About this episode
Send us a Positive Review!As we begin 2026 and the fourth year of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast, we wanted to say THANK YOU to ALL supporters of the podcast and platform! So please enjoy this Office Hours recording and a podcast episode that is one that is a must-listen! In this timely conversation Valerie tackles Elder Anderson's recent general conference talk on abortion. In one hour she goes from the macro issue of abortion itself and offers some thought-provoking concepts about NOT focusing on abortion and instead focusing on how abortion is the prevailing solution to unwanted pregnancy only because we live in a patriarchal society. She also proposes that LDS women have valid reasons to feel unique and acute transgenerational pain connected to marriage, s*exual misconduct, power, and self sacrifice.Timestamps:00:00 – Listener Appreciation and Office Hours Format02:17 – Elder Anderson’s Address on Abortion05:01 – Developmental Stages and Vulnerability07:00 – Weaponization of Authority and Internalized Harm12:56 – Masculine vs. Feminine Worldviews on Abortion15:00 – Societal Support and Resource Gaps17:00 – Upstream vs. Downstream Solutions21:00 – Deeply Embedded Patriarchal Assumptions25:00 – Legal and Economic Disparities29:54 – Critique of Elder Anderson’s Address34:00 – Theological Shadows and Generational Trauma36:00 – Recommendations for Healthy Spirituality45:20 – Listener Reactions and Broader Church Issues50:00 – The Importance of Individual Discernment53:00 – Reflections on Church History and Patriarchy56:00 – Calls for Healing and Inclusion59:05 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement59:54 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action60:14 – Podcast Network AcknowledgmentSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website