Honoring the Sacred and Noble Calling of a Mother

(For Non-Muslim Use Only)

Each year Mother’s Day is remembered and revered by all cultures and people around the world, including members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They express love and gratitude to the mothers in their life. These mothers could also be their aunts, grandmothers, caretakers, babysitters, grand aunts, older sisters, or an adoptive parent. The list could go on and on. All of these women of different ages or relations may have played a significant motherly role in life of a child or even an adult in need of a loving, assuring or tender care of a “mother”.

In this article, Janarthn shares tender thoughts about his mother’s role as a teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his life. He has understood the importance of repenting and praying so that he could inculcate the teaching of the Savior into his daily life. Seeking forgiveness and forgiving others is also another of Christ’s teaching that Janarthn’s mother had taught him. Through her example of being forgiving, he learns to forgive and love others as Christ did.¹

Branson, too, was touched by his mother’s loving care when he sprained his ankle during a family vacation. Although he was feeling bad for what had happened, his mother tenderly took care of his hurt ankle and his parents helped him with a wheelchair. Branson experienced kindness and love from his mother just like Jesus Christ when He healed the wounded and the lame. By his mother’s example, Branson learned that being Christlike makes a family eternal as they each love one another.²

Indeed as Elder James E. Faust had stated, “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children are beyond calculation.”

The First Presidency of the Church stated, “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”³

This year the Primary children of Latter-day Saint families in West Malaysia expressed their thoughts and feelings about their mothers as we join the world community in celebrating Mother’s Day. Here are examples of their loving expressions for their mother.

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ISAIAH – Mommy taught me about honoring parents and grandparents. She taught me how to greet my Thai grandparent in their language. I would say “Sawasdee Krap” with both my palms pressed together and my hands in an upright manner. This is how we show respect to them. My mommy taught me about loving one another. I have a big sister and sometimes we get into a fight and I would cry. I need to love her despite our age difference.

Mommy is special because she cooks delicious food for me. She would encourage me to go to school even when I do not feel like it. She tells me stories about her childhood when she was young like me. She does not like me drinking sodas and eating sweet food but my father gets away with it.

I love to help with house chores. I tidy up the play area in our home so it does not look messy. I would fold my own clothes together with Mommy. After my sister has mopped the floor, I would dry the floor so it feels clean and safe for my mother to walk.

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JERYCHO - Saya mengikuti Gereja Orang Suci  Zaman Akhir sejak berumur tujuh tahun. Sejak dari kecil lagi saya telah dibesarkan  oleh datuk dan nenek saya. Saya amat  bersyukur dan berterima kasih kerana mempunyai  seorang nenek yang sangat mengambil  berat tentang saya dan telah membesarkan  saya dengan hidup cara Gereja Yesus Kristus  yang mana telah mengajar saya untuk  mengasihi keluarga, kawan kawan dan  orang sekeliling saya.

(I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 7 years old. My grandparents brought me up since I was just a kid. I am most grateful and thankful to have a grandmother who takes great care of my needs and has brought me up in the teachings of the Church to love my family, friends and neighbors.)

Saya sangat menyayangi nenek saya sebab dia benar-benar mengambil berat tentang diri saya. Satu perkara yang tidak dapat saya lupakan  dalam hidup saya ialah nenek saya  telah membawa saya datang ke bait suci kira-kira 9 tahun yang lepas. Di sana kami sekeluarga telah dimeteraikan dan banyak  pekerjaan Bait Suci telah kami lakukan. Saya  sangat seronok bila berada di Bait Suci  kerana saya telah banyak berkenalan  dengan ahli gereja dari negara-negara lain.

(I love my grandmother dearly. She truly places my needs and concerns above hers. The most memorable moment in my life was when my grandmother took me to the temple some 9 years ago. We were sealed together as a family for time and all eternity. We also participated in various ordinances for the dead. I felt very happy to attend the temple ordinances. Meeting Latter-days Saints from other countries in the world made my temple trip truly blessed.)

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MIA - I will follow my mother’s counsel and advice, and adopt it in my daily life. When my mother would give me valuable advice I would always remember it because I know it would benefit me and be a guide in my life. Each year I make her a special card for Mother’s Day. If she falls sick, I take care of her and cook porridge.

My mother is loving, caring and responsible. She takes good care of me and my sister, and cooks our favorite meals. When my birthday comes around, she buys me a gift. She loves spending the weekend with me. She taught me how to pray and read the scriptures. My mother encourages us to go to church and attend primary class. She said as family we must love one another. Be kind to other people and always be humble are my mother’s words of wisdom for me.

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BRANSON - My mother has taught me to always love my family, be kind to my neighbor, always follow the word of God and that the Sabbath day is a holy day.

The most memorable moment or time I had with my mother was in Japan when I could not walk, because I sprained my ankle months before that. So, I had to use a wheelchair for days in Japan. My sprained ankle did hurt all the time and my mother would put ointment on it even in public.  My mother is special to me because, she is the reason I live, and am on this earth. It is also because she is loving, caring, truthful, and thoughtful. She is also the only mother I do and will always have.

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DAVID - We must be reverent when we pray and partake the sacrament. My mother taught me this and I try my best to be reverent. When my mother asks me to turn off TV, I turn it off because I watch too much cartoon and it is good to be obedient to her. I love coloring, storytelling, and playing with my sibling.

Mummy always keeps the house clean for our family. This makes our home a happy and heavenly place. I am thankful for her kindness and caring nature.

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DENISE - My mother is special to me because she cooks for me, she does her best for me, she always cheers me up, and most importantly she makes me happy. She always helps me with homework even if she has a lot of home chores to tend to.

My parents mean more to me than anything else in the world. They have been with me since I was born. My mother may be strict but she’s very fun to hang out with. I love her so much.

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JANARTHN - My mother is special to me because she always protects me, shows her love to me, cares for me, but most important she forgives me and teaches me between right and wrong. She taught me to always follow Heavenly Father’s plan and choose the right. She taught me that God always forgives when we repent.

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CLAIRE - My mother taught me these important gospel principles: love your neighbor and treat them with kindness; honesty is the best policy; pray at all times and in all places; and, to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I express my love to my mother through love notes. I give her letters with cute drawings to show my love for her. I help her in cleaning up my toys. I spend time with her during the day. I do things that are right and according to her wise counsel. She is a friend whom I can share everything with.

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LIESL - My mummy is special because she helps me with my homework and takes care of me. She buys me books and cooks for me. She gives me chocolates, hugs, and covers me with a blanket when I feel cold. She loves me. I massage her back when it’s painful and I serve her water when she is unwell. I also help her set the table for dinner. I help my mummy cook, carry the laundry and the mattress. It is a bit heavy, but I can carry it.

My mummy taught me how to pray. This year we are learning the Old Testament together. She taught me about Noah, Abraham, Joseph of Egypt, and Moses. I learned many things from these stories. I listen to my mummy’s instructions because I love my mummy and she knows best.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe a mother and motherhood are sacred callings given by God to the women on this earth. The Family Proclamation of the Church affirms that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.⁴

Vivian Wang, Primary President for the Kuala Lumpur District of the Church states, “In Sunday Primary meetings, children gather together in their age groups to learn about the gospel through lessons, music and activities. One of our goals as Primary leaders is to help children feel their Heavenly Father’s love, and learn about His plan of happiness.”

The Primary is an official children's organization within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It acts as a Sunday School organization for children ages 18 months to 11 years old. The purpose of Primary is to help parents in teaching their children to learn and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Presently, the worldwide Primary provides Sunday School and church-related activities to approximately 1.1 million Latter-day Saint children.

References:

¹3 Ne. 13:14; Matt 6: 14.

²John 13:34; In James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (1965-75) 6: 178. In 1935 the First Presidency stated, “The true spirit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life” (in Messages of the First Presidency, 6:5); See also Elder Russell M. Nelson, Next to the Angels, April 1999 General Conference.

³This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General       Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

⁴The Family: A Proclamation to the World.