Mother's Day... Late

In my effort to re-start and re-vitalize my blogging, I've decided to post my Mother's Day talk that I was asked to give this year.  I likewise have some new fodder for this project as time goes on.  Stay tuned!

NOTE:  I will "blogify" this talk to make it easier to read, etc.   Thanks for stopping by!




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Brothers and Sisters, I’m grateful to be here today.  It was 16 years ago yesterday that, on Mother’s Day, I first became a Father.  So the day has taken on added meaning to me.  I’m especially grateful to have the opportunity to share some thoughts on this special day, commemorating the nobility and value of motherhood.

It seems to me increasingly important and appropriate that we take time to do so, and that it falls on the Sabbath.  Motherhood, indeed the very essence and highest, worthiest aspiration of womanhood, is under constant, brutal attack in today’s world.  Yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the binding covenants of Israel are with us and are indispensable supports to righteous women, whose hearts are honest and pure, wherever they may be found the world over.  Reflecting, then, with reverence on the day set aside for reverence seems very appropriate.

I was asked to speak on Mothers in the Gospel—to focus on certain notable mothers in our heritage.  But my thoughts and study have again led me down a “doctrinal road less traveled by” to speak, instead, on Mothers in Israel—the title and at least some of what it means.

In 1942, the First Presidency declared:

“Motherhood [is] a holy calling, a sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord’s plans, a consecration of devotion to the uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body, mind, and spirit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for their second estate ‘to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.’ (Abr. 3:25.) To lead them to keep their second estate is the work of motherhood, and ‘they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.’

“Motherhood is near to Divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say, God bless and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to fill to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours. To you mothers and mothers-to-be we say: Be chaste, keep pure, live righteously, that your posterity to the last generation may call you blessed.” (“Message of the First Presidency,” Deseret News Weekly Church Edition, October 1942, p. 5, emphasis added.)

As Latter-day Saints, we have a rich tradition and an enhanced understanding of noble mothers down through the ages.  We have added insight into the character and qualities of Eve, the Mother of all living; Sarah, the noble wife of Father Abraham; Rachel and the only woman in the Old Testament to declare herself a “Mother in Israel,” Deborah. (Judges 5:7; 2 Sam. 20:19) 

Additionally, we have access to the contributions of Sariah, and the cumulative example of the mothers of the Stripling Warriors as described in the Book of Mormon.  In our dispensation we have the sterling examples of the likes of Emma, Jerusha and Mary Fielding Smith, Velate Kimball and literally millions more, including many within the sound of my voice.

What then is the difference between a Mother in Israel and any other for whom this day may only be a “Hallmark Holiday?” 

Carol Cornwall Madsen taught in Women’s Conference at BYU, “If the concept of mother in Israel, as applied to Latter-day Saint women, seems foreign and unrelated to modern times, it is, perhaps, that we are too far spiritually distanced from those who knew themselves to be chosen from out of the world to lay the foundation of a new dispensation and to restore and receive the blessings of God's covenant with Abraham.” (Madsen)

Some insight can be gained from valiant women of this Dispensation:

“The image of Mormon women that this title evoked in the past was as complex as the women who bore it. It is evident that in Latter-day Saint women it transcended its biological roots, its familial connotations, and even its biblical associations. "Its meaning has a depth and significance far more important than marrying and bearing children," explained President Joseph Fielding Smith in 1970. [Blessing given to Louise Y. Robison by John B. Whitaker, Louise Y. Robison Papers, LDS Church Archives.] It represented a woman who was both other-oriented and other-worldly oriented, a woman for whom the hundred little incidents that made up the "daily sweep of her life," also made her ripe for the "rich blessings of believing blood," for she was, first of all, a true believer.” ["Position and Duties," Woman's Exponent 3 (15 July 1874): 28.] (Madsen)

A Mother in Israel represents and embodies the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and often, as in the case of rescuing Abigail, comes to typify the Savior himself. (1 Sam. 25.)  She understands and embodies the Gospel across dispensational lines.  She understands that she is a partner with God Himself in ushering spirits from their First Estate into their Second and carefully preparing them to enter the eternal worlds triumphantly—that she is literally taking part in fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob becoming, within the covenant, a “[mother] of many nations!”  More, she extends the unique gifts in her possession and her potent influence beyond the bounds of her own home and family, administering to the physical and spiritual needs of Wards, Cities and Nations.   In this sense, one can become a Mother in Israel without having had children—by exerting her righteous influence outward, consistent with her individual spiritual gifts.

Consider the stellar case of Eliza R. Snow. 

 Of her, President Joseph F. Smith declared:  “Inasmuch as Sister Eliza was deprived of bearing children, she is entitled to be called Mother among this people, just as much as the childless George Washington is to be called Father of the people of the United States. She has been a mother to this people[, Israel]. I pray that whenever we think of Eliza R. Snow Smith, we will not think of her as 'Aunt Eliza' in the future, but that we may in truth and righteousness call her Mother—a Mother in Israel." (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Mothers in Israel," pp. 10-12, emphasis added.)

“If any Mormon woman alone lent credence and definition to the title, it was Eliza R. Snow, … She used her influence to raise all Mormon women to an enabling awareness of their favored position among women, of the nobility of their heritage, and of their singular opportunity "to act in a wider sphere and with higher and more responsible duties devolving upon them, than [upon] all others." ["Position and Duties," Woman's Exponent 3 (15 July 1874): 28.] To women dwelling in the farthest reaches of [the Church] as well as to her associates among the "leading sisters" …, the message was the same: "Latter-day Saint women occupy a more important position than is occupied by any other women on the earth. Associated, as they are, with apostles and prophets inspired by the living God—with them sharing in the gifts and powers of the holy Priesthood . . . participating in those sacred ordinances, without which, we could never be prepared to dwell in the presence of the Holy Ones." [Elizabeth Little, "A Welcome," Woman's Exponent 9 (1 April 1881): 165.] (Madsen)

The brilliant women who raised the heroic Stripling Warriors exemplify this role well.  Can you now see a different, perhaps more expansive and nuanced facet to their faithful teachings to their sons when you read, “Now [their sons] … did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.” (Alma 56:47, emphasis added.)?  Moreover, consider what new meaning may be leant to these words: 

…as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the [enemy], behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

Yea, and they did ^aobey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their ^bmothers had taught them.  (Alma 57:20-21, emphasis added.)

It is instructive, I think, that these words and those earlier cited from the First Presidency come in the context of war-time as the battle with the Adversary is raging about us and it is in this spiritual combat that the power of righteous mothers is most keenly felt.

Mothers in Israel have the combined wisdom and knowledge to effectively teach the cyclical tale the liberation of our fathers, and Who it is that liberated them and us.  They teach, exemplify and instill faith and inspire others to “perform every command with exactness.”  Mothers in Israel have the capacity to minister to the needs of all mankind quietly—almost imperceptibly—like the Master, in infinite ways.  They are the engine of the Abrahamic covenant.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell declared: 

Liz Lemmon Swindle's image capture the heart
of a mother in Israel, I think...

Just as certain men were foreordained from before the foundations of the world, so were certain women appointed to certain tasks. Divine design-not chance-brought Mary forward to be the mother of Jesus. The boy prophet, Joseph Smith, was blessed not only with a great father, but also with a superb mother, Lucy Mack, who influenced a whole dispensation.… A widow with her mite taught us how to tithe.… The divine maternal instincts of an Egyptian woman retrieved Moses from the bullrushes, thereby shaping history.… Does it not tell us much about the instrinsic intelligence of women to read of the crucifixion scene at Calvary, "And many women were there beholding afar off." (Matt. 27:35.) Their presence was a prayer; their lingering was like a litany. And who came first to the empty tomb of the risen Christ? Two women. Who was the first mortal to see the resurrected Savior? Mary of Magdala. Special spiritual sensitivity keeps the women of God hoping long after many others have ceased. (Ensign,May 1978, p.10.)

Permit me to summarize briefly in closing.  Mothers in Israel are, first of all, true believers.  Their vision of themselves extends far beyond the here and now—stretching across the dispensations of the past, touching and comprehending the lives and experiences of their ancient sisters—cognizant of their place in a Dispensation of “fulness.”  Their vision and self-image likewise extend into the future, informing and calming present cares and concerns with assurances from eternity.  They apply the natural perceptiveness of womanhood to finding opportunities to bless and to serve individuals and families.  They teach and exemplify in so many ways the Savior and His Gospel, His pure love, His willingness to sacrifice for others and quiet, individual acts of selfless service.  They teach and instill faith and bless lives temporally and spiritually.  They exert tremendous power either through the impact of their blessed children or by their direct and gentle touch.  They are builders and organizers, adding beauty and dignity to this fallen world.  They accept the scorn of a fallen and hostile world as a matter of course, faithful to the principles of righteousness and faithful in the promises of the Lord.

“The daughters of the world may grow more shrill,” Elder Maxwell declared, “more hard, more selfish, and less motherly-but the faithful daughters of Zion will be ladies of light; they will be elect because they have elected to follow in the footsteps of the faithful women of God who have existed in all dispensations of time. That we know less than we would like of these marvelous women of God should fill us with anticipation for the day when there will be a fulness of their record before us, a part of all that God will yet reveal. Service less reported is service still. Contributions are never really measured in column inches of coverage in newspapers or even in the scriptures. Indeed, their deferred recognition only mirrors faintly the quiet queenliness of One we shall meet and greet when we leave "this frail existence." (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Wherefore, Ye Must Press Forward, pp. 80-81.)

On this day then, Sisters, I would encourage you to take some quiet time to re-read your Patriarchal Blessings and reflect upon the significance of your life, of your role, of your heritage and your eternal destiny.  Allow yourself some quiet, reflective satisfaction in the nobility of who you are and recommit to be and remain, in all respects, a Mother in Israel.

That it may be so for each of you on this, your special day is my humble prayer in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, amen.