Posted by:
exminion
(
)
Date: March 20, 2019 04:47PM
My TBM husband unexpectedly abandoned me and our children, and disappeared completely, with no contact for several years, and never paid us any money. I had to get a job--fast--and one that paid well. My wonderful kids were too young for regular jobs, but they landed two paper routes, in our neighborhood, and they delivered by bicycle. They had to deliver the Sunday paper, as well. The priesthood leaders told them to quit their paper routes, because it was a sin to work on Sunday. My children were maligned, instead of admired for their hard work. They always had jobs, and kids' after-school jobs usually included the weekends, and holidays, too. I think this played a part in keeping them from being engulfed by the cult. They had work friends and school friends, but fewer church friends, because of this. They had a sense of accomplishment and independence and--self-respect--which the Mormons frown upon as "pride.".
My career often demanded Sunday work, but I could make my own schedule, so I still attended church. I actually felt ashamed "sneaking" off to work on Sundays--and my career was perfectly respectable! We prevailed over a major life setback, and saved our family and our house--yet we were marginalized for doing this?
During tithing settlement, the bishop lectured me on how mothers should not work, anyway, and working on Sunday is considered a sin, bla-bla, and I said, "So...does that mean you won't accept my tithing?"