Meridian Magazine - Sisters, Can You Afford to Keep Working? - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Views
Interesting article. If one is just talking dollars, it doesn't pay to work if your husband makes more than $150,000 per year (not a bad goal for guys to strive for). Also, it doesn't pay for wives to work unless you are making at least $50,000 per year if you add in all of the added expenses for doing so (not a bad goal for gals to strive for). One factor that I think the author intentionally left out was the personal/other enrichment and contributions to society one would achieve if working at a significant job. In my opinion, that significant job would have to far outweigh the significance of the incalculable influence of a mother at home. I also believe that the choice to work or not outside the home is a personal choice that only women (with the inspired counsel of her husband) can make with the confirmation of the spirit. In doing so, the purposes of the Lord will be accomplished and the choice will be a blessing to the family and others. Your thoughts?
I agree that there is an elevated happiness when one is able to influence the world for good. Don't get the wrong, being a mother is so essential for salvation and so rewarding, but I say that if you're in a position to contribute to the betterment of society through an occupation or job, I'd take it. Plus, you get to be enriched and learn from your associations with others. I know for me, a lot of the lessons I learn come from talking it out with other people, receiving new insight from others' experiences, and seeing other peoples' examples. I am uplifted and enlightened by their stories, and I enjoy being able to be edified with them. Of course, we can learn so much from our children as well, and this is a huge blessing. But I say the more opportunity you have to associate with other children of God, the more you can learn. [D&C 130:19-20].
ReplyDeleteAll in all, I say money doesn't really matter. If your husband's making enough, excellent. If you work more for experience and learning and less for money, you'll find you're satisfied on a higher plane. The more knowledge and intelligence gained through experience, the better.
I heard a great quote at the Patriotic Concert this past weekend. It was used in context of Congresswoman Judy Chu who gives so much to the community. Paraphrasing, "With what you take you make a living, with what you give makes a life."
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