While the Mormon Women's Forum appreciates the unexpected advance publicity, we would like to make it clear that pushing for priesthood power is neither the purpose nor the theme of this year's Counterpoint Conference. As stated in the announcement of our program, the purpose of the conference is to promote “open, honest discussion among people with diverse opinions and experiences.”

The Mormon Women's Forum does not take an official position on any issue. Our purpose is to provide a forum for discussion of gender and justice issues in the context of Mormonism, and we encourage and welcome all perspectives.

The theme for this year's conference, as was correctly reported in the article, is “Finding Our Strength: Problems and Paradoxes of Power.” Our speakers will be exploring issues of power in the context of gender. Only one speaker has priesthood as a general topic, and the views she expresses will be her own.

Janice Allred

President, Mormon Women's Forum

Provo