[Note: The following text was taken verbatim from the “M Men-Gleaner Manual, Love, Marriage, and You” used in 1956-1957. Previous entries in this series can be found here.]
Preparing for Children
This lesson is to be taught separately to M Men and Gleaners
JACK AND MARY “fell in love” during a period of two and a half years of dating and courtship. They wanted to marry and both wanted children. She was twenty-one and he was twenty-five. How could they get married and have a family and still allow Jack to finish his professional schooling? They talked about this problem many times for several hours and finally decided to discuss this situation with their bishop. He was very understanding and encouraged them to marry. He did point out, however, that he favored the Church teaching that one of the main purposes of marriage was the bearing and rearing of children and he encouraged them, even though there was schooling ahead” to prepare for a child. The couple took his guidance to heart, were married and went away to school. The wife obtained a job and worked for nearly a year. About that time she told her husband that he was going to become a father in another seven months. She continued her work for three months and then spent her full time and energies in preparing for the new arrival. The husband continued his school work and was extremely happy when a fine young son, weighing seven pounds and two ounces, made his appearance into their household. In fact, when he received his advanced professional degree in medicine, an informal dinner was held in his honor and on this occasion his wife was presented with a home-made diploma for “achievement in motherhood.” The boy brought joy and happiness to this couple and strengthened their family relationship.
1. Did this couple make the right decision? Why or why not?
2. Do children usually add or detract from happiness in the family?