A Moderate Manifesto: Mormon Feminism, Agency, and Internet Blogging

ABSTRACT

The recent excommunication of Utah feminist-activist Kate Kelly demonstrates the precariousness of activism within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon). This article performs a textual analysis of a popular blog post written by an influential LDS employee, women’s activist, and blogger: Neylan McBaine. I argue that McBaine’s separation of doctrine from culture and her use of strategic ambiguity construct an effective argument applicable to a broad range of Mormon readers and leaders. The technological affordances of Internet blogging are also considered, in particular, how such affordances enable McBaine to embody her Manifesto by linking it to her personal and professional life, establishing her ethos as a mediator of differing women’s voices, offering a promising path to positive policy and cultural change for Mormon women. This analysis demonstrates the utility of calls to unity in light of increasing tensions surrounding Mormon women’s visibility, decision-making, and priesthood ordination.

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Corrigendum

Notes

¹ The term Mormonism encompasses the various offshoots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS. In this essay, I will refer to members of the LDS as Mormons, as is custom in religious studies scholarship and Mormon Studies.

² The LDS’s official policy grants authority for disciplinary action, including excommunication, to local leaders rather than the Church’s governing body in Salt Lake City, Utah.

³ In response to some Mormon women’s claim that they feel equal and do not need feminism, well-known Mormon feminist Joanna Brooks stated: “You can feel respected, supported and validated in the church, but equality can be measured. Equality is not a feeling. In our church men and women are not equal” (Brooks, 2013).

⁴ Bonneville Communications (known as “Bon Comm” within the Mormon community) owns dozens of corporate media channels, including newspapers, television, and radio stations in major U.S. markets.

⁵ The videos feature Mormons of all varieties from celebrity musicians such as Brandon Flowers of The Killers and Neon Trees drummer Elaine Bradley to little known career-oriented mothers and retired grandparents—each profile ending in the words “…and I’m a Mormon.” Displayed on Mormon.org and its official YouTube channel, the videos attract a large online audience, ranging from 60,000 to 8 million views each.

⁶ McBaine attended Julliard School of Music for piano and later received a bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University.

⁷ See also Meyer, 2015; Morgan, 2013; and Stolow, 2005.

⁸ See Terryl Givens’ People of Paradox (2007).

⁹ Indeed, access to the bloggernacle is limited—by way of Internet connection and ownership of a personal computer—in several parts of the world, where the LDS is well established.