What can I tell my friend?

I suggested that she talk with the Stake President, but she is convinced that he will stand with the bishop. She is afraid that if she was to push the issue, she could be excommunitcated. I told her that this isn’t possible, but she is convinced that she has committed a great sin. She is seriously contemplating quitting her job so she can start to repent. She has been brought up to believe that anything the church leaders say is inspired. She really feels she is in the wrong. I don’t know what else I can say to her to make her see that she is not sinning. It hurts me to see the despair she is feeling.

I’m so sorry he did that! My DH used to work as a nurse some Sundays and was in the military so he had drill on weekends. Our bishop (at the time) assured DH that it was not a sin and that some people do need to work on Sunday.

Police officers

Fire & Rescue

Hospital and nursing home staff

The people who worked last weekend to make sure General Conference was broadcast to the world.

The GA’s regularly fly on Sunday. By doing so they make use of the entire airline industry working on Sunday.

Probably Public Works-do our lights and water just work by magic on Sunday? I dunno.

All the soldiers who are far from home.

I am so very sorry that she is hurt and feeling bad now. She really should seek counsel from the Stake Pres. He may have a more understanding view.

Here’s what I believe about working on Sunday – It is not a sin. If it were, the church would not accept tithing from money earned on the Sabbath. Any bishop who claims differently is incorrect in my view.

Also, many other folks have to work on Sunday:

Dairy farmers have to milk their cows. If you drink milk, at least some of it was produced on the Sabbath. So…you are causing someone to work on Sunday.

Missionaries in the MTC like to eat on Sunday, and people get paid to prepare it.

Crops need water – even on the Sabbath.

Turning on your furnace and/or a.c. means somebody somewhere is working in a power plant.

Myriad other professions require Sunday work, and if people are too self-righteous to see it then they are living in la la land!

Rather than bishops and stake presidents criticizing people for working on the Sabbath, perhaps they should instead count their blessings that they don’t have to do so themselves.

This whole situation is wrong. As long as working on Sundays is the only issue, that shouldn’t be an issue. There are many faithful, TR holding members of the Church that have to make these sacrifices, especially in today’s tough job market. A brother in my ward is rarely there on Sundays because he is a police SWAT medic. He has a TR, teaches seminary and does whatever else he can … but he just isn’t there on Sundays most of the time. He has to support his family.

The same situation exists in military wards. I was in the Army for a few years, and it was not uncommon to be deployed on a training exercise or have to be on duty on Sundays. It’s just the reality of life.

I think there is more counseling and conversation that bishops are usually willing to do besides just signing or revoking a recommend. It almost sounds to me that there are more reasons the bishop acted that way than simply she has to work on Sunday. I’d be shocked if there wasn’t more to it than that.

I would suggest to your friend try to schedule another appointment to ask the bishop the help her better understand the principle he is trying to teach her, because there are many people that have to work but are not unworthy to hold recommends. What else is there the bishop wants her to do so that she can keep her recommend and not be denied the blessings of the temple? If the bishop can’t explain it any further, than the Relief Society President could be a resource to help understand the situation.

A humble, honest approach to understanding the bishop’s actions might go a long way. Most bishops want to help people get to the temple, not restrict it unless they feel they have to. That has been my experience.

Whatever the outcome, for you and your friend, just try to remember the church is run by mortals and therefore is imperfect and your testimony can’t hinge on the actions of the members or the leaders. It can grow out of something more profound and something deeper. I also think you can still have a good relationship with God, whether you have a temple recommend or not.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Bishops aren’t perfect. They sometimes have lapses in judgment. No need to overreact. No need to become offended yet. I would see if the situation could be mended with patience for all involved.

Good advice, Poppyseed. The Bishops will usually be the first ones to admit they’re not perfect. I wonder if you approach the situation with “What would God want me to do?” instead of worrying about if the bishop is right or wrong if that would help the situation. I respect the bishop as an agent or judge with authority, but I am interested in what God wants me to do, not what I need to do to please the bishop or anyone else. And so how I treat the bishop is an important part of how I think God judges me, and how I act even when I totally disagree with the bishop is an important lesson for me to learn.

In other words, I don’t put the bishop between God and my relationship, but think at times he can help direct me closer to God when I need spiritual guidance…like a coach more so than a gate keeper.