Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever.. I agree with the chocolate, lack of talks, and the third hour refreshments! Im amazed that we arent using the most recent conference materials . I wish that EVERY ward had a FD talk on what unrighteousness dominion is, and why it should be the job of every priesthood holder and father to raise sons who understand it and daughters who wont stand for it. I guess mothers also die, just like plants, but not usually at our own hands. It will easily demonstrate the weaknesses in the position: The logic is faulty. I still dont understand it, which is probably why Im still very nervous about having kids. I get fed up listening every year to only men saying how wonderful their wives and mothers are. Serious question for everyone, just out of true curiosity: How many of these horror stories happened in the last five years? Really? Ugh.chocolate and cheescake.and NO TALKS!!! Any Advice? What is the trigger to close the thread? Could someone remind of what the day is for after all? I do think a lot of Mormon women enjoy talks that validate their efforts at motherhood, and I think some of these talks get interpreted as angel mother talks when theyre really not. That bishop that moved his ward away from elaborate gifting was doing the right thing. So Im on for Mothers Day and have been assigned Julie Becks talk on the history of Relief Society as topic. For example, look at how Mothers Day and Mothering Day each have a religious as well as a secular component to them, and have even merged: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothering_Sunday. Focus on womanhood and examples of strong women, not on a perfect homemaker mother. I would expect him to give a talk like that because he is so utterly black and white in his thinking and he never heard a strict utterance over the pulpit that he did not love. iPhone. I wish you were speaking in my ward! Motherhood as a path to choose to be a better disciple of Christ by caring for those Christ loves.feed my sheep, etc.https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/wanted-hands-and-hearts-to-hasten-the-work?lang=eng. EOR, I would venture to say, even with being fairly new to BCC that few here mean to give offense. Scriptural women are perhaps safer :-) And in our ward, the men get cans of Dads Root Beer or Sugar Daddy candies. Gospel Q&A: I Feel Guilty That I Cant Fast Because of Medical Reasons. My best friend (unmarried, childless at 51) has been asked to speak. I dont want to hear Sister Becks controversial mothers who know talk, or president bensons talk come home talk. All Latter-day Saint Youth Need to Hear Ready to Rise, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FREE I Can Do All Things Through Christ Sheet Music + Music Video, Latter-day Saint Missionaries Perform Is There Room, Official 2023 Youth Theme Music Video: I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church. Beware the philosophies of Hallmark, mingled with scripture. lol. What does that say about us as a people? Its hard to please everyone. You wouldnt give a talk in a single adult ward about the joys of scouting. I loved it! Any suggestions as to what you would truly and realistically appreciate being presented? I too am irritated by mother-worshipping in MD talks, but at the same time, I think many Mormon women identify so strongly with being a mother and so many have sacrificed just about everything to focus on that specific role, that they really appreciate a little validation, a little boost of confidence that what theyre doing is significant and has meaning. Really perfect for MD! She told us that as a girl, she would sit in her room crying, with big welts on the back of her hands, but now that she was grown up, she understood why her mother did it, and she was grateful, by golly. I do think it is easy to understand my point and I appreciate it when others understand my position. LDS Mom Launches Exciting New Party Game. Integrate how Jesus takes care of his mother's future well being while hanging on the cross with the scripture John 19:26-27. Im thankful for ideals even when I dont measure up not even often let alone all the time. I actually gave two sacrament meeting talks on Mothers Day during our childless/infertile years. 2 women spoke about motherhood. Thanks for all your thoughts. So for over a decade, Ive loved Mothers Day, just because I know it wont end with all of us crying. It is as if we cannot celebrate anything because if we focus on single day to celebrate one person then we have decimated everyone else. My favorite Mothers Day talk was my own talk. 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. Doesn't seem strange in a religion that supposedly is so family focused? It has been another hellish week, reminding me of all my faults and short-comings as a mother, all that went wrong for me as a daughter, and it has all brought me a liitle closer to God, who is repeatedly teaching me that one-size-does-not-fit-all, or most or even many. Although I like the idea of them as well! Re-reading my comment (101) it sounds very harsh even though that is not how I mean it to sound. They really did. Not all women can become real mothers. I remember something I was told many years ago by a young man in Provo, UT. In this case it will likely be mothers, and the Primary kids will sing, too. Questions and Answers about the Sacrament, Remember Jesus Christ during the Sacrament, The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part1: Loss and Christian Reformations), The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part2: A New and Ancient Covenant), Sharing Time: Be Grateful for the Sacrament, Viewpoint: The Sacred Ordinance of the Sacrament, Young Men, Teach about the Sacrament, Brother Beck Says. At one point they cut down a tree and paraded it into town to symbolize the mother of the Gods (Asherah, anyone?). Well done! 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. The rest of us mortals should stick with real. The two adult speakers should center their talk on Jesus; if you want, assign a youth speaker to speak on Mothers, the Primary sings a song, and pass out the flower at the end. Speaking for myself, I think Fathers Day is much easier. I know some women get upset because they arent mothers, but it doesnt bother me. I figure maybe in the next life I will be someones Heavenly Mother. Come on. Listen to her. I feel for how it hurts people to attend church and the sorrows they bear. Clap my hands and shout for joy! Replies to my comments You dont come, you dont get one. Excuse everyone after Sacrament meeting to spend the time with their mothers. 3. Use Mothers Day as an example of how a saint can use a tradition of men as an acceptable way to express Gods love and promulgate the Gospel. I love that song but our ward music coordinator has musical numbers lined up already. What if you brought in padded RS chairs for the YW & PRI workers, including Nursery sisters, so that they can feel a little comfort on that Sunday? Required fields are marked *. Again, its about building testimony and gaining faith. Ugh. I would say that since Christ is supposed to be the express image of his Father that we do know quite a bit about the Father. All Ideals ALL! Its impossible to please everyone. On the night before His Crucifixion, Jesus Christ met with His Apostles and instituted the sacrament (see Luke 22:1920). But since youre not, Im bowing out this year. Your ward contains women at various stages of their lives, including some who dont have children and never will. 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. Let's apply your logic standard to other holidays. Modal title . Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. Not using individual's names, I told stories of selfless service performed by sisters in our ward that I had observed during my time as bishop. More importantly, which meeting do you thinkwould be more likely to provide meaningful support? One of my favorite talks ever wasnt a Mothers Day talk but was given by a mother talking about mothering (we were on vacation, so didnt know the woman speaking). Even now, 4 years after her passing, I miss her. Local leaders are ministering to them at this time," Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said. We can only celebrate the nonentity because we are afraid of hurting those who are not being celebrated "today". Over the years, Ive heard some very good Mothers Day talks, but I have also heard some that were cringe-worthy. I cant quite relate that to Motherhood but maybe he will. I have no aversion to motherhood being spoken of in church. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Why are women so disenchanted with motherhood when we value it so highly? Yes! Mark, This post was positively Uchtdorfian! Daughters of God This is Elder Hollands second appearance on this list of LDS talks on motherhood. 2. Well we could have it like the Sacrament Meetings for Father's Day and have it be your usual every Sunday meeting and not even talk about women or mothers. Inevitably they would be instructed that the gifts were for all women, so theyd try hard to give me one. That in no way shape or form precludes me from looking to Christ/HF/HM for ideals. What do you think should be handed out for Mothers Day? This past Mother's Day we arrived late to sacrament meeting due to a cobbling mishap in the morning. It is Mother's Day and yet the day is supposed to about everything about women EXCEPT being a mother. Next, it is always very specific so as to not offend anyone. . Crowd-sourcing request. Ill be hiding in the clerks office. And I did use some of the suggestions here. Make it different, and they will see you are trying. Those were the kinds of talks I gave, and thats what I would rather listen to. I have been avoiding the mother's day sacrament meeting for the last couple of years. a large group) sang to the mothers. Great, and I was just asked to talk on Sunday, I guess I will be very careful. It is not a bad thing and it might be the one day that young mothers will remember and enjoy the most. After church we can give dear old dad a cookie in a baggie and a kick in the pants, call it good for another year, and send him home. Im even okay when they hand out plants. I just dont like when they push the plant on me after Ive politely declined it. Our old ward in NY would take the funds normally used to purchase flowers, chocolate, etc. Most of us brought up to beleive that the man of the home was were it was at. " Cogito! We go to church to grow closer to the Savior, not to get treats or recognition. You then leap to classifying it a family celebration rather than a national holiday. 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). I wonder if this phenomenon is uniquely Mormon. Is it apeople incapable of focusing on the joy of others? The bad ones tend to deal withthe big generalities, praisingmotherhood without even pausing to define whether we are speaking of women who have given birth, or womanhood in general. I like the post. In my nearly 40 years in the church that has borne true. 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! 1) Peanut butter sandwiches served with a smile tastes much better than the fanciest meal served with a side of stress. I am actually traveling with my mother and other members of the family this weekend and showed her this in church to get a laugh. They would eat honey cakes and give flowers. Thats the last thing a mother needs, responsibility for yet another living thing. lol! I'm fascinated by these two suggestions because I was leaning toward only having youth and men speak so that all the mothers had the day off. 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. Our current ward celebrates Mothers Day with the obligatory talks. I dont know why that would be, unless people are just assuming we ache for something more to nurture. Were here to help! Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation, Joseph Smiths Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women, Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints, The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage, Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham. The first consideration is that you, the speaker, need to begin with your audience in mind. However, the restored gospel is true and is a steady guide for us in nagivating the oftimes foggy seas of life. So He can be ideal AND real. Why is that or is that just in my ward? to hear my little kids sing and for my older kids to pass out a flower. How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in todays increasingly toxic world? Since my husband gets to give We got the story about women blessing their cows a couple of years ago. Im catching up on the comments, but Kristines suggestion in #72 is perfect. This is a tradition of man, and sometimes it is just a bad idea. Mother's Day became the hardest day of the year for me. *As I type this, I know for a fact that someone out there is going to respond that their ward gives men plants for Fathers Day every year. Theyre all very good, and not being critical, but Hallmark w/ scripture would seem to be one way to describe the style of Pres. 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. I also really like Kristenes suggestion and everything like unto it as EOR suggested. Sorry I missed that. On the road this week I attend Mother's day services with the fourth ward in St George Utah. I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation.. I actually think its good to celebrate both Mothers and Fathers Days with the caveat to be sensitive to the feelings of those who have difficulty with that celebration. I could brave baby showers and birth announcements just fine, but Mother's Day cut me to the core. In the UK, my experience has been that sacrament has at least one talk and often a few. Sadly, though, it probably caused a lot of pain to the listeners. Flowers were also given to anyone who wanted to wear one in honour of their mothers. I agree with #15youth speaker, song and chocolate and the rest of the meeting devoted to Christ. Ere the sun goes down: Being Both a Disciple & a Daughter: Balancing Formality in Prayer. Ive endured (and thats the right word) too many Mothers Days that were awful, meaningless, and unrealistic. There are wrongs that need redressing If So, Should We Pray Out Loud? Maybe Ill get a pizza and tell the kids to cook it for breakfast when Sunday morning comes. Saw the survey and didnt reply, but one suggestion-Please have enough for EVERY female in the ward or branch. I did this for five years and the sisters seemed to enjoy sitting, chatting, and not having a child demanding a bit of their pie. But alas, Mother's Day 11 years ago will forever be known as the day I landed face down on the floor of the chapel, on top of my 3-year-old, in the middle of sacrament meeting, with my skirt flung over my head. I have an aversion to bringing my family's celebration intochurch and causing other women pain. In the mean time, please, PLEASE, dont go hunting the sisters. I am confident that a poll ofactive Mormons would show that Mothers Day sacrament meeting is, hands down, the one meeting of the year most fraught with difficulty for the people who attend. As I journey on my way, Latter-day Saint pianist Monica Scott has arranged a touching Mother's Day medley in honor of Stephanie Pope, a mother of five who recently passed away . Make sure you understand where that line is. Im asking this out of genuine curiosity/responsibility for handing stuff out. Heres my updated version: Im so glad when Daddy comes home, 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. Based on the comments it seems to be prevalent everywhere in the US church. And Im batting clean up. How cool someone reading my rambling! Perhaps it shouldnt be mothers day, but be Womans day and celebrate the contributions of women of faith in their families and communities. I think she says that just because she is my mom. I get really tired of hearing the stripling warrior passages on Mother's Day. Not necessarily mothersjust women. No fuss, no muss. Sabbath Day Scriptures Scripture References Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-12 Scripture Study Resources Topical Guide, "Assembly for Worship" In addition, there are doctrinal and scriptural classes for . Elder Ballard mainly focused on young mothers in this talk from 2008. It isn't uncommon for LDS women to be dealing with some combination of the following factors: a difficult marriage, no marriage, no children, difficult children, health problems, loss of faith. Disciples should take this personal holiday to their own homes to celebrate it when and how they choose. This ordinance is an essential part of worship and spiritual development. Theres got to be a way to show a little appreciation and recognize their importance and significance without it being guilt-inducing. That was the job of the family, and for single sisters, the home teacher. Honest! Isnt it reasonable to think that Abe is trying a little too hard, and might be overcompensating for something? While it addresses questions about how to raise a girl, the talk also discusses the nobility of fatherhood, the influence fathers have on children, how to cherish your wife, and why virtue is so important. The woman described her family as she was growing up. He gets points for effort and most humorous and memorable! Just plant a tree and name it after our mothers! It was both simple and profound. Because children can be wayward we should not celebrate parenthood. We were utterly gobsmacked. I have not attending other churches that have mothers day services aimed at mothers. It is based only partially on a professional clergy with access to time-proven messages and more likely on fundamental theological differences. Our head count was 85 sisters which is super for us. I struggled with infertility for nearly a decade. She was a wonderful example for motherhood, womanhood, and peoplehood. Needless to say he was not asked to speak in sacrament meeting for a long, long time. I went to Sac. An ideal is fine to have in your own life, but imo it is dangerous to attempt to have one for a worldwide religious organization. The "Sacrament Meeting Program" app provides users a quick, easy way to create their sacrament meeting programs. . 22 . I chuckled, but was not surprised when I saw that chocolate was the most popular! I mean big ol gnarly wretch. I have nine children, eight grown, am temple divorced and remarried to a nomo. His topic? I dont think sacrament meeting is such an inappropriate place to do that, either. That feels a little thin still, so Im glad this post exists. It hurts. Ere the sun goes down. Some were difficult for metotell without choking up. For myself and kindred too, The Primary president asked him, as Chorister, to write a new song for the kids to sing in sacrament meeting on Mother's Day. When chocolate is handed out, our children end up begging for it but its the one day I wont share. I come to church to be fed spiritually, and sappy poems and stories are never ever going to measure up to the meat that scriptural examples can provide. 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. Aiming for Heaven is again looking to the sinless for examples, not to an episode of Leave it to Beaver. I love your idea of wearing different color of flowers. Just asking. Put me in the column of those who think Sacrament Meeting should be about Christ. I agree! Many said not to assign "mother" or "female" focused messages in sacrament meeting, others said to keep your efforts simple as long as it is sincere. I dont remember terribly well, but at the Episcopal church I attended for a while, I dont think Mothers Day was nearly as emphasized as it is in the LDS church, because its not part of the liturgical calendar. Speechless. The only Mothers Day event for another church Im aware of is when a friend told me that in her church the main talk is always about Christ no matter what holiday it is, but when its just the women the speaker will focus on motherhood and Christs teaching about mothers. Your email address will not be published. Ere the sun goes down. Seriously, no one is going to be pleased. I don't understand it, but it is your logic. me) before deciding on these speakers. You can also subscribe without commenting. It is not that women want to be from Venus, but they want to be from Venus five universes beyond our own. My kids are too old for primary and dont go to church anyway (and my mother died when my youngest was 2 yrs old), so I have no reason to go and hear all about how perfect someone else is, or that I should have been perfect, or the lie that all of us mothers are perfect. first adult speaker: Motherhood is like a roller coaster: there are lots of ups and downs, and sometimes you just have to close your eyes and scream., second adult speaker, quoting a Native American proverb: The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears., benediction, by a former Bishop: Heavenly Father, we speak with thee every day, and we look forward to the day when we can renew our relationship with Heavenly Mother.. Ive never objected to any Mothers Day program, and in my ward, all women get a gift, married, single, divorced, widowed, with or without children. You can guess how well that went over. This has been a big concern for me, as there are many women in the ward who are very sensitive to the Perfect Mother talks, and I didnt want to heap on to their burdens. I know that traditionally it has been men and children who honor mothers. 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. Tracy M posted an amazing video that deals with the general concept of this post in a really insightful way. I dont like the sappy talks about the perfect mothers. Thanks, kc! I just read that talk again; and I see nothing wrong with it. Mothers Day theme, is the spirit is trying to witness to us at what a dumb idea it is. I recommend that you take President Eyrings approach and assume that the women to whom you are speaking are doing their best, but that often their very best means just barely hanging on. In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism (see Mosiah 18:810; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). 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. But I see where you are coming from. What a nice gift for a Mom..hey, you guys have a great time!! He invites mothers to count the debits and credits in your role as a mother. President Hinckley then goes through a number of important gospel teachings mothers should focus on. Feelings of guilt, shame, loneliness, anger, disappointment, abandonment, and not measuring up to impossible expectations are prevalent. Ere the sun goes down. Thats the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me! LDS Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Great Gifts for LDS Women Mother's Day Cupcake Flower Card Mother's Day Gift Ideas: 10 Ways to Show Your Love on Mother's Day Mother's Day Chapstick Idea Mother's Day Questionnaire & Gift Idea Mother's Day Gift Idea: Candy Necklaces Mother's Day Treat Tags Mother's Day gift idea: Candy Flower Bouquets Categories Ere the sun goes down: The Mothers Day talks in my singles wards have been quite sensitive to childless women, but still pretty women-on-pedestalsy. I remember being confused by a few Mothers Day talks growing up. Classic! Tony, thanks! Oh, and my husband is speaking in our ward this Mothers Day.
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