Lynda Rieder's hope chest that once belonged to her grandmother
The theme for the February Young Women's New Beginnings program was "Hope Chest." Prominently featured in the room where the young women and their parents were gathered for this special activity was a beautiful antique hope chest that once belonged to the grandmother of the Young Women's president, Sister Lynda Rieder.
First called "Glory Boxes," the origin of the hope chest dates historically back to large decorated and showy chests associated with dynastic (wealthy) marriages in 15th century Italy. Dutch (kast) or German (schrank) chests were tall wardrobe-like chests with double doors that were larger than most hope chests intended for regular service in the home after marriage. In America the peak of the hope chest as folk art came with the waves of European immigrants to this country.
Using her own needlework skills to construct a trousseau and stock her glory box was for the working girl the equivalent of planning and saving for marriage on the part of a provident and ambitious young man. The collection of a trousseau was a common coming-of-age rite until the 1950s. The contents of a hope chest included items such as clothing, table linens, towels, bed linens, quilts, silverware, and occasionally dishware.
During the New Beginning's program, each young woman came forward and showed the group something that had previously been given to her that she now cherishes because it has special meaning to her. Among those special gifts were a ring from a beloved grandmother, a special necklace from grandparents, a beautiful dress, great-grandparents wedding certificate, and a grandparent's chess set.
Afterwards, the girl's parents came forward one at a time, went to the hope chest, and removed a special item to be presented to their daughters. Some of the treasures given to these young women included a multi-generational family picture, a video expressing the parents' unconditional love, a folder for a future temple recommend, and a 3-dimensional picture of the daughter in the future being married in the temple.
First called "Glory Boxes," the origin of the hope chest dates historically back to large decorated and showy chests associated with dynastic (wealthy) marriages in 15th century Italy. Dutch (kast) or German (schrank) chests were tall wardrobe-like chests with double doors that were larger than most hope chests intended for regular service in the home after marriage. In America the peak of the hope chest as folk art came with the waves of European immigrants to this country.
Using her own needlework skills to construct a trousseau and stock her glory box was for the working girl the equivalent of planning and saving for marriage on the part of a provident and ambitious young man. The collection of a trousseau was a common coming-of-age rite until the 1950s. The contents of a hope chest included items such as clothing, table linens, towels, bed linens, quilts, silverware, and occasionally dishware.
During the New Beginning's program, each young woman came forward and showed the group something that had previously been given to her that she now cherishes because it has special meaning to her. Among those special gifts were a ring from a beloved grandmother, a special necklace from grandparents, a beautiful dress, great-grandparents wedding certificate, and a grandparent's chess set.
Afterwards, the girl's parents came forward one at a time, went to the hope chest, and removed a special item to be presented to their daughters. Some of the treasures given to these young women included a multi-generational family picture, a video expressing the parents' unconditional love, a folder for a future temple recommend, and a 3-dimensional picture of the daughter in the future being married in the temple.
Faith is the very first thing you should pack in a hope chest
- Sarah Ban Breathnach
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