Meet Thee Mormons #1

Hello! Thank you for joining me for the inaugural edition of Meet Thee Mormons.
This comic will be showcasing some of the problematic cultural issues that don't get talked about in the Mormon church. This is not meant to be an attack on the church or individual people, but is an attempt to use humor to get people thinking about how their actions and words effect those around them.

Issue #1 is based on a true story. When I was 20-ish, my brother got married to a wonderful woman he met at church. I flew from Utah to Washington DC to be with my family in this great time. At the time I was married (to a not-so-wonderful man) and was sporadically active in church. I was having doubts in the gospel but thought that I still believed in the core doctrine and in god. My biggest issue was being able to afford tithing (for those unfamiliar, you are required to "donate" 10% of your income to be considered a member "in good standing" in the Mormon church.) I was barely making enough money to cover my bills and paying 10% of my income to the church would've left me either homeless or hungry. Because I couldn't afford to pay, I was not a member in good standing and could not get what is called a "temple recommend." This recommend is what you need to be granted access to the temple where Mormon weddings (called sealings) take place.
Mormon couples do have the option of having a civil ceremony but they are discouraged from doing so as they will have to wait a full year before being allowed to go to the temple to be "sealed for time and all eternity."

As my brother and his new bride were inside the temple getting married surrounded by my family and hers, I was sitting alone in the temple parking lot waiting for the ceremony to end so I could join for the family pictures. This was one of the worst moments of my life.

I broke down crying more than a few times, which my family chalked up to me realizing that I miss the blessing that the church provides and wanting to do better to receive those. In reality my shelf was beginning to crack in regards to the church. I was starting to realize that all those times I had heard "its all about family!" and "Family: Isn't it about.......time?" I was really being fed empty cliches. Many underage or "unworthy" Mormons (or family members who aren't members) are excluded when it comes to the weddings of their loved ones. They often have to stay home, or end up babysitting the children of those who are allowed to be a part of the special experience.

One of the attributes members like to brag about the church is the family values it encourages, and how family always comes first, but what they fail to mention is that only really counts if the entire family is towing the line and paying their dues.

Thank you for checking out my comic! Be sure to check back next week to find out all about obedience and personal revelation.

Much love,
ECOG
(The Emancipated Child of God)