We need ideals especially ones who arent ideal, so we can redefine ideal. Classic! And out the door I flee. It is the essence of who we are as women. All Latter-day Saint Youth Need to Hear Ready to Rise, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FREE I Can Do All Things Through Christ Sheet Music + Music Video, Latter-day Saint Missionaries Perform Is There Room, Official 2023 Youth Theme Music Video: I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church. What do you think should be handed out for Mothers Day? I do think it is easy to understand my point and I appreciate it when others understand my position. 2 women spoke about motherhood. Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. Re-reading my comment (101) it sounds very harsh even though that is not how I mean it to sound. It is good to share personal stories, but be aware that your own family might be abit stranger than you think. Or any talk. Why do *we* have to have an ideal? Available Now: 2023 Temple Calendar. Thank you for writing this blog post. In honor of Earth Day, you could throw in the topic of Mother Nature also! For sacrament meeting, we can give the men a sternly worded warning about the danger of tehpernogriffiez. Ziff, thank you. If it is unique to us, I wonder why we have a corner on the Mothers Day anxiety market. Many said not to assign "mother" or "female" focused messages in sacrament meeting, others said to keep your efforts simple as long as it is sincere. This has been a great reminder to be sensitive to all in the congregation with the Holy Ghost as a guide. Speaking for myself, I think Fathers Day is much easier. We all do., The relationship between mothers and daughters is at the heart of this talk from Elder Ballard. What Can I Do? For the past two years, I have been passed over because other women tell the youth passing out the gift, that they need to take one for so-and-so, shes ill today,without looking for women in the room that havent received one yet. It hits pretty close because Im one of those lucky people who get to speak on Mothers Day this year. What if you brought in padded RS chairs for the YW & PRI workers, including Nursery sisters, so that they can feel a little comfort on that Sunday? Feelings of guilt, shame, loneliness, anger, disappointment, abandonment, and not measuring up to impossible expectations are prevalent. The deacons hand out small potted plants to all women 12+ years, then the sisters eat cake in Relief Society (served up by the RS presidency.). This has been a big concern for me, as there are many women in the ward who are very sensitive to the Perfect Mother talks, and I didnt want to heap on to their burdens. One of my talks I focused on Moses and the 5 women at the beginning of his life and the different roles they played: Shiphrah & Puah, the midwives who saved his and countless other Hebrew boys lives, Jochebed his birthmother and what it must have taken to put him in the basket and shut the lid (shes a stronger woman than I am! The men work. Too often folks with food allergies, diabetes, and similar challenges are left feeling like second class saints in our food-laden church culture. There have been one or two General Conference talks in the last couple of years that briefly addressed that situation. Really perfect for MD! Ill be checking back! Sharon if that is our Sharon, please PM me. Many times, it seems bishoprics want to put women on a pedestal for a day, while trying not to offend anyone. Aiming for Heaven is again looking to the sinless for examples, not to an episode of Leave it to Beaver. It is based only partially on a professional clergy with access to time-proven messages and more likely on fundamental theological differences. I have been called by God to be there and that is where I should be. I have an aversion to bringing my family's celebration intochurch and causing other women pain. especially when there are clear re-phrasings and clarifications. That bishop that moved his ward away from elaborate gifting was doing the right thing. They want to give a message of comfort and support to other parents who are navigating the difficult conflicts that can arise in families around this issue. Last year, I did an arrangement of "I Often Go Walking" for the Primary children and our ward choir to perform together. I love that song but our ward music coordinator has musical numbers lined up already. Gods commands I must obey, Yeah. "I am a sociopathic perverted mess emotionally and mentally thanks to the influence of my insane codependent mother.'". Most seemed to realize bishoprics are trying and they appreciate any effort. Finally, Elder Holland offers his thanks to mothers around the world. I wonder if this phenomenon is uniquely Mormon. The worst talk I ever heard came from a woman who described how her mother used to sit by her during piano lessons. Sacrament meeting is for honoring and remembering the Savior, its not Fathers Day or Mothers Day, its the Saviors Day! Nothing, wakes people up in sacrament meeting like talking about chimpanzees dismembering each other. The primary children sing and we are making a mothers day gift in primary. One thing I would add is that somehow we need to stop telling LDS women that they need to do everything in 6 days and 90% income with smiles on their faces and do it better than their non-LDS peers. It appears that this phenomenon is growing and becoming even more common everywhere in the US church. from Pres. Pertaining to gifts: #53 Im against handing out plants on Mothers Day. Sacrament meeting is the term for a regular Latter-day Saint worship service, usually held each week on Sunday, where the sacrament (similar to communion) is offered to the members of the Church. She loved us unconditionally heart and soul. Oh, we also get candy bars with the flowers, music in sacrament and the 3rd hour social time. I dont know why that would be, unless people are just assuming we ache for something more to nurture. Today the sacrament is an ordinance in which Church members partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christs atoning sacrifice. I plan to skip church on Mothers Day morning to visit my mother in the home and I will receive my Masters Degree that afternoon! Trust her. The sacrament provides an opportunity for Church members to ponder and remember with gratitude the life, ministry, and Atonement of the Son of God. I thought my husband (Sonny) had already posted this, but maybe not, or Im just blinder than usual. My own dear mother, long since gone to her reward, summed up the essence of the perfect Mothers Day talk quite nicely. Do you also not need an idea such as the Savior, your Father in Heaven or your Heavenly Mother? #46 That is an awesome idea for your talk. I wont be attending this Sunday either, but as always will honor my own mother by being the best mother I can be to my hurting children. Have a variety of ages speak on ideas or what they've done to help their mothers and ways they've stayed close to their mothers. That wouldn't let her do such and suchall things in the end that weren't good for her daughter to do, one way of looking at it. So Im on for Mothers Day and have been assigned Julie Becks talk on the history of Relief Society as topic. It is not a bad thing and it might be the one day that young mothers will remember and enjoy the most. I miss her something terrible, and being at the grave-site really brought all of those emotions to the surface. I was initially surprised he went that way, but I have to say although Ive occasionally heard people say they wish something were did, I heard many complaints every previous year that something was done about what that something was. by Leading Saints | Apr 27, 2016 | Articles, Bishops, Elders Quorum, Relief Society | 21 comments, In 2016 Leading Saints conducted a survey about ward mothers day gifts. In the garden He said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death (Matthew 26:38). More often than not, his assumption is correct. Latter Day Arrangements is a sheet music resource for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christians. This is Elder Hollands second appearance on this list of LDS talks on motherhood. I've done this in past years but always enjoy the new ideas from the participants here As I plan our Mother's Day Sacrament Meeting, what have been your favorite talk topics for Mother's Day? Yes! to hear my little kids sing and for my older kids to pass out a flower. Sabbath Day Scriptures Scripture References Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-12 Scripture Study Resources Topical Guide, "Assembly for Worship" Ere the sun goes down: If you want to hear from real women who haveread scriptures andheld FHEand family prayer, but whose son is in jail or whose 16-year-old daughter is pregnant or whose husband has left her, then you should meet in the cultural hall. It seems like every time theres a church scandaland especially one that concerns moneypeople start arguing that the scandal-ridden church (or even churches in general) should lose their tax exemptions. Aleah Ingram That feels a little thin still, so Im glad this post exists. Not at church anyway. Excuse everyone after Sacrament meeting to spend the time with their mothers. Can anyone say overdone? But one thing is for sure, Ill be drawing on much of this. Through this ordinance, Church members renew the covenants they made with God when they were baptized. In Bishopric meeting this year, I quoted your little sister regarding plants. Which isnt necessarily a bad thing. Im asking this out of genuine curiosity/responsibility for handing stuff out. And he completely meant it too. She never got her kids back and they never forgave her, and she died of some incurable stress induced disease. By Most of us brought up to beleive that the man of the home was were it was at. But arent mothers also sweet, like cookies? Sorry for the sacrilege I think all women want massages but not sure the church is the right place for it. Today the sacrament is an ordinance in which Church members partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. Did they not have mothers? and read for the dayLOL, isnt that a nice dream?? 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I did live in one ward where the mothers always got plants but the fathers always got cookies. It was a great idea and something I will always remember and a great way to honor mothers on Mothers Day. I also choose to focus on the women in the scriptures like #30 has mentioned. In addition, there are doctrinal and scriptural classes for . I could brave baby showers and birth announcements just fine, but Mother's Day cut me to the core. Listen to her. I cant remember the last time I heard a bad sacrament meeting talk, period. Like many others, my wife and her mother have both always struggled with hearing sacrament meeting talks on Mothers Day. Most threads die a natural death. The woman described her family as she was growing up. At a certain point, their best has to be enough. Not necessarily mothersjust women. Being Both a Disciple & a Daughter: Balancing Formality in Prayer. Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their . It was a very honest list, but emphasized that the things she would change had nothing to do with looking good, acting a certain way, or different callings. You wouldnt give a talk in a single adult ward about the joys of scouting. THAT is what non-denominational Christian churches do :). Let us take as self-evident that, in reality, not all women are naturally pure or spiritual. All women were given a 'present' which looked like a flower or something, I didn't inspect it; many men and women took extra ones to give to any mother or lady in the neighborhood, single, mother, any sister or non member. Because I know the real story so it is distracting from the fake one that they are giving. Until I see a longer lasting cease fire, Im staying home MD (with my mother and daughters). Every year someone has to pick up the flowers for my ward. . The story of Martha and Mary each bringing important and valuable things, even though they were very different. Why in the church is there such a strong, almost secular aversion to motherhood? I agree with the chocolate, lack of talks, and the third hour refreshments! The hard part for me is when I hear talks about angel mothers where I actually know whom they are talking about. #37 Now that you mention it, Uchtdorf is pretty Hallmarky. I dont mean to be rude, but I know I will have anxiety over killing it and then I *will* kill it and then I will have to look at its dead body. 3rd hour had all of the PRI & YW leaders including the YW themselves in RS with homemade lemon cakes from the teacher. I love her and think she did a great job with the limited resources she had. Honoring Fallen Parents: The Fifth Commandment and Romans 3:23 The Fifth Commandment enjoins: "Honor thy father and thy mother." Maybe we should do it eucharistic-like so I dont have to feel guilty? (i.e. Tell the moms that you'll be playing a game with the kids on Mother's Day and that . ( Bonus: You get to visit Relief Society and YW! Another angle in this specific holidayhas been brewing for a while. I had some ideas but didn't want to repeat anything that had already been done from the Primary. Doesn't seem strange in a religion that supposedly is so family focused? . Very useful counsel, Mark. For myself and kindred too, But I certainly enjoyed the beauty of the whole situation and was very glad to see so many young peole in the Church on Sunday. Motherhood as a path to choose to be a better disciple of Christ by caring for those Christ lives.feed my sheep, etc. The Primary president asked him, as Chorister, to write a new song for the kids to sing in sacrament meeting on Mother's Day. I mean big ol gnarly wretch. This talk was named after a phrase from Victor Hugo who gave all her food to her children, not because she is not hungry, but because she is a mother. Elder Holland talks about the central role motherhood plays in the gospel of Jesus Christ and gives many principles of comfort and courage for mothers who may be struggling. Thanks for the reminder. In the same way, when we make a dramatic production of Mothers Day, I fear that we are sometimestrying to compensate for the way we devalue the real and important work they do on the other 364 days of the year. #16 They asked him to speak again?! May the blessings of heaven rest upon you. Ere the sun goes down. My own plan of attack: 1) lay some knowledge on people (see above), 2) talk about our own mothers and that they are real people who faced real struggles, 3) the Plan of Happiness (is that what were calling it now?) Its always the wives. It will easily demonstrate the weaknesses in the position: The logic is faulty. Not using individual's names, I told stories of selfless service performed by sisters in our ward that I had observed during my time as bishop. The talks are mostly bearable (though no picnic), but the worst is when the youth would spread out in search of women who were not holding whatever flower or chocolate. Sometime in the mid-1990s, I went to the ward library after sacrament meeting to obtain materials for teaching a lesson. The answer has been taught by the Lords prophets. And I did use some of the suggestions here. Others must be killed or theyll live forever, injuring regular folk. Ugh ugh ugh. It might be that it was a holiday originally conceived by the US Socialist Party and propagated by the Soviets. more guilt and more controversy.). This is brilliant, Mark. But in Argentina, where Mothers Day is in October, they also tended to recognize International Womens Day (March 8) even in church (in addition to a wide variety of other holidays Childrens Day, Grandparents Day, etc.). The first speaker was a single father, then the bishop spoke, then the stake president spoke. . I agree Ray. I dont remember terribly well, but at the Episcopal church I attended for a while, I dont think Mothers Day was nearly as emphasized as it is in the LDS church, because its not part of the liturgical calendar. Somehow those who are not mothers are incapable of celebrating motherhood and thus it is painful for them and thus no one should celebrate motherhood as a church. It is awkward for those who are NOT mothers and I don't think fathers get their due comparibly. There are diabetic men, arent there? Up til now, I have endured going because I thought I had to. A small gift for Mothers Day is fine, but if you give chocolate to a diabetic or a piece of pie to someone with gluten intolerance, what have you given? And chocolate. 10 years after my first child was born, I still detest Mothers Day. Loverboy was gone, she was outside of the church, and she had no means of support. I think its the best way to go. We like to celebrate mothers in the Church and we like to ignore fatherhood. My own father would probably appreciate a plant, but fortunately he enjoys cookies too. It isn't in every country so I don't know why it has to be in just a few. What would happen, if, at the start of sacrament meeting on Mothers Day, the bishop announced that there would be two separate meetings. The reminder was given to visit those sisters unable to attend on Mothers Day. I think she says that just because she is my mom. We can only celebrate the nonentity because we are afraid of hurting those who are not being celebrated "today". Ive never objected to any Mothers Day program, and in my ward, all women get a gift, married, single, divorced, widowed, with or without children. He did not have any high-profile ward or stake calling at the time, not that it matters. please please please please dont pull us teachers from Primary for pie or talking. When we speak of mothers as people who are incapable of gross sin, they know we are lying. I am a single (divorced) old man with no children. Great, and I was just asked to talk on Sunday, I guess I will be very careful. I come to church to be fed spiritually, and sappy poems and stories are never ever going to measure up to the meat that scriptural examples can provide. After the explanation, both seemed excited and accepted the challenge willingly. I would say that since Christ is supposed to be the express image of his Father that we do know quite a bit about the Father. In simple terms his philosophy was that the church is not true because it is madeconsists of people who are imperfect and therefore not always true to all of the ideals taught. In one of my wards, the women of the congregation were given wooden spoons as their gifts at the end of the meeting. But shes never experienced the horrors I have where the local ward nut case talks about how his wife isnt putting out thanks to menopause. April 24, 2016 in General Discussions. My wife spoke on Mothers Day (which I originally thought was a bad choice, because she herself appears to the outside world to be the perfect mother) about her own mother and some of the simple things her mother had done for her that made a big difference in her life and how grateful she was. Integrate how Jesus takes care of his mother's future well being while hanging on the cross with the scripture John 19:26-27. Kristine, thank you again. The average of the survey said their bishopric probably spends about $1 per sister for Mothers Day gifts. Maybe the Hallmark channel should use some of his conference clips as fillers when movies end early. Local leaders are ministering to them at this time," Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Index to the Triple Combination, Sacrament, Jesus Christ Teaches about the Sacrament and Prayer, AaronL. West, Little Children and the Sacrament, Ensign, October 2016, Line upon Line: Matthew 26:2628, New Era, October 2016, Questions & Answers: What am I supposed to think about during the sacrament? New Era, June 2014, Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament, Ensign, June 2010, Marilynne Linford, Questions and Answers about the Sacrament, Friend, March 2008, Laurel Rohlfing, Remember Jesus Christ during the Sacrament, Ensign, June 2007, Richard Lloyd Anderson, The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part1: Loss and Christian Reformations), Ensign, January 1992, Richard Lloyd Anderson, The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part2: A New and Ancient Covenant), Ensign, February 1992, Pat Graham, Sharing Time: Be Grateful for the Sacrament, Friend, November 1987, JohnS. Tanner, Reflections on the Sacrament Prayers, Ensign, April 1986, June 1016: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18, Come, Follow MeFor Individuals and Families: New Testament 2019, Viewpoint: The Sacred Ordinance of the Sacrament, Church News, Young Men, Teach about the Sacrament, Brother Beck Says, Church News, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, chapter6, Come, Follow MeFor Primary: New Testament 2019, The Sacrament Helps Me Think about Jesus Christ, Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual, lesson27, Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament, Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Teacher Manual, lesson15, Sacrament, Lesson Helps for Teaching Children, As Now We Take the Sacrament, Hymns, no.169, The Sacrament, Childrens Songbook, 72, Before I Take the Sacrament, Childrens Songbook, 73, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square App Icon, Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Fielding Smith Manual, 2014, Primary Nursery Manual: Behold Your Little Ones, Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Course (Religion 250), Children's Songbook, English, Hard Cover, Spiral. According to our teachings, Jesus the Messiah wasnt just sinless, He was God. Being there with my son was very nice. The best MD talk was from a woman who gave a list of all the things she wished she had known when she was 18. Didn't Sheri Dew give a talk titled, "Are We Not All Mothers?" I remember something I was told many years ago by a young man in Provo, UT. I remember being confused by a few Mothers Day talks growing up. I have nine children, eight grown, am temple divorced and remarried to a nomo. I just read that talk again; and I see nothing wrong with it. on Mothers Day and donate it to a womens shelter. Gospel Q&A: Do We Really Have the Spirit With Us All the Time? I get really tired of hearing the stripling warrior passages on Mother's Day. Its hard to please everyone. . At my ward the angel mothers were to aspire to. It would be much easier for me to hear mothers day talks if they were real instead of ideal, though Id prefer a good sermon on Christ, instead. I have work enough to do, But since we have instituted Mothers Day as the day my family ditches church and meets my parents at Shoshone Falls for a picnic, I look forward to it every year. We also have free LDS program covers and printable LDS program covers you can print off at home. Latter-day Saint Life. Church meetings Sacrament Meeting Overview To find a ward near you, try the Meetinghouse Locator, which will also provide sacrament meeting times, driving directions, and contact information. So that no woman felt left out. Were here to help! However, Uchtdorf also gets women and articulates that better than most. I have seen, heard and experienced much of the imperfections, joys and sorrows in life, and know that reaching out for and holding on to the Iron Rod brings souls closer to the ideals with every step. LDS Hymn Arrangements. Enter your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email. It hasnt yet. 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.. One of her favorites: Im so bad when daddy comes home, I guess plants are pretty and mothers are pretty. LDS Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Great Gifts for LDS Women Mother's Day Cupcake Flower Card Mother's Day Gift Ideas: 10 Ways to Show Your Love on Mother's Day Mother's Day Chapstick Idea Mother's Day Questionnaire & Gift Idea Mother's Day Gift Idea: Candy Necklaces Mother's Day Treat Tags Mother's Day gift idea: Candy Flower Bouquets Categories I cant quite relate that to Motherhood but maybe he will. Not that I am anything special, but I gave a Mother's Day talk when I was a bishop that was so well-received even my own mother loved it. Ere the sun goes down. Latter-day Saints to Attend Sacrament Meeting Only on Christmas Day Church Newsroom November 10, 2022 Church The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has. After observing and empathizing with three generations of mothers and thinking of my own dear mother, I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.. The meeting isnt about me or you, or a missionary, or mother, its about the Savior and His atonement. They really did. Over the years, Ive heard some very good Mothers Day talks, but I have also heard some that were cringe-worthy. Why was she an ideal? I always had this huge chip on my shoulder about refusing the flowers because I wasnt a mom (I had kids later in life), but my own mother would force me to take it because it was a free flower. Personally, I like cookies. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Gospel Q&A: I Feel Guilty That I Cant Fast Because of Medical Reasons. Although, I hate how as a single man, some married women run from me cause they think Im going to try to seduce them or something. Sacrament meeting is a time for us to renew our covenants, it is a sacred ordinance. However, the restored gospel is true and is a steady guide for us in nagivating the oftimes foggy seas of life. I would be all for that. #109 Rayloved the roller coaster quote on motherhood. But her mother held a yardstick, and if her daughter played the wrong key, her mother smacked her across the back ofher hands, thus providing sufficient negative reinforcement to motivate her to do it right the next time through. I chuckled, but was not surprised when I saw that chocolate was the most popular! Not a perfect example but I was striving for some other options besides stripling warriors moms. It is as if we cannot celebrate anything because if we focus on single day to celebrate one person then we have decimated everyone else. Thanks for all your thoughts. It was a powerful meeting and very real. This is what I need for . I dont think it would occur to anyone to give a man a plant for Fathers Day *, but its very common to give women plants for Mothers Day. That said, I cant say I recall ever hearing a bad Mothers Day talk. Something else for me to kill.. This talk by Elaine S. Dalton helps fathers understand the importance of loving and cherishing the women in their life. I only mentioned Mothers Day once, and I said how much my mom hated the hypocrisy of Mothers Day, and that we should treat women right every day of the year, not give platitudes one day of the year. I am confident that a poll ofactive Mormons would show that Mothers Day sacrament meeting is, hands down, the one meeting of the year most fraught with difficulty for the people who attend. But alas, Mother's Day 11 years ago will forever be known as the day I landed face down on the floor of the chapel, on top of my 3-year-old, in the middle of sacrament meeting, with my skirt flung over my head. They can eat whatever they want, in fact. President Hinckley addressed all the women of the Church and thanked them for all the work they do in their families, congregations, and communities. Primary kids sang Im so glad when Mommy comes home refreshing change. I pray the Spirit will be with me today as I give this talk. God still loves her, and her life still had value and meaningTHE END!! It would just be nice to complete our idealism with a good dose of reality. 2) If your outfit doesnt match, no one who matters will notice. This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you (Luke 22:1920). I still dont understand it, which is probably why Im still very nervous about having kids. All women should strive to be strong, and can become strong. It was an emotional rollercoaster of raised hopes and disappointments. All Your arrangement sounds really cool. For those in Europe, is Mothers Day celebrated to the same awful-gut-wrenching extent? Im sort of hoping that the person before me goes too long and I have to wrap up with my testimony. Why are women so disenchanted with motherhood when we value it so highly?