The pain is still too close to write something about my mom today.\u00a0 Even still, I wanted to share something, so I thought I would post this talk that I gave in church three years ago on Mother’s Day.\u00a0 I’d like to dedicate these words to the remarkable woman I call Mom.<\/p>\n
Mother\u2019s Day Talk\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 May 8, 2011<\/p>\n
Good afternoon, brothers and sisters. \u00a0I\u2019m honored to be speaking to you today. \u00a0As a bishopric, we typically spend some time each week talking about our upcoming sacrament meeting topics and speakers. \u00a0Under these circumstances, you\u2019d think that I would have been part of the conversation deciding today\u2019s speaking assignments. \u00a0I\u2019m sure many of you are familiar with the feeling of surprise I felt when Bishop looked over to me during a recent bishopric meeting and said, \u201cWe\u2019d like you to speak in sacrament meeting on Mother\u2019s day.\u201d \u00a0In all seriousness, I\u2019m grateful for the opportunity to share with you today some of my thoughts and more importantly to give honor and respect to some of the most important people in our lives: women, sisters, daughters, and mothers.<\/p>\n
President Hinckley said,<\/p>\n
Woman is God\u2019s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.<\/p>\n
Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sisters, you have been blessed with special characteristics that make you who you are. \u00a0President Hinckley also said,<\/p>\n
God planted within women something divine.\u201d \u00a0That something is the gift and the gifts of motherhood. \u00a0But motherhood is more than just bearing children. \u00a0In Genesis, we read that Adam called his wife Eve because she was the mother of all living, though she had yet to birth a child. \u00a0Elder Matthew Cowley taught that \u201cmen have to have something given to them [in this life] to make them saviors of men, but not mothers, not women. \u00a0[They] are born with an inherent right, an inherent authority, to be the saviors of human souls \u2026 and the regenerating force in the lives of God\u2019s children.\u201d \u00a0Sheri Dew said, \u201cMotherhood is not what was left over after our Father blessed His sons with priesthood ordination. \u00a0It was the most ennobling endowment he could give His daughters, a sacred trust that gave women an unparalleled role in helping His children keep their second estate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Speaking to the young women of the church, President James E. Faust said,<\/p>\n
I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the \u201chighest place of honor\u201d in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.<\/p>\n
One of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God-given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernal gifts, bless the lives of children, women, and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. Use it to serve others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Young women, you have great potential for influencing others. \u00a0These gifts you have are real. \u00a0Elder Quentin L. Cook in the most recent General Conference shared this story about one influential young woman:<\/p>\n
When I was recently assigned to a conference in the Mission Viejo California Stake, I was touched by an account of their four-stake New Year\u2019s Eve youth dance. Following the dance, a purse was found with no outside identification. I share with you part of what Sister Monica Sedgwick, the Young Women president in the Laguna Niguel stake, recorded: \u201cWe didn\u2019t want to pry; this was someone\u2019s personal stuff! So we gingerly opened it and grabbed the first thing that was on top\u2014hopefully, it would identify her. It did, but in another way\u2014it was a For the Strength of Youth<\/i> pamphlet. Wow! This told us something about her. Then we reached in for the next item, a little notebook. Surely this would give us answers, but not the kind we were expecting. The first page was a list of favorite scriptures. There were five more pages of carefully written scriptures and personal notes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sisters immediately wanted to meet this stalwart young woman. They returned to that purse to identify its owner. They pulled out some breath mints, soap, lotion, and a brush. I loved their comments: \u201cOh, good things come out of her mouth; she has clean and soft hands; and she takes care of herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
They eagerly awaited the next treasure. Out came a clever little homemade coin purse made from a cardboard juice carton, and there was some money in a zippered pocket. They exclaimed, \u201cAhh, she\u2019s creative and prepared!\u201d They felt like little children on Christmas morning. What they pulled out next surprised them even more: a recipe for Black Forest chocolate cake and a note to make the cake for a friend\u2019s birthday. They almost screamed, \u201cShe\u2019s a HOMEMAKER! Thoughtful and service minded.\u201d Then, yes, finally some identification. The youth leaders said they felt greatly blessed \u201cto observe the quiet example of a young lady living the gospel.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We as leaders have an obligation to help and encourage young women, like the one this story, to find and develop the attributes of womanhood. \u00a0I love the words of Elder Russell M. Nelson on this subject:<\/p>\n
A worthy woman personifies the truly noble and worthwhile attributes of life. A faithful woman can become a devoted daughter of God\u2014more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish, more anxious to exercise compassion than to exercise dominion, more committed to integrity than to notoriety. And she knows of her own infinite worth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As brethren and holders of the Priesthood, it is our responsibility to show the proper respect to women. \u00a0All of us here today, with no exception, are here today because of the sacrifice of a woman. \u00a0I believe the reason there is a special bond between a mother and a child is because of the great sacrifice a woman goes through to bring a child into this world. \u00a0We sacrifice for those we love and we love those for whom we sacrifice. \u00a0If we look to He who sacrificed the most for all of us, we will also find He who loves us more than any other. \u00a0Our Savior endured pain and ridicule and paid the ultimate price because of His love for each of us.<\/p>\n
All the primary children know how much I like stories, especially from the scriptures. \u00a0I would like to share a few stories with you today; the first from the scriptures. \u00a0Like for so many things, the Savior provides us with an example of showing respect to the woman who gave Him life. \u00a0Persecuted, ridiculed, scourged, crowned with thorns, the Savior hung on the cross while the soldiers cast lots for his coat. \u00a0Under these entirely undeserved circumstances, the Savior\u2019s heart went out to His mother.<\/p>\n
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the\u00a0disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!<\/p>\n
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy\u00a0mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It astounds me that while suffering, which caused the greatest of all to shrink, He still sought to honor and protect His mother. \u00a0What an example of love and respect. \u00a0Some of the very last words the Savior spoke as a mortal man were words seeking the well-being of His mother.<\/p>\n
This is not the only example the Savior gave us of respecting and honoring women. \u00a0Jesus taught some of His most important doctrines to women. \u00a0It was to the Samaritan woman at Jacob\u2019s well that he first acknowledged Himself to be the Messiah. \u00a0He taught her of the living water and said, \u201cI \u2026 am he.\u201d \u00a0To Martha he said \u201cI am the resurrection, and the life. \u2026 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.\u201d \u00a0On the third day after his death, the Savior found Mary weeping outside the sepulcher.<\/p>\n
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.<\/p>\n
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.<\/p>\n
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It is no surprise to me that Jesus first appeared to a woman. \u00a0I believe it was Mary\u2019s great faith and love for the Savior that qualified her to have this sacred experience. \u00a0It was also she who was entrusted to deliver the first glorious and divine message of His resurrection.<\/p>\n
Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared a story a few years back about how his father showed love and respect to his mother.<\/p>\n
Years ago, when my brothers and I were boys, our mother had radical cancer surgery. She came very close to death. Much of the tissue in her neck and shoulder had to be removed, and for a long time it was very painful for her to use her right arm.<\/p>\n
One morning about a year after the surgery, my father took Mother to an appliance store and asked the manager to show her how to use a machine he had for ironing clothes. The machine was called an Ironrite. It was operated from a chair by pressing pedals with one\u2019s knees to lower a padded roller against a heated metal surface and turn the roller, feeding in shirts, pants, dresses, and other articles. You can see that this would make ironing (of which there was a great deal in our family of five boys) much easier, especially for a woman with limited use of her arm. Mother was shocked when Dad told the manager they would buy the machine and then paid cash for it. Despite my father\u2019s good income as a veterinarian, Mother\u2019s surgery and medications had left them in a difficult financial situation.<\/p>\n
On the way home, my mother was upset: \u201cHow can we afford it? Where did the money come from? How will we get along now?\u201d Finally Dad told her that he had gone without lunches for nearly a year to save enough money. \u201cNow when you iron,\u201d he said, \u201cyou won\u2019t have to stop and go into the bedroom and cry until the pain in your arm stops.\u201d She didn\u2019t know he knew about that. I was not aware of my father\u2019s sacrifice and act of love for my mother at the time, but now that I know, I say to myself, \u201cThere is a man.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Women have the potential to have such a powerful and significant influence in all our lives. \u00a0Mothers, sisters, daughters, friends; all these relationships with womankind have the potential to touch lives in a way men simply cannot. \u00a0The gifts you sisters possess and the power you wield is real. \u00a0I was touched as I read this story retold by Elder Nelson:<\/p>\n
The influence of your mother will bless you throughout life, especially when you serve as a missionary. Long years ago, Elder Frank Croft was serving in the state of Alabama. While preaching to the people, he was forcefully abducted by a vicious gang, to be whipped and lashed across his bare back. Elder Croft was ordered to remove his coat and shirt before he was tied to a tree. As he did so, a letter he had recently received from his mother fell to the ground. The vile leader of the gang picked up the letter. Elder Croft closed his eyes and uttered a silent prayer. The attacker read the letter from Elder Croft\u2019s mother. From a copy of that letter, I quote:<\/p>\n
\u201cMy beloved son, \u2026 remember the words of the Savior when He said, \u2026 \u2018Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name\u2019s sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for you will have your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.\u2019 Also remember the Savior upon the cross suffering from the sins of the world when He had uttered these immortal words, \u2018Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.\u2019 Surely, my boy, they who are mistreating you \u2026 know not what they do or they would not do it. Sometime, somewhere, they will understand and then they will regret their action and they will honor you for the glorious work you are doing. So be patient, my son, love those who mistreat you and say all manner of evil against you and the Lord will bless you and magnify you. \u2026 Remember also, my son, that day and night, your mother is praying for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elder Croft watched the hateful man as he studied the letter. He would read a line or two, then sit and ponder. He arose to approach his captive. The man said: \u201cFeller, you must have a wonderful mother. You see, I once had one, too.\u201d Then, addressing the mob, he said: \u201cMen, after reading this Mormon\u2019s mother\u2019s letter, I just can\u2019t go ahead with the job. Maybe we had better let him go.\u201d Elder Croft was released without harm.<\/p>\n
We are deeply grateful for the faithful mothers and fathers of our wonderful missionaries. The love they bear for their children is sublime.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As I try to find the words to express my gratitude for the women in my life, I am humbled by the love shown and sacrifices made on my behalf. \u00a0I consider myself blessed beyond description. \u00a0Brethren, I implore you to take time to tell the women in your lives how much you appreciate and love them. \u00a0Tell them by word and perhaps more importantly by how you treat them. \u00a0Sisters, cultivate the gifts God has given you so you may find the joys of motherhood: yours is a divine gift and calling. \u00a0This is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. \u00a0Amen.<\/p>\n
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The pain is still too close to write something about my mom today.\u00a0 Even still, I wanted to share something, so I thought I would post this talk that I gave in church three years ago on Mother’s Day.\u00a0 I’d like to dedicate these words to the remarkable woman I call Mom. Mother\u2019s Day Talk\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8WrW-nF","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1467"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1616,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1467\/revisions\/1616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.angieandjim.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}