Mormon Women Bravely Pose Naked to Challenge Church Views on Modesty

Mormon Women Bare is a NSFW — ARE YOU AT WORK RIGHT NOW? Because if so, your boss is fired — art project from Katrina Barker Anderson, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. By asking Mormon women to pose naked, it challenges the LDS Church’s strict views on what is acceptable attire (and behavior) for the Church’s female members.

Anderson writes:

Women around the world deal with objectification, body shame, and the burden of the male gaze. Mormon women have an added layer of complexity and heavy expectations: while being warned against becoming “walking pornography,” we also face immense pressure to be attractive and fit. We must both attract and protect against male desire. Even though Mormonism teaches us our destiny is to become like our embodied Heavenly Parents, the hyper-focus on modesty leaves many of us feeling disconnected and ambivalent about our bodies.

It’s a brave and powerful way to reject the idea of modesty and remaining covered so as not to entice men. Not everyone can (or wants to) discard their religion entirely, and it’s exciting to see these women challenge the status quo.