Mother's Day, 2020
Among other things, I still remember the words to a hymn that my mother taught me years ago. She made an intentional effort to encourage our family to memorize the words of “How Great Thou Art.”(1) She read us the words and sang it to us often. That simple act taught me much about God and my mother’s devotion to Him. Thanks Mom!
As the father of 5 kids, I have noticed a distinct pattern in our family – everyone wants to be with mom! If my wife wants the kids to play outside – she goes outside. If she comes into my work space to visit for a minute, soon enough the kids will wander aimlessly through the house until they find her. (But it is not just the kids, I want to be where she is too!)
Just recently a pile of kids and cousins were raising the noise level in the kitchen. Grandma said, “everyone please take this noise into the other room.” I obediently walked into the other room, expecting at least a couple of the kids to follow my example. Nobody moved into the next room. However, a few minutes later my wife came into the room, followed by all of my children.
To all of our mothers (past, present, and future)
Words are inadequate to describe the unique influence you have had upon each of us, individually and collectively. You have given us life and you make our lives meaningful. You are the reason that we get the family together. And you hold our families together with your love, even when we apart.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once said to our mothers:
“Thank you. Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.”
He also described a distinct parallel between you, (our mothers) and Jesus, the Savior of the World. He began by reading the words of the prophet Isaiah who prophesied of the Lord:
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” Isaiah 53:4
Then he continued… “Bear, borne, carry, deliver…These are powerful, heartening messianic words. They convey help and hope for safe movement from where we are to where we need to be—but cannot get without assistance. These words also connote burden, struggle, and fatigue—words most appropriate in describing the mission of [Jesus Christ]…But can you hear in this language another arena of human endeavor in which we use words like bear and borne, carry and lift, labor and deliver? As Jesus said to John while in the very act of Atonement, so He says to us all, “Behold thy mother!”
Because of the Christlike love we feel from our mothers, it is easy to see why Elder Holland would continue with this declaration: “no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.”(2)
When you hear declarations like this, I hope that you feel encouraged and lifted up. But when you consider being compared to Jesus Christ, do you ever wonder if you can measure up? Does this praise and respect sometimes feel like pressure or extra responsibility? If so, I wish for you to remember one thing: The Savior Jesus Christ. Remember that has “suffered these things for all,” including you! (3)
Remember one thing! The Savior Jesus Christ
You do not have to sacrifice everything for your children; the Savior has already done that. You are not responsible to carry the burden of your children’s mistakes; the Savior has already done that. You do not need to take all the responsibility to repair the breach between generations, the Savior can take that on, and He will; if each of us turn to Him in Faith.
Elder Holland also said: “To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle —and all will —I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.”(2)
Please remember this when you are struggling to keep up with the demands of a growing family. Please step back and remember the Lord, as you also step back and watch your children transition into adulthood. Strive to “remember Him” as you also strive to remember your divine purpose in keeping an empty nest. (4)
Now, a word to those of us who are not mothers:
There is much that we can feel and understand when we follow the Savior’s invitation to “Behold thy mother!”(5) First, we may recognize the goodness of God who designed an eternal plan for our happiness and then gave mother a pivotal role. For “the family is ordained of God and is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” (6)
Next, we can allow her loving example to point us to God and show us how to live. Her example of selflessness reminds us of His sacrifice, and teaches us to set aside our selfishness. Her example of virtue reminds us of His virtue and invites us to live a life of virtue, as we “lay aside the things of this world” and are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. (7) Her example of charity reminds us of God’s love and is instructive, as we learn to nurture those we love.
Flowers are nice. But If you want to truly honor your mother, follow her as she follows her path to God. Honor her. Not only for what she does or has done, but for who she is. She is a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents with the divine potential to bring children into the world and become a co-creator with God and an earthly father. She is uniquely qualified to nurture those children and rear them in “love and righteousness" and she has a “divine nature and destiny.” (6)
I know God lives and testify of the divine potential of all women. When I think of the profound influence of the women in my life, I feel to “bow with humble adoration…and then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!”(1)
Written by: Scott J. Wakefield, Bishop
1) How Great Thou Art, written by Carl Boberg (1859–1940)
2) Behold Thy Mother, by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2015 General Conference
3) Doctrine & Covenants, Section 19:16
4) Doctrine & Covenants, Section 20:77,79
5) John 19:27
6) The Family: A Proclamation to the World, written by The first Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, September 1995.
7) Doctrine & Covenants, Section 25:10
Photo by Karen Sharp Brown, copyright 2019.