Mothers Who Know

Julie B. Beck
Relief Society General President

There is eternal influence and power in motherhood.

In the Book of Mormon we read about 2,000 exemplary young men who were exceedingly valiant, courageous, and strong. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him (Alma 53:21). These faithful young men paid tribute to their mothers. They said, Our mothers knew it (Alma 56:48 47 yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.). also knew. The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). 1 However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children. Notes: Speaking to EVERYONE Fathers who know, sons who know. As mothers, I think that as great as our desire is to be the best mom possible for our children, most of us feel we fall short and are inadequate. I pray my remarks wont make anyone feel like they arent enough (including myself) but confident that our righteous desires and our faith in Jesus Christ and his grace are enough. I would suspect that the mothers of Captain Moroni, Mosiah, Mormon, and other great leaders

Russell M. Nelson We all need to remember: men (and women) are that they might have joynot guilt trips! Oct 1995 Boyd K Packer October 2011 General Conference Our youth are in enemy territory With all that is going on in the world, with the lowering of moral standards, you young people are being raised in enemy territory. But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.

2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Romans 8 37 Nay, in all these things we are amore than bconquerors through him that loved us. Just as Helamans warriors went into enemy territory armed with faith because their mothers knew, so must our youth be armed with faith and the Holy Spirit in order to return unharmed but the stakes are much higher than with Helamans warriors, for it is not just you temporal lives that are at stake, but your eternal lives. But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.

the outcome of this battle that began in the premortal life is not in question. Lucifer will lose. Just make sure you are on the winning side. It is not enough to trust your mothers or fathers or church leaders faith, although thats a good start, although it originated with their mothers faith, Helamans warriors did not doubt. Mathew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have afaith, and bdoubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this cmountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. Elder/President Packer went on to command you, the youth, order yourself to be valiant.

Elder Russell M. Nelson My heart goes out to conscientious Saints who, because of their shortcomings, allow feelings of depression to rob them of happiness in life.

Thomas S. Monson

Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Polar Express Train Conductor Sometimes the most real things in life are the things you cant see. Dieter F. Uchtdorf No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned. 2

The character traits and practices described in these verses are the foundation of godly patience and are inseparably connected to effective priesthood and patriarchal service. These attributes will give you strength and wisdom in magnifying your callings and in giving the most important priesthood servicewhich is indeed the loving service within the walls of your own homes. Let us always remember that one of the reasons God has entrusted the priesthood to us is to help prepare us for eternal blessings by refining our natures through the patience which priesthood service requires. As the Lord is patient with us, let us be patient with those we serve. Understand that they, like us, are imperfect. They, like us, make mistakes. They, like us, want others to give them the benefit of the doubt. Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.

Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means being willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.
8

I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.

Mothers Who Know Bear Children Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are becoming less valued, 2 in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children. Prophets, seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that Gods commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. 3 President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that in the eternal perspective, childrennot possessions, not position, not prestige are our greatest jewels. 4 Faithful daughters of God desire children. In the scriptures we read of Eve (see Moses 4:26), Sarah (see Genesis 17:16), Rebekah (see Genesis 24:60), and Mary (see 1 Nephi 11:1320), who were foreordained to be mothers before children were born to them. Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child (see 1 Samuel 1:11), the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection (see D&C 130:18). Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood. Notes: Atonement (adoption, infertility, etc. experience teaching SS for LDS Family Services) The role of the atonement in adoption making it possible for birthmothers to heal and parents who otherwise could not have children to fulfill the divine command to multiply and replenish the earth. I testify that when the blessing of motherhood come late, in a non-traditional way, or not at all, in this life, I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain. Dieter F. Uchdorf Role of the atonement

For the woman who struggles without children or a faithful husband, the atonement of Christ sustains with peace and strength, and the promise of those blessings in eternity for a birthmother who has temporarily put motherhood on hold by offering that gift to another, the atonement again provides healing, peace, and a common bond with the Savior in giving a gift to another they could not give themselves. For the adoptive parents, those gifts provide a way for them to keep the covenants they made in the temple to multiply and replenish the earth. For the mother and father who struggle with a child wandering from the straight and narrow path, the atonement of Christ promises the hope of repentance and forgiveness and temple covenants that are literally a tether to pull them back. With all struggles remember the words of ______________ promised blessings may come late,. But they come

Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants. I have visited sacrament meetings in some of the poorest places on the earth where mothers have dressed with great care in their Sunday best despite walking for miles on dusty streets and using worn-out public transportation. They bring daughters in clean and ironed dresses with hair brushed to perfection; their sons wear white shirts and ties and have missionary haircuts. These mothers know they are going to sacrament meeting, where covenants are renewed. These mothers have made and honor temple covenants. They know that if they are not pointing their children to the temple, they are not pointing them toward desired eternal goals. These mothers have influence and power. Notes: I have a special place in my heart for young women for the four I call my daughters, and for those I have had the special privilege of serving. The young womens theme points to the temple. make and keep sacred covenants and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. But pointing our children towards the temple starts way before they enter young womens or receive the priesthood. It starts with the covenants we make in the temple. The most important thing we can do for our children is to make sacred covenants in the House of the Lord and then honor and keep them as long as we live. (Sierra-Nauvoo Temple story) Emma D&C 25:13 13 Wherefore, alift up thy heart and brejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made. 16 this is my avoice unto all.

Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. 5 To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a house of order, and women should pattern their homes after the Lords house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women. Notes: Mary and Martha who chose the better part? Nurturing is far less visible at the end of the day, yet is the most important work a mother can do In a mothers portfolio of investments she makes each day, housework and business may be okay for day trading, but nurturing her children it is by far the most profitable long term investment she could make with dividents that literally last for eternity.

Mothers Who Know Are Leaders Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most. Notes:

Mothers Who Know Are Teachers Mothers who know are always teachers. Since they are not babysitters, they are never off duty. A well-taught friend told me that he did not learn anything at church that he had not already learned at home. His parents used family scripture study, prayer, family home evening, mealtimes, and other gatherings to teach. Think of the power of our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a premissionary training center. Then the doctrines of the gospel taught in the MTC would be a review and not a revelation. That is influence; that is power. Notes:

Mothers Who Know Do Less Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the worlds goods in order to spend more time with their childrenmore time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lords kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power. Notes: It is not the Lords way for mothers to be Super Women who do it all. To everything there is a time and a season (Ecclesiastes) Mary and Martha who chose the better part? Husbands what do you expect of your wives? Nurturing is far less visible at the end of the day, yet is the most important work a mother can do Consider this In a mothers portfolio of investments she makes each day, housework, errands, and business may be okay for day trading, but nurturing her children it is by far the most profitable long term investment she could make with dividends that literally pay for eternity.

Mothers Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day Saint women will do thiswomen who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. We are led by an inspired prophet of God who has called upon the women of the Church to stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. 6 He has asked us to begin in [our] own homes 7 to teach children the ways of truth. Latter-day Saint women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. I have every confidence that our women will do this and will come to be known as mothers who knew (Alma 56:48). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Notes:

Notes:

References 1. See Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing Strong and Immovable, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 21. 2. James E. Faust, Challenges Facing the Family, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 2. 3. The Family: A Proclamation to the World, Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102. 4. To the Mothers in Zion (pamphlet, 1987), 3. 5. See The Family: A Proclamation to the World. 6. Gordon B. Hinckley, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 20. 7. Gordon B. Hinckley, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 20.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf The Lord Blesses Us for Our Patience To paraphrase the Psalmist of old, if we wait patiently for the Lord, He will incline unto us. He will hear our cries. He will bring us out of a horrible pit and set our feet upon a solid rock. He will put a new song in our mouths, and we will praise our God. Many around us will see it, and they will trust in the Lord. 14 My dear brethren, the work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments; trust in God, our Heavenly Father; serve Him with meekness and Christlike love; exercise faith and hope in the Savior; and never give up. The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness. They will help us to become worthy priesthood bearers and faithful disciples of our Master, Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that patience will be a defining characteristic of we who hold the priesthood of Almighty God; that we will courageously trust the Lords promises and His timing; that we will act toward others with the patience and compassion we seek for ourselves; and that we will continue in patience until we are perfected. In the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen. . Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most. Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleshipthe path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. For this I pray, as I leave you my blessing, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Richard G. Scott Once I learned an important lesson from my wife. I traveled extensively in my profession. I had been gone almost two weeks and returned home one Saturday morning. I had four hours before I needed to attend another meeting. I noticed that our little washing machine had broken down and my wife was washing the clothes by hand. I began to fix the machine. Jeanene came by and said, Rich, what are you doing? I said, Im repairing the washing machine so you dont have to do this by hand. She said, No. Go play with the children. I said, I can play with the children anytime. I want to help you. Then she said, Richard, please go play with the children. When she spoke to me that authoritatively, I obeyed. I had a marvelous time with our children. We chased each other around and rolled in the fall leaves. Later I went to my meeting. I probably would have forgotten that experience were it not for the lesson that she wanted me to learn. The next morning about 4:00 a.m., I was awakened as I felt two little arms around my neck, a kiss on the cheek, and these words whispered in my ear, which I will never forget: Dad, I love you. You are my best friend. If you are having that kind of experience in your family, you are having one of the supernal joys of life.

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home L. Tom Perry

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners (Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

As parents we partner, even join, with God in bringing to pass His work and glory among His children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best.

LDS Women Are Incredible! Quentin L. Cook These are very emotional, personal decisions, but there are two principles that we should always keep in mind. First, no woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heavens plan. Second, we should all be careful not to be judgmental or assume that sisters are less valiant if the decision is made to work outside the home. We rarely understand or fully appreciate peoples circumstances. Husbands and wives should prayerfully counsel together, understanding they are accountable to God for their decisions.