The family had gone camping that day. They didn't go often, but when they did they had a great time together. Fishing, hiking, enjoying the beauty of the Western mountains - it was a pleasant, relaxing time for the parents and their two sons. But now it was bedtime, and because it was a warm summer night, the family chose to sleep under the stars in their sleeping bags, rather than spending the night in their tent with its limited ventilation.

Sometime during the night, the younger boy, age 9, although still asleep, climbed out of his sleeping bag. He had a history of sleep walking and did it frequently. But, on that night, he didn't go far. He abruptly awoke shortly after his bare feet hit the cold, pine-needle-covered ground."Mother," the boy frantically cried out in the blackness of the night, "where are you?"

"I'm right here!" she reassuredly answered after hearing the frightened cry of her son only once. When the young boy heard the calming voice of his mother he knew he was not lost and everything was all right.

"I'm right here" - three little words from a dear mother can be so assuring and comforting. It may not take any more than that, when we are young and our mothers are close by, for us to know that all is well. And even when we get older and perhaps our mothers are miles away or have moved on to another sphere through death, their influence usually remains with us.

"Motherhood," President David O. McKay said, "is the greatest potential influence in human society. Her caress first awakens in the child a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. Thus in infancy and childhood she implants ever-directing and restraining influences that remain throughout life." (Home Memories of President David O. McKay, p. 225.)

How true that is! It is impossible to estimate the influence for good of a righteous mother - a mother, along with a father, who have taught their children that keeping the commandments of God is really the only pathway to happiness, a mother and a father who have taught their children correct principles and values that will safeguard them throughout life.

Children are a mother's greatest joy - and sorrow.

Unfortunately, some have forsaken what they've been taught. They have gone off into the blackness of the night and have lost sight of the gospel light. And in so doing, many have brought pain to their mother's hearts that is unyielding and ever-present. But even those who have forsaken what they've been taught probably have not forgotten what they've been told.

A mother's teachings, while at times forsaken, are seldom forgotten. It's as if our mothers are saying, "I'm right here. I will guide you back through the blackness of the night to where you are safe." Just as the 2,000 strippling warriors in the Book of Mormon had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them (see Alma 56:47-48), so it is today. By following the teachings of a righteous mother - and a righteous father - we can be delivered spiritually.

Since 1914, a day has been set aside each May to remember our mothers. It's a nice custom. On this day, visits are made, gifts are given, and love is expressed. There's something special about our mothers that touches a tender spot in our hearts.

But tributes to mothers on Mother's Day are a little hollow if we say on one hand, "Mother, I love you, have a happy Mother's Day" and on the other hand, forsake what she has taught us. Did not the Master of us all say, "If ye love me, keep my commandments"? (John 14:15.) If we truly love our mothers and our fathers, surely we will give heed to their teachings.

President McKay put it this way: "To each mother's son or daughter, we would say: you need no suggestions on how to make your mother happy on Mother's Day as on every day of the year. If you order a white carnation to be given to her, she will be pleased; if you tell her in a letter of your appreciation and love, she will shed tears of happiness; but if you keep the spotless character and purity of soul she has given you, she will rejoice as the most blessed of mothers." (Gospel Ideals, p. 457.)

"I'm right here!" It's a lifetime commitment of mothers to their children. May we honor and revere our mothers, not only on their "special day," but also on every day of the year - not just by the giving of gifts and expressions, but by living the way we've been taught by them, for motherhood is truly next to Godhood.