WHAT PREPARED ME TO BECOME A WIFE AND A MOTHER
Lorinda
G. Belnap
November
21, 1998
INTRODUCTION
When Sister Green called me
and asked me if I would speak tonight it happened that my parents were in
town. When she gave me the topic both my
parents and I laughed because we equated "preparation for marriage and
motherhood" with domestic skills, of which I had very few prior to
marriage--I've developed a few since.
As I gave the topic more
thought, I came up with some very specific ideas of what did prepare me for
marriage and motherhood. I would like to
share with you three of them.
When I was in young women, I
think I was a beehive, my teacher had us write down what characteristics we
wanted in a future husband. I ran across
this list a few years ago but couldn't find it for tonights purposes. Fortunately, however, I do remember some of
those traits. My teacher then challenged
us to develop those same traits.
LEARNED TO WORK HARD
The work ethic was instilled
in me and my siblings from a young age.
I come from a family of 6 children and I was expected to do my assigned
chores. When I was 13 years old, my
father lost his job and was out of work for almost a year. When he did finally get a job he earned half
of what he had at his previous place of employment. At the time I had two
brothers on a mission. Obviously, our
financial situation changed what extras and necessities we got or didn't
get. I worked hard babysitting and
contributed a little bit to the family finances. By the time I was 16, I pretty much earned my
own way, except for food and shelter. I
didn't feel deprived in the least, but actually realized that through this
experience and through my labours I developed more skills and talents and my
capacity to work and balance various aspects of my life increased greatly. It reminds me of the parable of the talents
in Matthew 25:14-30. Concentrate on
verse
The saying "A Mother's
work is never done" is so true. I'm
glad that I learned to work hard at a young age, because it made adjusting to
motherhood a little easier.
RECEIVED AN EDUCATION
Expanded horizons and soul
Personally fulfilled myself
and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
Prepare myself to live in
todays world.
I wanted to marry someone who
had an education.
Able to teach my children the
love of learning
D&C 93:36 "The Glory
of God is Intelligence or in other words light and truth".
SERVED A MISSION
Solidified my testimony of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. and built the foundation for the rest of my
life. Referring back to the list, I
wanted to marry a returned missionary so I wanted to be a returned
missionary. I developed a clearer sense
of the purposes of this life. Hopefully,
Brent and I will be able to impart our testimonies effectively through the way
we conduct our every day lives, with our children and raise them as strong Latter-day Saints.
DEVELOPED A TESTIMONY OF GOD THE ETERNAL FATHER
AND JESUS CHRIST
Caroline's statement at
Rhinelander
surprise at parent's
reaction
supporting statement of
her
thought that it's never
too soon to learn of our divine nature.
They are my only constants in
life, when I exercise faith in them it gives me an incredible amount of strength
and wisdom in fulfilling my roles as mother and wife.
"When other helpers fail
and comforts flee, Oh thou who changest not abide with me."
CONCLUSION
While preparing myself for
the type of person I wanted to marry, I developed myself and multiplied my
talents, which are serving me very well now in my capacities as wife and
mother.
WHAT
PREPARED ME TO BECOME A WIFE AND A MOTHER
Lorinda
Goff Belnap
November
21, 1998
I.
INTRODUCTION
A. Reaction to Sister Green's request
1. equated "preparation for marriage
and motherhood with domestic skills.
B. Gave topic more thought
C. Came up with specific points
1. learned to work hard
2. received an education
3. served a mission
4. developed a testimony of God and Jesus Christ
D. Challenge as a beehive
1. write down traits that I would like in
husband
2. develop those traits in myself
II.
LEARNED TO WORK HARD
A. Work ethic instilled at young age
1. come from family of 6
2. assigned chores
B. Father lost job when I was 13
1.after
nearly a year of joblessness received job at half of original salary.
2.finances
changed, I contributed what I could
3.By age 16
pretty much earned my own way except for food and shelter.
a. didn't feel deprived
b.realized
that through the experience and my labors, I developed more skills and talents
and my ablility to balance various aspects of my life increased greatly.
C.Matthew
25:14-30 parable of the talents
D."A mother's work is never
done." Learning to work while I was
young made the transition to motherhood easier.
III.RECEIVED AN
EDUCATION
A.My parents expected hard work not only
physically but intellectually as well.
1. expected that we would pursue a higher
education
B.D&C 93:36 "The Glory of God is intelligence or in
other words light and truth."
C. Expanded my horizons and soul
D.
personally fulfilled myself and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
E. I
wanted to marry someone with an education
F.Able to teach my children the love of learning
and better prepare them to live in today's world.
IV.SERVED A MISSION
A.Wanted to marry a return missionary
B.Taught me on some level how to live with
a companion
C.Solidified testimony of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ
D.Developed a clearer sense of the purposes
of this life.
E.Hopefully, Brent and I will be able to
impart our testimonies effectively with our children and raise them as strong
Latter-day Saints. There is nothing more
important.
V.DEVELOPED A
TESTIMONY OF GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST
A.Caroline's statement at Rhinelander
1. Surprise at parent's statement
2. Supporting statement of her
3. It's never too soon to learn of our Divine
Nature
B.They are my only constants in life
1.Favorite Hymn "Abide with
Me."
a.When other helpers fail and
comforts flee, O thou who changest not abide with me.
C.Grateful that this testimony was
developed because when I exercise my faith in them I am given incredible
strength, energy and wisdom in fulfilling my role as wife and mother.
VI. CONCLUSION
A.While preparing myself for the type of
person I wanted to marry, I developed myself and multiplied my talents, which
are serving me very well now in my capacities as wife and mother.
B.Bear testimony.
