BEHOLD THY HANDMAIDEN


The picture above is a page from my personal scrapbook and on that page is a little handbook. It's a companion to a workbook that is titled, "Behold Thy Handmaiden". The workbook contained pre-written goals and blanks spaces for personal goals. The Mormon church had the young women of that time work on such workbooks.
I made all kinds of goals that were put forth by the workbook and completed all the goals I was committed to. The workbook was then given to my adviser (teacher) and she in turn gave it to my bishop. After he went over it, he gave it to my stake president. I needed all three signatures after each goal. I don't remember how many goals, but I remember it took a long time to complete all the goals in the workbook.
In a sacrament meeting I was awarded a necklace in 14ct gold that was to show everyone that I completed those goals, plus whatever else I had to do, in the workbook. I can't remember right now what the "whatever else" might be. I was the first girl in my stake to receive such an award. If you ever went through what I did to get this necklace, you know how hard it was to get it. It takes a lot of sweat and work to get it. I don't have the necklace any more. My life was centered around this little book back then.
All I can say now is that I learned real well to do what I was told to do and this program, "Behold Thy Handmaiden", was one of the tools that taught me. The Mormon church uses many programs to get the children to conform to its teachings.
"Behold Thy Handmaiden" is one.

3 comments:

Helen Ann Hulse July 21, 2009 at 3:55 PM  

My heart goes out to you already (tears) thanks for sharing.

quietandsmiling February 1, 2010 at 11:50 AM  

I too remember working in this book although it was then changed to Personal progress book. I also worked for the necklace and now see this an one more tool they used to keep me enchanted...

handmaiden February 1, 2010 at 8:28 PM  

I worked so hard to get that necklace. I wish I still had it.

About Me

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Michigan, United States
I spent a lot of time deciding if I should write this blog or not. I'm not a great writer and I'm not going to pretend to be. I need to share what I have learned and I might not make some people happy with what I am saying. This blog is a way for me to release the thoughts and feelings that come with knowing I grew up in the wrong religion. A healing process if you will.

How To Read This Blog

Please start with the month of February 2007 and read backwards. This is the most effective way to understand, in order, why I say what I do.

Handmaidens Creed

1.I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as one God without beginning or end.
2.I believe the Bible to be the Holy Inspired word of God with full truth and righteousness. No other writing is.
3.I believe that the work of the Lord comes first. Before any temporal thing or person.
4.I believe that grace is a gift and Christ gives that gift freely to all who believe.
5.I believe that the beauty of a woman is contained inside of her and not by what she looks like on the outside.
6.I believe that marriage is sacred and represents the Godhead on earth; two are one just as three are one.
7.I believe that love is more powerful than any other power. Remember, God is love.
8.I believe that tithing is not a part of God's new covenant, free will offerings are. And that doesn't mean just money.
9.I believe that the Aaronic, Levitical, and Melchizedek priesthoods are abolished and Christs Holy Priesthood whom Christ is the "Great High Priest" is eternal.
10.I believe that every believer is a priest in the "Priesthood of Believers".
11.I believe that when two are one, nobody is to separate the one.
12.I believe that Christ is the only way to heaven.
13.I believe that our bodies are temples, not man made buildings.
14.I believe that liars make fools out of others and the liar hates the fool.
15.I believe that all believers are in authority to preach the gospel.
16.I believe that the word 'organization' to describe Christs body is evil and has no place with God.
17.I believe the Americas are not the land of Zion and Christ will return to His origonal land-Israel in the Middle East.
18.I believe that God has set out correct ways of worshiping Him, not man.
19.I believe in holding to the truths of the Bible and not mans understanding of it.
20.I believe that the world is full of evil and Satan can easily gain control over the minds of those who do not profess Christ of the Bible to be their only Messiah.
21.I believe that Saints are those who know the real Savior, Jesus Christ, of whom the Bible speaks of; not the jesus of a cult.