DiaBLOGue

Among the Mormons: A Survey of Current Literature

As Mormonism embarked upon the 1980s, it appeared, at least outwardly, that the Church might be well advised to prepare for a new era of journalistic sensationalism and criticism. To combat this anticipated struggle, a…

Contraceptive Use Among Mormons, 1965-75

Dialogue 16.3 (Fall 1984): 108–113
For some families, delaying birth control until after the arrival of the first or second child is undoubtedly consistent with a desire to begin a family soon after marriage. In other cases, however, failure to practice birth control during the first and/or second birth intervals may be based on a belief that to do so would be contrary to Church teachings.

The Snowdrift, the Swan

In those Idaho summers, Maggie drove a tractor and sat on her hands in the movies, hiding her callouses from the fresh-faced college boys she dated. She worried about her peeling nose and ate nothing…

Selling the Chevrolet: A Moral Exercise

This is the saddest story I have ever told. Not because The Chevrolet is gone, but because it probably is not.  This much is known. During the Christmas season of 1973, Gene and Charlotte England…

Man and Motherhood

Latter-day Saint women are not lacking counsel on their proper roles which are, of course, found exclusively within the Church and family. Such writings, appropriately authored by men, carefully detail how women are uniquely suited…

Ministering Angels: Single Women in Mormon Society

Dialogue 16.3 (Autumn 1983): 68–69
I would like to discuss teh social experience of historical Latter-day Saint single women in the context of five questions: (1) Does she have an acceptable reason for being single? (2) Can she provide for her own economic security? (3) What place does she occupy in her family of origin? (4) Can she contribute to her community in a way that she will be rewarded for? (5) What was the emotinoal life of a single women in past generations? 

On the Edge: Mormonism’s Single Men

The Doctrine and Covenants contains extremely specific instructions concerning marriage for men: 

In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;

Embroideries

In this small room 
the bishop sits like God 
Himself 
broad farmer face upon