LDS women Cynthia and Susan discuss the impact of callings in the church, including struggles introverts face, women's roles in relation to priesthood, challenges in seeking leadership positions, and the importance of inclusivity and equal representation in decision-making bodies.
Callings significantly impact family life and relationships within the church.
Fulfilling challenging callings can push individuals outside their comfort zones, impacting emotional well-being.
Deep dives
Callings as Central Church Experience
Callings play a vital role in the church experience, shaping individuals' lives and relationships within the ward. The podcast highlights how a good or bad calling can significantly impact one's family life, relationships in the ward, and overall church experience. The speaker reflects on how callings have structured her life, creating distinct periods based on the roles she has served in, underscoring the importance and influence of callings on one's church journey.
Challenges and Discomfort in Fulfilling Callings
Fulfilling callings can pose challenges and discomfort, especially for individuals who may not align with the expectations or requirements of the role. The podcast discusses how having callings can push individuals outside their comfort zones, particularly for introverts or those with social anxiety. The speaker shares personal experiences of feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed by callings that required stepping outside their natural tendencies, shedding light on the emotional impact of such responsibilities.
Impact of Callings on Spiritual Self-Esteem
The podcast delves into how callings can influence individuals' spiritual self-esteem and sense of worth within the church community. A listener's letter reveals internal struggles related to not being chosen for leadership callings, leading to questions about personal righteousness and likability. The letter highlights the emotional toll of feeling overlooked and undervalued, emphasizing the profound impact that callings or lack thereof can have on one's spiritual identity and confidence.
Exploring Possibilities for Inclusive Callings
Challenging traditional norms, the podcast suggests reevaluating the distribution of certain callings to be more inclusive and diverse. It advocates for reconsidering who can serve in roles such as financial clerk, ward clerk, membership clerk, or executive secretary, questioning the necessity of priesthood requirements for these responsibilities. By examining the potential for women to fill leadership positions and contribute meaningfully to various church functions, the conversation aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable church environment.
As Latter-day Saint women, our callings sit at the center of our church experience. Where, when, and how we are asked to serve can impact everything from our family's daily schedule to our personal health, spiritual wellbeing or self esteem. It's no wonder our feelings about callings run deep. In this discussion, Cynthia and Susan share their own and listeners' experiences—exploring some of the ways women serve in the church, and imagining other ways we might.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode