S e g u l l a h
Faces of Latter-day Saint Women
A Conversation with
Beverly B. Campbell
Beverly Brough Campbell served for twelve years as director of International Affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., she worked with ambassadors and other leaders in the nation’s capital and at the U.N. to open doors of understanding and access for the Church throughout the world.
Brigham Young University awarded her the prestigious Presidential Medallion, which, in part, recognized her service to numerous national and international organizations addressing such diverse challenges as child survival, breast cancer, drunk driving, media, and interfaith cooperation. She is the author of the bestselling book Eve and the Choice Made in Eden.
Sister Campbell and her husband, A. Pierce Campbell, are the parents of three children and the grandparents of six.
Please tell us briefly how you came to have such strong interest and involvement in LDS women's issues.
Life has a way of moving us into events which shape us much more than we shape them. My interest in helping women of all ages to find their voices and visions began when I came into my own as a young woman—and realized most young women were facing the same struggles I had been through; i.e. who am I really, what am I meant to do with my life, how do I go about creating a whole life, how do I get it all in without losing myself? These questions, coupled with issues of self-esteem, body image, and stuff relating to relationships and social value, caused me to seek and search. Upon making it safely through that first leg of my journey I sought to find ways to provide others with tools which could help them gain confidence in themselves and in their own abilities.
It wasn't until later, however, when life had presented me with a series of challenges and provided—or even forced me into—a variety of experiences that I began to take on the larger issues facing women. By that time we were residing in Washington, D.C. I was asked to lend my voice to an issue that was tearing at the very fabric of our society: the ERA movement. As an advocate for equality but not sameness, I was asked to become a spokesperson for the church on these and other issues and participated in literally hundreds of television and radio interviews on these subjects.
What were some of the greatest societal challenges of that time, and what are some of the greatest challenges of the current time?
Although the challenges change in the specifics, the issues remain much the same over time: creating an environment where all in that society can be valued, can prosper and grow; where worth is recognized in all ways and individuals are accorded dignity.
I have learned through the years that these concerns and others just as important—or even more so—continue to plague and polarize our society. The grand challenge of our present time seems to be in creating a society in which the absolutes of morality can be addressed and adhered to. One of those absolutes is that one has not only the right, but the responsibility, to judge—to make judgments.
What do you mean—to make judgments?
Let us go back to the beginning. Upon claiming mortal bodies God removed the veil from the eyes of His beloved Adam and Eve. We then learn that He has bestowed upon them a great and glorious gift: to become "as gods." What is the nature of the gift? It is knowledge; that knowledge which will reveal to them the absolutes of good and evil and which will allow them to clearly distinguish and make knowing and deliberate choices between the two. It is then and only then, in the words of Alma, that "they are placed in a state to act"—and they know whether to do evil or good. [1] Knowledge is power. Essential to the activating of that power is making judgments.
With that understanding the issues become very simple. We belong to a faith that understands that each of us is a child of God, and that we made lots of pacts with Him before we were born. Columnist Jerry Johnston expressed it well: “We agreed to bear God's children, to train them and try to get them back to him without major damage. Anything that undercuts that sacred pact is seen as sabotage. That is why my faith has no use for abortion and promiscuity. It is why we see gambling, drinking and child abuse as 'pact busters.' Such things short-circuit the sacred process.”[2]
These issues are so divisive; how do we proceed?
That is the nature of such issues—divisive. It often becomes extremely difficult to find common ground. Yet, with such high stakes there is a need to continue.
I have found that while it is not always possible to establish common ground, sometimes we can find common cause. It is possible to "put on the glasses" of those with whom we are finding differences, respect those who disagree with us, and to accord those on the other side of the debate the same value we would like them to accord us. Sometimes, in this process, we can find pieces of the problem on which we can agree and work together towards their resolution. In this process, however, we need never abandon our own moral compass or feel a need to compromise on those things for which there is no room for compromise.
With so many issues and so much to do, how do we sort out where to direct our energies?
I feel it is more important then ever that we, as women, with uniquely women's voices, actively participate in the shaping of a society where children and families can find safety and sanctuary. Among those issues women will wish to address are their concern for strong marriages and homes, priority to the care and rearing of children, appropriate education for all of society's children and that such education be conducted in safe buildings and safe environments, in places where there is not constant exposure to drugs or to verbal, physical or sexual harassment. We need to fight for safe communities and protection against those unsafe forces which insinuate themselves into our homes electronically be it via television, games or computers.
Additionally, I feel that women will wish to speak to the validity and importance of the Priesthood of God. This power is so essential to a crying, dying world, so vital to matters of heaven and earth that it must be sustained and supported, for it will come under ever increasing attack.
Women need to speak to their right to be valued and to find parity in all their roles, especially that of mother, for unless they stand and declare that it will be so—it will not be so.
What are some of the major struggles women commonly face as they make choices about the direction of their lives?
One of life's grand challenges is to find ways to manage one's time, energies and emotions while successfully navigating the daily "chores" of our lives—without losing one's core. It's a fine line we walk. The grand challenge given to Eve and to all women is that of being able to discern, embrace, articulate, and then give life to that which is essential, as opposed to that which is merely important.
Most true ambiguities arise when we are confronted with two important and good choices. We must learn to distinguish between those things that are vital and essential to our salvation and to that of our loved ones, as opposed to those things that are important to us and our worldly needs and expectations. Missions are those things which are assigned to us by God and connect us to Him. Careers are details of larger missions but secondary to our first responsibility. There are many lesser ambiguities, having to do with things of the world, of self, of body image, of fear, of depression, of money, of partnerships; however, there is not sufficient time or space to go into these here.
Your book, Eve and the Choice Made in Eden, has been such an important piece of literature for women. What led you to your study of Eve?
Because of my involvement in women's issues, I had been asked to consider writing a book about current challenges facing women and the choices available to them. With the research all gathered and the writing about to begin, I prayed for direction. At that time I was given the distinct impression that I was on the wrong path, and that I needed to write about Mother Eve. Inherent in this message was a promise that many of the troubles now confronting women and men would be laid to rest with a correct characterization of the events and motivation of the great drama in and around the Garden. I explore these issues fully in that book.
How can a study and understanding of Eve effect women's perceptions of themselves, and men's perceptions of women?
The story of Eden, the Garden, and Adam and Eve, permeates our literature, our laws, our societies, and our response to one another as men and women, both spiritual and secular. The misperceptions are enormous and have created and continue to create not just misunderstanding but harm. Men and women alike need to understand the depth and power and beauty of this entire episode.
I was recently interviewed by a well-known radio personality who told me the insights and understanding he came to through this book had changed his life and the way he perceived and treated his wife and the other women in his life. Women have told me that this new understanding has given them the courage to move forward.
Bottom line: as we understand that Eve courageously, heroically, and with enormous generosity of spirit claimed that most precious aspect of agency, the right to exercise spiritual and personal integrity, we begin to see better how to live our lives. To choose to act or think in ways that God has counseled is to arm yourself with His power. As you choose good over evil, right over wrong, action over inaction, you open your soul to the possibilities and His power is unleashed. Weakness, powerlessness and inadequacy are replaced with strength, control, and wholeness.
Please tell us why you chose to sponsor Segullah's essay contest, and the significance of naming the prize for your daughter, Heather.
I choose to sponsor your essay contest for all the reasons I have addressed in the previous questions. It is essential that women have places to dialogue in ways that are not of the world, places to explore their talents and trials, places where it is safe to make passions felt and questions heard. As we come to know others' thoughts and challenges, as we see others' ways of dealing with those challenges while striving to hold on to balance and perspective, as we share their laughter, their tears, their frustrations, and their testimonies—we gain strength for the journey.
Also I believe, as do our Prophets, that it is essential for women to become articulate in all ways—in their lives and through their voices, as defenders of their homes, their faiths, their marriages, their beliefs, their core. Women need to feel confident in addressing these issues in both the larger and smaller societies of their life.
I chose to name the prize after my beloved daughter Heather, who was taken from us in an accident some years ago. She was a student of journalism. She hoped to use that forum to address many of the same issues she had seen me address, as well as those that were unique to her generation. Through your voices you can make her live. I also have a granddaughter named Heather, and I hope each of you who writes for Segullah will add to her strength, her voice, her vision, and her testimony.
What words of advice would you give women to help them along their journey?
Whatever else you do, always seek the light—and walk in that light. I begin my new book, Eve and the Mortal Journey, with the phrase: “We have not been sent to endlessly investigate the darkness, but rather to seek divine light and to walk in that resplendent light.” God is not interested in the possibility of your defeat. His plan for you is victory. We were all prepared from the foundation of the earth for this mortal journey. We have been given a blueprint that, if followed, assures a life filled with joyful accomplishment and safe return. Never forget that God knows and loves you at a very personal level—and that the Plan is perfect.
[2] Jerry Johnston, Deseret Morning News, August 9, 2003.
