Why the Opening Prayer of the General Women’s Session Was Historical
Posted on Jan 24, 2015 by Trevor in Religion
Sister Dorah MkhabelaGeneral Young Women Board
In the General Women’s Session this past fall (it’s officially classified an actual session now instead of just a meeting), Sister Dorah Mkhabela of Soweto, South Africa, a member of the General Young Women Board, gave the opening prayer. While most of the feminist excitement this conference was due to other items, black Mormon women in particular noted the historical importance of watching the first woman of African descent to give a prayer in a conference session.
I listened to a podcast called “Sistas in Zion” where they talked about why it mattered so much to them. One of the hosts, Zandra, brings up the unfortunate history of racial discrimination in the church that prevented those of African descent from full participation until 1978. Here’s a transcript of the relevant parts (beginning around 55:00):
[T]he fact that a black woman, clearly of African descent, from South Africa, stood up and took the pulpit and said a prayer over an entire LDS congregation–and not just any session of General Conference, but the session that kicks off all of General Conference weekend–is a humongous deal! And I’m gonna tell you what else is a humongous deal. I have never in my life … seen in a session of General Conference a woman of color–a black woman–sitting in the red chairs [where the leaders sit]. And she sat in the red chairs, and she took her place.
Another of the hosts added:
I love how Zandra said, “She took her place.” How significant for any of us to be able to take our place and just be that visual for those who come behind us.
Zandra continued:
To see that–for people around the world to see that, for people who are not even of our faith but have concerns with race relations and who know the history of the church–for them to see that is such a powerful thing. Is the end-all and the be-all? No it’s not. But for me, it was a powerful moment. I was in the Conference Center, I praised God for letting me be there. And I think that [for] people who are fighting for equality and justice, especially in their religious institution, that should’ve been something noticed.
