To the Mothers in Zion (1987)

To the Mothers in Zion

Address G i v e n at a Fireside for Parents by President Ezra T a f t B e n s o n T T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of 22 F e b r u a

Published hy T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C f i r i s t of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake C i t y , U t a h Copyright © 1987 hy C o r p o r a t i o n of the President of T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of Latter-day Saints A l l rights reserved Printed i n the U n i t e d States of A m e r i c a

To the Mothers in Zion A n Address G i v e n at a Fireside tor Parents by President Ezra Tafr Benson ot T h e C h u r c h of Jesus Chrisr of Latter-day Saints on 22 February 1987

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rejoice i n the opportunity of being w i t h you this e v e n i n g .

I have been touched by the beautiful music and the splendid instructions w e h a v e received.

T h e r e is no theme 1 w o u l d rather speak to t h a n home a n d f a m i l y , for they are at t h e very heart of the gospel of Je.sus C h r i s t . T h e C h u r c h , i n large part, exists for the s a l v a t i o n and e x a l t a t i o n of the f a m i l y .

A t a recent general priesthood m e e t i n g , I spoke directly to the young m e n of the A a r o n i c Priesthood regarding their duties a n d responsibilities. S h o r t l y thereafter, at a general women's conference, 1 spoke to the y o u n g w o m e n of the C h u r c h , discussing their opportunities a n d their sacred c a l l i n g s .

T o n i g h t , at this fireside for parents, seeking the sweet inspitation of h e a v e n , I w o u l d like to speak directly to the mothers assembled here a n d throughout the C h u r c h , for you are, or should be, the very heart a n d soul of the family.

No More Noble Work N o more sacred word exists i n secular or h o l y writ t h a n that of mother. T h e r e is n o more

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noble w o r k t h a n that of a good and G o d - f e a r i n g mother.

T h i s e v e n i n g 1 pay tribute to the mothers i n Z i o n a n d pray w i t h a l l my heart that w h a t 1 have to say to you w i l l be understood by the Spirit and w i l l lift a n d bless your lives i n your sacred callings as mothers.

President D a v i d O . M c K a y declared: " M o t h e r h o o d is the greatest potential influence either for good or i l l i n h u m a n life.

T h e mother's image is the first that stamps itself o n the u n w r i t t e n page of the young child's m i n d . It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first tealization of affection; her .sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love i n the w o r l d " (Gospel Ideals [Salt L a k e C i t y : T h e I m p r o v e m e n t E r a , 1953], p. 4 5 2 ) .

President M c K a y c o n t i n u e s : " M o t h e r h o o d consists of three p r i n c i p a l attributes or qualities: n a m e l y , ( 1 ) the power to bear, ( 2 ) the ability to rear, ( 3 ) the gift to love. . . . " T h i s ability and w i l l i n g n e s s properly to rear c h i l d r e n , the gift to love, a n d eagerness, yes, longing to express it i n soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or c a l l i n g , i n the w o r l d . S h e w h o c a n paint a masterpiece or write a book that w i l l influence m i l l i o n s deserves the a d m i r a t i o n a n d the plaudits of m a n k i n d ; but she w h o rears successfully a family of h e a l t h y , beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence w i l l be felt through generations to c o m e , . . . deserves the highest honot that m a n c a n give, and the choicest blessings of G o d " (Gospel Ideals, pp. 4 5 3 - 5 4 ) .

W i t h a l l my heart I endorse the words of President M c K a y .

A Mother's Role Is God-ordained I n the eternal f a m i l y , G o d established that fathers are to preside i n the h o m e . Eathers are to provide, to l o v e , to t e a c h , a n d to direct.

But a mother's role is also G o d - o r d a i n e d .

Mothers are to conceive

to bear, to n o u r i s h , to

love, a n d to t r a i n . S o declare the r e v e l a t i o n s .

I n section 132 of the D o c t r i n e a n d C o v e n a n t s , the L o r d states that t h e opportunity a n d responsibility of w i v e s is "to multiply a n d replenish the e a r t h , according to my c o m m a n d m e n t , a n d to fulfil the promise w h i c h was g i v e n by my Father before the foundation of the w o r l d , a n d for t h e i r exaltation i n the eternal w o r l d s , that they m a y bear the souls of m e n ; for h e r e i n is the w o r k of my Father c o n t i n u e d , that he m a y be glorified" ( D & C 1 3 2 : 6 3 ) .

Husbands and Wives Are Co-creators W i t h this d i v i n e i n j u n c t i o n , husbands a n d w i v e s , as co-creators, should eagerly a n d prayerfully i n v i t e c h i l d r e n into their homes.

T h e n , as each c h i l d joins their f a m i l y c i r c l e , they c a n gratefully e x c l a i m , as d i d H a n n a h , " F o r this c h i l d 1 prayed; a n d the L o r d h a t h given me my petition w h i c h 1 asked of h i m : T h e r e f o r e also 1 h a v e lent h i m to the L o r d : as long as h e l i v e t h h e s h a l l be lent to the L o r d " (1 S a m u e l 1 : 2 7 - 2 8 ) .

Isn't that beautiful? A mother p r a y i n g to bear a c h i l d and t h e n g i v i n g h i m to t h e L o r d .

1 have always loved the words of S o l o m o n : " C h i l d r e n are an heritage of the L o r d : and . . . happy is the man [and woman] that hath [their] quiver full of them" (Psalm 1 2 7 : 3 - 5 ) .

1 k n o w the special blessings of a large a n d happy f a m i l y , for my dear parents h a d a q u i v e r full of c h i l d r e n . B e i n g the oldest o f e l e v e n c h i l d r e n , 1 saw the principles of unselfishness, mutual consideration, loyalty to e a c h other, and a host of other virtues developed i n a large a n d wonderful family w i t h my noble mother as the queen of that h o m e .

Y o u n g mothers a n d fathers, w i t h a l l m y heart I counsel you not to postpone h a v i n g your c h i l d r e n , being co-creators w i t h our F a t h e r i n Heaven.

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Do not use the reasoning of the w o r l d , such as, " W e ' l l w a i t u n t i l we c a n better afford h a v i n g c h i l d r e n , u n t i l w e are more secure, u n t i l J o h n has completed his e du c a t i o n , u n t i l he has a better-paying j o b , u n t i l we h a v e a larget h o m e , u n t i l w e ' v e obtained a few of the material c o n v e n i e n c e s , " a n d o n and o n .

T h i s is the reasoning of the w o r l d , a n d is not pleasing i n the sight of G o d . M o t h e t s w h o enjoy good h e a l t h , h a v e your c h i l d r e n a n d h a v e t h e m early. A n d , husbands, always be considerate of your w i v e s i n the beating of children.

Do not c u r t a i l the n u m b e r of your c h i l d r e n for personal or selfish reastms. M a t e r i a l possessions, social c o n v e n i e n c e , and s i ) - c a l l e d professional advantages are n o t h i n g compared to a righteous posterity. I n the eternal perspective, c h i l d r e n — n o t possessions, not position, not p r e s t i g e — a r e our greatest jewels.

B r i g h a m Y o u n g emphasized: " T h e r e are multitudes of pure a n d h o l y spirits w a i t i n g to take tabernacles, n o w w h a t is our d u t y . ' — T o prepare tabernacles for t h e m ; to take a course that w i l l not tend to d r i v e those spirits into the families of the w i c k e d , w h e r e they w i l l be trained i n w i c k e d n e s s , debauchery, a n d every species of c r i m e . I t is the duty of every righteous m a n a n d w o m a n to prepare tabernacles for a l l the spirits they c a n " (Discourses

of Brigham Young,

sel. J o h n A .

W i d t s o e [Salt L a k e G i t y : Deseret Book C o . , 1954], p. 197).

Yes, blessed is the husband a n d w i f e w h o h a v e a f a m i l y of c h i l d r e n . T h e deepest joys and blessings i n life are associated w i t h f a m i l y , parenthood, a n d sacrifice. T o h a v e those sweet spirits come i n t o the h o m e is w o r t h practically any sacrifice.

Special P r o m i s e s of

God

W e realize that some w o m e n , through no fault of their o w n , are not able to bear c h i l d r e n . T o

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these lovely sisters, every prophet of G o d has ptomised that they w i l l be blessed w i t h c h i l d r e n i n the eternities a n d that posterity w i l l not be denied t h e m .

T h r o u g h pure f a i t h , pleading prayers, fasting, and special priesthood hlessings, m a n y of these same lovely sisters, w i t h their noble companions at their sides, h a v e h a d miracles take place i n their lives a n d h a v e been blessed w i t h c h i l d r e n . O t h e r s h a v e prayerfully c h o s e n to adopt c h i l d r e n , a n d to these w o n d e r f u l couples we salute you for the sacrifices a n d love you have g i v e n to those c h i l d r e n you have chosen to be your o w n .

Rearing Children the Lord's Way N o w , my dear mothers, k n o w i n g of your d i v i n e role to bear and rear c h i l d r e n a n d bring t h e m back to H i m , h o w w i l l you a c c o m p l i s h this i n the Lord's way? I say the " L o r d ' s w a y , " because it is different from the world's w a y .

T h e L o r d clearly defined the roles of mothers and fathers i n p r o v i d i n g for a n d rearing a righteous posterity. I n the b e g i n n i n g , A d a m — n o t E v e — w a s instructed to e a r n the bread by the sweat of his brow. C o n t r a r y to c o n v e n t i o n a l w i s d o m , a mother's c a l l i n g is i n the home, not i n the marketplace.

A g a i n , i n the LAictrine a n d C o v e n a n t s , w e read: " W o m e n have c l a i m o n t h e i r husbands for their m a i n t e n a n c e , u n t i l their husbands are t a k e n " ( D & C 8 3 : 2 ) . T h i s is the d i v i n e right of a wife and mother. S h e cares for a n d nourishes her c h i l d r e n at h o m e . H e r h u s b a n d earns the l i v i n g for the f a m i l y , w h i c h makes this nourishing possible. W i t h that c l a i m o n their husbands for their f i n a n c i a l support, the counsel of the C h u r c h has always been for mothers to spend their full time i n the h o m e in reating a n d caring for t h e i r c h i l d r e n .

W e realize also that some of our c h o i c e sisters are widowed a n d d i v o r c e d a n d that others f i n d themselves i n unusual circumstances w h e r e .

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out of necessity, they are required to work for a period of t i m e . B u t these instances ate the e x c e p t i o n , not the rule.

I n a home w h e r e there is a n ahle-hcidied husband, he is expected to be the breadwinner. S o m e t i m e s we heat of husbands w h o , because of e c o n o m i c conditit)ns, have lost their jobs a n d expect their w i v e s to go out of the home a n d work e v e n though the husband is still capable of p r o v i d i n g for his family. I n these cases, we urge the husband to do a l l i n his power to allow his wife to temain in the home c a r i n g for the c h i l d r e n w h i l e he continues to provide for his f a m i l y the best he c a n , e v e n though the job he is able to secure may not be ideal a n d f a m i l y budgeting w i l l have to be tighter.

Counsel of President Kimball O u r beloved prophet S p e n c e r W . K i m b a l l had m u c h to say about the tole of mothers i n the home and their callings a n d responsibilities. 1 am impressed tonight to share w i t h you some of his inspired pronouncements. 1 fear that m u c h of his counsel has gone unheeded, and families h a v e suffered because of it. But 1 stand this e v e n i n g as a second witness to the ttuthfulness of w h a t President Spencer W .

K i m b a l l said. H e spoke as a true prophet of God. President K i m b a l l declared: " W o m e n arc to take care of the f a m i l y — t h e L o r d has so s t a t e d — t o be a n assistant to the husband, to work w i t h h i m , but not to e a r n the l i v i n g , except i n unusual circumstances. M e n ought to be m e n indeed a n d eatn the l i v i n g under n o r m a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s " (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. E d w a r d L . K i m b a l l [Salt L a k e C i t y : Bookctaft, 1982], p. 3 1 8 ) .

President K i m b a l l continues: " T o o m a n y mothers w o r k away from home to f u r n i s h sweaters a n d music lessons a n d trips and fun for their c h i l d r e n . T o o m a n y w o m e n spend their time i n socializing, i n p o l i t i c k i n g , i n

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public services w h e n they s h o u l d be home to teach and t r a i n a n d receive a n d love their c h i l d r e n into security" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 3 1 9 ) .

R e m e m b e r the counsel of President K i m b a l l to J o h n and M a r y : " M a r y , you are to become a career w o m a n i n the greatest career o n e a r t h — t h a t of h o m e m a k e r , wife, a n d mother.

It was never intended by the L o r d that married w o m e n should compete w i t h m e n i n employment. T h e y h a v e a far greater a n d more important service to render" (Faith Precedes the Miracle [Salt L a k e C i t y : Deseret Book C o . , 1975], p. 128).

A g a i n President K i m b a l l speaks: " T h e h u s b a n d is expected to support his f a m i l y a n d o n l y i n an emergency should a wife secure ttutside employment. H e r place is i n the h o m e , to build the home into a h e a v e n of delight. " N u m e r o u s divorces c a n be traced directly to the day w h e n the wife left the h o m e a n d w e n t out into the w o r l d into e m p l o y m e n t . T w o incomes raise the standard of l i v i n g beyond its n o r m . T w o spouses w o r k i n g p r e v e n t the complete and proper home life, break into the family prayers, create a n independence w h i c h is not cooperative, causes d i s t o r t i o n , l i m i t s the family, and frustrates the c h i l d r e n already b o r n " (fireside address, S a n A n t o n i o , T e x a s , 3 D e c . 1977).

F i n a l l y , President K i m b a l l counsels: "1 beg of you, you w h o could a n d should be hearing a n d rearing a f a m i l y : w i v e s , come home f r o m the typewritet, the laundry, the n u r s i n g , come home from the factoty, the cafe. N o career approaches i n importance that of w i f e , homemaker, m o t h e r — c o o k i n g meals, w a s h i n g dishes, m a k i n g beds for one's precious husband and c h i l d r e n . C o m e h o m e , w i v e s , to your husbands. M a k e home a h e a v e n for t h e m .

C o m e home, w i v e s , to your c h i l d r e n , b o r n and u n b o r n . W r a p the mtttherly cloak about you a n d , unembarrassed, help i n a major role 7

to create the bodies for the i m m o r t a l souls w h o anxiously a w a i t . " W h e n you h a v e fully c o m p l e m e n t e d your husband i n home life a n d borne the c h i l d r e n , growing up full of f a i t h , integrity, responsibility, a n d goodness, t h e n you have a c h i e v e d your a c c o m p l i s h m e n t supreme, w i t h o u t peer, a n d you w i l l be the e n v y [of all] through time a n d e t e r n i t y " (fireside address, San Antonio, T e x a s ) .

President K i m b a l l spoke the t r u t h . H i s words are prophetic.

Ten Ways to Spend Time with Children Mothers i n Z i o n , your G o d - g i v e n roles are so v i t a l to your o w n e x a l t a t i o n a n d to the salvation a n d e x a l t a t i o n of your f a m i l y . A c h i l d needs a mother more t h a n a l l the things money c a n buy. S p e n d i n g time w i t h your c h i l d r e n is the greatest gift of a l l .

W i t h love i n my heart for the mothers i n Z i o n , I w o u l d n o w l i k e to suggest ten specific ways our mothers may spend effective time w i t h their c h i l d r e n .

Be at the Crossroads. First, take time to always be at the crossroads w h e n your c h i l d r e n are either c o m i n g or g o i n g — w h e n they leave and return from s c h o o l , w h e n they leave and return from dates, w h e n they bring friends home. Be there at the crossroads w h e t h e r your c h i l d r e n are six or s i x t e e n . I n Proverbs we read, " A c h i l d left to h i m s e l f bringeth his mother to s h a m e " (Proverbs 2 9 : 1 5 ) . A m o n g the greatest concerns i n our society are the m i l l i o n s of l a t c h k e y c h i l d r e n w h o come home daily to empty houses, unsupervised by w o r k i n g parents.

Be a Real Friend. S e c o n d , mothers, take time to be a real f r i e n d to your c h i l d r e n . L i s t e n to your c h i l d r e n , really listen. T a l k w i t h t h e m , laugh and joke w i t h t h e m , sing w i t h t h e m , play w i t h t h e m , cry w i t h t h e m , hug t h e m , honestly praise t h e m . Y e s , regularly spend

unrushed one-on-one time w i t h e a c h c h i l d . Be a real friend to your c h i l d r e n .

Read to Your Children. T h i r d , mothers, take time to read to your c h i l d r e n . S t a r t i n g f r o m the cradle, read to your sons a n d daughters.

Remember w h a t the poet said: Y o u may have tangible w e a l t h u n t o l d ; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

R i c h e r t h a n I you c a n n e v e r be — 1 had a mother w h o read to me.

(Strickland Gillilan, " T h e Reading Mother.")

Y o u w i l l plant a love for good literature a n d a real love for the scriptures if you w i l l read to your c h i l d r e n regularly.

Pray with Your Children.

F o u r t h , take t i m e to pray w i t h yout c h i l d r e n . F a m i l y prayers, under the direction of the father, should be h e l d m o r n i n g and night. H a v e your c h i l d r e n feel of your f a i t h as you c a l l d o w n the blessings of h e a v e n upon t h e m . Paraphrasing the words of James, " T h e . . . fervent prayer of a righteous [mother] a v a i l e t h m u c h " (James 5 : 1 6 ) . H a v e your c h i l d r e n participate i n f a m i l y a n d personal prayers, and rejoice i n their sweet utterances to their Father i n H e a v e n .

Have Weekly Home Evenings. F i f t h , take time to have a meaningful weekly h o m e e v e n i n g .

W i t h your husband presiding, participate i n a spiritual a n d a n uplifting h o m e e v e n i n g e a c h week. H a v e your c h i l d r e n a c t i v e l y i n v o l v e d .

T e a c h t h e m correct principles. M a k e this one of your great f a m i l y traditions. R e m e m b e r the marvelous promise made by President Joseph F . S m i t h w h e n home evenings were first introduced to the C h u r c h : " I f the S a i n t s obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings w i l l tesult. L o v e at h o m e a n d obedience to parents w i l l increase. F a i t h w i l l be developed i n the hearts of the y o u t h of I s r a e l , a n d they w i l l gain power to combat the e v i l i n f l u e n c e and temptations w h i c h beset t h e m " (James R .

C l a r k , c o m p . . Messages of the First Presidency of 9

The Church of ]esus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. [Salt L a k e C i t y : Bookctaft, 1 9 6 5 - 7 5 [ , 4 : 3 3 9 ) . T h i s w o n d e r f u l promise is still i n effect today.

Be Together at Mealtimes. S i x t h , take time to he together at mealtimes as often as possible.

T h i s is a challenge as the c h i l d t e n get older and lives get busier. B u t happy c o n v e r s a t i o n , sharing of the day's plans and a c t i v i t i e s , and special teaching moments occur at mealtime because mothers a n d fathers a n d c h i l d r e n work at it.

Read Scriptures Daily. S e v e n t h , take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.

I n d i v i d u a l scripture reading is important, but family scripture reading is v i t a l . R e a d i n g the Book of M o r m o n together as a f a m i l y w i l l especially bring increased spirituality into your home and w i l l give both patents and c h i l d r e n the power to resist temptation a n d to h a v e the H o l y G h o s t as t h e i r constant c o m p a n i o n . 1 promise you that the B o o k of M o r m o n w i l l change the lives of your f a m i l y .

Do Things as a Family. E i g h t h , take time to do things together as a f a m i l y . M a k e family outings a n d p i c n i c s and birthday celebrations and trips special times a n d memory builders.

W h e n e v e r possible, a t t e n d , as a f a m i l y , events where one of the f a m i l y members is i n v o l v e d , such as a school play, a ball game, a talk, a recital. A t t e n d c h u r c h meetings together and sit together as a f a m i l y w h e n you c a n .

Mothers w h o h e l p families pray a n d play together w i l l stay together and w i l l bless children's lives forever.

Teach Your Children.

N i n t h , mothers, take time to teach your c h i l d r e n . C a t c h the teaching m o m e n t s . T h i s c a n be done anytime during the day — at m e a l t i m e , i n casual settings, or at special s i t - d o w n times together, at the foot of the bed at the end of the day, or during a n early m o r n i n g w a l k together.

Mothers, you are your c h i l d r e n ' s best teacher.

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D o n ' t shift this precious responsibility to day-care centers or baby-sitters. A mother's love and prayerful c o n c e r n for her c h i l d r e n are her most important ingredients i n t e a c h i n g her o w n .

T e a c h c h i l d r e n gospel p r i n c i p l e s . T e a c h t h e m it pays to be good. T e a c h t h e m there is n o safety i n s i n . T e a c h t h e m a love for the gospel of Jesus C h r i s t and a testimony of its d i v i n i t y .

T e a c h your sons and daughters mttdesty, a n d teach t h e m to respect m a n h o o d a n d w o m a n h o o d . T e a c h your c h i l d r e n sexual purity, proper dating standards, temple martiage, missionary service, a n d the importance of accepting and m a g n i f y i n g C h u r c h callings.

T e a c h t h e m a love fot w o r k a n d the v a l u e of a good education.

T e a c h t h e m the importance of the right k i n d of e n t e t t a i n m e n t , i n c l u d i n g appropriate movies a n d videos a n d music a n d books a n d magazines. Discuss the e v i l s of pornography and drugs, and teach t h e m the value of l i v i n g the c l e a n life.

Yes, mothers, teach your c h i l d r e n the gospel in your o w n h o m e , at your o w n fireside. T h i s is the most effective teaching that your c h i l d r e n w i l l ever receive. T h i s is the L o r d ' s way of teaching. T h e C h u r c h c a n n o t t e a c h like you c a n . T h e school c a n n o t . T h e day-care center cannot. But you c a n , a n d the L o r d w i l l sustain y o u . Y o u r c h i l d r e n w i l l remember your teachings forever, a n d w h e n they are o l d , they w i l l not depart f r o m t h e m . T h e y w i l l c a l l you b l e s s e d — t h e i r truly angel mother.

Mothers, this k i n d of h e a v e n l y , motherlyteaching takes t i m e — l o t s of t i m e . I t c a n n o t be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time i n order to save a n d e x a l t your c h i l d r e n . T h i s is your d i v i n e c a l l i n g .

T r u l y Love Your Children. T e n t h a n d f i n a l l y , mothers, take the time to truly love your U

c h i l d r e n . A mother's unqualified love approaches C h r i s t l i k e l o v e .

H e r e is a beautiful tribute by a .son to h i s mother: "1 don't remember m u c h about her views of v o t i n g n o r h e r social prestige; a n d w h a t her ideas o n c h i l d t r a i n i n g , diet, a n d eugenics were, 1 c a n n o t r e c a l l . T h e m a i n t h i n g that sifts back to m e n o w through the t h i c k undergrowth of years is that she loved me. S h e l i k e d to lie o n the grass w i t h me a n d tell stories, or to t u n a n d hide w i t h us c h i l d r e n . S h e was always hugging m e . A n d I liked i t . S h e h a d a sunny face. T o me it was like G o d , a n d a l l the beatitudes saints tell of H i m . A n d sing! O f a l l the sensations pleasurable to m y life n o t h i n g c a n compare w i t h the rapture of c r a w l i n g up into her lap and going to sleep w h i l e she swung to a n d fro in her r o c k i n g c h a i r a n d sang. T h i n k i n g of this, 1 wonder if the w o m a n of today, w i t h a l l her tremendous notions a n d plans, realizes w h a t a n almighty factor she is i n shaping of her c h i l d for w e a l or woe. 1 wonder if she realizes h o w m u c h sheer love a n d attention count for i n a child's l i f e . " M o t h e r s , your teenage c h i l d r e n also need that same k i n d of love a n d a t t e n t i o n . I t seems easier for m a n y mothers a n d fathers to express and show t h e i r love to their c h i l d r e n w h e n they are young, but more difficult w h e n they are older. W o r k at this prayerfully. T h e r e need be n o generation gap. A n d the key is love. O u r young people need love a n d attention, n o t indulgence. T h e y need empathy and understanding, n o t indifference from mothers a n d fathers. T h e y need the parents' time. A mother's k i n d l y teachings a n d h e r love for a n d confidence i n a teenage son or daughter c a n literally save t h e m from a w i c k e d world.

Blessings of the Lord upon Parents I n closing, I w o u l d be remiss this e v e n i n g if 1 did n o t express my love a n d eternal gratitude

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for my sweetheart and c o m p a n i o n a n d the mother of our six c h i l d r e n . H e r d e v o t i o n to motherhood has blessed me a n d our f a m i l y beyond words of expression. S h e has been a marvelous mother, completely a n d h a p p i l y devoting her life a n d her mission to her family. H o w grateful 1 a m for F l o r a !

M a y I also express my gratitude to you fathers and husbands assembled this e v e n i n g . W e look to you to give righteous leadership i n your home and families a n d , w i t h your companions a n d the mothers of your c h i l d r e n , to lead your families back to our E t e r n a l Father.

N o w G o d bless our w o n d e r f u l mothers. W e pray for you. W e sustain y o u . W e h o n o t you as you bear, n o u r i s h , t r a i n , t e a c h , a n d love for eternity. I promise you the blessings of h e a v e n and " a l l that [the] Father h a t h " (see D & . C 8 4 : 3 8 ) as you magnify the noblest c a l l i n g of a l l — a mother i n Z i o n . I n the n a m e of Jesus Christ, amen.

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