Women and Mothers
So, we have talked in general terms about parenting approaches. Now let's break down these roles between mother and father, emphasizing that one role is not higher than the other, and that husband and wife should work together and support one another in their respective roles.
Mother. Just the word itself evokes reverence and belonging. Mothers are protectors. Mothers are nurturers. Mothers are teachers. Mothers are listeners. Mothers are partners with God. A First Presidency statement in 1942 declared: "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its calling and service next to angels."
Fifty-six years later, President Thomas S. Monson eloquently echoed these sentiments with, "May each of us treasure this truth: ... One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one."
I have felt God's presence, influence, and encouragement throughout my journey as a mother, and have never questioned its significance. Unfortunately, others have. We can thank Satan for this. He knows the magnitude of power women and mothers hold, both from the day-to-day tasks to the big-picture eternal responsibilities, both of which hold crucial value to the family unit. Satan is powerless in the department of physical creation, but he is not powerless in consuming minds and hearts. Mothers are at the heart of exaltation, something Satan so strongly detests and fights to destroy. He diminishes motherhood. He convinces us that such a role actually oppresses, hinders, and enslaves women, not enhances and empowers them. It sounds excessive but it doesn't take much to see this confusion exploding all around us.
Satan is both strategic and bold. He uses the media and other sources to convey deception. He convinces women that marriage and motherhood come after career and self-satisfaction (if at all) and that being coarse and crude will make them more powerful and attractive. Look at the explicit, provocative language and behavior of women in television and movies. Is it any wonder when we hear radical feminist slogans such as, "Renounce your martyrdom. Become a liberated mother - a woman, not a mom"?
As for existing mothers, Satan convinces them that they are not doing enough. He uses convoluted information on topics that should be uplifting and helpful to instead create confusion among young mothers. The do's and don'ts of breastfeeding, vaccinations, organic foods, cloth diapers, you name it. There is so much information out there that mothers become quickly overwhelmed, defensive, and led to believe they aren't good enough. It's no wonder depression and anxiety rates flourish as social media consistently places moms on the path of comparison and self-doubt. Motherhood in the early years can also produce feelings of isolation and loneliness. This makes them easy targets for Satan, who is aware of the increased vulnerabilities that accompany these emotions.
Satan convinces young girls to ditch the femininity in favor of masculinity and to never let a boy stand in her way. Evidence of this can be found in a scene from the most recent Avengers movie, Endgame, during which the female superheroes suddenly join together rather dramatically (with no male superhero in view) to destroy the enemy. It is so over-the-top and downright embarrassing to watch. My thirteen-year-old daughter even rolled her eyes. I recently took her and her friend out to dinner. As we were walking into the restaurant a nice man walking out held the door for us. A moment later as we stood in line to order our food, my daughter's friend, who proclaims herself a feminist, proudly stated, "I don't believe in that," referring to the man holding the door for them. What was, in reality, a simple kind act, my daughter's friend interpreted as an insult. The media is shoving this propaganda down our daughters' throats and for it we can thank Satan.
In the words of Elder Richard G. Scott, "Satan has unleashed a seductive campaign to undermine the sanctity of womanhood, to deceive the daughters of God and divert them from their divine destiny. He well knows women are the compassionate, self-sacrificing, loving power that binds together the human family. ... He has convinced many of the lie that they are third-class citizens in the kingdom of God. That falsehood has led some to trade their divinely given femininity for male coarseness."
This distinct contrast between God's view and the world's view on womanhood is telling of its value. Why would Satan work so hard to destroy something that did not pose a threat to his destructive hopes? In a strange way, I take a little comfort in his efforts because it demonstrates his recognition that women and mothers are capable of accomplishing great things, some of which are creating an environment of safety, peace, and learning, and rendering emotional service that can enhance the minds and hearts of children. ... I will go into a bit more detail on these. ... Some of these tasks may seem mundane, but the longterm effects are of eternal value. When doubts are high and emotions are low, mothers should not forget to fill their own cups (p. 135). Similar to the oxygen mask concept discussed previously, mothers need to remember that self-care is crucial to the survival and execution of effective mothering.
Mother. Just the word itself evokes reverence and belonging. Mothers are protectors. Mothers are nurturers. Mothers are teachers. Mothers are listeners. Mothers are partners with God. A First Presidency statement in 1942 declared: "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its calling and service next to angels."
Fifty-six years later, President Thomas S. Monson eloquently echoed these sentiments with, "May each of us treasure this truth: ... One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one."
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| Source: ladyomatic.com |
Satan is both strategic and bold. He uses the media and other sources to convey deception. He convinces women that marriage and motherhood come after career and self-satisfaction (if at all) and that being coarse and crude will make them more powerful and attractive. Look at the explicit, provocative language and behavior of women in television and movies. Is it any wonder when we hear radical feminist slogans such as, "Renounce your martyrdom. Become a liberated mother - a woman, not a mom"?
As for existing mothers, Satan convinces them that they are not doing enough. He uses convoluted information on topics that should be uplifting and helpful to instead create confusion among young mothers. The do's and don'ts of breastfeeding, vaccinations, organic foods, cloth diapers, you name it. There is so much information out there that mothers become quickly overwhelmed, defensive, and led to believe they aren't good enough. It's no wonder depression and anxiety rates flourish as social media consistently places moms on the path of comparison and self-doubt. Motherhood in the early years can also produce feelings of isolation and loneliness. This makes them easy targets for Satan, who is aware of the increased vulnerabilities that accompany these emotions.
 |
| Source: smartphoneandroidsolution.blogspot.com |
In the words of Elder Richard G. Scott, "Satan has unleashed a seductive campaign to undermine the sanctity of womanhood, to deceive the daughters of God and divert them from their divine destiny. He well knows women are the compassionate, self-sacrificing, loving power that binds together the human family. ... He has convinced many of the lie that they are third-class citizens in the kingdom of God. That falsehood has led some to trade their divinely given femininity for male coarseness."
This distinct contrast between God's view and the world's view on womanhood is telling of its value. Why would Satan work so hard to destroy something that did not pose a threat to his destructive hopes? In a strange way, I take a little comfort in his efforts because it demonstrates his recognition that women and mothers are capable of accomplishing great things, some of which are creating an environment of safety, peace, and learning, and rendering emotional service that can enhance the minds and hearts of children. ... I will go into a bit more detail on these. ... Some of these tasks may seem mundane, but the longterm effects are of eternal value. When doubts are high and emotions are low, mothers should not forget to fill their own cups (p. 135). Similar to the oxygen mask concept discussed previously, mothers need to remember that self-care is crucial to the survival and execution of effective mothering.
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