A mother's role is essential, eternal
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As a young father, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve recounted in his Sunday afternoon session talk, he learned the demanding role of motherhood.
After a 10-year period as a bishop's counselor and then bishop, he was released and then had the opportunity to sit in the congregation with his family, then including six of what would eventually be seven children. One Sunday, his wife, Barbara, was singing with a choir, leaving her husband to sit alone with the children.
"I have never been so busy in my whole life," recalled Elder Ballard. "I had the hand puppets going on both hands.... The Cheerios got away from me, and that was embarrassing. The coloring books didn't seem to entertain as well as they should."
He said he has watched the pressures on his daughters and granddaughters as they have reared their children.
"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," he said.
Elder Ballard said there is no perfect way to be a good mother, that each situation is different, with different challenges and requirements "and certainly different children."
"What matters," he said, "is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
He asked and answered four questions:
• "What can you do as a young mother to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?"
He said the joy of motherhood comes in moments and counseled mothers not to rush past those fleeting moments.
"Don't over-schedule yourself or your children," he said. "Take time to listen, to laugh and to play together."
• "What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?"
"Show extra appreciation," he said, "and give more validation for what your wife does every day."
A husband should also have a regular time to talk with his wife about each child's needs and what he can do to help, Elder Ballard said, and should give his wife a "day away" now and then, relieving her of household chores and responsibilities.
• "What can children, even young children, do?"
"You can pick up your toys when you are finished playing; and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores — without being asked," Elder Ballard said.
"Most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her."
• "What can the Church do?"
"There are many things the Church offers to mothers and families," Elder Ballard said, "but for my purpose today, may I suggest that the bishopric and ward council members be especially watchful and considerate of the time and resource demands on young mothers and their families? Know them and be wise in what you ask them to do at this time in their lives."
