Mormon women
Why the BYU-Idaho debacle is a signal of positive change in Mormonism
By Jana Riess — November 27, 2019
(RNS) — 'We are grateful for the feedback we have received' is a new model for LDS leaders when it comes to reversing obvious mistakes.
Why it’s important that Mormon women can now be official witnesses to a baptism
By Jana Riess — October 2, 2019
Women and girls can now act as official witnesses in some Mormon rituals. While it may seem small, here's why it's actually a big deal.
Mormon men are groomed not to listen to women
By Jana Riess — September 10, 2019
(RNS) — Recent news stories have brought home to me how inhospitable the LDS church is to hearing women's voices, and how very hospitable it is to protecting male power.
Retreats offer a safe space to be both Mormon and real
By Jana Riess — May 31, 2019
Given how many unofficial Mormon retreats are flourishing, Latter-day Saints seem hungry for sacred spaces in which they’re permitted to keep it real.
Mormons get back to basics at church’s General Conference
By Jana Riess — April 8, 2019
7 things you may have missed at the April General Conference.
Beyond Mormon judgment in the temple
By Jana Riess — January 25, 2019
My temple experience this week was mostly lovely, but also included a disappointing experience of women judging other women.
Major changes to Mormon temple ceremony, especially for women
By Jana Riess — January 3, 2019
Mormon temple rituals have been updated to reflect a greater focus on gender equality, among other changes.
Mormon women missionaries can now wear pants! But not to church.
By Jana Riess — December 21, 2018
Mormon female missionaries can now wear pants for much of their work, but not to church -- which is in keeping with a long-standing cultural tradition that women still wear dresses and skirts to church.
Progress for Mormon women: A historian takes the long view
By Jana Riess — December 3, 2018
(RNS) — Historian Colleen McDannell sees long-term progress for Mormon women in several key areas, including the temple endowment (no more curses for Eve!), softer rhetoric about working women, and — yes — even the Proclamation on the Family.
Younger Mormons far more likely to be troubled by women’s roles in the LDS Church, study shows
By Jana Riess — November 26, 2018
Younger Mormons are far more likely to say they are bothered by the fact that women don't hold the priesthood, reflecting a generational divide over women's roles in the LDS Church.
Author of best-selling memoir ‘Educated’ comes to terms with Mormon childhood
By Jana Riess — May 21, 2018
Tara Westover grew up in an unusual Mormon survivalist family that stockpiled food for the endtimes and did not formally educate their children. Now the best-selling author of 'Educated' reflects on the Mormonism she left behind.
Why this Mormon girl wanted to be a Mormon boy
By Jana Riess — April 17, 2018
At age nine, Mette Harrison made a conscious decision to masquerade as a boy as much as possible, mainly at school, because she hated being a girl. Specifically, she hated being a girl in the Mormon world.
Changes for Mormons: 12 takeaways from LDS General Conference
By Jana Riess — April 2, 2018
Mormons got more diversity in their highest leadership, a fresh focus on lay ministry, and a restructured priesthood organization in this weekend's groundbreaking General Conference.
What to watch for in this weekend’s Mormon General Conference
By Jana Riess — March 29, 2018
Mormons are abuzz with speculation about this weekend's General Conference, which will feature 2 new apostles and possibly a major announcement. Will the LDS Church finally get an apostle of color?
Hallelujah! Mormon women’s garments just got a lot better
By Jana Riess — March 14, 2018
(RNS) — Mormon sisters, if you have ever dared to dream of a Goldilocks Garment that would neither dwarf you with its saggy enormity nor confine your bosoms to a relentless straitjacket, you might try this new stretch cotton version.
