Episode 235: Is it Too Expensive to be a Latter-day Saint? | A Conversation with Natalie Brown
“In all my angst about if I would marry and if I would have children and if I would have a career, I did not fully consider how the ideals in this proclamation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reflected a certain moment in white, middle-class America’s economic history,” writes Natalie Brown. Most Latter-day Saints have absorbed a lifetime of talks and lessons centered around an “ideal” family model in which a father goes to work and a mother stays at home with the children. This arrangement is no longer economically possible for many American families, and the disconnect between Church teachings and members’ lived experience can have many consequences. In Episode 235, Susan and Cynthia are joined by Natalie to explore the collision of realities that have changed with teachings that haven’t. How might our church adapt to better serve members caught in the middle?
Notes & Quotes:
ALSSI Ep. 211, Who’s the Decider? | A Conversation with Natalie Brown
Looking beyond the LDS family proclamation, to the real pressures parents face, by Natalie Brown, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1/22/2023
Practical Ways the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Might Better Support Parents, by Natalie Brown, By Common Consent blog, 6/7/2023
How the housing market is yanking the ‘American dream’ increasingly out of reach, by Katie McKellar, Deseret News, 6/10/2022
Conference reports of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints archive
ALSSI Ep. 9, As a Cook, I was a Piano Teacher
ALSSI Ep. 155, To the Children of the Mothers in Zion | A Conversation with Susie Augenstein
“I worry that we have been so busy defining families that we have forgotten what they need.” —Natalie Brown
"Furthermore, I want to say to you, we may not be able to reach it right away, but we expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord, because we will have tithes sufficient in the storehouse of the Lord to pay everything that is needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God. I want to live to see that day, if the Lord will spare my life. It does not make any difference, though, so far as that is concerned, whether I live or not. That is the true policy, the true purpose of the Lord in the management of the affairs of His Church." —Joseph F. Smith
Yes, both financially and time-wise. I just saw an analogy that explained that a million seconds is 11 days, and a billion seconds is 32 years. When we translate that to dollars and contemplate the enormous wealth of a church with close to $300 billion, it makes one wonder why on earth anyone would continue to use their charitiable donations to support it?
You certainly punched all my hot buttons... preparing young women for careers, acknowledging and accepting dual wage earners, tithing, the wealth of the church, and childcare. I'm proud that my wife insisted going back to school in the late 90's and 00's for her Masters and PhD while our four daughters were in school. Our oldest daughter received her Masters the same day my wife got her Doctorate. My wife has put her lifetime of study and work into preparing children for kindergarten in a curriculum based and socially enriched preschool experience.. She teaches others at all levels how to effectively teach children. I have three wishes for the Church. Stop tithing as a temple recommend requirement and make it voluntary as charitable contribution. Missionary expenses should not be a family or local ward burden. Provide funding for preschool/childcare programs as part of their charitable and welfare contributions. Expand Employment Services to hire professionals to work with members on training, finding employment, and recruiting. Add specialized training for high school age children (boys AND girls) and parents on preparing for adulthood. I've been a ward and a stake employment specialist and remember well the need for more trained assistance. I understand that Senior Church Service Missionaries also fill this role. That's great. But the importance of continuity would benefit from additional trained professionals.