President Thomas S. Monson on the powerful influence of mothers

President Thomas S. Monson (b. August 21, 1927) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley until becoming Church president in 2008.

"'Mother,' more than any other word, is held in universal esteem by all peoples everywhere. It brings forth from the soul the most tender of hidden emotions, prompts more good deeds, kindles memories' fires as they burn low and reminds all to strive to be better.

"'Mother,' or its abbreviated version, 'Mama,' is the first word tiny lips form. What joy fills mother's heart when first she hears this expression from her child. 'Mother' becomes the most frequently spoken word, as well. As little ones grow, they call mother to their side to share each new discovery, each accomplishment, each disappointment, each concern. And mother always obliges.

"Years pass, and children become more independent. They move away from mother's protective care; but they are ever influenced by mother's teachings, mother's example, and mothers love. Some appear by their actions to have forgotten this influence. Wild and wasteful pathways are pursued, evil deeds done, and honor sacrificed for the sham of worldly gain. However far from the home hearth the wanderer travels, the word 'mother' mentally and emotionally brings him homeward once again. And mother, as always, stands ready to forgive."

- Thomas S. Monson, "Honor Thy Mother," Mother's Day Pamphlet, 1981; see Teachings of Thomas S. Monson p. 198

President Monson's tender and sincere appreciation for women and mothers is apparent in this excerpt, as he acknowledges the powerful influence a mother can have on children in many different ways and over many years. Even the simple word "mother" evokes memories and emotions that can bless and support us through challenges and trials, since it represents the person who we know loved and supported us in so many ways.

Even as we grow and mature, becoming "more independent," the influence of mother's teachings, example, and love continue a powerful force. There are times when we long for a conversation, a touch, a reassurance from a mother who is no longer here; but we always know her love will abide, and that knowledge can bless and sustain us more than we would expect. May God bless noble mothers everywhere!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

The First Presidency on the holy calling of motherhood

During the opening session of the October 1942 general conference, a message from the First Presidency (President Heber J. Grant, 1st Counselor J. Reuben Clark Jr., and 2nd Counselor David O. McKay) was read by President Clark.

"Motherhood thus becomes 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' (Abr. 3:26).

"This divine service of motherhood can be rendered only by mothers. It may not be passed to others. Nurses cannot do it; public nurseries cannot do it; hired help cannot do it—only mother, aided as much as may be by the loving hands of father, brothers, and sisters, can give the full needed measure of watchful care.

"The mother who entrusts her child to the care of others, that she may do non-motherly work, whether for gold, for fame, or for civic service, should remember that 'a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame' (Prov. 29:15). In our day the Lord has said that unless parents teach their children the doctrines of the Church 'the sin be upon the heads of the parents' (D&C 68:25).

"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 (Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., David O. McKay), General Conference, October 1942; see Conference Report, October 1942, pp. 12-13; see Clark, Messages of the First Presidency 6:170-185
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This remarkable statement, coming in a sad and troubled time as a World War raged on, gives us an amazing vision and understanding of the sacred role of motherhood in the Lord's plan. These phrases indicate a little of that vision, that seems hardly to be understood in the world of our day:

• holy calling
• sacred devotion
• consecration of devotion
• nurturing in body, mind, and spirit
• divine service
• watchful care
• near to divinity
• highest, holiest service

What an amazing, sacred, precious gift this is! What an eternal responsibility and duty! How fortunate we are, in contrast to the world at large, to see so many around us who grasp that concept and magnify the holy calling with faith and personal sacrifice. Surely, God will "bless and protect" those who demonstrate "the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty" of motherhood.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on mothers, talents, creation, and happiness

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy (see 2 Nephi 2:25). Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

"You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us (see D&C 46:11–12). The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

"What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," General Conference, October 2008
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President Uchtdorf has an interesting premise in this excerpt. We were created to find joy; and we find joy through creation.

Motherhood provides a unique opportunity of creation, and therefore of joy. It begins with the shared process of the creation of life, of helping to provide a physical body for one of Heavenly Father's spirit children. But it continues in the nurturing and education of that new life, in the ways only a mother can. We should all be deeply grateful for our own mothers and the part they played, in the hands of God, in our personal creation.

Then Elder Uchtdorf extends his premise to other aspects of creation, encouraging us to seek and magnify talents of creation in many ways:

Our creations will not be perfect. Many times they are far from it! But each effort to create joy, beauty, or goodness will bless us personally and will be an instrument in God's hands in blessing others. There are so many simple ways to participate in our Father's eternal plan of happiness!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

Elder M. Russell Balllard on the gifts and roles of righteous women and mothers

Elder M. Russell Ballard (born October 8, 1928) was called as a Seventy in 1976, and has served as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles since 1985.

"Mothers and daughters play a critical role in helping each other explore their infinite possibilities, despite the undermining influences of a world in which womanhood and motherhood are being corrupted and manipulated.

"Speaking to the women of the Church nearly a century ago, President Joseph F. Smith said: 'It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the ... women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and ... purifying to the children of men' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 184).

"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."

- M. Russell Ballard, "Mothers and Daughters," General Conference, April 2010
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How sad to live in a world where, as Elder Ballard states, "womanhood and motherhood are being corrupted and manipulated." Satan is subtle in how he can cause decay and decline in our vision, sometimes in the name of equality and opportunity. I love the thought that righteous mothers and daughters can help reinforce one another as they "explore their infinite possibilities," and not just the temporal ones that Satan would point us towards.

The quote from Joseph F. Smith is profound. Righteous women today must lead out and show the world what it is to be praiseworthy, uplifting, and God-like.

And not only can righteous women make a profound difference in supporting one another, they also participate in works which have no equal; no man can match the loving, nurturing gifts of a daughter of God who understands her divine role and gifts.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President Gordon B. Hinckley on being willing and obedient

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"Isaiah declared to ancient Israel: 'If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

"'But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' (Isa. 1:19-20.)

"I recall sitting in this Tabernacle when I was fourteen or fifteen—up in the balcony right behind the clock—and hearing President Heber J. Grant tell of his experience in reading the Book of Mormon when he was a boy. He spoke of Nephi and of the great influence he had upon his life. And then, with a voice ringing with a conviction that I shall never forget, he quoted those great words of Nephi: 'I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.' (1 Ne. 3:7.)

"There came into my young heart on that occasion a resolution to try to do what the Lord has commanded. I would that I might have the power, through the Spirit of the Lord, similarly to touch someone in this congregation today.

"What marvelous things happen when men walk with faith in obedience to that which is required of them!"

- Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient," Ensign, Dec 1971, p. 125
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"If ye be willing and obedient"—I love that invitation. It defines two important aspects of our interaction with God: attitude and behavior. We start with willingness: the desire, the heart-felt trust and faith in Him; but it must be followed by obedience: the actions that demonstrate the depth and sincerity of the feelings. When those both are present, we are promised blessings and divine help. But if not—"if ye refuse and rebel"—we have no promise.

President Hinckley learned at a young age, developing a deep desire to be willing and obedient, when a prophetic testimony touched his heart. He longed to do the same for some other youth or adult listening to his words. So should we all; what a precious gift it is when we are an instrument in God's hands to touch the heart of another as spirit reaches out to spirit!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

President N. Eldon Tanner on the choices that lead to happiness

President Nathan Eldon Tanner (May 9, 1898—November 27, 1982) was ordained an apostle in 1962.  A year later he was called as a counselor in the First Presidency, and continued in that role during the administration of four Church presidents until his death in 1982 at age 84.

"At an early period in the journey through life, man finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose one of two great highways—the right, leading to progress and happiness; and the wrong, leading to retardation and sorrow. There exists this eternal law that each human soul, through the choices he makes, will shape his own destiny. Our success or failure, peace or discontent, happiness or misery, depend on the choices we make each day....

"Self-discipline is essential in helping us make proper choices. It is much easier to drift than to row, to slide downhill than to climb up. Satan is constantly at work to drag us down by placing temptations in our way in the form of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, deceit, dishonesty, and flattery, always waiting to catch us in our misdeeds.

"How can we combat the evil that surrounds us and which is so prevalent in the world today? Satan is trying harder than ever before to claim souls for his own domain. We must and we can thwart him, but only by choosing to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and making our influence an active and positive force. As leaders, as parents, as teachers, and as neighbors, all good people everywhere who are striving for liberty and freedom, peace, success, happiness, and for eternal life with our Father in heaven must by example and precept be actively engaged in fighting against those forces which are threatening us and endangering our well-being and that of our children....

"To meet the serious issues facing us in our respective communities today, we must be examples of virtue and righteousness ourselves and choose today to take our stand on the moral issues which threaten us. We do not want our civilization to decay and fall because we failed to keep it on a high spiritual plane and allowed it to sink to the level where the animal instincts and passions dominate."

- N. Eldon Tanner, "Thou Mayest Choose for Thyself," General Conference, April 1973
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President Tanner reminds us of a critical point in the gospel plan: the importance of our agency. "There exists this eternal law that each human soul, through the choices he makes, will shape his own destiny." And that includes not just the long-term eventual destination, but also the short-term success, peace, and happiness vs. misery and failure:

As we look back to 1973, when President Tanner spoke these words expressing his deep concern about the state of the evil in the world and the challenges of temptation, it's distressing to see how much things have changed and the far greater issues we face in our time. Perhaps it has never been more true that "Satan is trying harder than ever before to claim souls for his own domain." Our only hope to resist and counteract his effort come "by choosing to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and making our influence an active and positive force." I am grateful for President Tanner's urging that we be active voices in our communities, taking a visible stand where we can in order to defend gospel principles.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)

Elder Richard G. Scott on the supernal blessing of prayer

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928-2015) served as a Seventy from 1977-1988, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He passed away in September 2015 at the age of 86.

"Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, 'Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private' (D&C 19:28).

"It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer."

- Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, p. 8
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Elder Scott reminds us that our Heavenly Father doesn't just invite us to pray to Him; He commands us. But yet prayer is a "supernal gift" to us. The word "supernal" is not common in our vocabulary; it refers to something that is of exceptional or unusual quality, or of something that comes from above. As we come to comprehend that our loving Father is eager to encourage us, to guide and bless us as we turn to Him, we will understand how remarkable and unique this supernal gift truly is.

This is such a beautiful, hopeful invitation from our Father through Elder Scott. God is always available to us. He is always listening, and He will always answer. If we only remember this simple truth, how blessed we will be!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)