Strengthening Families
For nine months they carried us in pain, received our tears with a smile, patiently taught us to walk, lifted us up with their hands, prayed for us on their knees, suffered with our defeats, celebrated our victories, and helped us understand God's unconditional love. In this message, we extend our respect and love to every mother for being, almost always, our greatest example in life of selfless service and unconditional love.
The role of the mother in God's plan
The First Presidency of the Church, in "The Family—A Proclamation to the World," declared:
“All human beings—male and female—were created in the image of God. Each individual is a spirit son (or daughter) of heavenly parents who love him or her and, as such, possesses a divine nature and destiny.”[1]
This statement broadens our understanding that motherhood is an eternal principle and the means by which God's children are begotten both physically and spiritually. We were begotten by Heavenly Parents and inherited from them characteristics that, when understood, create in us the desire to form our own family and love them as our Heavenly Parents love us.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that our Heavenly Parents are involved in the ongoing process of creation around us and that “they do so with immense love and care.”[2]
With infinite love, our Heavenly Parents desired to help us progress in the course of eternity and obtain the qualities they possess. For this, we had to leave our celestial home to gain experience. However, our parents did not leave us alone in this mission. They prepared angels to receive us and named them "Mother."
Examples of mothers in the Scriptures
The Scriptures contain numerous examples of how the influence of mothers, for good or evil, drastically affects the course of families, cities, and even the history of the world. Let us then analyze some of these examples:
Eve – Mother of the human family
Much has been said about the role of Eve, and perhaps she is one of the most misunderstood characters in all of scripture, with many attributing to her the "blame" for the fallen state of humanity. The restored Gospel, however, elevates the important role of Eve and her calling to be the first mother among mortals. This role is acknowledged by Eve when she states:
“If it were not for our transgression, we would never have had seed and would never have known good and evil and the joy of our redemption and the eternal life that God grants to all the obedient.”[3]
Eve fulfilled her role as the daughter of God and as the mother of God's first children, giving everyone the opportunity to come to Earth and gain experience.
Mary – The Mother of the Son of God
Mary was probably one of the most faithful women and mothers among all the daughters begotten by God. The Angel Gabriel said of her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”[4]
Mary's example resonates throughout human history not only because she was chosen as the mother of the Savior Jesus Christ, but also because of her faithfulness and willingness to listen to the Lord. Mary lovingly carried Jesus in her arms at birth and painfully held him as he died. She served faithfully every day of her life and lived up to her beliefs and calling.
The mothers of Helaman's Warriors
One of the best-known and most inspiring stories in the Book of Mormon is undoubtedly that of the life and legacy of Helaman’s 2,000 warriors, who bravely fought to protect their families and country against the tyranny of the Lamanites. Despite being extremely young and inexperienced, they survived the battle because “they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.”[5]
These mothers taught their children from a very young age to trust God with their lives and not to fear. This example has inspired millions to understand that "behind every great man, there is a great woman."
Therefore, embrace your mother tightly today, tell her how much you love her, how grateful you are for her love. Your “mother” may have been your grandmother, aunt, or another relative. If this is the case, we invite you to extend the same love to her. Let us be quicker to serve, love, and forgive her, and slower to judge and criticize her; more willing to lovingly carry her in her final days, remembering how lovingly she carried us in our first.
May the commandment to "Honor your father and mother" be written in our hearts, not only in words, but also in actions, prayers, and service.
Sources:
[1] The Family: A Proclamation to the World; lds.org
2] Filling the Measure of Our Creation, Deseret Book 1989
[3] Moses 5:11
[4] Luke 1:28
[5] Alma 56:47
This article was originally published in the Nephite Interpreter .