April Young-Bennett
@AprilYoungB
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Advocate for women, children and underserved populations, author of Ask a Suffragist: Stories and Wisdom from America's First Feminists
Salt Lake City
Joined October 2013
#BishopWaddell has chosen a great topic: avoiding hero worship. I think we are quite prone to this in our #LDS communities. (I’m including church leader worship alongside the examples he gave here.) Great reminder. #GeneralConference ##LDSconf
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We don't have to re-enter toxic relationships or put ourselves back into hurtful situations to forgive and heal, says #ElderHolland #LDSconf #GeneralConference
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I'm glad women were invited to participate in the #LDSconf solemn assembly before teen boys-it was reported previously that all males would do so before all females. This was better.
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Making fun of a woman for asking questions about #LDS theology that disparately affects women, not men, & inviting the audience to laugh at her is a disappointing way to begin a #GeneralConference talk, #ElderOaks. Perhaps seek female counsel about a more sensitive approach?
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The #LDS hymn Where Can I Turn for Peace was written by @TheExponent's Emma Lou Thayne, as she pondered how to help her daughter who was struggling with mental illness. #LDSconf
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I wish #SisterEubank hadn’t thrown in that little jab about activism. I respect how she works for change from within the system, but as a historian & activist, I observe that both activists and people within the system are needed to effect change. #GeneralConference #LDSConf
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If remembering Christ is the goal, is the garment the best strategy? It reminds #SisterDennis of Christ, but it also distracts many other people from thinking of Christ due to discomfort, pain or resentment. #GeneralConference
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And Sat.evening #GeneralConference session comes to a close, after only 1 hour! I love a short meeting, but I would be willing to linger longer to hear from some women. Not a single woman was invited to talk this session. #LDSconf #AllMalePanel
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After all the talk about #LDS women & the priesthood authority we supposedly have, it’s an interesting contrast to begin #GeneralConference by reading a long list of names of male General Authorities. No LDS women is honored with the title of General Authority. #LDSconf
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I would love to see the church formalize this by giving female and male mission leaders the same title, rather than calling the male companion “President’ while the woman has no formal title. #GeneralConference #LDSconf.
Pres. Cordon says she was serving with her husband as "mission leaders". Let's normalize this equality in heading a mission. @ldsconf.
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RT @summerbrennan: Feminism isn't a "woman thing." It's an everyone thing. It's all of culture that needs to shift, not just what women do.
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Many of society’s core problems stem from people not being seen, says #SisterCraig. She challenges us to open our eyes and see deeply. #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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I hear #LDS people articulate this concern privately but it’s rarely acknowledged over the pulpit like #ElderGong is doing. What if you don’t want to be sealed to toxic family members? In his example, the temple ordinance was more about healing than sealing. #GeneralConference
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Love that racism and bigotry is being addressed in #ldsconf. We must treat others as we want to be treated.
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Woah! Goodbye to Priesthood Executive Committee meeting! This is good news for women, because that meeting often excluded women from involvement in ward decision-making. (Bishops were allowed, but not required, to invite just one woman to PEC.) #LDSconf.
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Not every word of the American constitution is inspired, says #PresidentOaks, but he adds that the #13thAmendment & the #19thAmendment were. The inspired women behind the 19th were Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B Anthony. #GeneralConference #LDSconf
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I love that #ElderRenlund said that a praying for a heart transplant did not cause the tragedy that led to receiving it. #OrganDonation is beautiful, although the circumstances leading to it are tragic. This is my sister-in-law, who saved many lives. #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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When it comes to helping those with mental illness, information precedes inspiration, says #ElderKopischke We need facts to help people like his son, who struggles with depression, he shared. #LDSconf #GeneralConference
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I love that #ElderGodoy is naming so many women who were spiritual leaders to him like his missionaries and seminary teacher. Also, I love the photos he is sharing of himself as a long-haired youth. #GeneralConference #LDSConf
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Always love Come Thou Fount, even if I have no clue what an ebenezer is or how to raise it. #LDSconf #GeneralConference #TABcats
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I appreciate #ElderCarpenter for daring to be open about sealing cancellation, a fraught topic, but he did not address the gender disparity in sealing cancellation policy, which is an important issue that needs to be addressed in the #LDS church. #GeneralConference
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I appreciate #ElderHallstrom for taking on the tricky subject of miracles unfulfilled #LDSconf.
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Hurray for having a (#Covid19 vaccinated, tested, socially-distanced) live choir again! #LDS #GeneralConference #TabCATS #LDSconf
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In love that #SisterYee is using a woman from the #Bible (Abigail) as a type of Christ. We can see Christ in both women and men. #GeneralConference
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Could you imagine a session of #ldsconf without a single male speaker? They're 1/2 the population! Glad nothing like that ever happens.
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Huh. The male concluding speaker of #GeneralConference #WomensSession is using his time at the podium to reiterate that we are only allowed to pray to our male Heavenly Parent just as the pre-conference rumor mill predicted he would. #SucksToBeRight #LDSconf
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"I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents." #Mormon feminists have been requesting this change to the #LDS Young Women then for a long time. Thank you. #GeneralConference #ldsconf.
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#SisterBingham says cooperation of both men & women, without domination, leads to best outcomes. I think the current structure of the #LDS church creates barriers to egalitarian cooperation, but like the aspiration & hope to see work toward that goal. #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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#PresidentOaks used his #LDS #GeneralConference talk to explain that personal freedom does not apply to underwear. The map he shared reminds me that church leaders continue to demand 24/7 garment compliance without accommodation even in tropical regions of the world.
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#ElderSoares says marrying Emma Hale was important to Joseph Smith’s preparation to lead the #LDS Church, because of the crucial role she played in its founding. Her ordination was one of the scripture sections women were asked to read in prep for #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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#ElderOaks just quoted Rev. Theresa A. Dear, an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a leader of the @NAACP. I loved hearing from an ordained woman during #GeneralConference #LDSconf. Our own church does not #OrdainWomen (sigh).
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This is one of an extreme minority of #LDS policies that disparately affects men rather than women. I hope someday, missionary work will be just as optional for men as it is for women. I loved my mission, and I loved that no one forced me to serve. #LDSconf #GeneralConference.
#PresNelson opens #LDS #GeneralConference by briefly expressing concern about #Ukraine, then quickly pivots to missionary work, reiterating long-standing gendered guidelines virtually requiring missions for men while making them optional for women. #LDSconf
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Love how #SisterPorter is using an unnamed, enslaved woman from the Bible as an example instead of drawing on the more typically honored scripture heroes. #WomensSession #LDSconf #GeneralConference
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2 men in a row discuss what they think women are all naturally good at & what women (not them) should do & what they as men think makes women happy. #LDSconf #WomensSession #GeneralConference.
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Lots of wise counsel about contention during #GeneralConference today. I hope our #LDS community will grow in our capacity to avoid contention by civility and tolerance, instead of misinterpreting this principle to mean, “Call people contentious if they disagree with you.”.
#PresNelson is discussing #contention, a topic that came up often during this session of #GeneralConference. I like what he is saying about how youth with questions do not need judgement and people who disagree with you online will not be swayed by vitriol. #LDSconf
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Do you want your local #LDS temple to reopen? Follow public health guidelines and help fight the #pandemic so #Covid rates will go down, says #PresidentNelson #GeneralConference #LDSconf
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All are doing a great job giving talks in their 2nd language, but I miss having multiple languages at #ldsconf Felt more inclusive.
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However, I do appreciate the reminder from #ElderOaks that #LDS General Authorities often speak from personal opinion & we cannot let their statements of opinion scare us about our eternal destiny. #GeneralConference.
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No women spoke this session. Wouldn't it be strange if we had a whole session of #LDSconf without a single male speaker?
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#SisterAburto is doing her part to reduce the stigma around mental illness and offering wonderful spiritual and temporal advice to those who suffer. #GeneralConference
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#ElderHolland quotes a sister missionary who told him, “We did not come this far to only come this far.” He urges hope in the face of the #COVID19 #pandemic and purge tragedies such as school shootings. #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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#ElderChristofferson says only one adult man will be the Quorum President for all adult men in the ward. This will (very slightly) help to reduce how much women are outnumbered in ward councils. #LDSconf.
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#ElderHamilton foreshadowed an emphasis on garment-wearing, & we only had to wait for the 2nd talk of #GeneralConference. However, I appreciate that #SisterDennis focused on the intended symbolism of the garment & did not fixate on daily compliance rules or women’s yoga pants.
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Great talk by #ElderHolland, quoting 2 @TheExponent founders: Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and Emma Lou Thayne
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#ElderSoares expands on the usual definition of lust. He describes it as any selfish or greedy focus that distracts us from higher aims. #GeneralConference #LDSConf
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@murffyslurtz “Why don’t you just leave?” is flung at progressive #Mormons by both active & ex-Mormons constantly. Y’all say the exact same thing! I respect others’ choice to leave but stay because I want to make a difference. I am undeterred by exhaustion or rude questions. #GeneralConference.
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#ElderRenlund says everything we know about Heavenly Mother is in a Gospel Topics essay. Confused? That’s because it’s never been read from the pulpit at #GeneralConference or put in church curricula & most #LDS members have never read it. Here it is:
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Can you imagine 2 consecutive #LDSconf sessions without a single male speaker? They're 1/2 the population! Glad nothing like that happens!.
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To my #Mormon or Republican neighbors: don't you dare brag about family values ever again after making @realDonaldTrump president.
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Loved @DeidreHenderson’s speech at #Utah #Inauguration today, remembering women (& men) who fought for women’s rights & reminding us that we need female, minority, rural representation not just for advice about demographic groups, but for better policy on all issues. #utpol
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I found the stereotypes of women & the teachings about gender roles by male speakers at #GeneralConference #WomensSession hurtful. All night, I received messages from men informing me that my feelings are wrong. I stand corrected, gentlemen. #LDSconf
2 men in a row discuss what they think women are all naturally good at & what women (not them) should do & what they as men think makes women happy. #LDSconf #WomensSession #GeneralConference.
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In #LDS culture, we often confuse trauma (no one chooses to be traumatized) with "choosing to be offended." #Sunstone2018 #MormonMeToo #MeToo #ChurchToo
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“I may not soon make it to the top, but I can do this next step.” -#ElderWhiting #GeneralConference #ldsconf
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#SisterEubank is the third woman to address #LDS #GeneralConference. There has been one women speaker in each #LDSconf session so far. Certainly not enough, but more than previous conferences, which tended to gave no female speakers in 2 of 4 general sessions.
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Since @OrdainLDSWomen began, we have seen the brethren shift toward a less gendered description of priesthood, such as the way #PresidentNelson is speaking now at #WomensSession #GeneralConference. I hope this shift continues until bans on women are lifted altogether.
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@RosemaryCard For years, we have been hearing, “We can’t have more women speak at #GeneralConference, there are only nine.” But there is no commandment limiting the #LDSconf pool to nine women! Glad to see them look wider.
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#ElderHolland says we must ensure temple ceremonies bring us closer to Christ, instead of distracting us from Him. Toward this end, recent changes to temple ceremonies removed some outdated, sexist elements. Thank you. I hope improvements keep coming. #GeneralConference
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#PresNelson tells the women at #WomensSession that men need their perspective and the crowd at the #LDSconf-erence Center laughs like it's a joke. What to make of that? #GeneralConference
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We don’t know why autoimmune diseases are so much more prevalent in women than men because our society hasn’t made it a priority to find out, says @LauraAPace @MetrodoraInst at #DeepTech @AltitudeLab #WomenInSTEM
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Today, I'm teaching #LDS Sunday School. My class will learn about Hulda, the prophet. Her story is a vital part of this week's #Bible reading. But many LDS classes probably won't learn of her, because her story is redacted in #ComeFollowMe. #Mormon
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@tribtalk #mormonwomenwant #Mormon women to be trusted to count, distribute and audit church funds. Because modern women can do math.
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Thank you #ElderCook for addressing the tricky topic of racism at #LDSconf #GeneralConference. We shy away from talking about this too often in our predominantly white congregations. I hope your example will lead to efforts to address systemic racism in our community.
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This is a rare moment of vulnerability in a #GeneralConference talk. Thanks for modeling this #SisterEubank. #WomensSession #GeneralConference #LDSConf.
“This world isn’t what I want it to be. and sometimes I feel powerless” -Sharon Eubank . That’s a whole 2020 mood, friends #GeneralConference.
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#ElderKearon reassures all suffering from abuse, violence or oppression: this is not your fault. You don’t deserve this. #GeneralConference #LDSconf
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#ElderRenlund is currently using an example from the professional experience of his wife, Ruth L. Renlund, an attorney. Here is another talk about her: Love that we are hearing about professional women at #LDS #GeneralConference #Ldsconf.
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Women’s suffrage anniversary: Women of color were cut out of the story - The Washington Post #Suffragette #WomensHistory #19thAmendment
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I wonder if Elder Oaks is talking to us. If so, why not let us come in and hear him speak? #OrdainWomen #ldsconf.
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#PresidentJohnson is the 4th woman to speak this #LDS #GeneralConference. In #LDSconf of the past several years, only 2 women were invited to speak to all, including men, so it appears that ending #WomensSession has increased representation of women in general sessions.
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#ElderBallard felt inspired to go off-script recently to call for prayer. He encourages all of any faith tradition to pray for comfort to those harmed by #Covid19 & for scientists to develop a vaccine to stop the #pandemic. #LDSConf #GeneralConference #VaccinesWork.
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Amazing Grace in #GeneralConference? Is this an omen? Maybe the new hymnal will finally bring this Christian classic into the #LDS repertoire?
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Strange way to defend the faith: Self-declared defenders of the #LDS faith are telling me the garment mandate is not a mandate because you can just lie at your temple recommend interview or stop attending the temple. And they think I'm the apostate?.
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This is so sweet to hear #ElderGay choking up as he talks about his sister. #Generalconference #LDSconf
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I was scared that there would be a whole thing about my son’s long hair when he joined the #GeneralConference Youth Choir, but everything was fine. Phew.
There are several boys with long hair in this #GeneralConference choir, and that’s okay.
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Eder Renlund: the pandemic has been a global stress test. As medical researchers acknowledge, underlying conditions of inequality amplify the damage. Many have provided help. Yet, “the spiritual stress test” has shown contentions and divisiveness.”. #GeneralConference.
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#ElderSikahema teared up when he reported in #LDSconf that #LDS missionaries have been unable to return to their homes in Tonga due to the #covid19 #pandemic. It was touching to see one of their own sharing their plight. #GeneralConference
Elder Vai Sikahema says the pandemic has closed the borders of his native Tonga. “Some Tongan Elders have been on their missions for three years and sisters over two years! They await patiently with the faith for which our people are known.” #GeneralConference
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@gregorysfrancis I appreciated #ElderOaks remarks about theories about the afterlife that have been perpetuated as doctrine. That was important to address. But I wish he hadn't started his talk with such an offensive joke. Seeking sensitivity review for his drafts could help. #GeneralConference.
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#ElderUchtdorf had already made today’s #LDS #GeneralConference with his report of a recent study confirming that most people really do walk in circles when lost. I had to look it up, because it is awesome that somebody studied that:
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@TheExponent I love that #SisterAburto is talking about clinical depression and anxiety, serious issues affecting many women and girls. #GeneralConference.
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And now #ElderHolland is talking about poverty, mental health, and violence. This #LDSconf is taking on some meaty stuff!.
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How about priests (laurels), teachers (Mia maids) and deacons (beehives)? #GeneralConference
Seeing some chatter about renaming YW class. We submit the following:. Squad (Laurels).Baes (Mia Maids).Once I Was A (Beehives). #GeneralConference.
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#ElderStanfill’s talk uplifted me. As a #MoFem and #ProgMo, I know my offerings are inadequate, that there is so little I can do on my own, but my offerings are meaningful. They are part of something bigger. So are yours. #GeneralConference #LDSconf
“We must remember that whatever our best but imperfect offering is, the Savior can make it perfect. No matter how insignificant our efforts may seem, we must never underestimate the Savior’s power.” — Elder Vern P. Stanfill #GeneralConference
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@tyabm Did you ever wear a 2nd pair of underwear underneath your garment to hold a menstrual pad? Plus a bra under your garment and an extra shirt to keep your garment in place under your dress? And a pair of bike shorts so the garment wouldn’t show when your skirt flapped while biking?.
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@ByCommonConsent @ms_peaceweaver Do they ever talk about men having “influence” in the #LDS church? No. Influencing is something women do from the sidelines.
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The audience giggles when #SisterCordon says she is retiring the class names we have "so loved" Beehives, Mia Maids, Laurels. #GeneralConference #ldsconf I liked the idea of calling them deacons, teachers and priests, but they are going with "Young Women"
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Huh. #BroHolmes says the #LDS priesthood responsibility to "call to repentance" most often means that the priesthood holder himself must repent. I haven't heard it described that way before. #LDSconf.
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I had forgotten this gem of a lyric: .“Oh, what songs we'll employ .As the heart swells with joy, .When our Heavenly Parents we meet!” #LDS #GeneralConference
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It time for the concluding speaker of this #EasterSunday morning #GeneralConference. It has been delightful to hear from speakers from all around the world. Unfortunately, only one of them was female. Let’s hear from diverse women, too. #LDSconf.
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This original dress belonged to the ever-fashionable Emmeline B Wells, editor of the original @TheExponent and advocate for women's rights. #WomenInHistory
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