I too have wrestled with the infertility monster and MD was always a nightmare. I get fed up listening every year to only men saying how wonderful their wives and mothers are. Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. On the other hand, women tended to speak about motherhood as the most emotionally-exhausting and time-consuming chore imaginable. Nice post Mark, I think we do need to be careful about how we say some of the things we do in church, and elsewhere. No talk is necessary, but a simple acknowledgement of our love for all the women in our lives is nice. This reflects a very different image than the one we portray to the world about our values and what we say means the most to us. My own father would probably appreciate a plant, but fortunately he enjoys cookies too. How could I forget? I find women in general to be compassionate and sensitive to other people and a joy to be around. To find a ward near you, try the Meetinghouse Locator, which will also provide sacrament meeting times, driving directions, and contact information. Finally, Elder Holland offers his thanks to mothers around the world. Thanks for thinking of me, my youngest bishop son! For those in Europe, is Mothers Day celebrated to the same awful-gut-wrenching extent? I spoke one Mothers Day about Eve and Mary, and thought it was a good talk and well-received. Or the best of both worldssend all women to RS and have the chocolate there so you get the women to walk through the door instead of to their cars, and so the kids arent begging for it? Feelings of guilt, shame, loneliness, anger, disappointment, abandonment, and not measuring up to impossible expectations are prevalent. Thanks! On Mothers Day. The "Sacrament Meeting Program" app provides users a quick, easy way to create their sacrament meeting programs. Where everyone else is happy and interested in celebrating motherhood - those terrible males and those rancorous children in particular - they need to be denied for "me" and "what I want". At first I was wishing that I wasnt, but after thinking and praying about it for a few weeks and speaking with friends and family, Im rather excited about it. Those who are solely focused on their own selfish desires? I've done this in past years but always enjoy the new ideas from the participants here As I plan our Mother's Day Sacrament Meeting, what have been your favorite talk topics for Mother's Day? Uchtdorf. This might be a useful reference in terms of stories about Christ and women (not saying to cite it, just to get scripture references and helpful context): http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/fair-conferences/2015-fairmormon-conference/christs-emancipation-of-women-in-the-new-testament. #109 Rayloved the roller coaster quote on motherhood. Nuts. The Mothers Day talks in my singles wards have been quite sensitive to childless women, but still pretty women-on-pedestalsy. So far, so good. #37 Now that you mention it, Uchtdorf is pretty Hallmarky. To the light the lost ones leading, The hard part for me is when I hear talks about angel mothers where I actually know whom they are talking about. There is a *big* difference a HUGE difference between being *foreordained* to something and actually **BEING** something, as is made very clear in the temple. JUST kidding. could have had us all come to earth as adults, but instead we came as infants needing 24 hour care to survive; there must be something we need to learn from being dependent on parents, and 4) share some motherhood quotes. Latter-day Saint Missionary Hospitalized After Stabbing in Colombia, A Slam Dunk of a Service Project: The NBA and Church of Jesus Christ Feed the Hungry, All Missionaries Accounted for in New Zealand After Devastating Cyclone, New Zealand Latter-day Saints Urged to Prepare for Cyclone, Latter-day Saint Artists Paints Uvalde Shooting Victims, Delivers Portraits to Families, Tender Advice from President Monson Trends on Instagram Reels, Church of Jesus Christ Releases Statement of Support After Earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, Try Faith: A 30-Day Challenge Shows How Four Young Vloggers Built Faith in Jesus. Christian churchs teach that you are inherently bad, that it is not entirely your fault and that Christ has already saved you and after He gets around to telling you (if He hasnt already) that you forgiven and are His, you will do nonspecific good things he directs because you will naturally want to do them. She loved us unconditionally heart and soul. My wife spoke on Mothers Day (which I originally thought was a bad choice, because she herself appears to the outside world to be the perfect mother) about her own mother and some of the simple things her mother had done for her that made a big difference in her life and how grateful she was. Daughters of God Ere the sun goes down. Id really love to see the fathers acknowledged on Fathers Day. Have a young child, a teenager, husband and elderly father take you through the different phases of motherhood in their own point of view. I think its terribly sad that growing up Mormon, I never heard anyone make any serious attempt to talk about Heavenly Mother on Mothers Day. Primary kids sang Im so glad when Mommy comes home refreshing change. Too often folks with food allergies, diabetes, and similar challenges are left feeling like second class saints in our food-laden church culture. In honor of Earth Day, you could throw in the topic of Mother Nature also! You dont come, you dont get one. Yea like all of you My Mother sucked too. especially when there are clear re-phrasings and clarifications. How about honoring our mothers by not just focusing on what they do or have done for us (guilt trip for those that feel they never do enough) but focus on ways the members can help their mothers throughout each stage of their life. Steve P. wont be the only one this Mothers Day asked to speak on that controversial talk, its still in heavy circulation in wards. Just a thought. She was a wonderful example for motherhood, womanhood, and peoplehood. Your comment was excellent, especially this part: Jesus the Messiah wasnt just sinless, He was God. The Primary president asked him, as Chorister, to write a new song for the kids to sing in sacrament meeting on Mother's Day. I found out the hard way after a long list of them declined to give the talk. Mothers Day is celebrated, and increasingly commercialized, but my impression of the local situation is that ones obligation to honor ones mother is largely discharged at home. Or should we just not celebrate anything or any role that a person may fulfill in life? I actually gave two sacrament meeting talks on Mothers Day during our childless/infertile years. Sorry I missed that. The Barker Brothers' Projects These videos were created for Latter-day Saint parents and allies to voice their love for their LGBT brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. They seemed to love the tradition and I never received negative feedback. Have You Discovered the Love of The Everyday Christ? Very useful counsel, Mark. Im the counselor in charge of calling speakers for Mothers Day. No, an inclusive talk will be about current and eternal womanhood, one part of which may including being a biological mother in mortal life. Were here to help! I love her and think she did a great job with the limited resources she had. I remember long ago a young woman spoke on Mother's Day and described her mother as "the mean mother". However, Uchtdorf also gets women and articulates that better than most. Pres Hinckley and apparently Mark has it right. . Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their . My bishop knows where its at, and we always get Dove bars, Milk for those of unrefined taste and Dark for the rest of us. (just kidding). I have to go home right after Sacrament meeting, because the Sisters all bring their flowers with them to the other meetings. Focus on womanhood and examples of strong women, not on a perfect homemaker mother. The talks are mostly bearable (though no picnic), but the worst is when the youth would spread out in search of women who were not holding whatever flower or chocolate. It falls short when it is not delivered with love, patience, acceptance, humility, an understanding of the limitations of REALITY, and the the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Didnt we predict this? At least half the ward was so embarrassed for her at this point that they looked as if they wanted to crawl under the benches. My own plan of attack: 1) lay some knowledge on people (see above), 2) talk about our own mothers and that they are real people who faced real struggles, 3) the Plan of Happiness (is that what were calling it now?) I could brave baby showers and birth announcements just fine, but Mother's Day cut me to the core. I must let my voice be heard, One of her favorites: Im so bad when daddy comes home, I guess plants are pretty and mothers are pretty. Yeah. Especially since whoever asked him to speak didnt learn their lesson and he said the exact same talk a year later. How about honoring our mothers by not just focusing on what they do or have done for us (guilt trip for those that feel they never do enough) but focus on ways the members can help their mothers throughout each stage of their life. Id also like a break from a poem in the EFMormons which says that no painting, no book, no song penned by a mother could be as great as a worSocrates by their children in the future, so spending your time raising the next generation is the greatest thing you can do. I think Ill check myself in to a nice bed and breakfast. I dont recall what the men are given on Fathers Day, but at one time in my ward they gave them nice ball point pens. This year in our ward we are having a missionary farewell for Mothers Daynot the old kind where the new missionary and all his/her family speak, but the new kind where the new missionary will be given a topic. Thats what insulin is for. Mark did as well in his postminus the saccharine and accent. Every year someone has to pick up the flowers for my ward. If they give out a plant that I can put in the ground, Ill be sad to miss that, though. I just spent two hours reading all the comments, viewing the video mentioned in #90, and taking notes. The reminder was given to visit those sisters unable to attend on Mother's Day. I personally am skeptical of ever looking to people for ideals. Below, youll find an excerpt from each talk and a link to the full text. MD really is a no-win. But as for now no praise deserved but the praze to the heavenly Father. Last year we did two songs for the Mother's Day sacrament meeting, and they turned out beautifully, so I thought I would share them with you. We also have free LDS program covers and printable LDS program covers you can print off at home. They would eat honey cakes and give flowers. Sacrament meetings include music, talks, testimonies and prayers. Not at church anyway. Aleah Ingram May 3, 2021 Entertainment. Nourishing both body and souls.Just my humble opinion. Thanks for clarifying. Then she spoke with conviction about the grace of Godthe grace that helped her forgive herself for the serious problems she caused her children that could have been prevented if shed prepared herself, and the grace that helped her achieve later in life the spiritual depth she had lacked when her children were young. Enter your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email. The greatest Mormon blog in the universe. Thanks for the reminder. I am understanding your POV. Bear in mind thatmost of women in the congregation havelives that havent turned out the way they expected. I am 70 years old and have never been a mother, but I had one. For the injured interceding, Disciples should take this personal holiday to their own homes to celebrate it when and how they choose. After a lot of thought and prayer I called two sisters to speak on some of the blessings and also the challenges of raising children in the gospel. rockpond She is buried in the same plot as my great-grandmother as well so it was nice to be able to be there with them again.
30 Inspiring LDS Quotes About Mothers & Motherhood, Church Leaders Honor Mothers Over the Holiday Weekend, Church Releases Tribute to Mothers, You Are Enough, FREE Happy Mothers Day Coloring Page Printable, The Family is a Divine Blessing | 6 March 2023, Come Follow Me Recap Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee | 5 March 2023, Miracles Come Through Fasting | 4 March 2023, Young Latter-day Saint Missionary Passes Away in Georgia, 5 Things You Didnt Know About the Day the LDS Church Was Organized. We got the story about women blessing their cows a couple of years ago. The good talks that I have heard tend toaddressthe details ofan individual womans life, in all its messiness and particularity. If you want to hear from real women who haveread scriptures andheld FHEand family prayer, but whose son is in jail or whose 16-year-old daughter is pregnant or whose husband has left her, then you should meet in the cultural hall. I have nine children, eight grown, am temple divorced and remarried to a nomo. A BIGTHANK YOU to Heather Mecham for compiling all the results from this survey. Members have now learned to accept it. Gospel Q&A: How Can I Find and Foster Celestial Love? Not all women can become real mothers.
Personally, I like cookies. If I would obtain the blessing, Find another way to show appreciation to Mothers! Aleah Ingram
I would love to avoid Mothers Day meetings, just because they are usually tedious, but I love to go for the sake of seeing my kids sing. on Mothers Day and donate it to a womens shelter. Deep gratitde is owed to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for the Atonement which allows us each to recover from any missteps, no matter how far off the path one may stray. Thats the last thing a mother needs, responsibility for yet another living thing. lol! I just dont like when they push the plant on me after Ive politely declined it. Geesh! When we speak of mothers as people who are incapable of gross sin, they know we are lying. I agree with #15youth speaker, song and chocolate and the rest of the meeting devoted to Christ. Ugh ugh ugh. (Sorry to barge in madhousewife). However, the restored gospel is true and is a steady guide for us in nagivating the oftimes foggy seas of life. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/wanted-hands-and-hearts-to-hasten-the-work?lang=eng. Although, I hate how as a single man, some married women run from me cause they think Im going to try to seduce them or something. Thank you for writing this blog post. Elder Ballard lists three ways mothers can do that; first, is realizing joy comes in moments, second is to not overschedule children, and third, to find time to cultivate talents and interests. Over the years, Ive heard some very good Mothers Day talks, but I have also heard some that were cringe-worthy. President Hinckley directly addresses mothers in this talk, commending them for the wonderful thing they have done by becoming mothers, but offering insights on their greatest challenge: to be able to answer the question How well have my children done? with happiness. More importantly, which meeting do you thinkwould be more likely to provide meaningful support? Theologies have consequences. I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation.. Dont take us out of Primary to go eat Treats! As for me, I will be sitting this Mothers day out. I plan to skip church on Mothers Day morning to visit my mother in the home and I will receive my Masters Degree that afternoon! Nice meeting. Special celebrations can and should be held at home within the family. Along with activities and programs during the week, Latter-day Saints gather on Sundays for an approximately hour-long "sacrament" meeting, where men, women and younger members offer prayers and give sermons, sing hymns and partake of the sacrament (similar to receiving communion). Local leaders are ministering to them at this time," Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said. 2. Drunk as he could be. Their talks often included poems about the immeasurable amount of crap mothers had to deal with. President Eyringonce said that when he meets somebody for the first time, he assumes that person is struggling mightily with an intractable problem, and cannot see any possible solution. Mrs. Gui, All the little Guis and their little Guis, the violin, photography, Prokofiev, Mahler, Terry Pratchett, Patrick OBrian, Umberto Eco, sci-fi and fantasy, Brigham Young, playing Bluegrass with real Kentuckians. What does this mean about women?
What to Expect at Latter-day Saint Church Services What does that say about the role of motherhood? Although I like the idea of them as well! You might drift over to what has been considered the rebuttal of Mothers Who Know given at the next conference session by Elder Ballard. Oh, we also get candy bars with the flowers, music in sacrament and the 3rd hour social time. Those who are not disciples of Christ or do not have faith will find it painful to see the faith of others; thus no one should celebrate Christmas openly. Excellent suggestions, Mark. And yeah, audience is important. Just to be clear - I meant 'written/given' by women (aka musical number "O My Father" written by Eliza R Snow, conf talk by Reeve/Oscarson/Okazaki). So, yeah, how irritated the host is with the comments is pretty much it. But Ive also read this: 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. I know some women get upset because they arent mothers, but it doesnt bother me. Gospel Q&A: I Feel Guilty That I Cant Fast Because of Medical Reasons. Really? Regarding the giveaways: in my ward for the last several years, all of the women have been given chocolates on Mothers Day (very nice ones). Her mother didnt come across as being perfect, but rather imperfect but faithfully trying, and her simple persistent efforts turned out to be eternally valuable. This past Mother's Day we arrived late to sacrament meeting due to a cobbling mishap in the morning.
LDS Program Covers | Baptisms, Sacrament Meetings, Church Activities In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to always have his Spirit to be with them (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77). I must speak the loving word, Nothanks to my back problems got to fly non-stop from Atlanta to Seattle. I meant to type rebellious children in #90. Mtg. Most detested thing, 3rd hour chatting and eating. The reminder was given to visit those sisters unable to attend on Mothers Day. A friend once proposed a thought experiment. Weve had sermons based on bumper stickers, Willy Wonka, the Grinch, and quite possibly Chicken Soup for the Soul, etc. It very gently re-addressed several of the points that were flying in the newspapers and throughout the church in the Mothers Who Know backlash. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.. One year they handed out Sheri Dews talk Are We Not All Mothers? and I thought that was cool.
Watch This Touching LDS Mother's Day Medley | LDS Daily Oh yes, Ive read the scriptures to be like Him, to be perfect. I love this. Think about your message and how it will sound to the entire spectrum of your sisters in the ward. Mothers Day was pure torture and the only time I ever serious entertain thoughts of staying home. So our ward did 3 talks on Christ with each one saying one sentence of gratitude about their individual moms right before bearing their testimony. I would also love all quotes, conf talks, songs be from women to reinforce the value/insight/talent women have. That we be a great subject for Mother's Day. Although with good intentions, speakers usually put mothers and motherhood on a pedestal ("Mothers are loving and caring and naturally nurturing", "A mother's love is the closest thing to Christlike love on earth", "No mother is perfect, except my mom, who is literally an . Sisters would come up to me and express that MD was hard for them also for various reasonsone was abused by her mother while another friend had lost a mother she loved as a teenager so cried all day long. A year later he died in a car accident, and the children went back to mom, whose life was now very different. I only wish my daughter could come in for graduation I am sure we would skip church together that morning! I didnt enjoy Mothers Day during my years of infertility, but Ive been surprised that I enjoy it even less now that I have children. It will easily demonstrate the weaknesses in the position: The logic is faulty. Because school is out in June, Fathers get the bum end of the deal when it comes to recognition. Many said not to assignmother or female focused messages in sacrament meeting, others said to keep your effortssimple as long as it is sincere. Tony, thanks! Today the sacrament is an ordinance in which Church members partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. I can only pray no one will take offense, as I certainly never mean any offense. I think this is one of the most confusing topics for men in the church. Classic! Pertaining to gifts: #53 Im against handing out plants on Mothers Day. Honest! Isnt it reasonable to think that Abe is trying a little too hard, and might be overcompensating for something? How about we don't celebrate either at church, but celebrate it in our homes with our mothers and fathers? It was my missionary farewell, back when such things were acceptable. It is not that women want to be from Venus, but they want to be from Venus five universes beyond our own. iPhone. It is also a reminder that through His mercy and grace, all people will be resurrected and given the opportunity for eternal life with God. I like the post. Thank you to everyone! I don't think it bodes well. Im against handing out plants on Mothers Day. Because disciples can be wayward in their faith we should not celebrate Christmas because it causes too much pain in those who remain more faithful. I get really tired of hearing the stripling warrior passages on Mother's Day. I know that traditionally it has been men and children who honor mothers. Thank you. Im asking this out of genuine curiosity/responsibility for handing stuff out. Did they not have mothers? They may have services on Holy Mother Mary but then again, she left her son behind in Jerusalem and didnt even notice she had forgotten him for quite some time before going back to look for him so not sure about her mothering skills ;)). Love your mother, my young sisters. :( Everyone can just disregard parts that may sound harshor disregard the comment altogether I reckon. We know very little about HM and HF really. I would say that my grandmother was like a second mother to us, but really she was like a first mother. Flowers were also given to anyone who wanted to wear one in honour of their mothers. I dont know how that worked out for him. Really perfect for MD! For years the tradition in my ward was a simple gift for all sisters 18 and older. I spoke about her one year. Based on the comments it seems to be prevalent everywhere in the US church. Only for the second time he also included a segment about how if his wife was a better homemaker maybe his kids wouldnt have such screwed up lives. Your arrangement sounds really cool. I issue a challenge to top this worst Mothers Day sacrament meeting talk. It spoke to the special importance of mothers to their children, but also made clear that as with other mistakes, the effects of mothers failings can absolutely be healed by the Atonement. Our current Bishop decided not to do anything for mothers day. Im also a High Councilor, who always tries very much not to speak in rose-colored platitudes that, sadly, you associate with High Council speakers. " Cogito! Just sharing those times with women in the scriptures and what we can learn from them - and NOT have a focus on mothers. Saw the survey and didnt reply, but one suggestion-Please have enough for EVERY female in the ward or branch. I have an aversion to bringing my family's celebration intochurch and causing other women pain. But since we have instituted Mothers Day as the day my family ditches church and meets my parents at Shoshone Falls for a picnic, I look forward to it every year. It was so honest and hopeful all at once.
Why does the church HAVE to be a part of it? http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/daughters-of-god?lang=eng, Ray (#58) Steve Ps post is evidence that a talk from 2007 which has been essentially corrected is still being recycled today. Ugh. So no one is left out. Show me a sinless mother and she can be my ideal too. Our new bishop, for the last three years, gave no gift or acknowledgement. It appears that we have adopted the perverted sense of inclusion to such a degree that we cannot mention our gratitude for our mothers and motherhood without "hurting" or "marginalizing" those who are not mothers. Since my husband gets to give THAT is what non-denominational Christian churches do :). After living with me for almost 17 years, hed better get it right! I miss her something terrible, and being at the grave-site really brought all of those emotions to the surface. I gave a MD talk one year and focused on Emma Smith, Naomi the MIL of Ruth and my daughter who was a young mother at the time. I still dont understand it, which is probably why Im still very nervous about having kids. Perhaps it shouldnt be mothers day, but be Womans day and celebrate the contributions of women of faith in their families and communities. I'd had a challenging morning, but somehow, my 3-year-old-daughter was decked out and ready for church on time. (i.e. "The ordinance of the sacrament," taught then Elder Dallin H. Oaks in 2008, "makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church." 21 Accordingly, in 2015, Church leaders called for a renewed emphasis on Sabbath worship centered on partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Oh, great. She only did half the things a good mother would have done. After the explanation, both seemed excited and accepted the challenge willingly. by Leading Saints | Apr 27, 2016 | Articles, Bishops, Elders Quorum, Relief Society | 21 comments, In 2016 Leading Saints conducted a survey about ward mothers day gifts. Keep in mind, this is from a male perspective, andmy opinions might be worth exactly what you paid for them. If you personally need one, thats fine, but not everyone needs a model for something that is experienced differently by everyone. Being Both a Disciple & a Daughter: Balancing Formality in Prayer. So how does tax exemption relate to churches, and especially churches that [], You are so much more than the worst thing youve everdone., http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/daughters-of-god?lang=eng, http://dandelionmama.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/this-this-is-what-i-believe/, Inside the UK's Mormon missionary bootcamp - BBC, Former mayor, LDS bishop gets prison for child sex abuse - Salt Lake Tribune, The anti-racist Mormon trying to teach his fellow LDS church members - NPR, Mormon Church fined over claim it hid $32bn of investments - BBC, Linda King Newell, Feminist Scholar of Mormon History, Dies at 82 - The New York Times.