Quotes on Mothers
“Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. . . . She who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters. . . deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God -President David O. McKay
As Prophet of the church, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave this address in the October 1997 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“You sister are the real builders of the nation wherever you live. For you have created homes of strength and peace and security.”
An address given by President Ezra Taft Benson as the Prophet of the church.
“No more sacred word exists in secular or holy writ than that of mother. There is no more noble work than that of a good and God-fearing mother.”
Talk given by President N. Eldon Tanner when he served as First Counselor in the First Presidency. It was later made into a pamphlet distributed by the church. This also includes a message from the First Presidency when President Spencer W. Kimball was prophet.
“There is nothing more sacred than true womanhood.”
Talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the April 1997 General Conference.
“I wish to praise those motherly hand that have rocked the infant’s cradle and, through the righteousness taught to their children there, are at the very center of the Lord’s purposes for us in mortality.”
Each Motherhood Situation Unique
“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be ‘full-time moms,’ at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.”
M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108
Motherhood, the Noblest Office
“President David O. McKay put it beautifully when he said, speaking of mothers, ‘This ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift to love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. . .’ (Gospel Ideals, Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953, pp. 453-54).”
H. Burke Peterson, “Mother, Catch the Vision of Your Call,” Ensign, May 1974, 31-32
“I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation.”
L. Tom Perry, “Mothers Teaching Children in the Home,” Ensign, May 2010, 31
Be Good Women, Be Good Mothers
“You women, be good women, be good mothers. Be kind and gracious and generous. Strengthen your children with your faith and your testimony. Lift them up. Help them to walk through the troubled ways of the world as they grow in this very difficult age. Support, sustain, uphold, and bless your husbands with your love and your encouragement; and the Lord will bless you. Even if they are not members of the Church, bless them with kindness and reach out to them every good way that you can. The chances are that they will become members of the Church before they reach the time they die. It may be a long time and you may have a lot to put up with, but if that happens, you will think it is all worth it.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, Mar. 2006, 4
The Influence of Righteous Women
“Do the best you can to help all of us reach higher and do better. Use your innate spiritual gifts to bless. Help us push back the pernicious influences of the world in our lives, our homes, and in the Church.”
James E. Faust, “You Are All Heaven Sent,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 114
“Have we cultivated a spirit of love in our homes? Observed President David O. McKay, ‘A true Mormon home is one in which if Christ should chance to enter, he would be pleased to linger and to rest’ (in Conference Report, Oct. 1947, 120).
“What are we doing to ensure that our homes meet this description? Do we ourselves meet it?”
Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 79
Be a Woman of Christ
Be a woman of Christ. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This Church needs you. The world needs you. A woman’s abiding trust in God and unfailing devotion to things of the Spirit have always been an anchor when the wind and the waves of life were fiercest. (See J. Reuben Clark, in Conference Report, Apr. 1940, 21, for a lengthy tribute to women of the Church.) I say to you what the Prophet Joseph said more than 150 years ago: ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates’ (History of the Church, 4:605).
Jeffrey R. Holland, “To Young Women,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 28
“We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Influence of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Sept. 2009,
“Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: ‘Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God’ (D&C 88:119).
“In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved.”
Thomas S. Monson, “The Spirit of Relief Society,” Ensign, May 1992, 101–2
“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.”
M. Russell Ballard, “Mothers and Daughters,” Ensign, May 2010, 18
“There are many benevolent groups of women who do great good. There are many who have overpowering feelings of sympathy for the unfortunate, the sick, and the needy. But [the Relief Society] is unique and has been from its start.
“In the foundation they created, those great sisters set ‘charity never faileth’ (1 Corinthians 13:8; Moroni 7:46) at the center. It served them at the beginning, it served them in the great period that followed, it serves them now in a new time, and it will serve the Relief Society in all the periods ahead.”
Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 121
“Why is our being virtuous so important not just to our earthly parents but to our Heavenly Father as well? Virtue brings peace, strength of character, and happiness in this life. Our Heavenly Father knew that we would be faced with many choices and challenges, and virtuous living would prepare us to succeed.”
Mary N. Cook, “A Virtuous Life—Step by Step,” Ensign, May 2009, 117
“[Women are] to strengthen families and homes. Families worldwide are being assaulted and weakened by corrupt practices and false teachings. . . .
“The First Presidency has counseled, ‘However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform’ (First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999). . . .
“Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world.”
Julie B. Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 110
“I want to express my appreciation for the wonderful women of the Church. We love the women of our Church. We love them as deeply as our own wives, our mothers, our grandmothers, our sisters, and our friends. Someday, when the whole story of this and previous dispensations is told, it will be filled with courageous stories of our women, of their wisdom and their devotion, their courage.”
Spencer W. Kimball, “The True Way of Life and Salvation,” Ensign, May 1978, 5
“Too frequently, women underestimate their influence for good. Well could you follow the formula given by the Lord: ‘Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God’ (D&C 88:119).
“In such a house will be found happy, smiling children who have been taught, by precept and example, the truth. In a Latter-day Saint home, children are not simply tolerated, but welcomed; not commanded, but encouraged; not driven, but guided; not neglected, but loved.”
Thomas S. Monson,, “The Spirit of Relief Society, Ensign,” May 1992, 101-102
“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”
Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 14.
Sometimes, a stay-at-home mom can feel inadequate, overwhelmed, overworked, and under-appreciated. The one thing I finally realized, as I was doing other people’s laundry, shopping for other people’s things, and cooking for everyone else, is that there is One other person who spent all of His time serving others, and His life was the greatest and most important of all. Being a mother is the perfect way to become more like Him, and it’s hard work. We’re going to have days where we fail. We just have to get back up and smile, knowing that we truly claim the most noble profession of them all.
Motherhood is the symbol of love, in its highest and purest form. Motherhood is the symbol of compassion, forgiveness, unselfishness, patience, long-suffering, faith and fortitude. Motherhood is the cardinal point in God’s intelligent plan, the keystone of His glorious creation, the purest channel of His magnificent handiwork. To revere motherhood is to worship God. He who holds in his heart the greatest love, the highest esteem and the deepest reverence for motherhood, walks closest to God.
-Harry Halsey Starett
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after
you’ve had a baby …somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a mother,
“normal”, is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct …somebody
never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring …somebody never rode in a
car driven by a teenager with a driver’s permit.
Somebody said if you’re a “good” mother, your child will “turn out
good”
..somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said “good” mothers never raise their voices ….somebody
never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf
ball
through the neighbor’s kitchen window.
Somebody said you don’t need an education to be a mother …somebody
never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Somebody said you can’t love the fifth child as much as you love
the first …somebody doesn’t have five children.
Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing
questions in the books …somebody never had a child stuff beans up
his nose or in his ears.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery
..somebody never watched her “baby” get on the bus for the first day
of
kindergarten … or on a plane headed for military “boot camp”
Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one
hand tied behind her back …somebody never organized seven giggling
Brownies to sell cookies.
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married
..somebody doesn’t know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in
-law to a mother’s heartstrings.
Somebody said a mother’s job is done when her last child leaves home
..somebody never had grandchildren.
“Men are what their mothers made them.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Marriage and Motherhood are the best ways to truly have your patience
tried and stretched enough for perfection.
Love is a roller coaster. Motherhood is a whole amusement park. ~Cathy Guisewhite
…A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place
no one else can take.