Sister Beck teaches us that one of our goals as women, not necessarily mothers, is to
nurture and and feed children spiritually. To have a ”mother heart”, Sister Beck
instructs us that it is more about keeping our covenants ‐‐‐ that the role of
motherhood is divine. Let me start with a disclaimer – I am not qualified as many of
you wonderful mothers to teach about A Mother Heart. I *only* have 10 years
experience as a mother. I *only* have 3 children. And I *only* have girls. So, using
scriptures as my guide, just as Sister she offers us important principles that we can
each apply to our lives as faithful women.
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She opens with the words: “I have often heard my father describe my mother as a
woman with a \"mother heart,\" and that is true. Her mothering influence has been felt
by many hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, and she has refined the role of
nurturer to an art form. Her testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and
strong sense of identity and purpose have guided her life.”
Read Proverbs 31: 10‐27.
So what is a mother heart? <discussion>
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Is it just the bearing and/or rearing of children? Or does it go beyond that?
It’s about nurturing, leading, teaching, and loving.
Covenant‐keeping, serving, and opening our hearts.
It’s about trusting in God and His individual plan for each of us.
Being trustworthy in caring for His children.
Helping Him do His work in whatever capacity may be ours.
Sister Beck says every girl and woman who makes and keeps sacred covenants can
have a mother heart.
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President David O. McKay said, Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either
for good or ill in human life.
Consider the angelic Lamanite mothers and their incredible faith. Their sons believed
in the faith of their mothers. Two thousand stripling warriors, with no battle
experience, but also with no fear of death, fought one of the most incredible battle
victories in recorded history.
Much of that good influence comes from simple words and acts that may at the time
seem small or even mundane. And yet out of small things proceedeth that which is
great. (D&C 64:33)
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Do you think there is an equivalent ‘father heart”? Why or why not?
Does the priesthood instill a ‘father heart’? It could be said that a woman’s job is to
nurture the children, the man’s job is to hold the priesthood and provide for the
family. That’s what the proclamation says. But what about the relationship men have
to their children? Is it the same relationship to kids like “mother heart” represents for
women?
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Do you have to be a mother to have a Mother Heart? Of course not. Women who are
not mothers also show qualities of spirituality, love, and faithfulness.
Mary (of Mary and Martha fame) left the chores of the moment to listen to her
Savior. With precious ointment, she knelt and washed Jesus' feet. Both Mary and her
sister Martha believed in Jesus before He raised Lazarus from the dead, stating, Yea,
Lord I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the
world.? (John 11:27). They represent the Mother Heart.
I thought this was an interesting perspective from a post on an archived forum: “I see
the vantage point of encouraging mothers to excel, and as soon as I heard the talk I
felt she was referring to the spiritual nurturing that moms do…yesterday for 6 hours, I
helped other people's kids to have fun at a community event. At that event, I was the
first responder to help a mom locate her missing child. I helped clean up garbage so
other people could go have fun with their families. This week I'll prepare for activity
days to do my part to help other people's kids…A long time ago, I spent Christmas eve
sitting with a young girl in the hospital‐ her own family wasn't able to be there at that
specific time.”
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Sister Beck’s counsel: “Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here.
A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world
to come, and \"where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also\" (Matthew 6:21).
By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal
mission of motherhood. \"Whatever principle of intelligence [she] attain[s] unto in this
life, it will rise with [her] in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge
and intelligence in this life through [her] diligence and obedience than another, [she]
will have so much the advantage in the world to come\" (D&C 130:18–19).”
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Sister Beck shares a wonderful story where she met a group of young, covenant‐
keeping women with mother hearts They were teaching two‐year‐olds to be kind to
one another. They were soothing babies, kissing bruised knees, and wiping tears.
“I asked one of those mothers how it came about that she could transfer her talents
so cheerfully into the role of motherhood. She replied, \"I know who I am, and I know
what I am supposed to do. The rest just follows.\" That young mother will build faith
and character in the next generation one family prayer at a time, one scripture study
session, one book read aloud, one song, one family meal after another. She is
involved in a great work. She knows that \"children are an heritage of the Lord\" and
\"happy is the [woman] that hath [a] quiver full of them\" (Psalm 127:3, 5). She knows
that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more
lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution
invented by man. She has the vision that, if worthy, she has the potential to be
blessed as Rebekah of old to be \"the mother of thousands of millions\" (Genesis
24:60).”
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Sister Beck tells us, “In my experience I have seen that some of the truest mother
hearts beat in the breasts of women who will not rear their own children in this life,
but they know that \"all things must come to pass in their time\" and that they \"are
laying the foundation of a great work\" (D&C 64:32–33). As they keep their covenants,
they are investing in a grand, prestigious future because they know that \"they who
keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and
ever\" (Abraham 3:26).
As someone who has struggled with infertility, Mother’s Day may be incredibly
difficult. Women who are unable to have children and single women can energize
their mother heart by working with children or giving of themselves in some way.
Women who do such work can find joy in it and bring happiness and wholesome
influence into the lives of children, especially those who have been denied a mother’s
love.
By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal
mission of motherhood.
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Why did the Lord give us families? My mother heart extends to teenagers, even
though my eldest is not yet there. I think about our most recent nanny, who at the
tender age of 19 helped my family truly learn the meaning of mother heart. Young
men – teenagers – on their missions. Even Joseph Smith at the tender age of 14,
seeing the First Vision. Lucy Mack Smith absolutely had a mother heart.
Show clip from lds.org
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If Mother’s Day is not special for you because you don’t yet have kids or you can’t or
your kids have all gone off the deep end or your own mother was crazy—or if your
children and/or husband just don’t get that you should be cherished and celebrated
just one Sunday a year—then change your focus.
Be happy for those who do have the blessings of children. Feel blessed for the great
kids of our ward you come in contact with and with whom you influence in your
callings or your work. Remember that you have a Mother in Heaven who loves you.
Look around the room. Find someone worth celebrating and send your mother heart
her way.
And have a happy Mother’s Day.
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