“Due to the campaign efforts of Anna Jarvis,
several states officially recognized Mother's Day, the first in 1910 being West
Virginia, Jarvis’ home state. In 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation
creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor
mothers. In a thank-you note to Wilson Jarvis wrote of a “great Home Day of our
country for sons and daughters to honor their mothers and fathers and homes in
a way that will perpetuate family ties and give emphasis to true home life.”
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day)
The greatest
example we have about the importance of our mothers is shown by the Lord Jesus
Christ and the love he had for his mother. As he hung on the cross his mother
was there with others and she was weeping. In the midst of his own pain and
suffering he wanted to make sure his mother was cared for. The scriptures show
how much he loved his mother:
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by,
whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy
son!
27 Then saith he to the
disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that
hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Jesus
loved his mother and was concerned about her welfare after he was gone and made
sure that she would be cared for. What have we done to make sure that our
mothers have their needs provided for or are we still thinking what our mother
is going to do for us?
My mother
is almost 94 years old and most of her day is spent serving her grandchildren
and great grandchildren. He whole life is still spent serving others when she
really deserves to be pampered and taken care of. Her selfless service
exemplifies the Savior’s love and I appreciate and love her for it.
 |
| Allis Potter July 2018 |
Sister
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President in 2007, spoke about mothers.
She said:
“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 who know are willing to live on less and consume less of
the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—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 choose 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
for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.” (“Mothers Who Know”,
Julie B. Beck, General Conference, October 2007)
I would
like to share a short video that typifies what guys think of the job our wives
have as mothers of our children. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
Even
though it was humorous, the father at the end was honest in his feelings for
the hard work it is to be a mother. Being a full-time mother at the same time
as being a full-time wife and often supporting a full-time job is not easy and
we need to recognize what we can do to lessen the stress and contribute equally
in our duties in the home and be a full-time father that she will appreciate
and your children will know of your love as well. Speaking of the impact a
righteous mother has on her family Elder M. Russell Ballard said:
“Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what
you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We
may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is
nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the
influence of a righteous woman.” (“Mothers and Daughters”, M. Russell Ballard,
General Conference, April 2010)
Here is
another two-minute video titled “Every Time a Child Is Born, So Is a Mother”
Here is
another two-minute clip about the holy calling of motherhood:
Not only
am I grateful for my mother, I am grateful for the mother of my four children.
I am grateful for the sacrifice she made to bring our children into this world,
to teach them to love God and the power of prayer. I am grateful that she is
still making those sacrifices with our nine grandchildren. There is no other
calling greater than that of a mother. In “The Family: A Proclamation To The
World” is states:
“Happiness in family life is most likely to be
achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful
marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith,
prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome
recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their
families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the
necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily
responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities,
fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. “
I would
like to wish my mother, my wife and all mothers a happy mother’s day. I hope it
will be one filled with love and gratitude for all you do. I would like to share
one final video. It is a Mother’s Day Special program of the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir’s Music & The Spoken Word from May 12, 2019.
