that our temple will be ready in just six months. We thank you for your patience. This is a grand endeavor, and one that has had several . . . setbacks. But we’re on track and our team will complete the project very soon.”
“Excellent.” The Prophet retrieved the microphone from Rodney, who left the podium. “This morning, I want to talk about loyalty. We all must strive to be at our most loyal. Loyal to our Prophet, to our faith, and to our community.”
I shifted in my seat as the Prophet scanned the congregation, his gaze landing meaningfully on me.
“Being loyal to your family is not enough. No, you need to strive to put Heavenly Father first, and thus you must trust in the Prophet, for I am the only one to deliver your salvation. Remember that, my children.”
Jeremiah yanked on my sleeve. “Hungwy, Mama.”
I closed my eyes, sighed, and retrieved a sleeve of crackers from my pocket. This child was always hungry. Since he’d turned two years old, I’d made a habit of bringing snacks for him during services. When I didn’t, it was harder to control my spirited boy. Thank goodness my daughters were poised, sitting quietly and attentively.
“Shhh,” I said, passing him the crackers one by one.
Jeremiah munched as the rest of us listened to the Prophet continue with his sermon on loyalty. I was absolutely certain that I had been the inspiration behind this particular topic. Just months ago, the idea of a sermon having been written as an homage to myself for my devotion to the church would have pleased me immensely. But this was nothing to be proud of, nothing to celebrate or revel in. He was sending me a message. A strong one.
“Now, our next topic is blessings. As you all know, Heavenly Father has blessed me with thirty-seven wives. Thirty-seven loyal, selfless, and caring women. I honor and treasure them each and every day. Heavenly Father has been revealing unions to me in the past few months. Congratulations once again to Jordan Black and his new wife, Bethany.”
The congregation offered a round of applause. I turned to see Jordan and Bethany holding hands but looking uncomfortable at the attention.
“It’s been a while since our Lord has given me a blessing, however. And so I prayed, and I asked him again and again, ‘Lord, how can I better serve you? What can I do?’ And last night, Heavenly Father answered my prayers. Let us thank him for his grace.”
“Thank you, Heavenly Father,” the congregation said in unison, but I said nothing.
Again, the Prophet’s eyes found mine. He raised one silver eyebrow and smiled wickedly, tipping his head toward me.
Oh no.
“The Lord revealed that I am to have a new wife. Ruthie, the daughter of Aspen and Paul Black, is not old enough to marry yet, this is true. But Heavenly Father was clear in his revelation. Ruthie, will you join me up front, dear child?”
The air whooshed from my lungs, collapsing my chest, and the temple spun. I couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe. How could this be happening? How could he do this?
No. No. No. No. No. She’s just a baby!
My arm shot across Susan’s chest to grasp Ruthie’s elbow. I squeezed.
You can’t take my baby!
“Mama?” Ruthie whispered loudly, rising from her seat. “What are you doing ?”
“ Sit down ,” I hissed sat her through clenched teeth.
“Mama, no,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Let go of me.”
“Aspen, stop,” Paul scolded, his voice low so only those around us could hear. His eyes were cold, stern, and unwavering.
I was embarrassing him, embarrassing the entire family. And it wasn’t the first time I had done so. That reality crashed into me and I loosened the grip on my daughter, forcing an obligatory half smile as Ruthie jumped to her feet and ran to join the Prophet in front of the congregation.
Flora led the rest of our community in a round of applause and I glared at her, furious. I wanted to scream at her, at all of them. How could they approve of such
“Excellent.” The Prophet retrieved the microphone from Rodney, who left the podium. “This morning, I want to talk about loyalty. We all must strive to be at our most loyal. Loyal to our Prophet, to our faith, and to our community.”
I shifted in my seat as the Prophet scanned the congregation, his gaze landing meaningfully on me.
“Being loyal to your family is not enough. No, you need to strive to put Heavenly Father first, and thus you must trust in the Prophet, for I am the only one to deliver your salvation. Remember that, my children.”
Jeremiah yanked on my sleeve. “Hungwy, Mama.”
I closed my eyes, sighed, and retrieved a sleeve of crackers from my pocket. This child was always hungry. Since he’d turned two years old, I’d made a habit of bringing snacks for him during services. When I didn’t, it was harder to control my spirited boy. Thank goodness my daughters were poised, sitting quietly and attentively.
“Shhh,” I said, passing him the crackers one by one.
Jeremiah munched as the rest of us listened to the Prophet continue with his sermon on loyalty. I was absolutely certain that I had been the inspiration behind this particular topic. Just months ago, the idea of a sermon having been written as an homage to myself for my devotion to the church would have pleased me immensely. But this was nothing to be proud of, nothing to celebrate or revel in. He was sending me a message. A strong one.
“Now, our next topic is blessings. As you all know, Heavenly Father has blessed me with thirty-seven wives. Thirty-seven loyal, selfless, and caring women. I honor and treasure them each and every day. Heavenly Father has been revealing unions to me in the past few months. Congratulations once again to Jordan Black and his new wife, Bethany.”
The congregation offered a round of applause. I turned to see Jordan and Bethany holding hands but looking uncomfortable at the attention.
“It’s been a while since our Lord has given me a blessing, however. And so I prayed, and I asked him again and again, ‘Lord, how can I better serve you? What can I do?’ And last night, Heavenly Father answered my prayers. Let us thank him for his grace.”
“Thank you, Heavenly Father,” the congregation said in unison, but I said nothing.
Again, the Prophet’s eyes found mine. He raised one silver eyebrow and smiled wickedly, tipping his head toward me.
Oh no.
“The Lord revealed that I am to have a new wife. Ruthie, the daughter of Aspen and Paul Black, is not old enough to marry yet, this is true. But Heavenly Father was clear in his revelation. Ruthie, will you join me up front, dear child?”
The air whooshed from my lungs, collapsing my chest, and the temple spun. I couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe. How could this be happening? How could he do this?
No. No. No. No. No. She’s just a baby!
My arm shot across Susan’s chest to grasp Ruthie’s elbow. I squeezed.
You can’t take my baby!
“Mama?” Ruthie whispered loudly, rising from her seat. “What are you doing ?”
“ Sit down ,” I hissed sat her through clenched teeth.
“Mama, no,” she whispered, shaking her head. “Let go of me.”
“Aspen, stop,” Paul scolded, his voice low so only those around us could hear. His eyes were cold, stern, and unwavering.
I was embarrassing him, embarrassing the entire family. And it wasn’t the first time I had done so. That reality crashed into me and I loosened the grip on my daughter, forcing an obligatory half smile as Ruthie jumped to her feet and ran to join the Prophet in front of the congregation.
Flora led the rest of our community in a round of applause and I glared at her, furious. I wanted to scream at her, at all of them. How could they approve of such
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