tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post72774645610821181..comments2022-11-06T04:50:09.786-08:00Comments on Feminine Wound: A Feminist Mormon's Bucket ListDefyGravityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-73900223578815518752012-02-04T10:08:12.778-08:002012-02-04T10:08:12.778-08:00I've been following your thread on FMH, and Fa...I've been following your thread on FMH, and Facebook stalking the conversation. I'm so sorry. It's so hard when everyone else gets to act like a jerk and you have to be patient and respectful to try to get your point across. I've had several similar conversations with people I haven't talked to in years who only post when I put up something from FMH or the Exponent to bear their testimonies of the Family Proc. or gender roles or the divine difference between men and women (gag.) I'm sorry you're dealing with it too. :( Good luck!DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-2620125505011855532012-02-03T23:10:23.998-08:002012-02-03T23:10:23.998-08:00.... WOW.
DefyGravity, I've had so many simil....... WOW.<br /><br />DefyGravity, I've had so many similar experiences but have been lucky in that none were in my ward at the time. I hope it gets better somehow.mkgshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032027328606342071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-71839331648473305312012-01-24T22:48:40.588-08:002012-01-24T22:48:40.588-08:00I didn't mean to suggest you weren't hurt ...I didn't mean to suggest you weren't hurt or upset by the goings on, just that you seem to handle it better then I do. Sorry if it sounded like I was making judgement calls about how you felt. I was just admiring your reaction. I tend to get pissed and run my mouth off, rather then calming down before responding, which you seem to do. I envy that. We both seem attracted to expressing ourselves in writing though. And I don't believe you are boring. My husband doesn't get ruffled easily, which makes him more grounded and less of a jerk then I am. But maybe we need stable people and people who react quickly in the world. <br /><br />And as for Primary manuals, most teachers I know deviate at some point because some activities just aren't going to work with a particular class. And some lessons are just not written very well in my snotty teacher's opinion. I teach the goal, but not all the activities.DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-54173771514994416492012-01-24T22:36:07.119-08:002012-01-24T22:36:07.119-08:00I mis-typed. In the paragraph where I wrote about ...I mis-typed. In the paragraph where I wrote about being in primary, it should read "I am NOT throwing out the manuals."<br />:)<br /><br />DefyGravity, <br />I feel frustrated and hurt in no small portion. But my personality is one that 1-thinks things through at great length before taking action and 2-uses words. Stable is a very accurate word, so is pragmatic and careful...but so are stubborn and stick-in-the-mud and emotionally-dead. (Not that I truly am emotionally dead, but it doesn't come out very much...not that I'm poker-faced, I don't try to hide, I just genuinely don't react to stuff...I'm so boring!) But that is a whoooole other conversation. :)Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01279308378287322473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-87081590855243369912012-01-24T17:18:14.467-08:002012-01-24T17:18:14.467-08:00Jenni, you're a more stable person then I am. ...Jenni, you're a more stable person then I am. :) You don't sound as pissed as I am, although I tried not to put in my writing. <br /><br />I like your interpretations of tithing and the Word of wisdom. I pointed out to my dad the the concept of tithing exists in most faiths, the idea being that you give of what you have to the people around you. I'm behind that 100%. And I hadn't thought about it, but you're right about 10%. Is that even in the D&C? I always assumed it was, but the concept of tithing has altered since the early days of the church. The general point of tithing is to provide for people who need it. I love the Jewish and Muslim concepts of giving alms, and Jana Reiss' chapter on generosity in Flunking Sainthood (awesome book, btw.) I feel that my money and time can do good outside the church as well as inside the church. Would God disapprove of me helping people? I think not. <br /><br />Good luck with navigating your relationship with the church. It's a hard thing to do to live authentically, to live a religion that is problematic for you, and to keep a marriage working, and you're trying to do all of it! I admire the way you've found yourself and your dedication to the things that are important to you!DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-69127836971442326432012-01-24T11:52:51.090-08:002012-01-24T11:52:51.090-08:00I don't know if you're still reading along...I don't know if you're still reading along here Caren, but I'll try to answer you about why I stay when there are things I struggle with.<br /><br />I want to be mormon because I believe the doctrine. I do not always agree with the policies that are used to carry it out. I go to the scriptures, and see that we are told to give to the poor, and to tithe on our increase. Nowhere (not even in a conference talk in fact) have I found a statement that says "give 10% of your gross income to the church"...that is a practice, not a commandment. It is an interpretation of a commandment. I watched my family suffer as we sank into debt because we worked so hard to pay tithes that way...after much study, pondering, and prayer, we understood the commandment in a different way, and now practice it thusly.<br /><br />I accepted the calling to be in primary because I am in a branch of 18 people (rural Alaska), and there are 5 primary kids, 3 of whom are my own. For whatever it's worth, most of these kids would be getting these 'lessons' from me anyway. I am throwing out the manuals, I'm just not always sticking wholly to them...most teachers do that in some way or other.<br /><br />I think the word of wisdom was given as "advice" and "not by constraint" (as it says right in the text). With that said, I still follow it. I had 2 sips of wine on one night with my husband (the second was as awful as the first and I have no desire to try it again). It wasn't a "just to try it" thing, it was a carefully considered special situation thing. (I have considered the 'just try it' angle...at present I have opted not to.) You mentioned a friend who "had to leave the church to save her marriage," and I would argue that this was a similar situation. It meant a lot to my husband that on our anniversary I was willing to share this with him. I would like to stay mormon and I'd like to stay married, and since my husband has left the church that means things are complicated sometimes. (My some days on/some days off with my garments is part of that as well--he really dislikes the garments and wishes I wouldn't wear them, so I'm trying to find a middle ground with honoring both my husband and my church. I am not aware that what I believe about the *temple* ever came up in this conversation. I think there are some fabulous things in the temple, why do you think I want to keep my recommend?) <br /><br />Ultimately, I don't know what my future holds. I know that there are plain and precious things in the gospel that I do not want to let go of (this is why I have not walked out, although my husband wants me to). There are other things I really struggle with though--places where policy or practice do not seem to match doctrine as I understand it, and I don't know what to do about that. For myself, I am trying desperately to live authentically. I'm trying to be true to the things that I personally know/feel/believe, even if it's not quite 'party line' with typical current church practice. I'm not telling others to do what I do, but I am trying to be honest about what I am doing and why. I admit it stings to be called inauthentic when authenticity is precisely the reason I have begun to shift my actions in these areas.Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01279308378287322473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-45444402163927583612012-01-23T11:48:40.786-08:002012-01-23T11:48:40.786-08:00Direct quote from above, from you, Caren, "I&...Direct quote from above, from you, Caren, "I'm sorry, but if you do not like or believe the teachings of this church then LEAVE!!" That didn't sound like a question of, "I would like to understand your position better, help me." That sounded like you were telling people to leave, and that's where you sound like a bully. I'm sorry if I misunderstood that.<br /><br />Things like saying someone is an embarrassment is mean. Where is there good in that statement? <br /><br />If you truly do want to understand Mormon feminists instead of making assumptions (like about a person's confidence, testimonies, worthiness, ability to teach, etc), then stay around and read. Learn. Feminists ARE angry sometimes. Anger is a part of grief and sometimes when we look around us, we are sad. I love reading Mormon feminist websites because it gives me a chance to learn how other people are feeling and learn to have more sympathy and empathy for their lives. It helps me "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." Being a Mormon feminist is very hard sometimes. It actually takes a lot of faith to keep going someplace you don't feel welcome. It takes a lot of faith to keep going when you know the people around you don't want you there in your calling. I'm admire DefyGravity a lot for keeping this conversation going.TopHathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014761105792283513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-74795400490441741222012-01-23T11:44:35.495-08:002012-01-23T11:44:35.495-08:00Caren, I wish that you would have been "no lo...Caren, I wish that you would have been "no longer responding" far earlier than this comment. Your tone is incredibly hurtful and angry, and it is still positively puzzling to me. Why do you care about what people here want to talk about? We aren't doing anything to you. You, however, have swooped in with judgements and condemnations. Shame on you.khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788159137030617997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-72750419701659964952012-01-23T01:05:30.406-08:002012-01-23T01:05:30.406-08:00You may not see God and the church as one, but the...You may not see God and the church as one, but they are my friend. Not understanding this may be where the problem between us lies.Carenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-63209012336033774462012-01-23T01:03:26.823-08:002012-01-23T01:03:26.823-08:00Now, I'd like to know why YOU found it necessa...Now, I'd like to know why YOU found it necessary to go to the bishop with my response to your blog? We already know you have no respect for him so why would it matter what he said or thought on the matter. He only wants to help, I can respect that.<br /><br />You, on the other hand have done what most people do who are unsure of their position, you twist things to suit yourself. Believe me, my guns were not blazing...was I shocked? Yes.. Was I stunned at the comments from all of you on the subject? Yes. I admit to being completely naive on the subject of Mormon feminism. Was I emotional? Yes. But I was not the bully, you all have made the bully quite clear.<br /><br />Your continued hostility and disdain for me clearly indicate that my son has no place in your class. Honestly, I'[m not sure how we will proceed, but my husband and I will discuss and decide what is best for our family going forward.<br /><br /> I will no longer be responding to any more attacks or judgements towards me on this site. I have no further desire to understand Mormon Feminism as I have absolutely NO reference point for that "feminine wound" you want to expound on. I have no anger towards you or the church or anyone else with the exception of child molesters.<br /><br />So feel free to go back to your rantings, throw out the garments, pay tithing when you feel like it. You should only concentrate on finding happiness wherever it is comfortable for you. I certainly have no ill will to you, any of you. I was just looking for some answers. I got that and so much more.Carenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-16013030334860192382012-01-23T00:41:09.237-08:002012-01-23T00:41:09.237-08:00First of all, FYI, blogs are not private. They are...First of all, FYI, blogs are not private. They are quite easy to find. <br />Second, I was NOT attacking any ONE individual, the only person I addressed by Name was Jenni because I felt that she was not being honest accepting a calling to teach primary when she doesn't believe what she is teaching about the temple or the word of wisdom. Interestingly, she was the kindest in her response.<br />Next, I asked why because I am always curious about why people feel/do what they do. Sue me.<br />Third, you have NO idea who I was talking about in my comment. Furthermore, I did not "use" her, I referenced her experience to show that you (collective, NOT personally you) don't know everything about the church and higher education.<br />Fourth, my best friend had to LEAVE the church to save her marriage so I do know something about choices we have to make. I am not judging anyone for those choices, just wondering why someone would choose to be inauthentic to who they are and how they feel. It seems like a huge price to pay, in my opinion.<br />I did not feel it was necessary to talk to the bishop about your blog. To be honest, I felt it was necessary to talk to the primary president about your position on the priesthood as you are teaching my son. After some research (as I didn't keep the letter you wrote to me on the subject months ago and I didn't want to misquote you) I was hit in the face by your anger and it was unsettling at best.Carenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-1854613959708231572012-01-22T22:41:15.129-08:002012-01-22T22:41:15.129-08:00Caren, I have answered your question. Now, how did...Caren, I have answered your question. Now, how did you find my blog? I link it through the Exponent, a site I don't believe you are familiar with. We are not Facebook friends.i'd be interested to know how it migrated so far out of the usual realm. And why did you feel it necessary to talk to the bishop about it rather then addressing me? and does your visiting teachee that you used as an example feel alright being used in such a way? I would like to have an actual discussion with you now that you know who I am. And those are the questions I would like answers to.DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-11018400163671176642012-01-22T22:34:32.416-08:002012-01-22T22:34:32.416-08:00Caren, I will say this again. Your experience is y...Caren, I will say this again. Your experience is your own. It has led you to feel certain things and believe certain things. You find God in your beliefs. I have had different experiences. They have led me to feel certain things and believe certain things. I find God in my beliefs. Both your experiences and mine are valid. Neither of us is more right, and neither of us can tell the other what is right for them. You are welcome to share your experience, but you chose to come into my space and call me an embarressment. You chose to attack my experience. How do you justify that? <br /><br />Putting down the church is not putting down Good. I do not see God and the church as one and the same. I have a strong relationship with my Parents, and find them in what I am doing. My feelings toward the church has brought me closer to God. You may not understand that, as I do not understand your relationship with God. But both are real. <br /><br />It might interest you to know that many Mormon feminists are stay at home moms. They find God as you do. Just as you believe that your place is with your children. I believe that my place is in the classroom, the courtroom and the stage. God has given me a purpose, as They have given you a purpose. Both are important, both valid, both worthy of respect.DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-35475081738577740192012-01-22T22:18:24.823-08:002012-01-22T22:18:24.823-08:00Thanks k. :)Thanks k. :)DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-13654923113493516162012-01-22T22:16:02.931-08:002012-01-22T22:16:02.931-08:00Caren, you are reacting to what you think we belie...Caren, you are reacting to what you think we believe, not to what any of us has actually said. You claim we are spouting feminist rhetoric, that we don't know who we are, that we don't know what we believe. I can only speak for myself, but I know what I believe. I simply don't believe as you do. I know I am a daughter of Divine Parents, and believe that they support my work as a feminist and are the ones who direct my spirituality. You clearly disagree, but you are not God. I will judge myself by my relationship with God, not others opinion of what God thinks, just as you do. I will trust my Parents over your experience, because your experience is yours only and only guides you. You have a low opinion of Sonia Johnson because of your experience. I have a different experience. You find joy in the church. I have a different experience. Both are valid. I welcome your experience. But I do not welcome name-calling, nor the insistance that because my experiences are different from yours, I am wrong, that God does not approve of me. <br /><br />Mormonism and feminism are not always incompatable. If you choose to see it that, that is your business. But I invite you to the Exponent and Feminist Mormon Housewives, where Mormon women try to bridge faith and feminism. Again, your experience is your own, and does not speak for all Mormon women. <br /><br />And there is a movement in some Mormon communities to allow Mormons who no longer believe doctrinally to claim Mormonism. I was born and raised Mormon, I was married Mormon, I still attend Mormon meetings. So I believe I can still claim Mormonism. I invite you to explore Stay Mormon, to Mormon Stories podcast, to Joanna Brooks, to learn about this trend in Mormonism. You may not agree with this trend, but it does exist, and is as valid as your view of Mormonism.<br /><br />You don't know what my testimony is. For the record, I never said anything about the Word of Wisdom. I also never said that I don't believe in Priesthood, I just struggle with the fact that it is male dominated. And I will not teachanything about my doubts in Primary. They are my doubts, not theirs. They have a right to find their own beliefs. I teach the love of God and the example of Jesus Christ. Come in to my lessons and see.DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-16783923912550653982012-01-22T21:37:28.075-08:002012-01-22T21:37:28.075-08:00I stay for a variety of reasons, largely family re...I stay for a variety of reasons, largely family reasons. People stay to keep family peace in their families, to keep marriages together, to stay in a community they enjoy. There are many compelling reasons to stay even when you don't believe. You'd be surprised how many non-belivers there are who stay. If you had the choice between your marriage, your children, your parents, your in-laws' love and respect and a church that made you unhappy what would you choose? Many marriages and family relationships end when someone leaves the church. Wouldn't you stay to keep your family together? Go check out Mormon Stories podcast community if you want examples. Also, this blog is a place to express anger. You assume that anger is all I feel. Would you like to be judged only by the comments you've made here? Probably not. So don't judge me only on my anger. You know who I am. You could speak to me about my beliefs, instead of judging me on a blog designed to allow me to express anger. It is also a little insulting to ask someone why they stay in a church. Religion is a personal choice, and one that can rarely be well-explained. If I asked you why you stay, your response would be personal, and one that you may not wish to share with certain people. My reasons are also personal, and since you came in guns blazing, insisting that my experience is invalid, that I am an ebarressment, how likely would I be to share my personal reasons with you? You've already chosen to come into my space and attack my experience once. So I expect that if I share my personal reasons for staying, they will also be met with criticism. Can you blame me for not laying my life out in front of you, considering how you have reacted to me so far?DefyGravityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06146916220917369607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-48478818558825689212012-01-22T21:09:59.488-08:002012-01-22T21:09:59.488-08:00There's an answer that I find very satisfactor...There's an answer that I find very satisfactory, but I have to ask: why do YOU need to police who is going to church and who isn't and if they are worthy or going for the right reasons or whatever? I say live and let live. My life got a lot happier when I realized that!khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788159137030617997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-69391017258379680512012-01-22T21:08:11.815-08:002012-01-22T21:08:11.815-08:00I'm always a bit amused by the uproar that an ...I'm always a bit amused by the uproar that an unapologetic, strong woman can cause. I think that means you are on the right path, my friend. :)khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788159137030617997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-66637250735194702562012-01-22T20:56:21.766-08:002012-01-22T20:56:21.766-08:00I am not TELLING anyone to leave. I am merely wond...I am not TELLING anyone to leave. I am merely wondering why those with such opposition to church principles and standards would want/choose to continue to stay. <br />Can ANY of you address that?Carenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-3644085686029330022012-01-22T18:01:53.480-08:002012-01-22T18:01:53.480-08:00Why are you trying to tell people to leave the chu...Why are you trying to tell people to leave the church? I don't understand that at all. With so much emphasis on every member a missionary and fellowshipping and bringing people back who have left, why would anyone tell someone to leave? We need everyone, everywhere. If we tell people to leave, we lose so many wonderful children of God. Let's go after the 1 instead of abandoning it.TopHathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014761105792283513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-17175729000357737152012-01-22T18:00:02.791-08:002012-01-22T18:00:02.791-08:00Faith in Christ is a gift of the Spirit (D&C 4...Faith in Christ is a gift of the Spirit (D&C 46). Some have faith, others have the gift of believing on other's words. Just like you wouldn't say, "You don't have the gift of tongues, so you shouldn't teach children," to say that about faith and testimony is just mean. You can grow a lot as a teacher and I'm glad DefyGravity has the opportunity to be in such a position.TopHathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014761105792283513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-29408639335664587472012-01-22T17:42:55.305-08:002012-01-22T17:42:55.305-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.TopHathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014761105792283513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-56271968486389002642012-01-22T14:53:18.945-08:002012-01-22T14:53:18.945-08:00You are right...You know NOTHING about me. Have yo...You are right...You know NOTHING about me. Have you raised a child through the teenage years? Have you buried a child? Have you been homeless, had an alcoholic father, a child molesting grandfather? We are thed to get me through these times. My testimony has only been strengthened by these experiences. I do not wonder why I was born a woman, I am grateful that I was chosen to be a cherished daughter of God. I am not uber confident in who I am, but I know that I will love God with all of my heart and I will obey ALL of His commandments, not just the ones that I agree with.<br /><br />Some of you seem to not have even read what I said. I was ASKING a question, which none of you have managed to answer in your angry responses. WHY are you going to an LDS church? There are so many churches where you can choose your own underwear, pay tithing whenever you feel like it and drink until you puke...You can even be the pastor or preacher! But, THIS is not that church. If you don't want to live this way, you will always feel different. You are constantly "bucking the system". How can you ever be happy? So, seriously, what are your reasons? <br /> <br />To be honest, it is heartbreaking to see that there are so many of you with these feelings of inadequacy or discontent and that you have no problem telling the world how you feel about it. You blame the church and in doing so, God.<br />I know that I would never put any anti-Mormon thoughts or opinions on the internet, I will stand for God in ALL things and in ALL places, ALL ways! <br /><br />It seems like feminists always put down women. I will embrace my womanhood and the gospel of Jesus Christ which tells me that I should be at home raising and nurturing my children and I am happy to do so. I have been put here for a very special purpose, I haven't always known that and maybe one day you (collective feminists YOU, not personal) will see it too, who knows?<br /> With maturity comes wisdom.<br /><br />Namaste,<br />CarenCarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-78817467177306764792012-01-22T14:52:06.408-08:002012-01-22T14:52:06.408-08:00Dear Spunky, if that is your real name,
Wow, I ha...Dear Spunky, if that is your real name,<br /><br />Wow, I have never felt so popular! Of course I knew when I posted a comment on a "wounded women, feminist" blog, I would most definitely be attacked and I sure wasn't disappointed :o) Well, clearly there is no way I can address all of your concerns personally, but I will try to hit the highlights.<br /><br />Why is it YOU can write what you feel or have a opinion about but I am not allowed to? Yes, I may have been emotional...I was shocked and appalled to find so many young women who don't know who they are. You spout the feminist rhetoric and try to set yourselves apart from Mormons by doing UN-Mormon things. WHY then do you want to BE a Mormon. I mean Sonia Johnson?? Really?(I actually LIVED the Sonia Johnson debacle). BTW,Mormon Feminist is an oxymoron in my opinion.<br /><br />I am FAR from a bully. Note: I never threatened anyone. I have NEVER been one to rock the boat or instigate a confrontation, but when I feel hurt, I will lash out!<br />It is bad enough that in this society I already have to defend my faith and beliefs to non-Mormons who don't know better. But now I have to defend my faith and beliefs to those beautiful daughters of God who don't like what God wants them to do or be who He wants them to be. You women should know better. You have been taught, you have been to the temple! You CANNOT separate out what you want to believe from what we are taught to believe. <br /><br />Trust me, there are many things that I have been taught that seem to be contrary to how I'm feeling, but I do not "decide" that I won't follow those ideas. I do use prayer and I do have to go back to the foundation of my testimony to know that the prophets lead and direct, not me.<br /><br />My comments were not directed ONLY at DefyGravity, I see you didn't catch that. I would never "Victimize DefyGravity out of the church"--I'm not even sure how one would do that, but my question was and is, WHY would you want to be part of a church that has so many beliefs contrary to yours?? She has stated in previous blogs that she is "no longer a doctrinal Mormon". What other kind is there? Our church is based on the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ. You either believe or you don't and it seems to me that most of you don't.<br /><br />I AM sorry--for you, because you have to rely on one another for your sense of worth rather than God. Women of faith have FAITH and though they may not understand for instance why we do not hold the priesthood, they do not question. We all struggle and seek, we do not all stop paying tithing, wear our garments when we feel like it or try drinking just to see what's it's like. <br /><br />I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are, and in my opinion, if you do not have a testimony of temple covenants, the Word of Wisdom, the law of tithing and the power of the priesthood then how in the world can you teach these things to the youngest and most impressionable of God's children?Carenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12388490520648182500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629821302710054368.post-4386854068072548562012-01-20T09:35:56.935-08:002012-01-20T09:35:56.935-08:00I was told that the copper one lasts 10 years, not...I was told that the copper one lasts 10 years, not 12. I also wanted to avoid the hormones. Also, I experienced bad cramping for the first couple of months, but then it has alleviated. My flow has been heavier than it used to be, but I never had a terribly heavy flow to begin with, so it is still manageable. <br /><br />As for the IUD vs tubal, not only does it (like Amelia said) allow room for change and personal evolution, but it also is a whole lot easier on your body--the IUD goes in in a 20 min appointment; a tubal is pretty significant abdominal surgery. If we opt to go a surgical route, it'll be the snip for the hubby, not for me.Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01279308378287322473noreply@blogger.com