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.