The Women of General Conference

[Worshipper]

I thought Sister Allred didn't sound like she was talking down to us at all yesterday. I suspect it never even occurred to her that a voice like that might be used by adult English speakers addressing adult English speakers.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by DisneyMan

You couldn't leave well enough alone, could you? Well, I'm not going to argue. We all know where the other's stand and we've all had different experiences so your "every woman I talked to in person agreed" doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

I'm sorry I offended you. When I referred to talking to people in person, I meant that I just never encountered any negative feelings on that subject, like I've seen here.

I've learned that online communication is extremely difficult. We cannot hear each other's tone of voice, nor see each other's faces. We too easily take what is said in the worst way. Often it's not meant that way at all. After a lot of thought these last few months, I've seen that much of the fault is in me. For I get offended too easily when posting here, react too quickly, and then question if I should even be here at all. Elder Hale's talk this morning said it well.

However, I fervently believe that everything spoken in General Conference has been prayed over, thought deeply about, and is inspired. So I will continue to defend their words. But I really don't mean to offend anyone.

I also would hesitate to critique anyone speaking in conference, as to their tone, or pitch, or whatever, until I've had that experience of speaking before millions. My voice would probably come across as a croaking mouse, if I could even get any sound out at all.

[Worshipper]

Originally Posted by ChristineES

I hate to say it, but this whole thread almost seems sexist. I never hear anyone talking about how men talk- or very seldom.

If it helps, one of the men who spoke this morning (Bishop McMullin) had a similar kind of tonal quality.

For a fairly good example of what we're talking about with the women, check out this webpage, maybe in a couple of hours, and watch the talk by Elaine Dalton from the Sunday Morning Session. It wouldn't make a good prototype of this sort of thing, but it's in the same vocal tradition and could give you a sense of what we've been complaining about.

[Watchmen]

I must say, I've been dissappointed the last two times with the number of women who have actually spoken at GC. Is it one on Saturday and one one Sunday? That stinks. Do they save them for General RS Conference? If the women have to listen to the men, why don't the men have to listen more to the women?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by DisneyMan

I must say, I've been dissappointed the last two times with the number of women who have actually spoken at GC. Is it one on Saturday and one one Sunday? That stinks. Do they save them for General RS Conference? If the women have to listen to the men, why don't the men have to listen more to the women?

Well, for starters, the men (General Authorities and Officers of the Church) outnumber the women about ten to one.

[Watchmen]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Well, for starters, the men (General Authorities and Officers of the Church) outnumber the women about ten to one.

But is at least one woman per session too much to ask?

[silvermoon383]

I'm not sure if I can handle anymore talks that start with "I love exclamation points!"....

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by DisneyMan

But is at least one woman per session too much to ask?

I don't know. I guess it all depends on the woman.

[jonny]

Originally Posted by DisneyMan

Not to derail the other GC thread, I'm creating this one so we can discuss the women of general conference. Some have said, myself included, that the women sound like grade-school teachers when they talk.

Well - lets find those diamonds in the rough.

Do you have a favorite woman speaker at general conference (past or present)? If so, can you post a favorite talk so we can see and discuss?

Other than Sherry Dew, I agree with you that most of the sisters who give talks talk to you like you're a little kid. There was the sister from Hawaii that impressed me also (Sister Osaka or something...). I'm still waiting for the general authority who puts some excitement into his or her conference talks. I think Elder Uchdorf is the only one who doesn't try to talk monotone.