Mother’s Day

that sounds wonderful — let us know how it goes.

Ray – That is a fantastic idea. So much more beneficial than a token plant or flower. Great Bishop.

Wayfarer – I will definitely share. I really can’t wait to see what she has put together. She did say that the Helaman’s Strippling Warriors would not be used. It made me chuckle.

My daughters talk was superb. I say that without parent bias. It was the type of talk model that inspires the listener. As ward friends gathered around they mentioned that they ignored the second talk (which wasn’t terribly bad, just more routine). I can’t write the entire 10 minute talk here. It’s very lengthy – instead I will paraphrase it.

Her opening line was “To all of you who take on a mother’s role for someone be it a friend, sibling or anyone. Happy Mother’s Day to you.”

“Every Mother who has lived on this earth has lived in some way as a type and shadow of Christ.”

“The first act of Motherhood is bringing souls to this mortal realm. (She then explained that this alone was a great gift for everyone) “Mother’s give us the first unity of body and spirit; Christ gives a second, eternal unity.”

Here she shared a story of a Catholic woman during the depression and WWII era, who was a widow of eleven children who worked hard to provide for and raise her family. “Esther dedicated every year of her life to the support and unity of her family, just as Christ centers his mission on the reunification of God’s family.”

“Preach My Gospel specifies knowledge as another Christlike attribute.” (Here she shared how Christ was trained in Jewish law, custom and tradition. How he talked with and exchanged knowledge with the rabbi’s in the temple, etc.) “He encouraged those he taught to develop their knowledge and understanding. A shining example of this love of knowledge was Mabel Tolkien, mother of J.R.R. Tolkien.” (She explained how Mabel, to was a widow, and how she boldly defied her Protestant heritage and converted to Catholicism. This decision cut her off from her family and any financial support. But with determination and faith raised her boys with secular and religious knowledge, that would touch the ages – meaning Tolkien’s written works) “Mabel truly understood what Christ intended when He taught his disciples to seek out of their history in preparation for the changes his atonement would set in motion.”

Next came parable, metaphors and stories. She related Christ’s use of them to JK Rowling, another mother, who used stories to inspire her children to reach for their best natures. She noted that Rowling had no goal beyond that, but that her act as a mother influenced countless lives and will continue to through the transcendent power of story, just as parables do.

The focus then changed to Christ including outsiders in his ministry. She used the Woman at the Well and The Good Samaritan as examples, explaining that he not only taught it, he demonstrated it. There she turned the talk to the idea of adoption and inclusion and the vital roles women play as they nurture every life they pass – Just like the Savior does. Her final life example was Abraham Lincoln’s second mother, whom he called “My Angel Mother”. She touched on the fact that Lincoln’s father was harsh and the relationship strained and difficult, but how this new mother inspired, loved and empowered Lincoln. And through their relationship the world was changed.

That is the long summary of her talk. As an audience member she taught me the value of well prepared and presented thoughts. She didn’t stand and introduce herself or begin with a traditional reference. She had a personal goal of teaching something vital to her heart. Every sacrament meeting should be so good.

It sounds like a wonderful talk – and Christ-focused, like Sacrament Meeting should be.