Mothers (lesson 7)

"By divine design. . . mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children" The Family: A Proclamation to the World   .

Quotes on Motherhood

"The woman, by her very nature, is. . . the primary nurturer of the children. Virtues and attributes upon which perfection and exaltation depend come naturally to a woman and are refined through marriage and motherhood." President Boyd K. Packer

Motherhood is a . . . sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord’s plans, a consecration of devotion to the uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body, mind, and spirit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for the second estate "to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25). To lead them to keep their second estate is the work of motherhood, and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads forever and ever. (Hawkins et al., 2000, p. 70)

H. Burke Peterson, while serving as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric (1974), said:

Our Father in heaven wants you to be in your home to guide these spirits as no one else can, in spite of material sacrifices that may result. He created you to learn to be a good mother—an eternal mother. It is your first and foremost calling. No baby-sitter, no grandmother, no neighbor, no friend, no Relief Society sister, older brother or sister, or even a loving dad can take your place.

Brothers and sisters, do without if you need to, but don’t do without mother. . . . Satan would have us believe that money or the things money can buy are more important in the home than mother. . . . Far better for a boy or girl to go to school in last year’s shirts or hand-me-down[s]. . . that are clean even though not in the height of fashion and come home to find mother there, than for a boy or girl to go to school in finer and newer clothes and come home to a new TV or a baby-sitter because Mother is away working.

"I recognize. . . that there are some women (it has become very many in fact) who have to work to provide for the needs of their families. To you I say, do the very best you can. I hope that if you are employed full-time you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge in taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries. The greatest job that any mother will ever do will be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth. None other can adequately take her place." President Hinckley

President Hinckley "As the years pass, you will become increasingly grateful for that which you did in molding the lives of your children in the direction of righteousness and goodness, integrity and faith".

"Remember, remember, all the days of your motherhood. . . [to] rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. . . . He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. . . . Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole" (Matthew 9:22). And it will make your children whole as well." Elder Holland

How can you embrace your divine role better as a mother?
How can you support your wife as a mother?
Why do you think it is important a mother is at home with the kids?
How can you as a mother be present when being a stay at home mom?


 If have time read full talks, links below in resources.



Resources

Hawkins, A. J., Spangler, D. L., Hudson, V., Dollahite, (2012)  Mothers as Nurturers, 128-139

Holland, J. R. (1997, May). Because she is a mother. Ensign, 35-37.  Retrieved Nov 14,2012.
Peterson, H. B. (1974, May). Mother, catch the vision of your call. Ensign, 31-32. Retrieved Nov 14,2012.
Packer, B. K. (1993, November). For time and all eternity. Ensign, 21-23. Retrieved Nov 14,2012..