"Eve was given the identity of “the mother of all living”—years, decades, perhaps centuries before she ever bore a child. It would appear that her motherhood preceded her maternity, just as surely as the perfection of the Garden preceded the struggles of mortality. I believe mother is one of those very carefully chosen words, one of those rich words—with meaning after meaning after meaning. We must not, at all costs, let that word divide us. I believe with all my heart that it is first and foremost a statement about our nature, not a head count of our children."
I believe so much in this truth -- that motherhood is about a woman's nature, and not about the amount of children she has or even is she's married.
Motherhood is an eternal and divine role of all women. The essence and vibrancy of being a mother is in our nature, and it is part of our calling here on earth at every point in our progression. This idea calms me and reassures me, and it also fills me with power and strength because it tells me exactly who I am and always have been in the eternal round of the Lord's plan. I am on the same road as a woman with children. We are the same, we are both mothers. The absence or presence of children doesn't impact our claim to motherhood or our responsibility to this role.
To say now, and to know now that I am a mother fills my heart beyond capacity with joy.
6 comments:
This is a great quote! I think all women are mothers in many ways, we are naturally creators and nurturers.
Also, for FHE tonight we were explaining to the kids that time is only a part of this mortal world and that it won't be a factor in the eternities. That our mortal life is just blip in the continuum of our spirit's life and that we will have the opportunity to do and be all that we desire to be, so it doesn't matter if that doesn't happen during our time on earth. It's liberating to think about isn't it?
This is just beautiful, Rebekah.
It's a big responsibility and self-worth boost at the same time to think that way about yourself - that you are meant to be someone now and forever.
This is exactly what we talked about in RS Sunday. I wish I had had this quote then.
I love Sister Holland. Do you remember her story of living throught a particularly terrifying storm. Apparently they lived in a canyon near Salt Lake and one morning there was a violent storm knocking down trees, etc. Elder Holland was on his way to work in Salt Lake and she clung to him asking him if he thought he should go then or wait out the storm. She said, "Jeffery, do you think this is the end?" He answered, "I don't know, but wouldn't it be great if it were!" What a sense of humor they share!
does this mean I can start eating for two?
beautiful! you and the words! i love you!
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