Reverence for Motherhood

“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.” Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (1965–75), 6:178.

Motherhood really is a magnificent and spectacular thing and truly is the “holiest” of any mortal pursuit I can imagine.  I am in marvel daily as I am continually pushed to the edge of my abilities as a mother and human being… or so it seems. What I stand in awe with, is the remarkable abundant love and capacity of my own mother who has taught me about the brilliance of being a mother. Self sacrificing, meek, gentle, loving, unconditional,  and an acute awareness as to the sanctity of being a mother, she sparkles from the inside out, that is what creates the magic that only a mother genuinely knows and understands. For me, becoming a mother created an enhanced spirituality that is impossible to articulate but easily desirable by my spirit.  There is nothing as consuming or life-altering than being a mother even in my most taxed days. I love my mother and I love motherhood and am completely overcome with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the exquisite blessings of both.

I love what sister Margaret D. Nadauld says about motherhood

“Our outward appearance is a reflection of what we are on the inside. Our lives reflect that for which we seek. …You can recognize women who are grateful to be a daughter of God by their attitude. They know that the errand of angels is given to women, and they desire to be on God’s errand to love His children and minister to them, to teach them the doctrines of salvation, to call them to repentance, to save them in perilous circumstances, to guide them in the performance of His work, to deliver His messages…You can recognize women who are grateful to be a daughter of God by their reverence for motherhood,… Daughters of God know that it is the nurturing nature of women that can bring everlasting blessings, and they live to cultivate this divine attribute. Surely when a woman reverences motherhood, her children will arise up and call her blessed (see Prov. 31:28) “The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 14–16

That quote sings to me and reminds me of the responsibility’s I have qualified for as a mother to 5 beloved children. “Reverence” is a perfect word in describing the attributes a mother should bestow. Below are a few other quotes worth mentioning. I hope all you mothers and daughters of mothers, take the opportunity to thank our Heavenly Father for the joyful blessing of mothers and for all the many wonderful women (friend, sister, neighbor, teacher etc.) in our lives that have mirrored radiantly the Christlike attributes of mothers.

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”~Abraham Lincoln

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln