MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

My next few posts will be highlights from conference talks – mostly quotes.

This one is from the talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard about mothers and daughters.

“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.”

“There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.”

Speaking to daughters:

“Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings (your mothers) pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches.” (This is so true!)

“I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. (He also mentions earlier in his talk that if you do not have a faithful mother to follow that an aunt, sister, sister-in-law, etc. can fill that role. I suggest making a list of righteous women in your life.) Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards.”

“Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. (I must not be the only one! I am completely texting illiterate!) But when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge.”

“No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness – in this life and forever.”
“Love your mother. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do.”

Speaking to mothers:

“Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters – even if they don’t acknowledge it.”

“Today our society is bombarded with messages about womanhood and motherhood that are dangerously and wickedly wrong. Following these messages can put your daughters on the path to sin and self-destruction. Your daughters may not understand that unless you tell them.”

“Teach your daughters to find joy in nurturing children. This is where their love and talents can have the greatest eternal significance.”

“Mothers, teach your daughters that a faithful daughter of God avoids the temptation to gossip or judge one another.”

“Teach them how to repent and how to remain pure and worthy.”

“Learn from the past.”

“When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most meaningful teachings come from those who have gone before you. . . How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ.”

“In these last days it is essential – even critical – that parents and children listen to and learn from one another.”

Speaking of learning from the past, my own mother was a great example. She often helped others far beyond the call of duty. Some told her that she was crazy – that these people were just taking advantage of her. Her reply was that the Lord expected her to help and she would do all she was able. It was not for her to judge. But she didn’t just give handouts; she tried to teach all those she helped to eventually be able to help themselves. She gave of her time, and she shared her skills.

She was a righteous woman who strongly desired that her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would embrace the truths of the gospel. She loved each one so very much.

She also visited the local rest home every week for many years. My daughter Julisa is following this example. I think it takes a special kind of person to be able to do this.

I want my daughters, my granddaughters, and my daughters-in-law to know how much I love them and so much appreciate the righteous choices that they make. May we continue to always learn from each other.