Lesson 19 Class Preparation Material

The Sacred Responsibilities of Mothers

President Russell M. Nelson observed, “It would be impossible to measure the influence that [covenant-keeping] women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith” (“A Plea to My Sisters,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 95–96). As you study this material, think about the influence righteous women have had in your life.

Section 1

How does the role of motherhood apply to all women?

Motherhood is eternal in nature. On earth, motherhood has been associated with womanhood since the creation of Eve: “Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women, which are many” (Moses 4:26).

Think about how the role of motherhood applies to all women as you read the following statement by Sister Sheri  L. Dew, former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency:

While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” [Moses 4:26]—and they did so before she ever bore a child. … Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us. …

As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers. (“Are We Not All Mothers?,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 96, 97)

Ponder in Preparation for Class

President Nelson taught that “every woman is a mother by virtue of her eternal divine destiny” (“Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 68). Ponder what this statement means for you and the women in your life.

Section 2

How does Heavenly Father help women fulfill their sacred responsibility to nurture?

Our Heavenly Father has appointed mothers to be “primarily responsible for the nurture of their children” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). President Susan W. Tanner, former Young Women General President, defined what it means to nurture:

To nurture is to teach, to foster development, to promote growth, to feed, and to nourish. Who would not shout for joy at being given such a blessed role? (“My Soul Delighteth in the Things of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 82)

Heavenly Father has blessed His daughters “with an innate capacity to love and nurture,” which can help women fulfill this influential and sacred responsibility (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society [2011], 171).

Sister Neill  F. Marriott, former counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught that Heavenly Father will help His daughters in their efforts to nurture others:

Sisters, all of us came to earth with … life-giving, nurturing, maternal gifts because that is God’s plan. …

When we ask ourselves, “What shall we do?” let’s ponder this question: “What does the Savior do continually?” He nurtures. He creates. He encourages growth and goodness. …

… As we ask Father in Heaven to make us builders of His kingdom, His power will flow into us and we will know how to nurture, ultimately becoming like our heavenly parents. (“What Shall We Do?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 11, 12)

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught about additional gifts Heavenly Father has given to women to help them fulfill their sacred call to nurture:

As daughters of God, you have an innate and great capacity to sense the needs of others and to love. That, in turn, makes you more susceptible to the whisperings of the Spirit. The Spirit can then guide what you think, what you say, and what you do to nurture people so the Lord may pour knowledge, truth, and courage upon them. (“Women and Gospel Learning in the Home,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 59)

Some women may worry that they are not inclined to be very nurturing. Like all gifts of God, nurturing requires practice and help from heaven to develop and properly apply. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of nurturing. As He has shown, nurturing doesn’t always look the same in every situation. He is both merciful and firm as He helps others to grow.

Study in Preparation for Class

With the help of the Holy Spirit, women (and men) can learn to nurture like the Savior does. Choose one or two of the following passages that provide examples of nurturing from the Savior’s life. Look for what you can learn from Him about nurturing.

• Matthew 14:14–21

• Mark 10:13–16

• Luke 10:38–42

• John 13:4–17

What other examples of the Savior nurturing others can you think of?

Ponder in Preparation for Class

When have you been the recipient of a woman’s Christlike, inspired nurturing? Consider how you might seek to develop this Christlike attribute in your life.

Section 3

What difference do mothers make in Heavenly Father’s plan?

Some women may have hesitations about having children. Their hesitations can be intensified by voices in society that downplay or even mock the importance of motherhood. Think about how understanding the importance of mothers in Heavenly Father’s plan can help you reject these or related attitudes and behaviors.

President Nelson explained, “You sisters were chosen before the foundation of the world to bear and care for God’s children; in doing so, you glorify God” (“What Will You Choose?,” Ensign, Jan. 2015, 31).

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about how bearing children furthers our Heavenly Father’s plan:

Most sacred is a woman’s role in the creation of life. We know that our physical bodies have a divine origin [see Moses 2:27] and that we must experience both a physical birth and a spiritual rebirth to reach the highest realms in God’s celestial kingdom [see Moses 6:57–60]. Thus, women play an integral part (sometimes at the risk of their own lives) in God’s work and glory “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” [Moses 1:39]. (“The Moral Force of Women,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 30)

Regarding the ways women bless lives in fulfilling their role of motherhood, Elder Christofferson taught:

A mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship. By the power of her example and teaching, her sons learn to respect womanhood and to incorporate discipline and high moral standards in their own lives. Her daughters learn to cultivate their own virtue and to stand up for what is right, again and again, however unpopular. A mother’s love and high expectations lead her children to act responsibly without excuses, to be serious about education and personal development, and to make ongoing contributions to the well-being of all around them. (“The Moral Force of Women,” 30)

Sister Marriott also taught about the powerful influence of mothers:

I believe that “to mother” means “to give life.” Think of the many ways you give life. It could mean giving emotional life to the hopeless or spiritual life to the doubter. With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can create an emotionally healing place for the discriminated against, the rejected, and the stranger. In these tender yet powerful ways, we build the kingdom of God. (“What Shall We Do?,” 11)

Study in Preparation for Class

The Book of Mormon account of the stripling warriors is an example of how impactful righteous mothers can be. Read Alma 56:45–48; 57:21–26, looking for the difference a mother’s efforts with her children can have on them, society, and the world.

As you read the following testimony shared by President Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President, consider the impact of the women you know who honor their divine mission to mother:

There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities. How grateful I am to the Lord for trusting women with the divine mission of motherhood. (“A ‘Mother Heart,’” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 77)

Act

Consider writing and sending a note of appreciation to a mother or mother figure whose nurturing influence has blessed your life.

Want More? (Optional)

How can I defend the divine role of motherhood?

Read about how one mother defended the role of motherhood in the story told by President Bonnie L. Oscarson, former Young Women General President, in the talk “Defenders of the Family Proclamation” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 16).

Where can I learn more about the influence righteous mothers can have?

To learn about an example of a mother’s righteous impact on others, you might read about Lucy Mack Smith in chapter 1, “Ask in Faith,” of Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 (2018), 5–11.

President Gordon B. Hinckley testified of the importance of women in God’s plan in the video “The Women in Our Lives” (2:42).

The video “To Every Mother” (2:26) pays tribute to the impact of loving mothers. As you watch this video, you could reflect on your own mother, a loving mother figure, or the type of mother you would like to be.

Consider watching the video “Make It a Good Day—Happy Families” (4:24), and think about the ways the mother in this video is shaping her children’s growth.

What encouragement is there for mothers who feel inadequate?

In the video “Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God” (3:46), Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares an encouraging tribute to mothers who may feel inadequate in their role. His teachings are a powerful reminder that mothers are partners with God and that they can turn to Him for help to fulfill their sacred role and responsibilities.

The video “You Are Enough” (1:14) reminds women of their gifts and strength.