This is part of a series of forward-looking predictions for 2025. Read more.
In mid-October, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled a new style of women’s garment top. As the news roared across social media, many women were so shocked by the removal of half an inch of fabric that they hesitated to believe it was true.
Although the update included an unclear stipulation that this specific style was, for now, only for those in “hot climates,” faithful women worldwide rejoiced, cheering that “they finally heard us!” — they, meaning the brethren. Or is it God? Random people who work at church headquarters?
As I watched women respond to the alteration, I noticed that — once the initial surprise and excitement wore off — many were left grappling with the unspoken reality of the change.
Latter-day Saint women worldwide battle issues due to their garments every day. The best-case scenario is the obvious repercussions of wearing a full extra layer of clothing that’s limited to fabrics lagging years behind modern textile advances. At worst, the garments lead to recurring yeast infections, rashes and serious mental health effects.
While the lack of a cap sleeve may allow some women to wear clothing more appropriate for warm weather, women’s prayers and pleas for serious medical relief remain unanswered.
It doesn’t take much Googling to learn that the garments have changed many times since their introduction in the 1800s. What you won’t find is why. We don’t know where church founder Joseph Smith came up with the original design, and average members don’t know how we got to the two-piece styles we have today. Even though the church handbook says adult members covenant to wear the garment — covenants being the most sacred promise a member can make with God — the church provides zero explanation when the “holy garment” changes. Nor do they say when we make such a covenant in the temple ceremony.
This reminds me of May 2019, when the church announced that couples who were married civilly first would no longer have to wait a year before being sealed in the temple. When that news broke, I excitedly shared the update on social media. I’ll never forget the heartbreaking messages from women who had to exclude their parents and other family members from their wedding to avoid the year penalty period before their sealing. They made that difficult choice because they were under the impression that it was God’s way and will. They felt that even though they were making a huge sacrifice, they would find peace in knowing they were doing the “right” or “more faithful” thing.
But what does it mean when the “right” or “more faithful” thing changes on a random Tuesday? Was the heartache and pain for nothing? Was what they thought to be the will of God just an arbitrary rule?
What was I supposed to believe when I no longer had to veil my face or covenant to hearken unto my then-nonexistent husband? What are the women who twisted themselves into knots to justify and “make sense” of it all supposed to do when it all just goes away?
I found it exhausting to be a fully committed and hopeful-for-progress Latter-day Saint woman. Church “progress” often falls into two camps:
The embarrassing kind: Women who work at the Church Office Building can wear pants as of 2017. The church offers six weeks of paid medical maternity leave — but only one week if a couple adopts — as of 2017. In 2019, adult women were approved to stand as witnesses of baptisms, a role 12-year-old boys have always been cleared to perform.
The changing of “never changing” doctrine: What does it mean when a temple covenant goes away? What does it mean when I’m cleared to wear shirts that would have marked me as unworthy to enter the temple the day prior? Was it God who changed his eternal mind after 41 months of denying children of LGBTQ couples baptism? It is especially confusing when such changes lack any explanation or, if we are lucky, come with only a brief statement from church headquarters announcing the change and nothing more.
I imagine many people will be quick to respond that those are policies, not doctrine. But are they arbitrary policies only once the church changes them? They weren’t arbitrary when people were pressured to obey or risk the eternal consequences. What doctrines are people making real-life sacrifices for today that will be arbitrary policy changes tomorrow?
I’m positive that some who read this will find my perspective and words unbecoming. Shouldn’t I be more grateful, more humble and more hopeful? To be a good, obedient Latter-day Saint woman I probably should. But as I look back on my 35 years in the church, I question what making myself quiet and submissive has given me. Am I being negative and bitter, or am I just responding in an honest and natural way to a lifetime of devotion to a church organization that refuses to be honest about its history; commitment to sexist, racist and homophobic practices; financial dealings; and general dealings with its fellow men?
I’ve reached a point where I’m no longer interested in what the church thinks of me. I no longer let old men pick my underwear. I don’t give one of the richest churches, with an estimated $265 billion, my money. I don’t counsel with untrained and often unqualified male neighbors before making important personal life choices. Nor do I let them decide how I will serve in my community.
Most importantly, I no longer look to men who flip-flop between being mouthpieces for God and imperfect humans when convenient to determine what I believe or how I interact with the divine.
Even as I no longer actively identify as such, I will always care about Latter-day Saint women and the issues that affect them. LDS women are and always will be my flesh and blood. I will be happy about any change that improves their situation but, in 2025, I refuse to pretend that table scraps are meaningful while watching others enjoy the feast in plain sight.
(Rosemary Card) Rosemary Card is an entrepreneur, author and advocate for women’s rights. She lives in Salt Lake with her husband, 2-year-old son, and two dogs.
Rosemary Card is an entrepreneur, author and advocate for women’s rights. She lives in Salt Lake with her husband, 2-year-old son, and two dogs.
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