After teaching only five months in Relief Society in my new ward, I got fired.

I am a well-seasoned teacher too. I have taught RS, Gospel Doctrine, Sunday School, Primary for almost 30 years. They usually keep me in there for years.  I try to follow the promptings of the spirit as I teach.

I was surprised.  I had not a clue. I arrived at church one Sunday, and the bishop’s sec said they needed to talk to me. At the time, the bishop was walking by, and he said, “oh, we can do that later.” 
Two weeks went by, and then a call from the counselor–“can you meet with me Sunday?”  During those two weeks, I got a little concerned about why they were trying to meet with me. I sensed that maybe the RS Pres was concerned that I had used more than the manual–Gospel Principles–because I had received an email from one of her counselors giving me the information that I should read the intro to the manual, that she had forgotten to advise the new teachers. Hmmm.

Well, I did, and I asked her straight up if they were unhappy about my lesson.  She said that no, that was not the case. I even went so far as to ask her if she knew why the bishop needed to talk to me that I thought maybe there was a problem? She assured me it was not my teaching.  I ask my friend, who lives in the same area, but different ward, what’s up. She says, “Oh, you’re going to get fired.” Really?  She informs me that she has been fired. That’s the way they do it here. Someone complains to the bishop, and you get fired. Hmmm…I just so happen to visit teach the RS Pres. She is super sweet. When I go to visit her, I mention my concern as well, and she says, “oh, you’re a great teacher”  “and yes, we need to stick to the manual, but you can add information from church magazines and by your own spiritual experiences.”  

Hmmm. Ok, I think, well, I guess I was wrong in assuming that they were not happy with my teaching.

I go home. The next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month, my Sunday to teach. I have prepared, sticking just to the manual, no other information at all.  Before church, I get a call from the bishop’s counselor–can I meet before church? I show up to meet. I am not thinking I will be released; after all the president said this was not about my teaching. I sit down; maybe I am getting a second calling as well.  And he kindly releases me from my teaching position in RS. Thank you very much. We are calling you to be visiting teaching coordinator. Well, that is an area that will keep me quiet. I am kind, and I smile, accept graciously, and leave the room. I sit in sacrament meeting, get my release announced from the podium, stand up, and sit back down.

I am dumbfounded. Well, that is weird. My day to teach too. I have prepared to teach from the manual–all two pages. But I am released. I feel uncomfortable. Hmmm. Since I am released, maybe I should just go home. I feel like going home. But I have to go teach to a group of women, some who must have complained and wanted me fired. I suck it up, and I do my job. I smile. I txt my friend–“yea, I got fired.” I teach my lesson. I do the best I can. I go home.
I will not let this bother me.I will not be offended.

Oh well. Yesterday, Sunday, I went to church, but I came home early, missed that RS hour. I went home and prepared a dinner for the family. My married son and daughter-in-law came in, said they got in trouble for using a candle in Primary, his head hanging like he had done some awful thing. My other son and daughter-in-law came to dinner too. They got in trouble for not calling the right person for a substitute the two weeks before. They looked a little down too. My husband came in and said he got in trouble for suggesting ideas in his high priest quorum, where he is the committee leader for “perfecting the saints.” He wanted to do something about consecration, but the HP leader took over. They want to do square dancing.

But the Gospel is true.
And the Priesthood is real.
And didn’t Joseph Smith go through trials with some of his brethren?

Where did I go wrong? I think it was something I said about the temple and women having authority to bless other women in the temple ordinance. I guess some women were uncomfortable with that information and complained. And I was released.

December 7, 2010