Predictors of Differing Experiences with Scriptural Women and Heavenly Mother among Latter-day Saints.

Ashley B. LeBaron-Black, Brigham Young University
Heather H. Kelley, Brigham Young University
Megan Van Alfen, Brigham Young University
Julie Button, Brigham Young University
Sarah M. Coyne, Brigham Young University
Chenae Christensen-Duerden, Brigham Young University

Abstract. Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints avows some empowering doctrines related to gender (including belief in a Heavenly Mother), its members may not be immune to the harmful effects of sexism nor uniform in their gender ideologies. With a mixed methods approach, we explored how Latter-day Saints orient to the belief in female deity, how individual experiences and beliefs about gender are associated with members’ religious experiences and behaviors, and whether these links depend on one’s gender. Using survey responses from a convenience sample of 1,674 adult Latter-day Saints living in the United States, we tested a structural equation model and two moderation models. We supplemented these analyses with qualitative data analysis of four focus groups (n=15) of Latter-day Saints living near Utah County, Utah. On average, Latter-day Saint women who had been the victims of repeated sexism noticed a lack of discussion about scriptural women and Heavenly Mother at church and sought out these topics more frequently in their personal study. Regardless of gender, the more traditional a participant’s gender ideology, the more frequently they perceived that scriptural women and Heavenly Mother are discussed at church and the less frequently they reported to have studied them on their own time. Drawing on themes that emerged, we discuss gender inequalities in the Church, intentional efforts to discuss and study scriptural women and Heavenly Mother, and the impact of those stories and doctrines on members’ personal and spiritual wellbeing. A celebration of women—including feminine deity—may be a balm for the souls of Latter-day Saints wounded by sexism.

Ashley B. LeBaron-Black, Heather H. Kelley, Megan Van Alfen, Julie Button, Sarah M. Coyne and Chenae Christensen-Duerden. 2024. “Predictors of Differing Experiences with Scriptural Women and Heavenly Mother among Latter-day Saints,” Journal of the Mormon Social Science Association 2, no. 1: 59–90. https://doi.org/10.54587/JMSSA.0203