I realize that the subject of motherhood can be a tender one, it evokes your greatest joys or heartaches.

I can definitely relate to heartache! When I was younger, I always thought I would grow up, get married and have children. It was hard not being able to bear children, and sometimes my heart aches and yearns for that day when I'll be able to have that opportunity of being a mother, if I am worthy.

Sister Sherri Dew gave an amazing talk several years ago called, Are We Not All Mothers? This talk has really given me perspective on motherhood and our God given gifts and abilities we've specifically been given.

Here are a few my favorites!

“Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.”

“As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers. And we each have the responsibility to love and help lead the rising generation. How will our young women learn to live as women of God unless they see what women of God look like, meaning what we wear, watch, and read; how we fill our time and our minds; how we face temptation and uncertainty; where we find true joy; and why modesty and femininity are hallmarks of righteous women? How will our young men learn to value women of God if we don’t show them the virtue of our virtues?”

I find this next one especially true with what's going on right now with Covid 19.

“Never has there been a greater need for righteous mothers—mothers who bless their children with a sense of safety, security, and confidence about the future, mothers who teach their children where to find peace and truth and that the power of Jesus Christ is always stronger than the power of the adversary. Every time we build the faith or reinforce the nobility of a young woman or man, every time we love or lead anyone even one small step along the path, we are true to our endowment and calling as mothers and in the process we build the kingdom of God.”

I look around our ward and I see amazing women, teachers, leaders, mothers, for are we all not mothers? Your examples inspire me daily. Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day!!!

-MaryAnn Rushton

The last eight weeks have looked different for all of us. Some have been stuck at home wishing we could go out. Others have been at work wishing they could stay home. We haven't been able to get toilet paper (who would have guessed?),Clorox wipes have been non-existent, and even meat has found itself in the shortage category.

The one thing that hasn't been found in the shortage category is Ministering. We've cared for each other. We've checked on each other. We've delivered eggs, cookies, and milk. We've gone to the store for each other, we've shared what we've had. We've made sure others didn't go without. We have taken care of our neighbors.

This is the essence of Ministering. This is the pure love of Christ. This is what we've been asked to do always.

As someone who very much enjoys being home, this time has not been "hard" for me. I love having my children with me, and KC upstairs working. We eat lunch and dinner together. We have family nights more often. We've learned that we really like this pace of life and don't want to start up "normal" life again.

But I’ve also cried after talking with friends that I didn’t realize I’ve missed. I’ve had gospel discussions about church at home and the struggles we’ve felt through it. I’ve gone on walks around the neighborhood hoping someone is outside so I can wave hello. I’ve texted friends and received texts or video chats. I’ve missed friends but I’ve also grown closer with them. I’ve found that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in the neighborly sense as well.

But eventually, we'll have to venture out again. Our kids will go back to school. We'll go back into work. We'll spend afternoons driving our children to soccer, gymnastics, and piano. We'll be able to gather in each other's homes for dinners or movie nights or book clubs. We'll need babysitters for a much needed date night. We'll attend sporting events and concerts. Church buildings will re-open and callings will become more demanding.

My prayer for all of us as life starts to normalize is three-fold.

1) Cherish the time we have with our families and vow to keep the family central in your life.

Sister Julie B. Beck said in a Seminaries and Institute of Religion broadcast in 2009: “This is a theology of the family. The creation of the earth was the creation of an earth where a family could live. It was a creation of a man and a woman who were the two essential halves of a family. It was not about a creation of a man and a woman who happened to have a family. It was intentional all along that Adam and Eve form an eternal family. It was part of the plan that these two be sealed and form an eternal family unit. That was the plan of happiness.”

2) Remember callings are service based. They are not our jobs. From the Bishop to the librarian, each calling is a service offered by someone. They are humans, with jobs, families, and lives. Which parts of each calling is necessary and which parts are societal expectations? The simple, slow pace of these weeks has shown us the other side of all the meetings and callings. Along with that, it has shown us that we can reach out to our neighbors when we are in need.

3) Ministering. As we start to venture out into the world, as we add more to our daily schedules, let us not forget our neighbors. Let us always remember what it was like to care for those who needed help. To run to the store for someone who couldn't. To drop off yeast, or eggs, or meals for a family in need. Let us remember what Christ has deemed the second greatest commandment of all: "And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Brookie Cowles