Women’s Role in LDS Church Debated Ahead of Conference

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — An ongoing debate about the role of women within the Mormon faith is set to continue alongside sermons and announcements during a biannual conference that brings 100,000 Mormons to Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints' general conference is Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake City. A feminist Mormon women's group called Ordain Women plans to demonstrate Saturday afternoon outside an all-male meeting of church priesthood holders to highlight what they deem as gender inequality within the faith. Church officials declined their request to be let in, but announced recently that the session will be broadcast live for all to watch for the first time. Kate Kelly, the group's founder, says that is a good step forward but says they still want to be allowed in the meeting.