Mother's Day

There are so many things we love about living in England. We could write out quite a list if we sat down and tried. One thing that would make my list is that I get two Mother's Days. I get the British Mother's Day in March and the American's Mother's Day in May. Not too shabby.

Mother's Day has not always been a special day for me. There was definitely a few years in the past when I avoided and dismissed Mother's Day as something not relevant in my life...I didn't understand what Mother's Day was all about.

I used to think that Mother's day was about telling your mom you loved her. I thought it was about getting flowers and chocolate and if you were really lucky, breakfast in bed. Truth be told, if this was the real definition of Mother's day then everyday feels like Mother's Day to me. No I don't get flowers and breakfast in bed everyday but I do feel loved, valued, and appreciated everyday. And everyday I experience joy as I fulfill my role as mother in my home.

These things are definitely a major part of Mother's Day but more importantly I believe Mother's Day is about recognizing each woman and girl, regardless of her age or status of biological children, as an important daughter of God central to His plan as nurturers in His kingdom. Without women and their divine gifts of motherhood the world and human race as we know it would be utterly wasted.

Now I'm not suggesting the world survives because of women alone, men definitely have their roles and importance, but Mother's day isn't about the men, it is about women. The fellas have to wait until June to get their special day of celebration. With that being said, I would like to share a talk I was asked to give in church on Mothering Sunday this past March. And I would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the ladies.

Mothering Sunday Talk / March 2014

At one point or another in our lives I am sure we've all been asked the question, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” From a very young age I knew I wanted to be a mother, and not just a mother of one but of many children. As I grew into my teenage years and especially as I entered University I began to feel pressure from my peers and mentors in regard to my future plans. 

Did I need to find an area of focus and learn a trade to one day support myself? Yes. Did that change my desire to be a stay at home mom? No. More than anything I knew when the time came I wanted and needed to be in the home raising my own children. As ironic as it sounds, I was frequently encouraged to consider a more challenging career. 

The most pressure and disapproval I ever received was from one of my favorite University instructors. It was after class when my teacher approached me and asked the ever looming question. She said she saw so much potential in me and that it would be such a waste to throw my hard earned education away to stay home minding children. I know I disappointed her that day and that in her mind I was an underachiever. 

The world around us will try to demean and demoralize the sacred role of motherhood, especially when a woman chooses to serve God and fulfill her endowed purpose within the walls of her own home. President Ezra Taft Benson warned us, quote:

“There are voices in our midst which would attempt to convince you that these home-centered truths are not applicable to our present-day conditions. If you listen and heed, you will be lured away from your principal obligations.

Beguiling voices in the world cry out for ‘alternative life-styles’ for women. They maintain that some women are better suited for careers than for marriage and motherhood.

These individuals spread their discontent by the propaganda that there are more exciting and self-fulfilling roles for women than homemaking. Some even have been bold to suggest that the Church move away from the ‘Mormon woman stereotype’ of homemaking and rearing children. They also say it is wise to limit your family so you can have more time for personal goals and self-fulfillment.”

The world will try to pull us away and entice us from our sacred work and role of wife and mother but as women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we know there is no greater call than that of mother. 

Righteous mothers hold in their hands the destiny of nations. Through their nurturing they bring compassion and civility to society that only a righteous mother can accomplish. There is no greater need for righteous mothers than now; when "Satan rages in the hearts of man" and the sanctity of the family is under attack. It is little wonder that Heavenly Father reserved his most valiant mothers for this day.

Sister Sheri Dew, who served as the second counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency said it this way, quote: 

“As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the premortal world...our Father described our role, He bless[ed] us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and endow[ed] us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will.”

Sister Dew continued by saying : “ While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” 3 —and they did so before she ever bore a child. Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born. 

Just as worthy men were foreordained to hold the priesthood in mortality, righteous women were endowed premortally with the privilege of motherhood. Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.”

My daughter Natalie's commitment to motherhood has already began at the tender age of two. She has two baby dolls she cares for and looks after. Constantly she is dressing them, changing their nappies, and feeding them bottles. And occasionally, when it is necessary, she is lovingly putting them in timeout for yelling, hitting, or biting. 

It was one of my sweetest experiences when I caught my daughter the other day tenderly putting her baby down for a nap. After making sure her baby was securely wrapped in a snuggly blanket she gently rubbed her baby's head while singing her favorite song, “The Wheels on the Bus.”

My heart swelled within me as I witnessed this act of love. She truly has a mother's heart. What is a mother's heart and how is one acquired? I will quote from Sister Julie B. Beck to answer that question. In a talk given back in 2004 she said:

“We learn about some of those qualities in the scriptures. To paraphrase Proverbs: “Who can find a … woman [with a mother heart]? for her price is far above rubies. … She … worketh willingly with her hands. … With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. … She stretcheth out her hand to the poor. … Strength and honour are her clothing. … She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (Prov. 31:10, 13, 16, 20, 25–27). 

A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her.

Every girl and woman who makes and keeps sacred covenants can have a mother heart. There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities.”

Mothers, "Behold thy little ones." Years from now, on the other side of the veil; the professional awards and accomplishments will be long forgotten. What will matter is all the times you cuddled your children during sickness, when you knelt at their bedside and taught them to pray; the countless times you taught them by example to be honest, to have integrity and to show compassion. 

All of the times of worry and heartache, all the tears and frustration will be well worth it. For, because of your tireless efforts and endless love, you've prepared these little ones for exaltation; and they will be yours forever.

Some of you may know, while others may not but I lost my own mother when I was but ten years old. I ached for the loss of my mother, but I did not go motherless. My primary teachers and then my young women leaders watched over me and prayed for me. They taught me. They loved me. They were my mothers. I have since lost touch with many of the women who once mothered me but I still don't go motherless. My Relief Society sisters have been my mother.

I would not be the person or mother I am today without the guidance, counsel, and unconditional love of the righteous women around me. It is through our sisterhood and motherhood that we lift, shape, and strengthen those around us as we nurture and love the way only a mother can.

There is no limit to how many lives we can bless and mother, whether being our own biological children or otherwise. My late grandmother, in her working years outside of the home, was a primary school teacher for many years. She was a mother to EVERY child who passed through her door. Yes, she taught them reading, writing, and arithmetic but she also taught them honesty, integrity and virtue. She was more than just a teacher with a lesson plan, she was a mother who recognized each child as child of God.

Our call extends to all of God's children, our whole earthly family. Anyone who needs a helping hand, a gentle embrace, or a kind loving word can benefit from our divine gifts as mothers if we will open up our hearts and let them in.

It is my prayer that as we recognize, honor, and celebrate the mothers in our lives this day that we also reflect on the sacred ordained power and divine eternal gifts that each woman and girl holds. That we will respect each daughter of God, endowed with a divine birthright, as workers and doers of the Lords work. That we will sustain and assist each other as we all work towards the common goal of saving the souls of man. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

References:

President Ezra Taft Benson. “The Honored Place of Woman,” Ensign, Nov. 1981, 105

Sheri L. Dew. “Are We Not All Mothers,” Oct. 2001.

Julie B. Beck. “A 'Mother Heart,'” April 2004.