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Learn more about the LDS Women Project! Explore our history, meet our team, and discover ways you can get involved. About Mission Statement The LDSWP is composed of faithful women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints anxiously engaged in the good cause of edifying our sisters and brothers, that we may all experience a joy-filled worship and a sanctifying mortal experience. We believe that the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses the lives of its members and provides the ordinances necessary for salvation. We sustain our church leaders and contribute to the functionality of our wards by steadfastly fulfilling our callings. We work within the framework of current LDS doctrine to question traditions that may limit us as individuals and as a people. We view both our commonalities and our differences as strengths as we explore alternative approaches that empower everyone. We do this by seeking out and sharing the stories of women in the Church. We provide tools that allow members to quote women and highlight their voices and experiences in worship and personal study. We are committed to highlighting the diversity and breadth of experiences in living a life of faith and devotion. Meet our Team Elizabeth Ostler EDITOR-IN-CHEIF Trina Caudle INTERVIEW EDITOR Rosemary Demos DISCIPLESHIP EDITOR Neylan McBaine FOUNDER Elizabeth Tobler INTERN Many women have contributed to our Special Series, Sunday School Supplements, Cooperative Ministry, and Essays in Discipleship. We are indebted to them for enriching our community with their wisdom and words. Our HerStory We were founded by Neylan McBaine in 2009 as the Mormon Women Project (MWP). With a recorder and a lot of curiosity, Neylan began interviewing LDS women and publishing their stories. She believed that sharing the breadth and depth of lived experiences of LDS women would challenge the monochrome stereotype of LDS women within and outside of our community. Furthermore, Neylan believed that through this platform, LDS women could be mobilized to create egalitarian change within their sphere of influence. In 2012, Neylan presented at the FairMormon Conference. Her paper, To Do the Business of the Church: A Cooperative Paradigm for Examining Gendered Participation Within Church Organizational Structure , addressed the pain caused by the limited involvement in the eclesatical governance of the Church experienced by many women. It was an unapologetic call for action in wards and stakes and inspired the creation of a sister organization, Cooperative Ministry, in 2014. Cooperative Ministry was run by Elizabeth Ostler and Meredith Nelson. It was intended to provide a space for women of the Church to find faithful ways to bring about a more egalitarian governance within the Church while keeping within the bounds of doctrine. Under Cooperative Ministry, the Sunday School Supplements was created. These were commentaries on each of the Gospel Doctrine lessons written by LDS women focused on examining women in the scriptures and sharing how latter-day LDS women were interpreting the scriptures and applying them to their lives. In 2016, Neylan expanded upon her FairMormon paper with the publication of Women at Church: Magnifying LDS Women’s Local Impact . Neylan received an outpouring of responses from individuals wanting to apply her suggestions. Ward Councils, Stake Presidencies and High Councils were discussing the paper and deliberating on its applicability to their stewardship. It became clear that the MWP should become a resource to support this work. In response, Neylan, Elizabeth, and Meredith dissolved Cooperative Ministry and incorporated its content and purpose into the MWP. In 2018, Elizabeth Ostler and Meredith Nelson became co-editors of the MWP. They expanded the MWP content to include podcasts and special series . In 2019, they hosted the MWP 10th Anniversary celebration at Neylan’s home in Salt Lake City. In its first 10 years, the MWP published 247 interviews, 188 Sunday school supplements, 17 podcasts, 3 special series and touched the lives of countless women. In 2020, Elizabeth Ostler was made editor-in-chief of the MWP and a new editorial team was established with Trina Caudle as Interview Editor and Rosemary Demos as Essays Editor. Our content was further expanded to include narrative essays focused on how LDS women were striving to be disciples of Christ. And in 2021, Founder Neylan McBaine and Elizabeth Ostler decided to change the name of the Mormon Women Project to The LDS Women Project. Though our name has changed, our mission remains the same – to provide a platform that amplifies LDS women’s voices, demonstrates how there is no “right way” to be an LDS woman, provides resources and empowerment for the creation of more egalitarian governance and worship within our spheres of influence. GetInvolved Get Involved There are many ways to be involved with the LDS Women Project: 1. Nominate a woman to be interviewed. We are dedicated to showing hte depth of Latter-day Saint women. We're interested in the stories of women in your lives that you admire. If you have a woman you'd like us to interview, email us at interviews@ldswomenproject.com 2. Become an interview producer, transcriber, or writer. To apply for any of these positions, please email us at editor@ldswomenproject.com 3. Donate and make a difference. Consider making a one-time or monthly donation to support our storytelling as a pathway to understanding, unity, and progress. As an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we depend on your donations to sustain our website maintenance, project production, and general operations. 4. Follow us on Social Media. Like, comment on, and share our posts on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . 5. Subscribe to our newsletter. Every month, we share our latest interviews, essays, podcast episodes, upcoming events, and major announcements.

You are invited to explore the stories of women in the scriptures. There is so much we can learn from those who have gone before. Discover the meaningful insights these women have to offer through the study pages below. Women in the Scriptures There is so much we can learn from those who have gone before. Discover the meaningful insights women in the scriptures have to offer through these Come Follow Me inspired study guides below. Mary Magdalene: The Tower "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord..." Amber Irwin Apr 20 4 min read Esther: A Courageous Queen queenestherframed_720x_edited.jpg Esther Courageous Queen "...I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Amber Irwin Apr 19 4 min read Emma Smith: An Elect Lady "Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called." Amber Irwin Apr 18 3 min read Abish: A Brave Missionary "...therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people." Amber Irwin Apr 17 4 min read Mary: Mother of Jesus "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Amber Irwin Apr 16 5 min read Tabitha: A Certain Disciple "...this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." Amber Irwin Apr 15 2 min read

The LDS Women Project (formerly the Mormon Women Project) is a platform to amplify the diverse voices, experiences, and wisdom of women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, showcasing that there's no single way to be an LDS woman and offering resources for more egalitarian worship. Find interviews, podcasts, essays, and special series exploring faith, culture, challenges, and spiritual growth, aiming to build connection and understanding within the community. Stories of Diversity & Faith FROM WOMEN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS The LDS Women Project amplifies the voices, experiences, and faith journeys of Latter-day Saint women. Honoring the sacred journey GET INVOLVED Sisters Interviews Explore the diverse voices, experiences, and faith journeys of Latter-day Saint women. Discipleship Essays Engage with thoughtful reflections on faith, identity, & community. Written by LDS women for LDS women. Discover Resources Find empowering quotes, lesson supplements, & editorials that deepen understanding & strengthen faith. "I'm staying right here, to cultivate my bit of God's Kingdom so that both my sisters & brothers have fertile ground in which to grow. Are you with me?" Neylan McBaine, Women at Church New Interview! The Centrality of Relationship Interview with Trina Caudle Trina Caudle is a writer and editor with emphasis on personal stories and relationships. She brings that talent and skill set to the LDS Women Project as our Interviews Editor. READ MORE Wounded Souls AN ESSAY IN DISCIPLESHIP BY ELIZABETH OSTLER New Essay! There are people reading this who have dreams that have not been realized, expectations that haven’t been met. Others have experienced divorce, miscarriages, infertility, infidelity, homelessness, and job loss. Some of us have buried lovers, buried children, buried parents, buried sisters. When we find ourselves in these moments, we often ask, Why? READ MORE Support Us HELP US MAGNIFY WOMEN BY SHARING THEIR STORIES & CONTRIBUTIONS Because of you, we can inspire and enlighten people around the world. We depend on the kindness of donors like you to keep this work moving forward. Please consider making a donation to sustain The Latter-day Saint Women Project. DONATE Subscribe to our newsletter. YES, SIGN ME UP!

In keeping with our mission of cultivating and promoting the voices and stories of Latter-day Saint women, we are excited to present a collection of narrative essays focused on gospel principles and topics. We hope that these essays can enrich our study and understanding of, as well as our devotion to the gospel. This series offers a mix of narrative, theology, research, and intuition. Each essay will share a unique woman's perspective on striving toward Christian discipleship. ​ ​ Essays In Discipleship In keeping with our mission of cultivating and promoting Latter-Day Saint women’s voices and stories, we are excited to present a collection of narrative essays focused on gospel principles and topics. We hope that these essays can enrich our study and understanding of, as well as our devotion to the gospel. The stories of Latter-Day Saint women have been the heart and soul of the Mormon Women Project. And in this spirit, our series offers a mix of narrative, theology, research, and intuition. Each essay will share a unique woman's perspective on striving toward Christian discipleship. Wounded Souls There are people reading this who have dreams that have not been realized, expectations that haven’t been met. Others have experienced divorce, miscarriages, infertility, infidelity, homelessness, and job loss. Some of us have buried lovers, buried children, buried parents, buried sisters. When we find ourselves in these moments, we often ask, Why? Why does suffering happen? Why is sorrow in my life? What did I do? Why is God doing these things to me? Elizabeth Ostler Aug 29, 2025 4 min read Extraordinary On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared that the COVID-19 virus was a global pandemic. The next day, President Russell M. Nelson closed every temple in the world, canceled all church events including local sacrament meetings and even one-to-one ministering visits, and started chartering flights to return missionaries to their home countries immediately. Trina Caudle May 3, 2025 8 min read King Benjamin’s Revolutionary Discourse on Poverty On a January morning in Wisconsin with temperatures in the single digits, I pull up at 8 a.m. to my work at a community nonprofit that focuses on creating food and housing stability. Leslie Albrecht Huber Jun 7, 2024 8 min read Calming the Storm I had a dream once. I saw myself standing alone on a rocky cliff above the ocean with wind and rain raging all around me, while the waves crashed high enough to almost reach me. I saw many shades of gray – the sky, the water, the leafless trees, even the cabin in the distance. All gray. The only color was my purple fleece jacket, getting darker as it absorbed more water from the rain and the ocean spray. Trina Caudle May 3, 2024 4 min read I Sing The Song of Redeeming Love I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a convert from being an active member of the Catholic church in 2017 at the age of 35. The prompting from the Spirit that began my investigating the Church was to read the Book of Mormon. There are so many incredible chapters, verses, lines, and phrases in The Book of Mormon that have built my testimony, strengthened my faith, and have edified and tutored me by the Spirit. Ashli Carnicelli Mar 22, 2024 4 min read Child Translator: A Refugee Story They come from Eritrea, Thailand, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Iran, and Afghanistan – mostly Afghanistan. None of the countries in which my faltering but growing Spanish would be useful. And no, Duolingo doesn’t offer Pashto lessons – I checked. I wish I could at least say hello. Marci McPhee Jan 26, 2024 4 min read Seeds of Light As a teenager, I would enjoy my own “silent, holy night” after my parents and sisters had gone to bed in December. After turning off every other light in the house and plugging in the Christmas tree lights, I’d sit on the couch facing the tree and bask in the glow of tiny white bulbs illuminating each branch and unique ornament. Rachel Galli Fleming Dec 17, 2023 3 min read A Companion in Christ I remember watching my grandfather bake pie crust for garden rhubarb pie and fluffy white rolls for our monthly family dinner. My memories of those days recall the joy of companionship with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents–a shared sense of belonging indistinguishable from the pleasure of “Grandpa Rolls.” Rachel Fleming Aug 11, 2023 5 min read In Her We Have Our Being A few years ago, my mother gifted me one of our favorite books for Mother’s Day. She inscribed it, “For Rachel, my traveling companion.” When I began my own travels away from her as a young adult, she would often stuff a card for me in my suitcase that I would discover later. It helped me feel close to her, and like I was brave enough to have my own adventures knowing she was still with me. Rachel Fleming May 27, 2023 5 min read Reconsidering Women’s Roles in the New Testament Many Christian institutions imply a uniform historical tradition of women in supportive roles; however, recent biblical scholarship reveals that women held many authoritative positions in the early Christian community. In Christian theology and biblical discussion, it is commonly perceived that women were not commissioned or given ministerial authority from Christ, but a deeper analysis of Mary Magdalene may challenge this theory. Kayla Becknuss Mar 26, 2023 11 min read Psalms of Joy & Pain As anyone that has sung in a ward choir I’ve directed knows, I love a good praise song. I find exuberant harmony, declarations of God’s goodness, and a joyful “Hallelujah” irresistible. I may have even had the primary children hold neon scarves and shake musical instruments while we paraded around the primary room singing “Praise to the Man” when I was the primary music leader. Erin Cowles Aug 12, 2022 4 min read Flecks of Gold As we approached 2022, I felt worried and intimidated. After the last three years studying Come, Follow Me, I felt a close connection with those books of scripture that I simply did not think I would have with the Old Testament. To add to this, I was asked to give a talk about the importance of the Old Testament. Natalie Barnes Jul 31, 2022 5 min read 1 2 3

Are you interested in reading more about women and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? This reading list provides a solid foundation for discussions about women, both in the Church and in contemporary society. Reading List Are you interested in reading more about women and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ? This reading list provides a solid foundation for discussions about women, both in the Church and in contemporary society. Relevant Talks by LDS Leaders Quentin L. Cook, “Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity ,” Ensign, November 2020. Eubank, Sharon, “By Unity of Feeling We Obtain Power With God ,” Ensign, November 2020. Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other ,” Ensign, April 2014. Linda K. Burton, “Strength from Grace: Faithful LDS Women ,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 2, 2014. M. Russell Ballard, “Let Us Think Straight ,” Brigham Young University Campus Education Week Devotional, August 20, 2013. Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like A Broken Vessel ,” Ensign, October 2013. Dallin H. Oaks, “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood ,” Ensign, April 2014. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Four Titles ,” Ensign, April 2013. Patricia T. Holland, “A Woman’s Perspective on the Priesthood ,” Ensign, July 1980. Patricia T. Holland, “’One Thing Needful’: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ ,” Ensign, October 1987. Books & Articles about LDS Women Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings , Editors, Joanna Brooks, Rachel Hunt Steenblik and Hannah Wheelwright Joseph Smith, in Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book , March 17, 1842, 4, josephsmithpapers.org. David L. Paulsen, Martin Pulido, “A Mother There: A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven ,” BYU Studies 50, no. 1 (2011): 70–126. Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright. “Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism , Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 37, pp. 1-85, Winter 2011. Sheri L. Dew, Women and the Priesthood Beverly Campbell, Eve and the Choice Made in Eden Melinda Wheelwright Brown, Eve and Adam: Discovering the Beautiful Balance McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding, Girls Who Choose God McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding, Girls Who Choose God: Stories of Strong Women from the Book of Mormon Linda King Newell, The Historical Relationship of Mormon Women and Priesthood , Dialogue Melodie Moench Charles, Scriptural Precedents for Priesthood , Dialogue Meg Wheatley-Pesci, An Expanded Definition of Priesthood? Some Present and Future Consequences , Dialogue Valerie Hudson and Alma Don Sorenson, Women in Eternity, Women in Zion Jill Mulvay Derr, Janath Russell Cannon, and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher, Women of Covenant: The Story of Relief Society Maureen Ursenbach Beecher and Lavina Fielding Anderson, eds., Sisters in Spirit Claudia Bushman, Mormon Sisters: Women in Early Utah Claudia Bushman and Caroline Kline, eds., Mormon Women Have Their Say Richard E. Turley Jr. and Brittany A. Chapman, Women of Faith in the Latter Days M. Russell Ballard, Counseling With Our Councils (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012) Terrence Real, The New Rules of Marriage Marianne Williamson, A Women’s Worth Deborah Tannen, You Just Don’t Understand Stephanie Coontz, A Strange Stirring: The Feminine Mystique and American Women at the Dawn of the 1960s Mary Beard, “The Public Voice of Women ,” London Review of Books 36, no. 6 (March 20, 2014). Sabino Kornrich, Julie Brines, and Katrina Leupp, “Egalitarianism, Housework, and Sexual Frequency in Marriage ,” American Sociological Review 78 (2012) Girl Scout Research Institute, Change It Up: What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership , 2008 R. Marie Griffith, God’s Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission Steve Graves, Dave Blanchard, Josh Kwan, From Concept to Scale: Creating a Gospel-Minded Organization Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzer, Crucial Confrontations Vicki W. Kramer, Alison M. Konrad, and Sumru Erkut, “Critical Mass on Corporate Boards: Why Three or More Women Enhance Governance ,” Wellesley Centers for Women, 2006 Newspaper Articles Valerie M. Hudson, “What Sex Means for World Peace ,” Foreign Policy, April 24, 2012 Shira Telushkin, “The Facebook of Mormon ,” The Atlantic, January 31, 2014 Kirk Johnson, “Mormons on a Mission ,” New York Times, August 20, 2010, New York edition, AR1 Joseph Walker, “Will a Woman Pray at LDS General Conference? ” Deseret News, March 19, 2013 Jodi Kantor and Laurie Goodstein, “Missions Signal a Growing Role for Mormon Women ,” New York Times, March 2, 2013, New York edition, A1 Jodi Kantor and Laurie Goodstein, “From Mormon Women, a Flood of Requests and Questions on Their Role in the Church ,” New York Times, March 6, 2014 Peggy Fletcher Stack, “’Sister Missionaries’ Causing A Gender Shift in Mormonism, BYU Prof Says, ” Salt Lake Tribune, March 27, 2014 Tad Walch, “New Leadership Roles for Women Alters LDS Mission Culture, Hits at Deep, Long-Term Ramifications ,” Deseret News, April 4, 2014 Read More

Get to know faithful Latter-day Saint women. Join us as we talk about their insights, contributions, and remarkable experiences.  Podcast Get to know faithful Latter-day Saint women. Join us as we talk about their insights, contributions, and remarkable experiences. Fireside Series: Conversation with Melinda Wheelwright Brown Melinda Wheelwright Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brigham Young University and is a respected teacher and public speaker. She has a passion for solving problems, particularly those faced by women. This has led to her involvement in and support of several organizations, including Fight the New Drug, Days for Girls, Better Days 2020, Big Ocean Women, and the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, where she’s a current board member. Melinda and her husband, Doug, are t LDSWP Editorial Board Jan 8, 2022 1 min read On My Road to Damascus, Robyn Burkinshaw Robyn Burkinshaw is the secretary of her stake Relief Society, and a gay woman. She was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has always had a love of the Gospel. When she left the Church as a young adult and struggled deeply with depression, she felt a devastating distance between herself and God, believing herself to be unworthy of His blessings. Time, family, and tiny miracles led her back to the gospel and after a twenty-year hiatus, she returned t Meredith Marshall Nelson Dec 15, 2021 21 min read A Girl’s Guide to Heavenly Mother A conversation with McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding about their new book A Girl’s Guide to Heavenly Mother. We discuss how the knowledge of Heavenly Mother impacts us and influences our behavior. And we talk about the pandemic and racism within this context. McArthur Krishna & Bethany Brady Spalding Jul 3, 2020 1 min read Crossings In this episode, Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye chats with Meredith Nelson about her recent book, Crossings: A Bald Asian American Latter-day Saint Woman Scholar’s Ventures Through Life, Death, Cancer, and Motherhood (Not Necessarily In That Order), published as part of the BYU Maxwell Institute’s Living Faith series. Her book is a compilation of contemplative and scholarly essays on faith and the Church organization, of family newsletters, song lyrics, and playful doodles, and of Melissa Inouye Oct 15, 2019 1 min read Building Bridges & Lifting Others On April 6, 1994, the airplane carrying the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi was shot down over Kigali. That moment was like “oil on fire,” setting off the devastating Rwandan Genocide. Yvonne Baraketse’s father, Chief of Staff of the Rwandan army, was also on the airplane and killed in the attack. Yvonne was 14 years old. Her immediate family lost many relatives and friends in the violent aftermath, managing themselves to escape to Belgium. Although prayer had sustained her Yvonne Baraketse Sep 16, 2019 1 min read Searching for Truth in Science & Faith Emily Bates suffered severe migraines from a young age, leading her to pursue a career in science in order to study the genetic causes of the condition. She now is an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and runs a lab studying the molecular mechanisms of birth defects. Emily has led groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics, overcoming dyslexia, cultural pressures, and self-doubt along the way. She feels that God has led her from th Emily Bates Apr 28, 2019 1 min read By Divine Design Kristin Hodson is the founder and executive director of The Healing Group. As a LCSW and Certified Sex Therapist, she specializes in maternal mental health and healthy sexuality. In this interview she discusses issues regarding sexuality that are unique to conservative religious cultures, developing the confidence and skills to talk with our kids about intimacy, how we can better identify and support mothers who might be struggling with postpartum depression, and the importan Kristin Hodson Feb 23, 2019 1 min read The Bottom Line of the Gospel Leslie Schwartz-Leeper’s parents divorced when she was very young. Her mother raised her six children by herself, and taught them that the bottom line of the gospel is love. Leslie always had a testimony, but drifted in and out of the Church through her teen and young adult years. In her early thirties, she married Ian, a non-believer of Jewish/Episcopalian heritage, at the same time as she returned to the Church. Leslie talks about her positive experience undergoing a Church Leslie Schwartz-Leeper Dec 19, 2018 1 min read A Mixed-Faith Marriage Jennifer Kambourian is a lifelong member of the Church. At 42 years old she married John, a man of Catholic upbringing who had recently lost his first wife to cancer, leaving him to raise his three children. Coming from a part-member family herself, Jennifer had always been determined to marry a faithful Latter-day Saint man in the temple. But a revelatory process of prayer, fasting, temple attendance, and conversations with trusted friends led her to know she was meant to jo Jennifer Kambourian Nov 15, 2018 1 min read To Shine a Light Elizabeth Ostler is a theater-maker, activist, and professor living in Brooklyn, New York. She specializes in directing and puppetry, and in coaching others on how to tell their stories. A survivor of childhood abuse and of an abusive marriage, she dedicates her artistic work to advocating for other victims and raising awareness about domestic violence and human trafficking. She has felt the companionship of the Savior throughout her life, and her knowledge of His love and of Elizabeth Ostler Jun 23, 2018 1 min read Multiples and Miracles Julie Grygla is the mother of six children under five years old. She and her husband achieved their first pregnancy with the help of fertility treatment, and gave birth to triplet boys. When their triplets were only five months old, Julie became pregnant spontaneously with twin girls, who were followed not long after by a baby boy. Their journey has carried them through many unexpected challenges, but Julie has depended on revelation and patience as she has navigated the abun Julie Grygla Apr 20, 2018 1 min read Seasons of Change: Stories of Transition Segullah has recently published its third anthology, called Seasons of Change, containing more than fifty essays, stories, and poems written by LDS women on the subject of transition. Sandra Clark Jergensen and Shelah Mastny Miner Feb 8, 2018 1 min read 1 2

Welcome to our Sunday School Supplements. This is a collection of commentaries on every gospel doctrine lesson from the perspective of a Latter-day Saint woman. Particular focus was given to women in the scriptures and how the scriptures impact the lives of LDS women today. Sunday School Supplements Welcome to our Sunday School Supplements. This is a collection of commentaries on every gospel doctrine lesson from the perspective of an LDS woman. Particular focus was given to women in the scriptures and how the scriptures impact the lives of LDS women today. Book of Mormon Lesson 1: By the Testimony of She The Gospel Doctrine lesson 1 manual objective is “to help class members understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and how abiding by its precepts helps us draw nearer to God.” Elizabeth Ostler Mar 23 11 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 2: Husband of Sariah The Gospel Doctrine lesson #2 manual objective is “To help class members see, through the examples of Lehi and Nephi, that safety and salvation come through obedience to the Lord.” Meredith Nelson Mar 22 8 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 3: Heavenly Mother & the Tree of Life The Gospel Doctrine lesson #3 manual objective is “To help class members understand the symbols in the vision of the tree of life and the application of these symbols in their lives.” Rachel Hunt Steenblik Mar 21 6 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 4: Your Sons and Your Daughters Shall Prophesy The Gospel Doctrine lesson #4 manual objective is “To help class members understand Nephi’s vision of the future and how the warnings and promises in it apply to us today.” Suzette Smith Mar 20 4 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 5: Finding Individual Faith in a Collective History The Gospel Doctrine lesson 5 manual objective is “to inspire class members to follow Nephi’s example of faith and willing obedience” Rosemary Demos Mar 19 5 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 6: Talking About Scriptures That Don’t Talk About You The Gospel Doctrine lesson #6 manual objective is “To help class members have a greater desire to ‘choose liberty and eternal life’ through Jesus Christ, ‘the great Mediator of all men’ (2 Nephi 2:27).” Leslie Albrecht Huber Mar 18 5 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 7: Legacy The Gospel Doctrine lesson #7 manual objective is “To help class members strengthen their testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and to encourage them to find happiness through trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments.” Elizabeth Ostler Mar 15 6 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 8: She That Is Weary The Gospel Doctrine lesson #8 manual objective is “To help class members understand their need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to teach them how to receive all the blessings of the Atonement.” Janiece Johnson Mar 14 5 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 9: Benefiting from Women in the Scriptures The Gospel Doctrine lesson #9 manual objective is “To inspire class members to read the prophecies of Isaiah and to help them understand how these prophecies apply in their lives.” McArthur Krishna Mar 12 5 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 10: His Invitation to Every Woman Not the divorced twenty-year old. Not the young mother in forced labor, permanently separated from her home. Not the high school dropout, or the homemaker who never got a college degree. Not the woman who faces social stigma for her faith. Not the wife or sister of an addict. Not the practicing lawyer, who is also the mother of young children. Not the primary president struggling with infertility. Meredith Nelson Mar 11 2 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 11: Ends & Endings The Gospel Doctrine lesson #11 manual objective is “To help class members understand the doctrine of Christ and have an increased desire to press forward, feasting on His words.” Rosemary Demos Mar 10 6 min read Book of Mormon Lesson 12: What it Means to Magnify The Gospel Doctrine lesson #12 manual objective is “To help class members feel a greater desire to magnify their callings, be chaste, and invite others to come unto Christ.” Leslie Albrecht Huber Mar 9 6 min read 1 2 3 4 5

Messages from past and present members of the Latter-day Saint Women Project (LDSWP) Editorial Board. ​ ​ Editorials Messages from past and present members of the LDSWP Editorial Board. Collaboration with Refugios Fuertes In 1996, statistics for Church membership indicated that there are now more Latter-day Saints outside the United States than within it. The next milestone in the Church’s international progression was four years later when language statistics switched to more than 50% of members speaking languages other than English. LDSWP Editorial Board Jun 21, 2021 3 min read Atonement: Women of the Easter Story Almost two thousand years ago, Jesus met with his disciples in an upper room. There, he broke bread and poured wine for his friends, sharing nourishment while telling them to remember his body and blood. After this meal, Jesus took a basin and towel and washed their feet. At the disciples’ surprise and perturbation, he told them “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15), and he continued to explain in verse 34, “Love one another; as I Rosemary Demos Apr 2, 2021 4 min read Season of Change: The LDS Women Project As the Mormon Women Project enters into its twelfth year, we find ourselves in a season of change. This brings new challenges and excitement. Most significantly, the Editorial Board at the Mormon Women Project has decided to change our name to the LDS Women Project. We have loved being the Mormon Women Project (MWP) and were reluctant to change our name. LDSWP Editorial Board Feb 25, 2021 2 min read A New Dawn of Cooperative Ministry It’s no secret that last weekend’s general conference opened up new possibilities for cooperation between men and women in church administration. The two major administrative changes announced—the consolidation of the priesthood quorums into one Elders Quorum and the introduction of coordinated “ministry” efforts—have far reaching implications for gender relations in the church. Neylan McBaine Apr 4, 2018 3 min read A Plea to Our Prophet Twice, I stood in my Brooklyn apartment, during the Saturday morning session of conference, to sustain Russell M. Nelson as Prophet, Seer and Revelator (and the twelve apostles). I stood as a member of the Relief Society and as a member of this Church. I did this with full conviction and heart. I’ve long admired President Nelson—“A Plea to My Sisters” is a touchstone for me. Elizabeth Ostler Apr 3, 2018 4 min read Equality is not the End Every talk touched me this conference. There isn’t one I would have done away with. In the wake of many flurried conversations over there being only a single female speaker last weekend, I give the benefit of the doubt to those planning the conference sessions. There are many more male leaders than female leaders in the church, and some disproportion in General Conference is therefore to be expected (though speakers could also be drawn from the RS, YW, and Primary General Bo Meredith Nelson Apr 4, 2017 4 min read Book Review: The Witness of Women Thousands of stories in delicate pointillism convey the grand picture of the Restoration. Remove the women’s voices and experiences — remove half the dots — and the image loses half its color, half its clarity. Include them, and our vision of our history expands, our understanding of modern Mormon women sharpens, and we have new potential to understand the course of our people’s future. Meredith Nelson Jan 7, 2017 3 min read The Morning After the Miracle Some traditions hold that Mary felt no pain in her labor, because she and her baby and this moment were too holy for pain. But if the scriptures and a history of devoted saints tell us the truth, holiness and pain are likely companions. I attend women in labor professionally, and will be the last to abuse the word “pain” in relation to childbirth. Meredith Nelson Dec 23, 2016 3 min read Book Review: Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families Ostensibly a book for children, Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families by virtue of its publisher becomes a groundbreaking theological text for LDS grown-ups — who may have been taught not to discuss Heavenly Mother beyond occasional frail references, or who may even doubt Her existence and active involvement in the universe. (Microsoft Word underlines a capitalized “Her” in green, but not a capitalized “Him,” as I write this.) Meredith Nelson Aug 15, 2016 3 min read Women in the Scriptures Jeopardy! How well do the women of your Relief Society know the women of the scriptures? One ward in Sandy, Utah recently found out during a Women of the Scriptures Jeopardy! night. Apparently the evening’s game was pulled from a site I’ve admired for quite some time, Women in the Scriptures, run by the self-taught scriptural scholar Heather Farrell. In addition, Heather has been a contributor to our Sunday School Supplements and a participant in one of our fundraising Salons some year Neylan McBaine May 25, 2016 3 min read What My Son Heard on Mother’s Day Since I have become a mother myself, and have worked in the field of childbirth, I still do enjoy Mother’s Day, even as I have become aware that not every woman revels in this meeting. I’ve read many a blogger, and talked to a couple of close friends, who for one reason or another find it too painful to attend at all. I have witnessed and understood that pain, and hope our congregations continue to approach Mother’s Day with increased sensitivity to women of all experiences. Meredith Nelson May 9, 2016 3 min read Welcome to the new Mormon Women Project! This morning, the editorial board of the Mormon Women Project said goodbye to the trusty site that has gotten us through our organization’s first six and a half years. The first site was built with hundreds of volunteer hours; this new site is no different. There have been heroic efforts on the parts of several people to make this happen, in addition to the generous donors who contributed to our Kickstarter campaign, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. Neylan McBaine May 6, 2016 1 min read 1 2 3

In keeping with our mission of cultivating and promoting the voices and stories of Latter-day Saint women, we are excited to present a collection of narrative essays focused on gospel principles and topics. We hope that these essays can enrich our study and understanding of, as well as our devotion to the gospel. This series offers a mix of narrative, theology, research, and intuition. Each essay will share a unique woman's perspective on striving toward Christian discipleship. ​ ​ Essays In Discipleship In keeping with our mission of cultivating and promoting Latter-Day Saint women’s voices and stories, we are excited to present a collection of narrative essays focused on gospel principles and topics. We hope that these essays can enrich our study and understanding of, as well as our devotion to the gospel. The stories of Latter-Day Saint women have been the heart and soul of the Mormon Women Project. And in this spirit, our series offers a mix of narrative, theology, research, and intuition. Each essay will share a unique woman's perspective on striving toward Christian discipleship. Wounded Souls There are people reading this who have dreams that have not been realized, expectations that haven’t been met. Others have experienced divorce, miscarriages, infertility, infidelity, homelessness, and job loss. Some of us have buried lovers, buried children, buried parents, buried sisters. When we find ourselves in these moments, we often ask, Why? Why does suffering happen? Why is sorrow in my life? What did I do? Why is God doing these things to me? Elizabeth Ostler Aug 29, 2025 4 min read Extraordinary On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared that the COVID-19 virus was a global pandemic. The next day, President Russell M. Nelson closed every temple in the world, canceled all church events including local sacrament meetings and even one-to-one ministering visits, and started chartering flights to return missionaries to their home countries immediately. Trina Caudle May 3, 2025 8 min read King Benjamin’s Revolutionary Discourse on Poverty On a January morning in Wisconsin with temperatures in the single digits, I pull up at 8 a.m. to my work at a community nonprofit that focuses on creating food and housing stability. Leslie Albrecht Huber Jun 7, 2024 8 min read Calming the Storm I had a dream once. I saw myself standing alone on a rocky cliff above the ocean with wind and rain raging all around me, while the waves crashed high enough to almost reach me. I saw many shades of gray – the sky, the water, the leafless trees, even the cabin in the distance. All gray. The only color was my purple fleece jacket, getting darker as it absorbed more water from the rain and the ocean spray. Trina Caudle May 3, 2024 4 min read I Sing The Song of Redeeming Love I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a convert from being an active member of the Catholic church in 2017 at the age of 35. The prompting from the Spirit that began my investigating the Church was to read the Book of Mormon. There are so many incredible chapters, verses, lines, and phrases in The Book of Mormon that have built my testimony, strengthened my faith, and have edified and tutored me by the Spirit. Ashli Carnicelli Mar 22, 2024 4 min read Child Translator: A Refugee Story They come from Eritrea, Thailand, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Iran, and Afghanistan – mostly Afghanistan. None of the countries in which my faltering but growing Spanish would be useful. And no, Duolingo doesn’t offer Pashto lessons – I checked. I wish I could at least say hello. Marci McPhee Jan 26, 2024 4 min read Seeds of Light As a teenager, I would enjoy my own “silent, holy night” after my parents and sisters had gone to bed in December. After turning off every other light in the house and plugging in the Christmas tree lights, I’d sit on the couch facing the tree and bask in the glow of tiny white bulbs illuminating each branch and unique ornament. Rachel Galli Fleming Dec 17, 2023 3 min read A Companion in Christ I remember watching my grandfather bake pie crust for garden rhubarb pie and fluffy white rolls for our monthly family dinner. My memories of those days recall the joy of companionship with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents–a shared sense of belonging indistinguishable from the pleasure of “Grandpa Rolls.” Rachel Fleming Aug 11, 2023 5 min read In Her We Have Our Being A few years ago, my mother gifted me one of our favorite books for Mother’s Day. She inscribed it, “For Rachel, my traveling companion.” When I began my own travels away from her as a young adult, she would often stuff a card for me in my suitcase that I would discover later. It helped me feel close to her, and like I was brave enough to have my own adventures knowing she was still with me. Rachel Fleming May 27, 2023 5 min read Reconsidering Women’s Roles in the New Testament Many Christian institutions imply a uniform historical tradition of women in supportive roles; however, recent biblical scholarship reveals that women held many authoritative positions in the early Christian community. In Christian theology and biblical discussion, it is commonly perceived that women were not commissioned or given ministerial authority from Christ, but a deeper analysis of Mary Magdalene may challenge this theory. Kayla Becknuss Mar 26, 2023 11 min read Psalms of Joy & Pain As anyone that has sung in a ward choir I’ve directed knows, I love a good praise song. I find exuberant harmony, declarations of God’s goodness, and a joyful “Hallelujah” irresistible. I may have even had the primary children hold neon scarves and shake musical instruments while we paraded around the primary room singing “Praise to the Man” when I was the primary music leader. Erin Cowles Aug 12, 2022 4 min read Flecks of Gold As we approached 2022, I felt worried and intimidated. After the last three years studying Come, Follow Me, I felt a close connection with those books of scripture that I simply did not think I would have with the Old Testament. To add to this, I was asked to give a talk about the importance of the Old Testament. Natalie Barnes Jul 31, 2022 5 min read 1 2 3

Discover powerful and inspiring quotes by strong Latter-day Saint women. Share timeless insights from leading female voices in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to inspire yourself and others. You are invited to download and share these images on social media, as well as use these statements in your talks and lessons. Quoting LDS Women Discover powerful and inspiring quotes by strong Latter-day Saint women. Share timeless insights from leading female voices in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to inspire yourself and others. You are invited to download and share these images on social media, as well as use these statements in your talks and lessons.

This series focuses on the experiences and insights of active Latter-day Saint women married to men who are not members of the Church, or to men who have left the Church. Each story is a generous and vulnerable offering. Mixed-Faith Marriage This series focuses on the experiences and insights of active Latter-day Saint women married to men who are not members of the Church, or to men who have left the Church. Each story is a generous and vulnerable offering. Meant To Be I was the girl who dreamed of getting married at 18 in the temple and having six kids. I did not imagine I’d ever be still single and old enough to serve a mission. Lucky for me, the Lord had different plans for me—I think the Lord knew that I needed a little more preparation for what he had in store for me and my life. I ended up serving a mission in Salt Lake City, and spent the entire time on the east side, serving in suburban areas much like the one I grew up in. Anonymous Dec 18, 2018 5 min read A Sense of Freedom I was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I sang songs about marrying in the temple in primary. I learned that a “celestial marriage” meant that I would marry a man who held the Priesthood, and was worthy of that Priesthood as a member of the same church. Both of my parents were members and I remember walking to church together, sharing traditions of reading scriptures together (sometimes), family prayer (sometimes), and praying before every me Anonymous Dec 14, 2018 3 min read Supporting His Journey As I reflect back on those impressionable years between the ages of 12-18, I fondly recall having very real desires and aspirations to heed the counsel of my young women leaders, when the time was right, to choose a man who could take me to the temple. And I did. My first marriage was in fact a temple marriage. But like many temples marriages, unfortunately mine ended in divorce. I was six months pregnant with our son when I separated from my then husband. Tiffany Nevares Dec 11, 2018 3 min read Sifting Through Unmet Expectations I asked a friend for a blessing when I was considering getting engaged to my husband. I was told that I had made countless good decisions in my life leading up to that point, and that God trusted my ability to make a good decision here too. Melissa Marshall Dec 7, 2018 4 min read Practicing Heavenly Vision Perhaps my patriarchal blessing was subtly preparing me for this life; at age 14, I was told that I would be the spiritual leader of my home. As this was given 30 years ago, that was a surprise. It was just assumed that the father in the family would be the leader. McArthur Krishna Dec 5, 2018 4 min read Mourning and Hope My husband and I have been married for nine years. The Church was extremely important to him when we were dating and engaged, and during the first few years of our marriage. He loved serving in the church, attending the temple, and especially had a deep testimony of the importance of reading your scriptures regularly and paying tithing. Anonymous Dec 3, 2018 4 min read My Personal Equation My husband and I met while we were both new teachers at an inner-city high school in Las Vegas. We were young, inexperienced, and frustrated. We were transplants: Christian from Kentucky, I from Utah/Oregon. We fell in love quickly. He was my life raft at a time when I was doggie-paddling across a turbulent ocean. Kim Cowart Nov 27, 2018 3 min read Between Me and the Lord My first boyfriend was a poster child for the church: intelligent, active, and preparing to serve a mission. He’d shaken the hand of the prophet and held several youth leadership roles. He sexually assaulted me before and after his mission. He now serves as a bishop. Anonymous Nov 26, 2018 3 min read A Celestial Relationship This story is about me—which feels odd because whenever I have written it before I’ve made it about my husband. We met at BYU, fell madly in love and were married in the Oakland Temple. We finished school, moved to Washington State, and started a busy life with children, callings, careers, and life. We have been a good match. I always credit his kindness and consideration and encouragement. Jennifer Barnhart Nov 24, 2018 5 min read Evolving Charity I never thought I was in a mixed-faith marriage because I believed my faith was the one and only true faith, and that my non-LDS husband was just a missionary work in progress. My insistence that my worldview is the only valid worldview is probably one of the primary reasons why I am in my third marriage. Kim Powers Nov 23, 2018 3 min read Not a Last Resort Interfaith marriages are often underrepresented in LDS discourse on dating, marriage, and eternal life. Although I’ve often heard marriages like mine described as “backup” options, for me it has been a joy formed through much prayer, study, and lived experience. Julianne Weis Nov 20, 2018 4 min read A Changing Marriage We were waiting for our early morning flight for our family’s long-awaited trip to Disneyland. My husband came walking down the concourse with a Starbucks drink in hand. Our 10-year-old daughter asked what he was drinking, and he replied, “a caramel macchiato.” I inwardly fumed, as I was exhausted by preparing our family of seven for a big trip and this was the venue my husband used to tell our children he drank coffee. M. Leavitt Nov 19, 2018 3 min read 1 2

The LDS Women Project started with one sister telling her story to another. We have interviewed over 250 Latter-day Saint women in more than 25 countries. Our stories are our heritage. We are part of a journal-keeping culture, a blogging culture, a memorializing culture that treasures the stories of those who have gone before us. Interviews The LDS Women Project started with one sister telling her story to another. We have interviewed over 250 LDS women in more than 25 countries. Our stories are our heritage. We are part of a journal-keeping culture, a blogging culture, a memorializing culture that treasures the stories of those who have gone before us. As we each work to build a relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Parents, we hope these stories from Latter-day Saint sisters will inspire every woman to make deliberate and meaningful choices in her life as she seeks to fulfill her individual mission on this earth. If you would like to nominate someone to be interviewed by one of our producers, please email us at interviews@ldswomenproject.com THE SATISFACTION OF LOOKING BACK, Sherry Young Sherry Young raised five highly educated and successful children (including Hall of Fame football quarterback Steve Young). Now she’s reveling her own opportunities to have her own newspaper column and look back on a life full of lessons. Among other words of wisdom, Sherry reflects on the hard work of marriage, the importance of friends and the realities of parenting a famous child. Nollie Haws 20 hours ago 18 min read A CONSCIOUS FOCUS, Anonymous Families with trans-racial adopted children are becoming more common, both within the LDS community and without. But what is it like to grow up as that child in a family that doesn’t look like you? This anonymous perspective, from an Asian woman adopted into a white family as a baby, shares the pain and joy of being adopted into a trans-racial family. Lyndsey Payzant Wells Jun 3 5 min read NO TIME TO STOP, Tatyana Marchenko As an early member of the Church in Moscow, Tatiana was an essential contributor to the establishment of the gospel in Russia. For seven years, she led a choir of church members that sang hymns and folk songs, toured with their performances and recorded albums. Tatiana speaks astutely about the impact of Russian culture on spirituality in her country and about the tremendous work she’s put into building the Church in her homeland. Allison Pond May 30 12 min read THE CENTRALITY OF RELATIONSHIP, Trina Caudle Trina Caudle is a writer and editor with emphasis on personal stories and relationships. She brings that talent and skill set to the LDS Women Project as our Interviews Editor. Trina Caudle May 15 12 min read GATHERING OF TRIBES, Gathering of Tribes: Cindy Quinney, Shane Manning & Amber Irwin Gathering Of Tribes is a nonprofit organization founded to support Native American and First Nations Latter-day Saints in the US and Canada by working collaboratively with the Church to nurture faith in Christ, support family history work, and celebrate cultural identity. The impetus of the LDS Women Project was to refute the idea that being a Latter-day Saint woman had to look one certain way, and to demonstrate that our diversity is our strength. Gathering Tribes exemplifi Elizabeth Ostler Sep 12, 2025 16 min read NOTHING STOPPING HER FROM LOVING HER SON, Karla Autrey Karla Autrey’s son came out to her as gay after he completed his mission. She did not understand at first how to accept his sexual orientation but has poured herself into learning unconditional love for her son and providing support to our LGBTQ members. Trina Caudle Jun 14, 2025 13 min read PERSONAL INTEGRITY, Neylan McBaine Neylan McBaine founded the LDS Women Project and published the first interview in September 2009. She has since worked on multiple projects such as publishing the book “Women at Church” in 2014 and leading the non-profit Better Days 2020. She continues to promote women’s visibility and empowerment in the Latter-day Saint sphere. Elizabeth Ostler Apr 11, 2025 14 min read KIRTLAND COUSINS, Susan Jackson Susan Jackson shares her story of growing up in Utah, raising a large family, and volunteering extensively, including teaching seminary and serving in various Church roles while living across the U.S. and internationally. She also details her unique experience volunteering at the Kirtland Temple with Community of Christ, the deep relationships she built there, and her emotional response to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchasing the site. Trina Caudle Mar 15, 2025 15 min read WISDOM AND TIME, Georgina Bringas Georgina is an artist from Mexico City, Mexico, where the stereotype of an artist does not necessarily align with gospel living. She works to portray gospel principles through abstract art. Jenny Willmore Feb 14, 2025 10 min read WOMEN ON THE STAND, Amy Watkins Jensen Amy Watkins Jensen lives in a California stake with a practice of having women leaders sit on the stand in ward and stake meetings to increase the visibility of women and partnership among all leaders. In 2023, the Area President instructed the California stakes to end women leaders sitting on the stand. Amy began the Instagram account “Women on the Stand” in response. Trina Caudle Jan 4, 2025 14 min read MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS, Audrey Chaves Aubrey Chaves experienced a personal faith crisis as a young married adult relating to Church history and polygamy, and wondered if she should continue to be a member. Through a lot of questions and exploration, she expanded her faith and transformed her spiritual life. She now hosts the Faith Matters podcast with her husband, Tim. Trina Caudle Dec 6, 2024 15 min read TRUSTING IN THE LORD, Wendy Gonzalez Wendy Gonzalez shares her family’s story of emigrating from Venezuela to the United States. Jenny Willmore Oct 23, 2024 6 min read 1 2 3 4 5