I incurred during the fellowship dissertation examines the political, ecclesiastical were for room and board, copying, and travel. and personal forces that drove Bautista’s move- As there is little or no overlap in the documents ment from a zealous convert in Mexico to a temple housed at the various libraries and archives in Salt in Salt Lake City and finally to a utopian dissident. Lake and Provo, some travel was necessary. I had Significant archives in and around Salt Lake a car with me, but Salt Lake has an excellent bus City useful to my project include the LDS Church system, and TRAX trains now run between Salt History Library, the LDS Family History Library, Lake and Provo. the Special Collections at the Marriott Library The Tanner Center itself is quiet during the (University of Utah), the Utah State History Ar- summer. Many of the faculty members are not on chives, Special Collections at the Harold B. Lee campus and summer events at the Center are ex- Library, and the Salt Lake City Public Library. tremely limited. It was not a time for making schol- As my dissertation focuses on Mormonism as a arly acquaintances, but the atmosphere allowed for transnational movement on the U.S. Mexico bor- concentrated work on my dissertation in a sleek, derlands, two other resources were crucial to my relatively new office space with a computer. In research: The Mexican Mormon History Museum speaking with other recipients of fellowships at in Provo, and the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake the Tanner Center, the office space is one of those City, Utah. perks most sorely missed at the end of the fellow- Librarians and archivists at the LDS Church ship. History Library are available for consultations with The staff at the Tanner Center is very friendly scholars, and were very supportive. The consulta- and supportive. I was informed that most Fellows tion I had with Matt Geilman, head researcher over stay in their offices, but the staff appreciates an oc- Latin America holdings, was quite valuable. Once casional conversation and an update on how my familiar with my project, archivists at the Church research was coming along. Dr. Robert Goldberg, History Library were able to recommend sources the Director of the Tanner Humanities Center, for research and emailed me when they discovered was provided useful insight on the presentation of others. One archivist shared contact information Mormon themes to the larger Religious Studies for interview subjects. While certain documents community. (particularly those that deal with excommunica- With this fellowship, The Mormon Studies tions or temple rituals) are closed to public view- Council at CGU has created a fabulous support ing, Church archivists did their best to petition for for PhD candidates in Mormon Studies, working open access to the resources I requested. to complete their dissertations. I did feel a sense of Staff members in Special Collections at both loss walking away from that beautiful office at the the Harold B. Lee Library and the Marriott Library end of my fellowship, but I am at least six months were also helpful. I was surprised by how willing closer to the completion of my degree than I would the Mexican Consulate (a very busy place) was to have been without this opportunity, and I am help me answer questions about Mexican/U.S. re- grateful. Thank you so much to CGU’s Mormon lations in Salt Lake City during the early twentieth Studies Council.  century. The community outreach coordinator

– 7 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 Waterworks in the Holy Land

At the end of June I boarded my first international flight headed to Israel. My purpose: learn the methods of archaeology, the history and culture of Israel and experience the “Holy Land.”

by Maclane Heward

typically wear a smile and would describe my- torical sites in Israel. Iself similar to Joseph Smith in that my native Though the experience proved to be intellectu- temperament is usually very “cheery.” My wife has ally expansive, the greatest observations (and the even questioned me at times, wondering if I have real growing/educational experience) for me came unhappy emotions. While taking two academic in unexpected ways. During the first week I be- courses in Israel this summer, she witnessed my came fast friends with my roommate, Ahiad, an more “alien” temperament: sadness. Israeli graduate student in archaeology who had At the end of June I boarded my first interna- been hired to help manage the dig. During the tional flight headed to Israel. My purpose: learn same week, three Israeli teens were buried after be- the methods of archaeology, the history and cul- ing kidnapped and murdered. Early in the morn- ture of Israel and experience the “Holy Land.” Af- ing on the day after their funeral, Mohammed Abu ter an 11 hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean, we Khdeirhe, a Palestinian teen living in Jerusalem landed in Tel Aviv with cheers of excitement. We was kidnapped and murdered as well. then drove two hours north to the small city of My friendship with Ahiad grew simultaneously Akko. Located on the north side of Haifa bay, Akko with the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict of is one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in this summer. With the hours spent together, we the world, with evidence dating back to the Early discussed many different issues from pranks pulled Bronze age, or 3000 BCE. Weekdays were spent during archaeological excavations, to Middle-East- digging at the site of the ancient city of Akko and ern politics; from Religion and Mormonism to weekends were spent visiting other important his- sports; and from violence in Israel to purchasing

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– 8 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 wheelbarrows for the dig. form him that during my ritualistic morning Skype Over time, Ahiad shared his strong feelings of with my family I had received “approval” from my distaste for military service. It was clear from my wife for our Jerusalem trip. My heart split in two conversations and experiences with him that he as he informed me that he was unable to go—he cared about people. One example will illustrate had been activated in the Israeli army and would the point. I turned 30 while in Israel and Ahiad as- be leaving within a few hours for the military base sumed correctly that I would rather have celebrat- outside of Gaza. After a 20 minute sobbing phone ed that occasion with my wife and three children call to my wife, she was convinced I could feel and (he could safely assume this after three weeks of so was I. me waking him up daily at 4:15 am as I tried to In the academic study of religion, we often dis- quietly leave the room and Skype with my family). cuss the “other” and learn from how the majority The week of my birthday, after finding out that our reacts to and associates with this group. This in- trip to Jerusalem was canceled due to the conflict, forms our understanding about society and reli- Ahiad invited me to go with him to his apartment gion. When we get close enough to those who are in Jerusalem. He would keep me from unsafe areas different culturally, politically, religiously, racially and take me to see the sites in the city. I could not or otherwise, we learn that we are all connected be more excited! We would leave the day after I in one great humanity. This closeness and under- turned 30. standing, whether it be to a person or a history, al- In true Ahiad form, cakes were purchased for lows for strong feelings of consideration to come my birthday and he brought them to the archaeol- naturally. For this Mormon, learning from one ogy dig for us to enjoy. At the end of the day, he Jew has brought deep feelings of yearning for un- gathered a group of people together and we played derstanding and a peaceful cohabitation with all volleyball until late, something he knew I would humanity. Perhaps academic understanding is the also enjoy. beginning of that process.  Early the next morning I approached him to in-

– 9 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 lecture event summary Adam Miller on “Early Onset Postmortality”

It’s possible to die while you are still alive; it’s possible to survive your own death and remarkably to be all the more alive for it.

by Chase Kirkham

n September 18, 2014, Latter-day Saint Theo- ence salvation is to experience a kind of Early On- Ologian Adam Miller delivered a captivating set Postmortality.” lecture on experiencing a kind of time where one Extreme examples of Early Onset Postmortality could escape not only the worries of the future but that Miller noted are John the Beloved, the Three also the regrets of the past. Calling this phenome- Nephites, and those who have had their calling and non “Early Onset Postmortality,” Miller described election made sure: they have had their judgment a condition where one dies yet remains alive: “it’s day but continue living. Such people, however, possible to die while you are still alive; it’s possible are “dramatic” examples of “what ordinary repen- to survive your own death and remarkably to be all tance, forgiveness, and life in Christ were meant to the more alive for it.” look like all along.” Repentance, therefore, is the Such a condition, caricatured by the lives of way to experience Early Onset Postmortality. And zombies and vampires, is taken seriously by the when one experiences Early Onset Postmortality Apostle Paul who writes to the Galatians that “I through repentance, one is able to perceive time in am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.” The a different manner, for in a penitent life, the past experience that Paul describes is salvation in the becomes “pliable and redeemable” and the future present; that is, salvation in this life rather than in sheds its fear.  the next. Therefore, Miller instructed, “to experi-

Online Video

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– 10 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 lecture event summary Sheri Dew on “Women in the Church”

Women are absolutely vital to the organization of the Church [and] are wired into the very center.

by Randy Powell

omen have been involved in the Church LDS Church, men and women have access to the Wsince the beginning,” declared the popular same spiritual authority. LDS author Sheri Dew to a crowd of roughly two Dew also emphasized that the Church provides thousand people in the Bridges Auditorium, locat- women with more opportunities for leadership ed on the Pomona College campus in Claremont, than any organization she has seen. In response California. Accepting an invitation from the How- to a question from a reporter about how she deals ard W. Hunter Foundation, Dew came to Clare- with the “oppression” of women in the Church, she mont on October 11 to talk about Mormon women. responded that there is no organization she knew Dew is the CEO of Deseret Book, was formerly of that treated women as such a vital part of the Second Counselor in the General Relief Soci- organization as does the Church of Jesus Christ of ety Presidency, has been the author of numerous Latter-day Saints. Dew illustrated this by showing books including two biographies of past presidents pictures of all the female leaders in the Church and of the Mormon Church, and most recently wrote how they counsel with the highest priesthood lead- a book entitled Women and the Priesthood: What ers in the Church. In regard to temple access, male one Mormon Women Believes. Men and women, priesthood becomes an obstacle. However, women adults and children, Mormon and non-Mormon, can enter solely based on worthiness. Thus, Dew all filled the auditorium to hear the well-known taught that “women are wired into the very center” author, speaker, and leader talk about the role of of the Church. women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day The audience responded remarkably; she ad- Saints. dressed them with confidence and humor. The Although Dew stated that she is not troubled in greatest thing, however, that Dew did to endear any way about women and priesthood ordination, herself to the audience is to admit the limits of her she stressed that she has studied the topic extensive- knowledge on the subject. More than once, Dew ly. In her speech, entitled “Women in the Church reminded the audience, “There are just a lot of of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Dew argued things I don’t know.” She did not pretend to have that women have always played an essential and vi- all the answers to questions about why women are tal role in the Church, thus leaving the question of not ordained to the priesthood or why there is not their ordination a moot point. “Women are abso- more discussion of a Heavenly Mother. Her candor lutely vital to the organization of the Church,” she and honesty made her an accessible friend to both said. She also emphasized that although women Mormons and non-Mormons alike. At the conclu- are not ordained to the priesthood in the Church, sion of her lecture the audience arose and gave her both men and women have access to God’s power, a robust, standing ovation.  which by definition is priesthood power. Despite the differences between men and women in the

– 11 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014 Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter is a joint publication of the

howard w. hunter chair of mormon studies

claremont mormon studies council claremont mormon studies student association



Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies Patrick Q. Mason

Claremont Mormon Studies Council Chairman Steve Bradford

Claremont Mormon Studies Student Association President Jef f rey Turner

Vice President Matthew Pitts



Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies 831 N. Dartmouth Ave. Claremont, CA 91711

– 12 – Claremont Mormon Studies Newsletter, no. 11 Fall 2014