Exponent II
A feminist forum for Mormon women and gender minority voices
Except for the fact we didn’t meet at BYU, we were the Mormon cliché. Six children, the first a month old on our first anniversary. I quit my job to become a full-time, stay-at-home mother nine months later. Over the next twenty-one years, my mothering expanded to include six chi…
Review of The Brain’s Lectionary: Psalms and Observations by Elizabeth Pinborough Elizabeth Pinborough’s The Brain’s Lectionary: Psalms and Observations (BCC Press 2022) is a poignant collection of poems that trace the narrator’s literal and figurative paths toward healing after …
Abstinence is the salt in the wound of a widow’s life. The full content of this post is available to subscribers. Subscribe now or log in!
I prefer parables to these lines about lines of fine print and even finer print of the precepts you print and publish and prescribe for me. and for all the fine ladies and Gents of the land your Mothers land. When did you forget? Your Mother made the rules when she changed the ru…
Human agency is a core tenet of faith for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Indeed, the concept of agency reigns as the supreme theological actor in the Latter-day Saint story, from the reconceived creation narrative through the understanding of the huma…
You walked under the trees of the garden Fingertips touching each braille of bark You Paused, Listening so carefully to the breeze moving every branch, that you began to imagine the Unthinkable, the not-yet-real. Your partner had his head down, reverently laying bricks over the O…
Is the 2022 Come, Follow Me manual diverse and inclusive? I often talk about the intersection of art, religion, gender, and race. I believe we become what we consume, visually that is. The Come, Follow Me manual is no exception. I’ve been looking forward to this year’s topic of s…
Silva was the recipient of Exponent II’s Award in the 2021 Certain Women Art Show in Salt Lake City. You were trained as a painter, and now you use paper cutting as your technique. Why the shift? Actually, I went to paper gradually and without intending to — around 2010. I was at…
Silva recibió el premio Exponent II en el 2021 Certain Women Art Show Te formaste como pintora y ahora utilizas el corte de papel como técnica. ¿Por qué el cambio? En realidad, pase al papel de forma paulatina y sin proponérmelo, fue en 2010 aprox.. Iba semanalmente a un taller a…
“Sister, would you read this passage and share your thoughts with the other members of the presidency? I think this should be our theme for the year.” I glance down at the quote on obedience that the Primary President slips me. “Well,” I hem. “Obedience is important to teach the …
The evening began in a typical fashion. I entered a home filled with happy chatter and a kitchen counter laden with “girls night out” fare. After the predictable 30 minutes of meet-and-greet, the host invited me to the front of the main gathering room, where couches and a hodgepo…
I lay my hands on your head To give you a blessing. Like my ancestors. My three times great-grandmothers Who kneaded dough and then healed. Calling out for god Ministering at bedsides Birthing children Blood and bread All callused knuckles and templed fingers — a cool, soothing t…