Whom I Have Called: The Ordain Women Movement and the Narrative of Dissent in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Issue 3 (27th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hinderaker, Amorette
• Is Part Of: Southern communication journal. Volume 82:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2017-05-27
• Subjects: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- dissent -- faith organizations -- power structures; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 302.224205
• DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2017.1315448
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-794X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The bulk of existing organizational dissent research has focused on corporate environments, theorizing dissent as a means of seeking and enacting change. This study extends the examination of organizational dissent to a large, highly structured and institutionalized faith organization. This study involves a narrative analysis of 315 microstories written by members of the Ordain Women movement, which seeks ordination of Mormon women into the priesthood. Findings suggest a definition of dissent effectiveness that includes a discursive space of voice, and that dissent may serve as a sensemaking tactic where ongoing dissonance is required for organizational membership. Writers of dissent narratives displayed meek, nonvitriolic dissent tactics that served to reinforce the power structures against which the members dissented.