Welcome.

I’ve been babysitting a friend’s kiddos for the past few days. Overall, they’ve been quite excellent. Nonetheless, the job of caretaker and protector has me a bit wiped out. As I dropped them off at another home tonight, I silently looked heavenward and thanked God for nurturing and selfless mothers the world over.

My thoughts center on you a lot when I’m with children and learn something for myself of all that you offer of yourselves for years.

I’ve been reminded about the selfless work you do these past few days, and I’ve been inspired anew by your unending sacrifices, by all that is required of you, day after day, night upon night.

In so saying, I do wholeheartedly recognize the noble and indispensable roles fathers in the home occupy. We desperately need them and their examples of strength, grit, and goodness. I salute such fathers. With the same verbal accolades, I also salute mothers.

This little article is intended to honor women who not only bare their children but then also go to great lengths and take great personal pains to raise them – rather than just let them grow up. I love, revere, and honor such women!

It’s no easy task, a tall charge, and one of heaven’s highest bestowed honors.

And so on a day that isn’t exactly Mother’s day but knowing that every day is a day to honor such mothers, I write to them to thank them for their work. It is the work of angels. It is the work of God. It is the work of heroines. It is the work of miracles, of opportunities, of possibilities, of discovery, of creation, of self, of constant service, of hope, of eternity.

Your job description includes everything of which little minds can conceive. Your hands are ever willing. Your hearts are full of flowing compassion. You give, give, and give – always denying yourself for the want or need of those under your care.

You remarkably amazing mothers! You do the impossible in 24 hours. The sun settles, but you work on. Your days merge together in endless loads of laundry, dishes, and diapers, and yet you soldier on because you know your job is among that which matters very most.

“When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed,” asked Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?” 1

Maxwell’s answer was yes. Yes, the mother’s touch in the cradle and her love in the kitchen will absolutely “prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses.”2

And why is that?

Because, Maxwell, said, “When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing…”3

That’s what you, noble mothers, are building, guarding, and sustaining: the family, and that unit is eternal and perpetual. And so I honor you and say keep going. Your work is impossible to measure. Even when it seems to go amok, know that you have help and promise from heaven.

As one who can only imagine your sacrifice, please accept my heartfelt thank you.

1. Maxwell, N., “The Women of God,” 30 Sept 2017
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.

Unto all the world: I honor you noble mothers, guardians of the family unit!