I understand this desire, and I know you aren’t alone in feeling that way — this is something I have heard many times in blog conversations.

As I thought about it, though, is it really that *women* don’t have this opportunity, or that *auxiliaries* don’t have this same opportunity? I think it’s a double-whammy because women are *only* in auxiliaries, but if you think of the general YM general presidency or the Sunday School presidency, their outreach, speaking opportunities, etc. seem to me to be as limited as the general women’s leaders’ are.

I also think it’s important to remember that none of the leaders who do speak are told what to speak on…they all speak on what they feel inspired to speak on. So it’s not the male leaders’ fault if the females choose to speak more particularly about their stewardships. (Off the top of my head, recent talks that I remember by members of the general SS presidency were about teaching — related to their stewardships as well. Not so unusual, perhaps.)

I would also argue at the local level, women might even, net-net, often end up having more influence and involvement than the men, when we are talking about auxiliaries. The RS president often works more closely with the bishop than any other ward leader, no? I think she is also more involved in the lives of ward members and families than probably any other person except perhaps the bishop.

I hope I’m not coming across as trying to undermine or pick apart the desires or concerns expressed in the post or comments. I just wonder if it’s easy to blame gender issues in a vacuum for these differences, when some of it may really be more about the structure of the church and the function of auxiliaries in general. Comparing auxilaries against each other from the ward level on up, I think the gender gap is pretty small. Reporting structures are similar (e.g., no male auxiliary leader has autonomy — he must also report to his priesthood leader), exposure and opportunities are similar, functions are similar. It seems to me that men and women in these roles are given very similar opportunities for exposure and outreach.

Thoughts?

I’m not sure I can put this gently, but leadership at the ward level is the area where real spiritual service is rendered. Stake and General leadership is largely managerial and bureaucratic, at least until you get to the Q12. Aside from the priesthood oversight inherent in the First Presidency and Q12, why must female spiritual leaders be subject to oversight at all levels? If a general structure works for men, it will certainly work for women.

Remove the oversight of local priesthood from the Relief Society – The RS president becomes equal with the Stake president, called from the general level, and the ward RS pres is called from the stake level, equivalent to the EQ president. Remove the sledgehammer that some priesthood leaders can wield over the RS, requiring all to work together rather than pull rank.

Free up the Relief Society to _really_ take charge and make an impact, from the RS general meeting on down, but especially at the local level. Do away with PEC, and replace it with a Ward Executive Committee.

One of the most frustrating aspects of leadership was witnessing the PEC meeting, the _hours and hours_ of that meeting every month, and knowing that the RS president should be there and completely involved, not simply briefed afterward.

And, one final thought: Do not limit the RS ministering to the sisters. Broaden it so that the priesthood and relief society minister to the ward in an overlapping and complementary fashion. Leadership influence from the sisters should extend more prominently to the men and boys, too.

In addition to women leaders speaking to women more often, I wish women would have more opportunities to speak to the Church at large as well–and not only about women and children’s business.

I hope Elder Ballard’s admonitions about making ward councils actual councils instead of correlation meetings have brought about positive change at the ward level, and that PH leaders truly welcome the input of the female auxiliary leaders on all matters, not just those pertaining to their “spheres.” I hope the similar change comes to pass in stake administration, as well as at Church HQ.

I believe there’s a lot of room for women to be more visible, prominent, and directly influential in the Church without messing with PH authority or even hierarchy. The very qualities which make women so successful in auxiliary endeavors would be just as useful in other areas of action. I believe the tributaries afforded women should flow more freely into the big river. There will always be a gender gap in the Church, and that’s as it should be. But I think the current gap is much wider than it needs to be.

She was just pointing out that our prominent pioneer sisters were not the warm fuzzy types. In fact, I’ll bet if they showed up at the next RS conference, there’d be a lot of seat-squirming.

Then I did indeed mis-read and I apologize.

There’s a lot of seat-squirming when I start talking in RS. Gospel Doctrine, too, now that I think of it. Maybe that’s why they never call on me.

A tent gathering of my ward RS would be all giggles, tears, and homemade snacks. But I’d enjoy that as well.

I have to admit that would not be on my top 1,000 list of things to enjoy, either.

I sorta see Sister Beck more in that camp.

As for more contact with our female leaders, I have heard the auxiliary meetings in SLC are good. I believe they often include transcripts of these online. The ones I have read have been powerful and helpful.

And I think BYU Women’s Conference is an opportunity to hear from our female leaders more as well. I realize that many women can’t or don’t come to that, but it’s easy to enjoy their talks online, and so doing has helped me feel more connected to them, and feel more of their power and influence (which I think is real and very important) in my life. That’s a gathering that the men don’t have, and I tend to think it’s a resource that is underutilized by those who don’t go in person.

A tent gathering of my ward RS would be all giggles, tears, and homemade snacks. But I’d enjoy that as well. Never too old for a slumber party, although I’m guessing nobody would bring their Ouija boards…

it’s a rare LDS woman who finds the book appealing

I loved it.

Adored it.

Put it on my keeper shelf, is how much I loved it.

They were fierce and driven and bold and wouldn’t have had much patience with “soft” power.

Exactly how much and what other type of power women of that day actually have? Certainly not as much as the 19th Century ladies you name.