Posted by:
Utahnomo
(
)
Date: September 29, 2010 10:53AM
I need to start by setting this up. My mom lives with me and my wife because she is 75 and just can't afford to be alone. My dad passed away about two years ago so she really isn't accustomed to living alone and needs to be with people. It is a joy having her around anyway so it works out great.
So last night the home teachers came to see her. They are old farts, typical of those you find here in wonderful Happy Valley. I disappear when they come because I want nothing to do with them but mom enjoys having them come. Well, last night the old fart who came started off drilling her on why she doesn't go to church every single week and why she isn't working in the temple. She got pissed off and told him to mind his own business and followed up with telling her visiting teachers, who also came last night, that she will not allow him to come ever again.
So as we were talking about it I said something derogatory about the church, because I can't seem to say anything nice about that damn organization ever. She told me that she believes and nothing I will ever say will change her mind. I realized at that moment that she really "needs" to believe.
See, she really loved my dad and since he is gone she has missed him so badly. The only thing that keeps her sane is the belief that he is waiting for her and that they will be together. If I take the church away from her I will be in effect taking my dad away from her and I just don't think she could handle that emotionally.
So, in my opinion I accomplish nothing by convincing her the church is a fraud and in fact I feel I would do more harm than good. I will let my little mom believe all she wants and let her find out the truth on the other side when her time comes. Sometimes it is really hard when she starts talking about the church but I have to give her credit, she pretty much leaves me alone about it, and that is saying something for her because she is an Italian and she has this control issue where she thinks she has to control everything I do, and I am 53. If you have ever seen "Everybody Loves Raymond" my mom is Marie in just about every way :o)