The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others) recently announced changes in leadership and training for LDS women to reflect the Church’s increasingly global membership.
Alex Sharpe’s whole life has been full of music and performing. Sharpe kicked off her career playing the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in a production in Dublin, Ireland, where she grew up. From there her musical theater career blossomed. She was eventually asked to play Eponine in Les Miserables with the Cameron Mackintosh Company in England.
Sharpe’s love of music, however, doesn’t come from musical theater or Broadway, but rather from hymns. Sharpe’s mother was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon Church) when Sharpe was just a baby. So she grew up singing for services in Church and learning lovely, spiritual hymns. Throughout her sparkling music career, Sharpe has never forgotten where she first found her love of music–in worshipping Jesus Christ.
Sandra Turley has literally performed on Broadway. Cast as Cosette in Les Miserables, Sandra was part of the original closing broadcast ensemble, and that experience set her on a course for the rest of her life. Sandra is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church), and uses her God-given talent to uplift and inspire others.
I don’t know what you’ve heard about Mormon women. You may think that we’re oppressed or sub-quality citizens in our culture. You would be wrong. I’m a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the faith often inadvertently referred to as the Mormon Church), and being a Mormon woman means that I participate in a faith whose doctrine champions women and emphasizes their unique influence and power. My Mormon womanhood is integral to my overall identity and directs me in my purpose here on earth.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church, announced in Autumn 2013 a new semiannual meeting of all female members of the Church 8 years old and older. This meeting will replace an adult women’s and young women’s meeting each held annually. Here are four reasons why this change is great!
1) Prepares Young Women for missions
Until last year, women could not become full-time missionaries until they were 21 years old, after three years in Relief Society (the LDS women’s organization, which young women enter at age 18). Last year, the age for possible missionary service was lowered to nineteen. With so much less time to prepare for a mission as an adult, young women can now benefit from hearing messages that will prepare them for the rigors of missionary work. (more…)