Research Methods

The criteria to participate in the survey:

• Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Ages 18 and above

I welcomed all members of the Church in various forms of activity and commitment. The majority of those who participated considered themselves very active within the Church.

128 individuals filled out the online questionnaire, and two individuals chose an in-person interview. It is interesting (and disappointing) to note that more women filled out the survey than men. Most of the participants were found via social media groups and word of mouth.

I was disappointed that of the approximately twenty-five men to whom I sent a personal invitation to participate, only six accepted. It is easy to assume that many were turned off by the title. One male friend who participated, surmised a few week later, "I'm comfortable with the status quo." However, another participant (who preferred an in-person interview), a top leader of his local congregation, told me he was going to immediately contact his male superior to give one of the suggestions I had made during our conversation.

The following is a sample of the questionnaire:

Introduction

1. What is your zip code?

2. What is your level of church commitment/activity?

3. What is your current church calling? What previous church callings have you have had?

Identification of Concerns/Issues/Problem

1. In what ways are women valued and used in the Church?

2. Do you feel that women are used to their full potential?

3. Do you feel a woman’s opinion is equally valued and sought after in Ward Council, and other collaborative decision-making councils/bodies?

4. Do you seek after male or female opinions more when making decisions in the Church? Does it depend on the issue?

5. What changes could come about if women were in every single meeting a decision was being made?

6. In what ways could the Young Women help with the Sacrament each week? How would them passing it be any different than it being passed down a row?

7. Is there a difference in the regularity that we hear from male vs female church leaders? If so, what do you think the reason is? Do you have a challenging time articulating the reason without feeling uncomfortable?

8. Can you explain what you think the inherent roles of women and men are in the family? How fluid/collaborative should these roles be?

9. How often did/do you hear about faithful women in your lessons?

10. Do you find yourself paying different levels of attention when males versus females speak in General Conference? Teaching a lesson? Speaking in church?

11. Is a priesthood holder necessary for such callings as membership, financial, and ward clerk positions?

12. Why can’t the Relief Society president, Primary and Young Women presidents extend callings and releases within her organization?

13. What would be your initial reaction to seeing a woman walk into Sacrament Meeting wearing pants? Do you think that is the right reaction? What do you base your answer on? Do you feel like Jesus would share your reaction? Why is it seen as making a statement?

14. Did you serve a mission? If so, how did you feel about the Sister missionaries on your mission compared to the Elders? How about now? Do you see any problems with your thoughts?

15. Why can’t women be in the Sunday School presidency?

16. Why are modesty lessons focused on girls’ clothing? Why do we have dress codes for girls' camps, but boys don’t for their camps?

17. How could we involve women in ALL disciplinary councils, not just the idea of disciplinary councils for women?

18. What are your thoughts on why the only title for women is “sister,” but men have distinctive titles such as, elder, president, bishop, etc.?

19. What are your thought on Jesus Christ’s untraditional and unorthodox treatment of women versus the treatment of women today?

20. Why do we not have men and women serving together in equal capacities within presidencies and organizations? How can we get rid of the “paranoia” of men and women serving together in callings?

21. How could our Young Men and Young Women benefit if they had both male and female leaders?

22. Why does a priesthood holder need to be at girls’ camp?

23. With recent changes such as women being able to be a witness at baptisms, what future changes do you think may be possible?

24. Why do we often label progressive members as “bordering on apostasy” for suggesting ideas for change, yet when/if they do happen they are celebrated as revelatory and wonderful? (Example: women witness at baptisms, temple changes, women praying in General Conference.)

25. In what ways do you interpret that changes have and can happen from “the bottom up?”

26. In an ideal world, what changes regarding women would you like to see in the Church?