The Sacred Responsibilities of Mothers

“Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”

Proclamation, ¶ 7

The Meaning of “Nurture”

Comprehensive Body, Mind, Spirit

Complex Individual, evolving needs

Constant Throughout time and eternity

“We men simply cannot nurture like you nurture. Most of us don't have the sensitivity--spiritual and otherwise--that by your eternal nature you inherently have. Your influence on families and with children, with youth, and with men is singular. You are natural-born nurturers. Because of these unusual gifts and talents, you are vital to taking the gospel to all the world, to demonstrating that there is joy in living the way the prophets have counseled us to live.

(Elder M. Russell Ballard, Here am I, Send Me)

The Meaning of “Primarily Responsible”

Pressures that Detract from NurturingTimeMoneyStatus

Facts on Maternal Employment in the US 13 million US preschoolers, (including 6 million infants and toddlers)

in child care Roughly ¼ of American children are cared for by their parents

Nearly 30% are in childcare centers 15% with family child care providers 5% with in-home caregivers 25% are cared for by relatives

“Prophets have consistently reinforced the importance of mothers devoting their full efforts to caring for their children and avoiding other commitments that seriously detract from this sacred responsibility of nurturing.”

(Text, pg. 72)

The Devaluing of Motherhood

Personal Oppression Growing cultural disrespect of mothers

Economic Oppression US Social Security and Divorce penalties

“[T]oday’s UN committee on discrimination against women promotes the claim of radical feminism that motherhood is an oppressive concept designed to perpetuate male domination…an outdated concept [that] holds women back “from seeking greater fulfillment in paid work.”

(Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Moral Influence of Women)

Re-valuing MotherhoodPersonal Development“Nurturing life is the most profoundly transforming experience in the range of human possibilities.” (M.K. Blakely, Working Mother)

“The critics who move mothers from dependence to independence skipped the fertile middle ground of interdependence. Those who moved mothers from selflessness to selfishness skipped the fertile middle ground of self-chosen service that contributes toward a woman’s personal growth.”

(Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Moral Influence of Women)

Cultural/Economic Contribution“Patricia Holland has said, “If I wanted to destroy society, I would launch an all-out blitz on women.” What did she mean?…Women have certain unique gifts that have long fostered crucial civilizing functions across many cultures. Yet in the last generation, we have witnessed a startling reduction in the performance of these functions. We are losing what these powerful female specialties contribute to cultural cohesiveness.”

(Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Moral Influence of Women)

“Economists used to believe that national wealth came from three factors: land, labor and capital. Now they recognize that human capital, or human knowledge, skills and entrepreneurship, are more important than all others put together…[M]ost human capital is created mothers and other early teachers and caregivers. Mothers are the most valuable producers in the entire economy.”

(Ann Crittenden, The Price of Motherhood)

I Really Lived

Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.