If you want to see how the church hasn't changed much in my lifetime look no further than this funny snippet from The Trib.


"When asked for comment Tuesday about the Salt Lake City rally, church spokesman Doug Andersen initially told The Salt Lake Tribune, “At this time, we do not have a statement on the proposed Equal Rights Amendment.” About an hour later, Andersen sent a statement that reads, “The church’s position on this issue has been consistent for more than 40 years.”"
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/12/03/lds-church-announces-it/

And what were the problems they saw/seered all those years ago with their spiritual eyes and their prophetic abilities?

"Specifically, why are you opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment?"

"...encouragement of those who seek a unisex society, an increase in the practice of homosexual and lesbian activities, and other concepts which could alter the natural, God-given relationship of men and women."

"ERA would bring ambiguity to the family structure which could encourage legal conflict in the relationship of husbands and wives."

"...could challenge almost every legally accepted social custom, as well as every morally accepted behavior pattern in America."

"...laws protecting the rights of pregnant women in the working force could be challenged if ERA becomes law."

"could nullify many accumulated benefits to women in present statutes, such as those protecting mothers and children from fathers who do not accept their legal responsibilities to their families..."
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1978/10/news-of-the-church/first-presidency-reaffirms-opposition-to-era?lang=eng

Talk about a vacuous Cassandra!

Nothing about their position 40 years ago makes much sense today. Back when they could threaten unisex orgies of moral depravity and legal protection fallout they had the power of fear.

But to counter their fear I think a picture is worth more than a thousand of their proclamations and positions.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-best-photos-of-2019/ss-BBXxzlt?#image=9

they're wrong they go all in.

Yeah, and in 1976 I could see their concern for working mothers was at an all time high for sure.

"We fear it will even stifle many God-given feminine instincts."

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1976/12/news-of-the-church/first-presidency-issues-statement-opposing-equal-rights-amendment?lang=eng

Ironically "instincts" are natural man. I guess women can have them and men can't.

Michelle Quist, of the SLTrib editorial board, really tore into the recent DNwews editorial about the ERA. Her column is rather long, and I think she belabored a few points. She needed an editor to get her to tighten it up IMHO, but she is the editor. :)

In any case, here's a link to the entire column:
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2019/12/04/michelle-quist-lds-church/

She was not a happy camper.

From the final paragraphs:
Support for the ERA is not a partisan issue. Support for the ERA is not a gender issue. Support for the ERA is not a religious issue. Support for the ERA is about equal legal scrutiny.

The fearmongering and disinformation must stop. We fell for it once, we shouldn’t again.

The ERA is good for families, good for businesses, and good for Utah. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I support the ERA.

The interesting thing is just like Mormon polygamists mainstreamers can do with their priesthood what they will while claiming they are all about equality in their words and "equal" but separate in their actions.

It has been the Mormon game and was with their suffragist roots in Utah. The current 40 year old trend is to be less like that and more about trying to be an evangelical religious right religion.

43 years ago LDS Corp said this.

"...could challenge almost every legally accepted social custom, as well as every morally accepted behavior pattern in America."

And Utah women feel like second class citizens more than other places.

"“Culturally, Utah is just kind of behind the times, still defines the women’s and men’s roles very differently,” said Merilee Milner, 45, who lives in St. George."
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/11/20/utah-women-say-cultural/

What exactly were the "social customs" LDS Corp was afraid of losing?

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/08/world/freweini-mebrahtu-2019-cnn-hero-of-the-year/index.html

Nice to see things like this happening in the world when one reads about how repressive Utah is for women in a place that shouldn't be.