Mothers as Nurturers

Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.

Prayer 

Opening Song - The Dearest Names

Lesson - Mothers have a very important role.

I am pretty sure this is going to be my favorite lesson, because I love being a mom, and even more importantly I love being a mom to all of you! I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be in this world, then here with all of you.

I can't think of a better example of mothers than the story of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors! We are going to read together Alma 56-58

I absolutely love this! It says that these young stripling warriors did not fear, because their mothers taught them. 

Discussion:

We don't know the perusal stories of these families, but it is thought that some or even many could have been widows from previous wars. How do you imagine these mothers felt sending their sons off to war? 

How were they able to do such a difficult thing?

Elder Holland gave a wonderful talk on the importance and sacredness of motherhood all the way back in 1977, and it still applies as much today as it did 37 years ago.

I am going to share a little bit of his talk with you guys,

Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Husbands—especially husbands—as well as Church leaders and friends in every direction, be helpful and sensitive and wise. Remember, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” 6

Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever. And if, for whatever reason, you are making this courageous effort alone, without your husband at your side, then our prayers will be all the greater for you, and our determination to lend a helping hand even more resolute.

One young mother wrote to me recently that her anxiety tended to come on three fronts. One was that whenever she heard talks on LDS motherhood, she worried because she felt she didn’t measure up or somehow wasn’t going to be equal to the task. Secondly, she felt like the world expected her to teach her children reading, writing, interior design, Latin, calculus, and the Internet—all before the baby said something terribly ordinary, like “goo goo.” Thirdly, she often felt people were sometimes patronizing, almost always without meaning to be, because the advice she got or even the compliments she received seemed to reflect nothing of the mental investment, the spiritual and emotional exertion, the long-night, long-day, stretched-to-the-limit demands that sometimes are required in trying to be and wanting to be the mother God hopes she will be.

But one thing, she said, keeps her going: “Through the thick and the thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God’s work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. I am deeply moved that God finds His ultimate purpose and meaning in being a parent, even if some of His children make Him weep.

“It is this realization,” she says, “that I try to recall on those inevitably difficult days when all of this can be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us. Maybe He secretly hopes we will be anxious,” she said, “and will plead for His help. Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered. I like that idea,” she concludes. “It gives me hope. If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense.” (source)

I know with all my heart that I am doing what Heavenly Father wants me to be doing by taking care of you guys. Some days are kind of hard and I'm not as patient as I would have hoped to be, but thanks to loving and forgiving children and Heavenly Father I get to keep trying. I love you all so much and am so honored to be your mom.

Activity - Stripling Warrior Game

(print off before lesson)
Treat - Brownie Dessert Pizza