mothers who know: week eight

"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). I would suspect that the mothers of Captain Moroni, Mosiah, Mormon, and other great leaders 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." --Julie B. Beck

These last few weeks have been difficult ones--starting with the week when I began to work on "Mothers Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable." Perhaps this exercise was really meant to be written on my heart. Although I have not memorized every word--I do think that these principles have deeply impressed me and I feel that these words will influence how I mother and how I think about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. This last week I will focus on this last line: " 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 [and I would add--others they come in contact with]." I will continue on this week--striving to look forward and have the "spirit of power" rather than fear. I was impressed during conference with the number of talks that spoke about the importance of adversity, the importance of retaining hope and faith during those times, and looking toward the temple for power to overcome and strength to live through the refiner's fire.