Not for the Glory: Mormon Women in Leadership, 1872-1972

Not for the Glory examines the experiences and contributions of Mormon women leaders during a pivotal century of the LDS Church's development. The book focuses on key female figures who held positions of authority from 1872-1972, documenting their work in Relief Society, education, politics, and community organizing. Through extensive archival research and analysis of personal writings, Flake reconstructs the institutional and cultural contexts that shaped these women's leadership roles. The narrative tracks the evolution of women's status and influence within Mormon hierarchies against the backdrop of larger American social movements. The book includes previously unpublished materials and correspondence that reveal the complex dynamics between male priesthood authority and female organizational power. Records of leadership meetings, policy discussions, and administrative decisions demonstrate how Mormon women navigated religious and gender expectations. This historical account raises broader questions about the intersection of religious authority, gender, and institutional power in American religious movements. The tensions and negotiations documented in the text remain relevant to contemporary discussions of women's roles in religious organizations.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Kathleen Flake's overall work: Readers value Flake's academic rigor and accessibility in explaining complex religious-political dynamics. Her book "The Politics of American Religious Identity" receives praise for detailed research and clear explanations of the Smoot hearings' significance. What readers liked: - Clear writing that makes academic content accessible to general readers - Thorough documentation and primary source research - Balanced treatment of sensitive religious and political topics What readers disliked: - Academic tone can be dry for casual readers - Some wanted more background context on Mormon history - Limited focus on specific historical events rather than broader themes Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.5/5 (42 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) One reader noted: "Flake presents complex historical events with scholarly precision while maintaining readability." Another commented: "Would have benefited from more context for readers unfamiliar with Mormon history."

At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women by Jennifer Reeder and Kate Holbrook This collection presents transcripts of 54 speeches delivered by Mormon women from 1831 to 2016, documenting their theological contributions and leadership roles in the LDS Church.

Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism by Maxine Hanks The essays in this volume examine the historical precedents of female authority in Mormonism and analyze the institutional dynamics that have shaped women's roles in the church.

Sister Saints: Mormon Women Since the End of Polygamy by Colleen McDannell This historical account traces the evolution of Mormon women's lives from the 1890s to the present, focusing on their changing roles in religious and social spheres.

A House Full of Females: Plural Marriage and Women's Rights in Early Mormonism by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Through diaries, letters, and other primary sources, this work explores how nineteenth-century Mormon women balanced religious conviction with the complexities of plural marriage.

Women of Faith in the Latter Days by Richard E. Turley Jr., Brittany A. Chapman This multi-volume compilation presents biographical essays of Mormon women from different time periods, highlighting their contributions to their communities and religious tradition.

🔹 Author Kathleen Flake was the first person to hold the Richard L. Bushman Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Virginia, making her a pioneering figure in academic Mormon studies. 🔹 The book covers a pivotal century that saw Mormon women serve as doctors, politicians, and Relief Society leaders while many American women were still fighting for basic voting rights. 🔹 The Relief Society, discussed extensively in the book, was one of the largest women's organizations in the world during the period covered, with over 100,000 members by 1942. 🔹 During the time period examined (1872-1972), Mormon women operated their own newspaper called the Woman's Exponent, which advocated for women's suffrage and other progressive causes. 🔹 The book reveals how Mormon women leaders maintained significant institutional authority even after the church discontinued polygamy and became more hierarchical in the early 20th century.