396: UNLOCKED for All Listeners: Shifting the Focus from Abortion to Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy!

As we begin 2026 and the fourth year of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast, we wanted to say THANK YOU to ALL supporters of the podcast and platform! 
So please enjoy this Office Hours recording and a podcast episode that is one that is a must-listen! 
In this timely conversation Valerie tackles Elder Anderson's recent general conference talk on abortion. In one hour she goes from the macro issue of abortion itself and offers some thought-provoking concepts about NOT focusing on abortion and instead focusing on how abortion is the prevailing solution to unwanted pregnancy only because we live in a patriarchal society. 
She also proposes that LDS women have valid reasons to feel unique and acute transgenerational pain connected to marriage, s*exual misconduct, power, and self sacrifice.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Listener Appreciation and Office Hours Format

02:17 – Elder Anderson’s Address on Abortion

05:01 – Developmental Stages and Vulnerability

07:00 – Weaponization of Authority and Internalized Harm

12:56 – Masculine vs. Feminine Worldviews on Abortion

15:00 – Societal Support and Resource Gaps

17:00 – Upstream vs. Downstream Solutions

21:00 – Deeply Embedded Patriarchal Assumptions

25:00 – Legal and Economic Disparities

29:54 – Critique of Elder Anderson’s Address

34:00 – Theological Shadows and Generational Trauma

36:00 – Recommendations for Healthy Spirituality

45:20 – Listener Reactions and Broader Church Issues

50:00 – The Importance of Individual Discernment

53:00 – Reflections on Church History and Patriarchy

56:00 – Calls for Healing and Inclusion

59:05 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

59:54 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action

60:14 – Podcast Network Acknowledgment