14 Comments

Someone wrote a book recently about completing the requirements of that old Beehive manual.

Expand full comment

“Beehive Girl” by Mikayla Orton Thatcher

Expand full comment

Love this post-and love all the podcast episodes. They have really helped me feel part of a community of women with “nuanced” testimonies.

Expand full comment

so glad they're helping! thanks for the kind words!

Expand full comment

I’m 76. When I was going through MY mother’s boxes two years ago I came across RS lessons focused on Shakespeare! They also had a series of literature lessons called Out of the Best Books. Later I remember teaching Cultural Refinement lessons in RS in which we studied the cultures of other countries around the world. Those were coupled with Home and Family lessons that taught practical skills. We only had one “Spiritual Living” lesson a month. Those lessons are just some of the ways the church changed. I miss the church of my younger days.

Expand full comment

I remember "Out of the Best Books" in my grandmother's book case! I used to teach Cultural Refinement lessons in RS too. How I miss a women-specific curriculum of which spiritual lessons were just one facet.

Expand full comment

I was at the tail end of those types of relief society meetings as they quickly changed the year after I got married.😕

Expand full comment

"Never be satisfied with anything less than the truth nor change it to win the favor of others."

Now THAT is a motto I can get behind!!! What HAPPENED to this version of church?!? And how can we get it back (if we even can...)??? This is so different than, "Seek out only church-approved sources," and "Even if your conscience tells you otherwise, defer your judgement to The Brethren because their answers are the correct ones."

Expand full comment

It is so different, isn't it? It's the church I want to belong to! I have to keep reminding myself that IS this church, but...it's really hard to see the connection sometimes between what we are now and what we've been previously. —S.

Expand full comment

I can’t wait to show my daughter the pictures from this old beehive manual- especially the truth telling page. I want to earn my truth telling and seeking badges as well!! 🙌🏻 And this dessert looks amazing. I’m going to make it for my family gathering I’m having this evening at my house. ❤️

Expand full comment

I'm making it too! I'm pretty sure I just want to live in Cynthia's kitchen. —S.

Expand full comment

I would like to live there too 😂

Expand full comment

Right, that truth telling blew me away as well! As far as the shortcakes, I can’t even describe how much I love shortcakes. I made them again last night. I even,Ike them plain because of the sugary crunch.

Expand full comment

Making them the minute I'm done working...Thanks for sharing your culinary gifts with us all, Cynthia! —S.

Expand full comment