According to press reports, an American hostage who escaped recently from his captors in Iraq said, after reaching freedom, that he was worried less about himself than about how his mother, grandmother and wife were doing at home.

This instinct — concern about mothers, or about women who may not be mothers in a literal sense but who serve as nurturers in a real sense — is as human as the desire to prosper and to take pride in one's own accomplishments. It is all related to self-esteem; a recognition of our own worth and potential. Many of us, like Helaman's stripling warriors, know we have great value because our mothers told us so, and we doubt not that they knew it.

This is why, when a camera pans the sidelines of a football game or some other sporting event, the most common greeting a triumphant athlete gives the camera is, "Hi, Mom!" What they really are saying is, "See, aren't you proud of me, Mother? Am I living up to your expectations?"

In the United States and some other countries, the second Sunday in May is celebrated as Mother's Day. Other nations set aside different dates for this honor. It is entirely appropriate that a special day be recognized as a celebration and reflection on the role of mothers. And yet, the day can evoke mixed feelings from some. Many women go through life without the blessing of having children of their own. Others remain single and alone.

All, however, have opportunities to provide some sort of nurturing and encouragement — the attributes so unique to women who boost others on their road toward eternal progression.

Consider the story of a woman who recounts how, as a young child in Illinois, she had a Sunday School teacher who was childless but who left a memorable impression.

"She taught us how to sing 'There Is Beauty All Around When There's Love at Home'," the woman, now in her 50s, recalled. "To this day I cannot sing that hymn without thinking of her. She wasn't naturally comfortable around kids, not having her own, but I knew she loved me."

That type of loving service lasts generations and is every bit as important as the love someone could give to their own children. It was not merely coincidence that the Relief Society, from its inception, was assigned to provide compassionate service. That is an innate quality in women, one that greatly blesses all of humanity, and one capable of providing a motherly influence to all.

Years ago, the First Presidency issued a statement that said, "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."

Unfortunately, the world seems to be placing less and less value on the role of mothers, or on the need to provide nurturing service. A common claim among some women who argue in the political arena is, "My body is my own!" This defiant chant stands in stark contrast to motherhood, which often requires a woman to pass near death in order to bring life to another, and then is followed by countless sacrifices of time and energy as a child grows.

But it isn't only around political debates that the culture of selfishness and individual indulgence is found. More and more these days, people are "lovers of their own selves," as the apostle Paul prophesied, and "without natural affection" (2 Timothy 3:2-3).

It is just such a world that stands in particular need of mothers, and of women willing to nurture. And it is just such a world that needs to pause and reflect on the many women whose motherly instincts have helped bring so much that is good into the world today.

One day for such an honor and reflection, of course, is insufficient. Mothers should be honored every day of the year. They should be treated with respect and veneration. When we are in need, or when we feel triumphant, mother often is the first person who comes to mind. Regardless of how old we are, or whether our mothers are still in this life or not, we are in large measure who we are today because of them, and we should seek always to honor what they have done.