Another so-called "power letter" for your reading enjoyment

President Bott,

I wish at this time to respectfully address the lecture you gave on Wednesday, February 20. You spoke of sisters serving missions and there were a few points that I noted that are contradictory, in my comprehension of the doctrines of the Church, to the teachings of the prophets.

First off, my main concern was the idea that you expressed concerning the relationship between a husband a wife. I believed the words you used were "subservient" and "subordinate," ultimately stating that a wife is not equal to her husband in gospel authority. You advised the sisters to not attempt to be "bearers" of the priesthood, and take the sideline in our marriage regarding the gospel so that our husbands could advance in their priesthood to become leaders. However, according to President Hinckley, women "are as entitled as are men to the Spirit of Christ, which enlightens every man and woman who comes into the world." In my understanding of the gospel principles, just because a women does not literally hold the priesthood does not mean that she is not equal to her husband in authority and that she should not exercise this authority. In order to become a truly Zion society, women and men must be equal in authority and responsibility both within the family and within the councils of the Church. President Kimball spoke to women, saying "We do not want our LDS women to be silent partners or limited partners in that eternal assignment, be a contributing and full partner." I believe that although women do not hold the priesthood right now in this life, they have every right to access it and utilize it, hence "bearing" it in essence to benefit their children and families. And again, even though men do hold within themselves the authority to perform certain sacred ordinances in building up the kingdom, according to John A. Widtsoe "No man who understands the gospel believes that he is greater than his wife, or more beloved of the Lord, because he holds the priesthood."

Moreover, I thought your comment telling the sisters to "get over their PMS" and stop being wusses was incredibly misogynistic and discriminatory. It is statements such as these that propagate the gender stereotypes that are so detrimental to the building up of Zion. Perhaps there are those women that do need to address certain emotional issues before they go on missions, but I guarantee there are an equal number of men that also should. Moreover, if females do act moody or otherwise challenged, it is because society has socialized them to act this way. There is nothing innately female that says I must become moody just because of my hormones; it is usually from what I have seen, an active decision to use hormones as an excuse to be rude to people. And in regards to girls not being as tough as the guys when it comes to handling the rigors of life, the strongest people I have met are usually women. Throughout history, women have performed a lion's share of the daily labor compared to the men. Even today in the world, the UN asserts that women perform 2/3 of the world's work yet receive only 1/10 of its income. Moreover, if girls are always told that they are not as tough and strong as the boys, they will be conditioned to believe it and then will become weaker. As a Church community, we must all recognize the systematic discrimination and structured gender roles that the fallen world has outlined in order to break a vicious cycle.

Again, I sincerely hope that ultimately this is not what you meant nor is it what all the other students took away from the lecture. Maybe I am unusually sensitized to these issues, but I would appreciate it if you would take the time to reevaluate your thoughts concerning women as missionaries and ultimately wives, mothers, and leaders within the Church. I know you have incredible influence over the hundreds of students you teach, especially the males. If you continue to teach them that the women in their lives are emotionally-unfit for missions and subordinate to them in marriage, they will listen. I fear that many of them will take these teachings and fail to develop celestial marriages based on divine equality as instructed by our Heavenly Father.

Sincerely,
Caitlin Carroll (801.318.0167)

CC: President Cecil O. Samuelson, Dr. Terry B. Ball, Dr. Arnold K. Garr

I just could not keep these little gems to myself

LDS housewives on "The Joy of Being a Woman":

"Give away all your haughty rights, prejudices, opinions, even the right to a divorce, even the children (actually they are his anyway, aren’t they?). Ask his advice on things, without even thinking what you would like first, and accept it. (You may slip back from time to time, but let him know that it isn’t permanent and that you are still dedicated)… Don’t allow yourself to have hurt feelings. If you have displeased him, just honestly tell him that you are sorry and that you’ll correct it… Your single and most compelling desire is to obey and please him 100%. As you do this you’ll never have to worry about yourself again: your needs, wants, or welfare" (Maxfield 1972, 198-199)

"I know that there are some women who might read these things and the idea of complete submission sends chills of agonizing fear into their hearts, but I have heard fear referred to as lack of faith" (Maxfield 1972, 200)

A beautiful night at the Cabin

Twas a glorious night at the cabin. There was snow-playing, tea-drinking, and fashion-showing. Now it's back to the daily grind of life. Bleh.

Hunger Banquet nightmare

So, last night, our dear friend Thelma came into town from D.C. where she is saving Burma from certain destruction. In light of this, we had a giant sleepover on the hideaway bed in the "flat's" basement. Creepy creepy basement. I woke with a start in the middle of the night because I had a terrible nightmare about HB. I walked in, wearing my old ratty green sweatpants and a t-shirt. I look around the Wilk and there is not a single decoration to be seen. Moreover, Mary runs up to me freaking out because it started 10 minutes ago and I never decorated. I look on the floor and there are no blankets like I was supposed to acquire, but those portable little seats parents use at their kid's Varsity football game because they can't take the bleachers. I was terrified. I run in the bathroom and try to throw myself together, I grab this bag out of the trashcan and it has some Indian sari in it so I put that on. Then I walk back out and Mary is talking to some Aborgines in Aborginal language because they are going to dance for us. Then I look out and there are less than 10 people in the audience. Then I wake up. And then I make delicious muffins for everyone.

I feel as if I need to get workin' on my projects for HB. I cannot believe I only have three weeks left. Eeeeeek.

Man, was I angsty!

So, in my perpetual state of procrastination, I discovered this.

My blog from senior year of high school.
Some highlights:

"i just dance around my room naked all the time because i'm so happy"

"but then again, you could always run away from the lesbians undressing you with their eyes. that would be a plus." (apparently, I used to be a homophobe...)

"we're thinking it's either benjamin if she gets her way, or gavin if he gets his way. let's pray lauren doesn't give in, but gavin could grow on me too." (and so it has)

"i lost my kumquat virginity. yesterday."

"i sliced my heart out; so, you could eat it for lunch if you want." (again, the emo-ness... geeeeeeez Caitlin!)


and somethings never change:
"major procrastination going on. i hate writing papers."

happy reading.

Singin' in the rain

I found these old pictures on my computer today and they make me happy. Playing in the rain with Megan & Gavin, Gavin and his sniffy blankie.

Equal exchange chocolates

I just have to have a plug about this amazing chocolate. It tastes amazing, absolutely wonderful, and it's fair trade! I'm totally willing to pay a little more for this kind of thing. Yum.

"Our organic fairly-traded gourmet chocolate bars are a rich and delicious treat that supports small-scale farmers and their families. The bars combine famous Swiss standards in chocolate making with cocoa from the farmer cooperatives CONACADO, in the Dominican Republic, and CACVRA, in Peru; fairly traded organic sugar from cooperatives in Paraguay and Costa Rica; and milk (in the Milk Chocolate) from a cooperative in the U.S."

To find out where you can purchase it, check out their website.

I must say my favorite is the Very Dark Chocolate, but I also love the Dark w/ Almonds and the Mint Milk Chocolate.