Motherhood Quotes

Since today is Mother's Day, these quotes were brought to mind. I thought I would share them here. You can click on the title of the talk to see the whole talk. The are both amazing talks, of course. I just wanted to quote the parts that stuck out to me at the time I listened to or read them.

"God bless you, dear friends. Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days. I hope that when that occurs you will not be led to exclaim as did King Lear, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (King Lear, I, iv, 312). Rather, I hope that you will have every reason to be proud concerning your children, to have love for them, to have faith in them, to see them grow in righteousness and virtue before the Lord, to see them become useful and productive members of society. If with all you have done there is an occasional failure, you can still say, 'At least I did the very best of which I was capable. I tried as hard as I knew how. I let nothing stand in the way of my role as a mother.' Failures will be few under such circumstances."
“Your Greatest Challenge, Mother” Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 2000

This next one was given in a talk while I was pregnant with Elsa. It really impacted me at the time, and still does as I read it.

"Sometimes that love comes in unexpected ways. Kristen was finishing a graduate degree and had recently given birth to her second child. She felt the other graduates had accomplished so much more and was reluctant to attend the graduation dinner. Her fears were confirmed when, at the dinner, the students were asked to list their professional accomplishments. Kristen recalled: “I suddenly felt embarrassed and ashamed. I had nothing to call myself, no lofty position, no impressive job title.” To make matters worse, the professor read the lists as he presented a diploma to each student. The woman ahead of Kristen had many accomplishments: she already had a PhD, was receiving a second master’s degree, and she’d even been a mayor! The woman received grand applause.
Then it was Kristen’s turn. She handed the professor her blank sheet, trying to hold back the tears. The professor had been one of her teachers and had praised her performance. He looked at her blank paper. Without missing a beat he announced, “Kristen holds the most critical role in all of society.” He was quiet for a few seconds, then declared in a powerful voice, “She is the mother of her children.” Instead of a few courteous claps, people rose to their feet. There was just one standing ovation that night; it was for the mother in the room.
Mothers, you are instruments in God’s hands, with a divine responsibility to teach and nurture your children. Little ones so need your kind and loving hand. As you put them first, He will direct you how to best serve them."
"Sweet Moments" Bonnie D. Parkin, Ensign, Nov. 2005

I've had a great day so far and have no reason to think it won't be a great day! I hope all of the other mother's out there are having a great day too!