Oh, Sister!

Welcome to season 2! In line with my transfer to a new area, I start things out with an explanation of “pink washing,” leading into the patriarchal gender dynamics between Sisters and Elders. I found a fascinating historical timeline of LDS Sister Missionaries that was written in response to the lowering of age limits for missionary service. Dr. Radke-Moss posited that Sister Missionaries might be treated with more respect than was normal in the historical precedent; I’ll leave it up to you whether or not you believe this came true.

In week twenty-seven, my journal entries include saying goodbye to everyone in my first area including my first golden investigator, being placed into a surprise tripanionship, and, accordingly, dealing with a massive tone shift in my missionary work.

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This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Dr. Andrea Radke-Moss: An Overview of LDS Sister Missionary Service

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

cw: mention of dental work

As a young woman trying to find myself as a sister missionary, I had a deep yearning to find my spiritual purpose—to not only feel my connection to the divine, but to see myself in the divine. Unfortunately, the Mormon theological world has almost no female representation. I’ll discuss how this environment of male-centric authority figures and spiritual philosophies lead to my increased self abandonment, as I tamped down every part of myself that didn't fit perfectly into the Church’s mould for women.

This week’s journal entries include receiving personal revelation from Heavenly Father through a church broadcast, judging a woman in mourning for being “angry,” & finally getting that highly anticipated (and feared) transfer phone call...

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This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Amy McPhie Allebest: Why Religious Tools Don’t Work For Women  

Donna Lee Bowen & Camille S. Williams: Women in the Book of Mormon 

Erin Kane: Women less than 15% of Bible characters

LDS Living: Timeline of Women’s General Conference Sessions from 1830-2022 

Official Church Site: General Conference Research Guide  (aka priesthood sessions) 

Liahona: 2015 General Women’s Session 

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

cw: incidents of racism, discussion of racism

People tend to believe that “educated” and “intelligent” people would never be tricked into falling for a scam, but it turns out that we are all prone to blind spots when it comes to what is near and dear to the heart. I focus in on this idea, using the example of believing in literal spiritual healing while maintaining skepticism towards alternative essential oil medicine.

This week’s journal entries include coming down with strep, getting a free haircut, & listening to uncomfortable conversations steeped in racist beliefs.

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

I’ve been saying for a while now that I want to discuss ableism and today I’m officially starting that discussion, with a focus on how the Church interacts with its elderly members. Spoilers—the church encourages the congregation to give to the church generously, while also discouraging “handouts” from the church back to the Ward members.

This week’s journals include meeting a darling elderly widow, doubling down on the importance of corporate “key indicator” goals, and making pie for a random man because I am a woman and he is a man. : /

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Older Adults Living in Poverty: kff.org

Principles for Providing Church Assistance: General Handbook 22.4

LDS Church Finances: wikipedia.org 

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

We all know that “you can buy anything in this world with money” ; ), and “nothing is free.” You might think that at least going on a two-year proselyting mission for the LDS church would be free but you’d be wrong! I start today’s episode by breaking down the basics of financing a mission, with a focus on the Missionary Support Fund.

This week’s journals include stressing out over a probable promotion, spacing out during my second baptism due to said stress, and eating gummy bears that tasted like cleaning products. 

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Primary Song: We’ll Bring the World His Truth

Mission Prep Blog: Paying For Your Mission

LDS Tools: Missionary Finances

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

cw: discussion of restrictive eating, eating disorders, fatphobia, racism, diet culture strategies such as calorie counting

Due to my journal’s constant focus on restrictive eating, it’s time we face the beast and learn about the history of fatphobia. The Church has not been silent on the topic of what is “healthiest” for people, especially women, to feed and do with their bodies, and I’m going to push back on how this messaging is not only incorrect but also harmful.

This week’s journals include repenting for the sin of eating sugar, promising members that I would of course never ever leave the Church, and finally achieving the high of testifying of Joseph Smith to a nonbeliever.

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

APA resource: Eating Disorders, Weight-Shaming and “Clean” Eating

Hannah Carlan UCLA resource: Book Review of Strings’ “Fearing the Black Body”

Amanda Montgomery UIC resource: Weight stigma and fatphobia in public health

Carol Wolf LDS Ensign message: Physical Health: Weight Loss and the Word of Wisdom

Recommended Reading:

Sabrina Strings’ Fear the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia

r/exmormon reddit: Self Esteem for the Latter-Day Saint Woman

LDS General Conference 1978: Good Health—A Key to Joyous Living 

LDS Ensign message 2014: Nourishing Our Bodies and Our Spirits

LDS Missionary Wellness Manual: Bodyweight

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

cw: mention of dental problems, discussion of restrictive eating  

Today we dive into the expectations of missionary WORK, reading sections of the White Handbook and Preach My Gospel that taught me to work myself to the bone, without proper rest or self care.

This week’s journals include teaching my first lesson to a “drunk” investigator, reveling in the surprise visit from my mission president and his wife, and discovering the reason the Lord sent me to Scranton.

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Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Preach My Gospel: Developing Christlike Attributes

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

cw: discussion of homophobia, mention of violent death & su*cide, of food restriction, & discussion of dental problems  

I kick things off today by discussing the LDS Church’s practice of demanding people play nice while simultaneously kicking them while they’re down. Politely, of course. I reference a news broadcast they did in 2015 that is focused on the topics of "religious freedom and nondiscrimination," but this wasn't just a single card in their hand—this is the playbook.

This week’s journals include briefly freezing the pipes in our apartment’s kitchen, getting so many Valentine’s Day treats, and discovering a problem with my dental implant. 😬

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Youtube: Thought Slime’s Video Essay

Transcript: News Conference on Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination 

YouTube: News Conference on Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination

Press Release: News Conference on Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

 Today I’ll begin to cover the topics taught in the missionary lessons, as well as the instructions on how missionaries are to interact with people they teach. And, I’ll make my case for how these practices line up with the idea of undue influence, or coercive control, by using tactics like love bombing and withholding critical information.

This week’s journals include calling my past self out for wasting time watching Netflix, developing a new unhealthy obsession with the popular missionary talk The Character of Christ,  and finding my companion’s lost (!!!!) nametag.

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Reddit: Love Bombing

Freedom of Mind: Undue Influence

Instagram: Love Bombing

Preach My Gospel: Ch. 3, Ch. 10

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

mandolin sample from porch.wav by Jackie-makes-noiz -- https://freesound.org/s/545744/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister

According to my mission leaders, there was not only a right and a wrong option for every choice, but there was always a good, better, and best choice. Today I discuss how this kind of thinking encourages religious scrupulosity.

This week’s journals include a surprisingly low number of active young single adults in the area, several days of infuriating illness that kept preventing me from working hard, and the discovery of one of our “golden” investigators.

Support me monthly on patreon:D patreon.com/AllyChristiansen

Make a one-time donation on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/allychristiansen

This project is very rewarding and very time consuming. Your financial support makes this possible, thank you!

Recommended Listening: Conspiracy

Primary Song: Choose the Right Way

Hymn: Choose the Right

McLean Hospital: Understanding Religious Scrupulosity

Written, read, edited, & produced by Ally Finlinson Christiansen.

Music credits:

Clown Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/677166/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Music by Seth_Makes_Sounds -- https://freesound.org/s/678022/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

#sistermissionary #sdrcm #NdbM #postmormon #exmormon #ohsister