Janice Merrill Allred

Janice Merrill Allred (born in 1947) is an excommunicated Latter Day Saint, theologian, writer, and Mormon feminist. She was born in Mesa, Arizona.[1]

Allred holds a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University (BYU), and some of her writings have been collected in God the Mother, and Other Theological Essays (Signature Books: 1997). She began her studies of the Mother in Heaven concept in 1991.[1] Her writings have been viewed as controversial by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church); meetings with local leadership regarding her work began in November 1992. In 1993, the LDS Church disciplined six prominent writers; Allred had collaborated with several of these including Lavina Fielding Anderson, Lynne Whitesides (who was president of the Mormon Women's Forum while Allred was vice-president), and brother-in-law Paul Toscano. Allred was in Mexico City at the time, but faced a series of disciplinary councils on her return to Utah. Though her work had been criticized by church president Gordon B. Hinckley,[2] Allred was initially placed on probation (a temporary and relatively minor punishment) in October 1994. However, after lengthy proceedings, a second disciplinary council found her guilty of apostasy and excommunicated her on May 9, 1995.[3][4]

In addition to her theological work, Allred has criticized the LDS Church for alleged instances of child abuse.[4]

Allred is married to BYU physicist David Allred, and is the mother of nine children.[1] She is the sister of fellow LDS theologian and excommunicant Margaret Toscano.[4]

Publications

References
  1. Steenblik, Rachel Hunt; Wheelwright, Hannah (2015). Mormon Feminism: Essential Writings. Oxford University Press. p. 196. ISBN 9780190248031.
  2. "PROPHET WON'T LEAD US ASTRAY, COUNSELOR SAYS". www.deseretnews.com. Associated Press. 1 September 1994. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  3. Associated Press, "LDS Excommunicate Feminist; Appeal Planned", Deseret News, 11 May 1995.
  4. Brooks, Joanna (2012). The Book of Mormon Girl: A Memoir of an American Faith. Simon and Schuster. p. 128. ISBN 9781451699685.
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