Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism

Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism examines the intersection of gender, power, and religious practice within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Editor Maxine Hanks brings together essays from Mormon feminist scholars and writers who explore women's historical and contemporary roles in the LDS church. The collection presents research on priesthood authority, women's spiritual gifts, and female ritual healing practices in early Mormon history. Contributors analyze primary sources, theological texts, and institutional policies to trace the evolution of gender dynamics within Mormon communities. Essays in the volume address topics including Mother in Heaven theology, women's relationship to temple ceremonies, and interpretations of Eve in Mormon doctrine. The work incorporates both historical documentation and contemporary feminist perspectives on Mormon women's lived experiences. This anthology contributes to broader discussions about religious authority, gender equality in faith traditions, and the tensions between institutional power structures and individual spiritual autonomy. The essays reveal complex negotiations between Mormon women's personal convictions and their loyalty to religious community.

Readers note this 1992 anthology provides historical context for Mormon feminist thought and highlights lesser-known female voices from Mormon history. Positive reviews focus on: - Documentation of early Mormon women exercising spiritual gifts and authority - Research quality and academic rigor - Personal essays that connect historical issues to modern experiences Critical reviews mention: - Some essays feel dated or repetitive - Organizational structure could be clearer - Limited perspective mainly from white American women Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (11 ratings) Review quotes: "Helped me understand my own place in Mormon history as a woman" -Goodreads "Academic but accessible exploration of female authority in early Mormonism" -Amazon "Some essays stronger than others, but important historical record" -LibraryThing The book appears most often in academic citations and Mormon feminist reading lists rather than mainstream review sites.

Sisters in Spirit: Mormon Women in Historical and Cultural Perspective by Maureen Ursenbach Beecher This collection of essays examines Mormon women's experiences through historical analysis and explores themes of gender roles, power dynamics, and religious authority in LDS culture.

Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings by Joanna Brooks, Rachel Hunt Steenblik, and Hannah Wheelwright This anthology presents key texts from Mormon feminist thought spanning 150 years of advocacy for women's rights and equality within the LDS church.

The Mormon Priesthood: A Model of National Feminist Movement by D. Michael Quinn The text traces the history of women's relationship to priesthood authority in Mormon theology and practice from the church's founding to modern times.

Women at Church: Magnifying LDS Women's Local Impact by Neylan McBaine This research-based work presents historical and contemporary examples of women's leadership and influence within Mormon congregational structures.

Mormon Women Have Their Say by Claudia L. Bushman and Caroline Kline The book compiles oral histories and personal narratives from Mormon women discussing their experiences with faith, authority, and gender in the LDS church.

🔹 Maxine Hanks was excommunicated from the LDS Church shortly after publishing this book in 1992, though she later returned to the faith in 2012. 🔹 The book includes the first published collection of writings about Mother in Heaven, a distinctive Mormon female deity concept. 🔹 "Women and Authority" features essays from 21 different contributors, including prominent Mormon feminist scholars Margaret Toscano and Lavina Fielding Anderson. 🔹 The publication coincided with a period known as the "September Six," when several Mormon intellectuals and feminists were excommunicated from the LDS Church for their writings and views. 🔹 The book was one of the first comprehensive examinations of Mormon feminist theology and helped establish Mormon feminism as a legitimate field of study within Mormon scholarship.