Episode 261: Susan & Cynthia's Mailbag Mayhem
Some things in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seem to be changing more regularly than they have in the past. Many members have lived through decades where it felt like almost nothing changed in our meetings, curriculum, and official messaging, so this evolution comes with a diversity of feelings. How might Church leadership help members move forward more easily? Could adjusting the way these inevitable shifts are introduced increase clarity, unity, hope, and even anticipation for what the future may bring? Episode 261 addresses this and other topics—including listener voicemails—in a conversation about a little of everything.
Notes & Quotes:
Church Facebook post about a husband supporting his wife’s career
BYU-I Instagram reel about a woman choosing a career
LDS Church President Dallin Oaks hopes lower missionary ages will lead to lower marriage ages, by Peggy Fletcher Stack & David Noyce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1/12/2026
The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ, by Dallin H. Oaks, 10/2025
Parents and Children, Dallin H. Oaks, 10/2018
Unselfish Service, Dallin H. Oaks, 4/2009
Why Invoking Jesus in War Turns Christianity Into a Dangerous Weapon, Jane Clayson Johnson with Father James Martin, Deseret Voices podcast, Deseret News, 4/10/2026
Deseret News Facebook post
Why Social Change is Contagious, by Gregg Sparkman and Greg Walton, 6/3/2019
“Marriage is central to the purpose of mortal life and what follows,” Oaks said... “We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who created us with the capacity to follow his commandment to multiply and replenish the Earth.” —Pres. Dallin Oaks
“In the United States we are suffering from a deterioration in marriage and childbearing. For nearly a hundred years the proportion of households headed by married couples has declined, and so has the birthrate. The marriages and birthrates of our Church members are much more positive, but they have also declined significantly. It is vital that Latter-day Saints do not lose their understanding of the purpose of marriage and the value of children. That is the future for which we strive.”—Pres. Dallin Oaks
“The gap between those who are [parenting] and those who are not willing to do this is widening in today’s world. One of our family members recently overheard a young couple on an airline flight explaining that they chose to have a dog instead of children. ‘Dogs are less trouble,’ they declared. ‘Dogs don’t talk back, and we never have to ground them.’” —Dallin H. Oaks
“Children are our most precious gift from God—our eternal increase. Yet we live in a time when many women wish to have no part in the bearing and nurturing of children. Many young adults delay marriage until temporal needs are satisfied.” —Dallin H. Oaks
“Research, published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, suggests that social change can self-propagate: simply witnessing other people change their behavior leads people to question fundamental beliefs that hold them back from changing themselves. Specifically, seeing change in others makes people think that change is possible for themselves, that it is important, and that it is compatible with who they are.” —Gregg Sparkman & Greg Walton
I decided to look at the ages of first marriages for the members of the First Presidency and the Twelve.
One was married at 20 yrs old. Can you guess who?
Four married at 22.
Five married at 23-25.
Five married at 26-32.
67% were 23yrs or older when first married.
For those who support the "throw caution to the wind" and marry young counsel, please do
not:
Complain about the building of so many townhomes in your area.
Bemoan the need for both parents to work, many times forcing your precious gr. children into daycare.
Feel bad that you are not able to help out with childcare. When your children marry at 20, you may well be looking at another 25 yrs of employment, before you can retire and help out.
Turn down a calling to work in the Nursery.