I lived in Gallup, NM for 3 years with my 93 year old mom. My mom is a Mormon and wanted to attend church. Mom uses a walker to ambulate. The first time attending the church on Susan drive, my mom asked where will the second service be? I do not know, but I will ask. When I asked the people from church, they walked on by. Then I asked different church people where are the restrooms, because my mom needs to use the ladies room. Again, the church people walked on by. Finally, mom and I found a restroom. I placed my mom’s walker in front of the bathroom stall, and this placement will be handy for mom. A female church goer came by and informed me that my mom’s walker is always in her way. My first response was - how can it always be in your way when this is our first time at this church? Again no response. Approximately 5 minutes later another female church goer came into the ladies room and stated my mom’s walker was always in the way. Now , my response was -why do you say things like that when this is the first time attending this church? Again , no response. When mom was finished, she stated it is too late to go into another meeting (service) let’s go. While going down the long corridor several men were in the foyer talking and never acknowledged us. As mom and I continued down the corridor, I see a handicapped bathroom for women and men. I informed mom to continue walking down this corridor to the car and I will be back soon. I went back to the men in the foyer , and told them how rude the two ladies were in the bathroom, and instead of being mean ladies they could have informed us about the handicapped bathrooms. The men listened then went back to their own conversations.
The second time, I took mom to church was for a Christmas church social. We entered and I asked if there were certain tables we were suppose to set at. Again no response. When the dinner was served mom and I were at table to serve eight people. People from the other tables were taking the food off our table. Approximately 10 minutes later two female missionaries came and sat at the table with us. These two missionaries did not acknowledge us, until I used American Sign Language (ASL). The missionaries asked me to stop signing, because it is dangerous. I informed the missionaries that my mom cannot hear, because it is loud. My mom and I sign so we can communicate. The missionaries asked us if we were new to the church. I told the missionaries that we have lived in Gallup for approximately 3 weeks. The missionaries asked us if we knew anyone from the church? I said no, because each time I ask questions no one will reply. The one female missionary stood up and said I will help you and you will get to know people. The missionary looked around the room then sat down and said, “ no you will not fit in here, because you have no children”.
The third and last time mom and I went to church, the female missionaries recognized us and started taking us to another classroom for the 2nd of 3 meetings. In route to the classroom the missionaries were talking to a tall lady. This tall lady was 6 foot 4 inches tall maybe taller. The missionaries asked the tall lady to take us to the classroom. This tall lady asked us if we were new, and I said we lived here in Gallup for approximately a month. When we arrived at the door of the classroom, the tall lady closed the door on us. Do not enter until she comes back. Mom and I are puzzled, especially mom. Mom said this has never happened before. When the tall lady arrived back at the door, she stated we were not allowed in the classroom until the Mormon missionaries give us lessons. I informed this tall lady that my mom has been a member of the church longer than the tall lady has been alive. The tall lady said ok then opened the door. She said , we need to sit at the back of the classroom. My reply was - how can my short mom see and hear the lesson? Mom is short and hard of hearing. While we were going to the front of the classroom, the teacher was asking different people who he (the teacher) did not recognize , if they visiting for the Christmas holiday and what family were they related to. When mom and I sat down , the teacher looked at us and said we have had enough visitors for one day. I stood up and said and signed( ASL) How rude can this church be? The teacher ignored me and continued with the lesson. At the end of the class, mom stated she was cold and hungry let’s go eat. We have never entered a Mormon church. Mom is deceased and God will tell her we were treated rudely. I will not enter another Mormon church.
