The Influence and Power of Motherhood

I've had more than a few looks from people when they ask what I do, and I reply that I'm a mother. Some feel I'm wasting my talents. Some think I've got it easy. Some say that at least I don't have to deal with the pressure of a job.

We had an interesting discussion at church yesterday about the role of mothers. It was based around an article written by Julie B Beck, called "Mother Who Know". It was an inspiring, although overwhelming, reminder of just how much weight we mothers carry on our shoulders. Here are some excerpts that really spoke to me:

"More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know...When mothers know who they are and who God is...they will have great power and influence for good on their children.

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are becoming less valued...young couples should not postpone having children. In the eternal perspective, children - not poessessions, not position, not prestige - are our greatest jewels.

"Mothers who know are nurturers. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work.

"Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.

"Mothers who know are teachers...A well-taught friend told me that he did not learn anything at church that he had not already learned at home.

"Mothers who know do less. they permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home....[Mothers] consume less of the world's goods. They spend more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to do it all.

"Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom."

So next time someone thinks what you women at home are doing isn't important, perhaps this can be your reply: "I'm raising the future of God's kingdom. What did you do today?" Remember, fellow sisters and mamas - we are arguably doing the most important job on the planet - raising the future of tomorrow. Our children can grow up to make a difference in this world - be it world-wide or on a much smaller scale. We mothers have great influence and power in how our world is taking shape. Stand strong and immovable in that which you believe, and take heart - we're all in this together!