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.

mothers who know bear children

During our short trip to St. George a couple of months ago, I picked up a handful of fallen acorns--one for each member of our family. I liked idea of the acorn for this image--it looks somewhat like the tree it will become and within it contains the possibility of an unknown number of trees in the future.

mothers who know bear children: week seven

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 “God’s 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, children—not 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 11:13–20), 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." --Julie B. Beck

mothers who know are teachers

This week I have been making bread--using ground wheat milled by hand (that's um by my own hands--who knew it would take such muscle?). After reading about the benefits of freshly ground wheat vs. enriched white flour I was amazed at the difference--and amazed that I never knew about this information. It made me think not only about what I am feeding my children physically but what I am feeding them spiritually--whole grains or Wonder Bread?

mothers who know are teachers: week six

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 pre–missionary 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." --Julie B. Beck