M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Living with Infertility
By Kathryn H. Kidd
Our new topic comes from a reader who faces a problem that is all too common in the Latter-day Saint community. I'll let you hear her situation in her own words:
I've been an avid reader of Circle of Sisters for a long time. I enjoy the column and I've learned many wonderful things by reading it. I do have an idea for a topic that I have not seen discussed. The topic is
infertility.
We live in a church that focuses so much on family, yet there are many of us suffering. Many of us are unable to have children or only able to have one and to go on without having any more. Having had
to deal with this myself, I'll admit that it's frustrating being judged by my fellow church members. I have been called selfish and faithless. I have been shunned and not invited to baby showers for fear that I
would be offended.
I know that I am not alone, yet there are so many — including ward leaders — who do not know how to deal with this topic.
Infertility has affected many aspects of my life — mainly relationships that I have with my husband and family members. It has affected the relationship I have with Heavenly Father. Many of us suffer in silence because infertility is not something we talk about much in the Church. I hope that we can have a worthwhile conversation about this topic and that those who do not deal with this problem will gain new insight and perspective.
A reader in Colorado
Thanks for writing, Colorado. This topic is dear to my heart, because this is a situation I have faced in my own life. I've already weighed in on the subject, with a Meridian article I wrote a couple of years ago. That article actually generated a few pieces of hate mail from people who were in similar situations and believed I had no right to be happy. Fortunately, most of the people who responded were not so bitter.
But even though I've come to terms with childlessness, there are many people who are still on the journey. Many of them are making different choices from mine, and are in different frames of mind. We want to hear from all of you — those who are childless and content, those who are childless and bereft, and those who are anywhere in between. If you have advice or words of comfort for Colorado Reader, or if you want to share your own story, we want to hear from you.
Send your email to circleofsisters@meridianmagazine.com. Put something in the subject line that will let me know your letter isn't spam. And when you write, be sure to include your full name, city and state or province. (If you'd rather be semi-anonymous, sign your name as “A Reader from Michigan” or “Sandy from Timbuktu.” The important thing is that we hear from you.)
Until next week — Kathy
“No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus.
His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”
Albert Einstein
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