| Summary: | <p> The research question in this thesis asks: Can the archetype of the crone be deliberately utilized as a means to individuation in a woman’s life after leaving Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)? Employing both a hermeneutical and heuristic methodology, the investigation encompasses the archetype of the crone, her history, and her appearance in myth, metaphor, and stories as well as the crone’s reemergence in modern culture. Patriarchy within the Church, gender roles defined by Mormon leadership, and gender inequality within the Church structure are reported. The use of fear, guilt, and shame by Mormon leadership to gain control over members of the Church is scrutinized. The author’s personal story as a child of Mormonism, her life within the religion, her marriage and motherhood, her eventual exit from the Mormon Church, and her use of the crone to empower herself to develop an identity post-Mormonism are presented.</p><p>
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