Sharing the Importance of Motherhood

"Picking Wildflowers" by De Scott Evans

I am so excited about the way the ideals of traditional femininity and motherhood have recently begun to grow and spread among LDS women! I attribute this awakening to our wonderful general Relief Society President, Sister Julie B. Beck.

 In the March 2011 Ensign magazine, there is an article by Sister Beck called "Teaching the Doctrine of the Family". The article has been such a breath of fresh air for me! I am excited to have these ideas to teach my children about how to defend the traditional family, gender roles, and the importance of bearing, nurturing, and teaching children.

Here's an excerpt from Sister Beck's wonderful article:

"As I meet with young single adults around the world, I ask them, 'Why does the First Presidency care so much about you and provide so many resources for you?' These are some of the answers I get: 'We are future Church leaders.' 'We need training so we can stay strong.' 'Our testimonies are strengthened in our seminary and institute classes.' 'We need to meet other great Latter-day Saint youth.' 'We are the hope of the future.' I have rarely heard, 'So I will someday be a better father or a better mother.' Their responses are generally about self, because this is the time of life they are in."

"Nevertheless, parents, teachers, and leaders of youth need to teach the rising generation the doctrine of the family. It is essential to help them achieve eternal life (see Moses 1:39). They need to know that the theology of the family is based on the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement. They need to understand the threats to the family so they will know what they are fighting against and can prepare. They need to understand clearly that the fullness of the gospel is realized in temple ordinances and covenants."

Relief Society General President, Sister Julie B. Beck

There are some other AMAZING talks from Sister Beck, as well. Here are a couple that especially have inspired me:

• Daughters in My Kingdom  

"Myths and misperceptions regarding the strength, purpose, and position of Latter-day Saint women abound. Prevailing myths imply that we are of lower importance than men, that we are generally sweet but uninformed, and that no matter what we do, we will never be enough to be accepted by our Heavenly Father. As the Apostle Peter said, there are “false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.”

•  Mothers Who Know  

"The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). ¹ However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.

•  "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit" 

"A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

And in circles of LDS traditional women bloggers, there are also some WONDERFUL posts that have both inspired and strengthened me in my efforts to spread inspiration and encouragement to other women. The following is a list of favorites from great women I admire very much:

Inspiring posts by Deanna at Being a Mother Who Knows:

• A Look At Old-Fashioned Modesty
• Walking to Zion: Restoring Gender to the Family
• Recovering the Lost Arts

Insightful posts by Misty at The Misfit Cygnet:

• A Call for Retrenchment
• Countering Sexualization in Society: Two Ways to Turn the Tide
• Countering Sexualization in Society: That Our Daughters May Be As Cornerstones

Great posts by Cocoa at Chocolate on My Cranium:

• Why Homemaking?
• Wordfull Wednesday: Beauty
• Wordfull Wednesday: Caring for Your Family

And an encouraging post about dressing up by Courtney at Latter-Day Homeschooling:

• The Mom Uniform

I hope you are able to take some time to read Sister Beck's talks, and the posts by the dear ladies above. They have given me hope and encouragement in my efforts to become the wife, homemaker, and mother I know the Lord wants me to be. Enjoy!