Saturday, April 6, 2013

First Woman Runs Prayer at Mormon Conference; Jean Stevens Closes the Prayer for 100K Mormons

For the first time in the event's 183-year history, a woman led a prayer today (April 6, 2013) at the semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- also known as the Mormon Church -- according to the Associated Press website.

Jean Stevens led the morning session's closing prayer for the more than 100,000 Mormons gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah for the two-day general conference, and the millions more watching via satellite, Internet broadcast, and radio.

Among other church roles, Stevens is a member of a three-person board that advises and assists parents on teaching their children about the Mormon faith, which has more than 14 million members worldwide.

Women hold leadership positions in the Mormon Church but are not allowed to be bishops or presidents of stakes, which are geographic areas similar to Catholic dioceses. At past Mormon conferences, women have regularly given speeches and could pray in the audience, but could not lead a prayer.

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