ON MOTHERHOOD- Jane Clayson Johnson
Motherhood is surely the highest and holiest of assignments. I believe it is… “the noblest office or calling in the world.”
Having said that, sometimes society pays a lot of lip service to motherhood. We give flowers on Mother’s Day and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we often don’t extend the same respect as we would to a professor, an accountant or a judge. But if we, as women, don’t respect the sanctity of this divine calling, it’s hard to imagine why anyone else would. I’m not just a mother. I AM A MOTHER!
I must admit, every once in awhile I watch Oprah. And I’d like to quote “Mother Winfrey” here for a moment, because, for someone who is not a mom, she hits the nail right on the head:
“In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood. We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as “just a mom.” It is on her back that great nations are built. To play down mothering as small -- is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. As we affirm other mothers and as we teach our sons, husbands and friends to hold them in the highest regard, we honor both the mothers whose shoulders we have stood on… and the daughters who will one day, stand tall on ours.”
There are seasons in life. Don’t ever let anyone deny you the JOY of one season because they believe you should BE IN… or STAY IN… another season. And never – never – be afraid to aspire to be a mother.
May I say to the beautiful young women in this room today… don’t ever be embarrassed to express that. Motherhood is the most noble calling you will ever have. It is hard work. But it will bring you the greatest joy in your life.
Get your education. Go have experiences now… that will broaden your mind and enrich you as a person. But remember what is most important.
I love these words from President James E. Faust.: “Women today are encouraged to have it all – all simultaneously, money, travel, marriage, motherhood and a separate career in the world. Doing this sequentially, filling roles one at a time, at different times is not always possible, as we know. But it gives a woman the opportunity to do each thing well, in its time and to fill a variety of rolls in her life. A woman may fit more than one career into the various seasons of her life. She need not try to sing all the verses of her song at the same time.” (end quote)
There are so many voices today, drawing -- especially women -- in so many directions, pulling us away from what is really important. I believe that from the depths of my heart.
I love this thought from President David O. McKay:
“She, who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions -- deserves the admiration and the plaudits of man. But she who rears a family of beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, long after paintings have faded, and books have been destroyed – she deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, she is co-partner with the Creator himself.”
Even when our children can’t—or won’t—express it. Even when the voices of the world tell us that mothering isn’t as important as anything else we could be doing. We are making a difference!
A “co-partner with the Creator himself.”
That is a mother. We are mothers.
The next time someone inquires what you do… or asks you to describe yourself… would you say with confidence and with joy, “I am a mother!”
Excerpts from Jane Clayson Johnson 2006 Conference on the Family (well known LDS broadcaster)