With the changes that have occurred in our family over the last 9 months which include the birth of our 7th beautiful child, my husband being called into the Bishopric of our ward, having a new high schooler and all that comes with that, and the increase of individual activities each member of our family has, I have found myself on several occasion in deep soul searching and pondering and prayer to my Heavenly Father asking how I am to accomplish all that is required of me without losing my identity and self and also asking what truly is my roll in life? What is is that Heavenly Father wants of me? I know what my general mission is on this earth life, but what is my specific mission at this time in my life, now, today? These were the questions in my heart.
I have felt quite "unbalanced" since the birth of my sweet little girl, trying my best to do it all and be the best, but finding myself confused, worn out, and uncertain where I fit into this juggling act. I new that this was not how the "PLAN OF HAPPINESS" was suppose to feel, so I knew I was missing something. I have prayed a lot to my Heavenly Father asking what it is that I need to focus on now in my life.
Last week, I was going about my day, when the
October 2007 General Conference talk, "Mothers Who Know" by Sister Julie B. Beck (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/mothers-who-know?lang=eng) entered into my mind. I did not know the title of the talk, or knew when it was given. The only thing that entered my mind was, "mothers who know do less!" I do not believe it was a coincidence that this phrase entered into my mind. I know it was the Holy Ghost answering a prayer to me from my loving Heavenly Father. I quickly looked it up and listened to this amazing talk.
It was all clear. This is where my focus should be, this should be my road map, this is what I should be doing. NOTHING else matters. This was a good reminder! I quickly realized that I had not been focusing on what was of most importance, but was filling my life with things that did not have eternal importance. I had forgotten who I truly was, what my true roll was on this earth, and what I was to become!
My whole focus on my life has changed over the last week. I have a new purpose, I feel a greater sense of my importance and need for my life. I have felt incredible joy in MOTHERHOOD over the last week, a feeling I have not felt completely in the last 14 1/2 years.
These are the highlights I learned from her talk:
MOTHERS WHO KNOW by Julie B. Beck
October 2007
"There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."
"The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. 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 and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."
1- MOTHERS WHO KNOW BEAR CHILDREN
-God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that "in the eternal perspective, CHILDREN - NOT POSSESSIONS, NOT POSITION, NOT PRESTIGE - are our greatest jewels."
-Faithful daughters of God desire children.
-The value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection.
2- MOTHERS WHO KNOW HONOR SACRED ORDINANCES AND COVENANTS
-Mothers who know go to sacrament meeting where covenants are renewed and honor temple covenants.
-They know that if they are not pointing their children to the temple, they are not pointing them towards desired eternal goals.
3- MOTHERS WHO KNOW ARE NURTURERS
-This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness.
-To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Another word for nurturing is HOMEMAKING. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home.
-Home is where women have the MOST POWER and INFLUENCE.
-Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth.
4- 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. (missions, temple marriages, education, prayer, scripture study, Family Home Evening)
-They build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like.
-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!!!
5- MOTHERS WHO KNOW ARE TEACHERS
-They are never off duty.
-A well-taught friend told me that he did not learn anything at church that he had not already learned at home. His parents used family scripture study, prayer, family home evening, mealtimes, and other gatherings to teach.
6- MOTHERS WHO KNOW DO LESS (SO POWERFUL!!!)
-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.
-Mother 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.
-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.
7- MOTHERS WHO KNOW STAND STRONG AND IMMOVABLE
-Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Women who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging time.
-Latter-day Saint women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families!
The Challenge: to be a "Mother who knows!"
