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hayley_sor's review
5.0
I wish I could give a copy of this book to everyone in my ward. It does not point fingers or cast blame, but seeks to help both women and men know how to more effectively work together in unity. If you have heard people talking about gender inequality in church culture and just didn’t get it, this book is for you. If you have felt the pains of gender inequality in church culture, this book is so validating and it’s for you, too. If you’re seeking for radical change of LDS doctrine, you’re not gonna love this one. McBaine gives suggestions for small but meaningful changes of culture, not doctrine, within the already established organization of the LDS church.
angelamichelle's review
4.0
Such a balanced, affirming, faithful, productive tone. That in itself is an accomplishment.
On the one hand, it felt both affirming and chilling to have laid out so many of the inequities large and small of being a woman in the church. It can feel like a death by paper cut situation.
Also so gratifying that many—many!—of her recommendations have been adopted in the few short years since publication.
Will those rebalances and upgrades be enough to level the floor of our church?
On the one hand, it felt both affirming and chilling to have laid out so many of the inequities large and small of being a woman in the church. It can feel like a death by paper cut situation.
Also so gratifying that many—many!—of her recommendations have been adopted in the few short years since publication.
Will those rebalances and upgrades be enough to level the floor of our church?
meme_too2's review
4.0
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book or not, but I liked it better than I thought I would. I agree with Neylan; we do need to think more like the early sisters of the Church. Those early sisters had been taught by Joseph Smith, they worked closely with Brigham Young. They depended on one another in spiritual things. Sisters don't depend on one another in the same way as they used to.
However, unlike the author, I do believe we can reach our highest and best potential and still be absolutely obedient to the prophet, stake president, and bishop. There are men leaders who will listen to women, and there are men and women who can trust and depend on one another.
However, unlike the author, I do believe we can reach our highest and best potential and still be absolutely obedient to the prophet, stake president, and bishop. There are men leaders who will listen to women, and there are men and women who can trust and depend on one another.
mollysticks's review
4.0
Good ideas that can be implemented. I really liked the way she talked about how we should always be supporting each other and trying to build each others faith.
kmatthe2's review
4.0
A thoughtful read. At times the refrain, "It's not wrong, it's just hard" feels a little "hard" itself (if that must be repeated so many times, perhaps we are trying to convince ourselves of something we don't believe is true). Nevertheless, the author offers many practical ways in which Mormons can talk with each other and strive towards creating greater gender equity at church (short of structural or doctrinal changes).
tofupup's review
4.0
This book has some relatively simple ideas for making an impact in church settings that I'm going to try to implement.
rachelhelps's review
4.0
Sometimes if you bring up gender issues in the LDS church people can get defensive. This book is a bridge between them and people who feel the pain of gender disparity within the church. I felt like if I needed to explain why Mormon feminism is important to another member of the church, I could hand them this book. Mormons in leadership positions would benefit from reading this book, as it would help them feel more compassion and sensitivity to issues that some people (including me) feel passionate about. Things like making the cub scout and achievement day activities more similar (or just having equal budgets), giving women the opportunity to occasionally mentor/teach young men (often young men have no religious, women leaders other than their mother, whereas young women have their own women leaders and the bishopric), and helping women feel heard when they are in leadership positions.
Many of the ideas feel sort of weaksauce from a feminist perspective... like having the young women bake bread for the sacrament. It's completely within gender-prescribed behavior and the women are still in the background for their service. But at the same time it's a touching compromise and an idea I'd love to see in action. Reading this book helped me feel hope for women's representation in the forefront of the church (not just in the background on a pedestal). It also validated my dissatisfaction with various gender issues in the church in a good way that makes me want to enact change in my own ward and neighborhood.
Many of the ideas feel sort of weaksauce from a feminist perspective... like having the young women bake bread for the sacrament. It's completely within gender-prescribed behavior and the women are still in the background for their service. But at the same time it's a touching compromise and an idea I'd love to see in action. Reading this book helped me feel hope for women's representation in the forefront of the church (not just in the background on a pedestal). It also validated my dissatisfaction with various gender issues in the church in a good way that makes me want to enact change in my own ward and neighborhood.
tueller42's review
5.0
It's a little bit ironic that I only felt that I had time and energy to finish this book after being released as Relief Society president. I don't know if that was the book's fault. But either way I am grateful for the faithful way it looks at real issues within the church and it gets 5 stars just for existing.
missamandamae's review
5.0
A great conversation starter. McBaine has scads of ideas to dwell on, to work with, to enact. Written with LDS leaders in mind, so make sure you lend your annotated copy to your bishop!