In this episode of the Great and Spacious podcast, your hosts aaaAAAaaa, Abigail, Abish, Moroni, and special guest Claudia bring you humor, history, and cocktails. Broadcasting live from the Great and Spacious building—and Los Angeles—they set the tone with witty banter and sharp commentary. Moroni cracks wise about being the golden statue on the temple, and Abigail shares her modern pioneer trek to California.
The conversation smoothly transitions to a discussion on traveling logistics, eventually zeroing in on the episode’s theme: comparing women's and men's organizations in the church. Abish introduces the "Retrenchment Ricky," a cost-saving drink inspired by early young women's organizational principles, while Claudia describes the "Proof of Peter's Priesthood," a potent cocktail symbolizing the church's male authority structure. The segment ends declaring Abigail and Abish’s concoction the winner.
Scriptures: [00:14:13]
aaaAAAaaa leads a dive into D&C 21-23, highlighting Joseph Smith's self-assigned titles and the convenience of his revelations. He humorously tackles the concept of "dead works" in section 22 and the seemingly redundant practice of re-baptism. In section 23, he explores revelations given to five individuals, emphasizing their duties and the lack of condemnation, all while interspersing personal anecdotes and humorous commentary.
Church Teachings: [00:27:36]
Abish steers the discussion towards the Relief Society, juxtaposing it with an unrelated tangent about "Feet World" before diving deep into church teachings. She critiques the Relief Society's motto, "charity never faileth," and its mission to prepare women for eternal life. Referencing "Daughters in My Kingdom," she expresses frustration with its portrayal of women’s roles, emphasizing the contradiction between church-prescribed activities and the prophet’s warnings against external involvement.
The hosts share their personal experiences with gender roles in the church, highlighting the disparities between young men and women’s preparations for future roles. They critique the systemic issues, noting the lack of meaningful leadership training for young women and the unrealistic pressures on men to be sole providers. The discussion calls for more realistic and equitable approaches to preparing young people for adult responsibilities, critiquing recent changes in church leadership structure.
History: [01:30:00]
Abigail, a bit tipsy from the themed cocktails, recounts the early history of the Relief Society. She delves into the 1842 origins, Sarah Granger Kimball's and Margaret A. Cook's initial efforts, and Joseph Smith’s patriarchal oversight. The episode highlights Emma Smith’s presidency, the society's rapid growth, and the underlying tensions, including polygamy’s role in the organization’s early days.
Abigail explores the conflicts between Emma Smith’s public condemnation of polygamy and Joseph Smith’s secretive practices. She discusses how these tensions led to the suspension of the Relief Society and its eventual disbandment by Brigham Young. Despite this, women continued informal charitable activities, and Eliza R. Snow played a pivotal role in the society's revival.
The discussion shifts to women’s contributions in medical care, education, and community support. Abigail highlights the Relief Society's role in Utah's e
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