The Roles of Women/Mothers

The Roles of Women/Mothers

Pres. Hinckley: Each of us is an individual. Each of us is different. There must be respect for those differences, and while it is important and necessary that both the husband and the wife strive to ameliorate those differences, there must be some recognition that they exist and that they are not necessarily undesirable. There must be respect one for another, notwithstanding such differences. In fact, the differences may make the companionship more interesting” (“Cornerstones of a Happy Home” [pamphlet, 1984]).

Women and men have divinely appointed roles and responsibilities in the gospel plan.
By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.
Extended families should lend support when needed.
(First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102)

ASK?
What does it mean that men are to:
Preside
Provide
Protect
For men and women who understand the plan of salvation, what eternal roles are most important for them to fill?

Men and Women are Equal Before the Lord.
What have our Church leaders said about the equality of men and women?
What are the inherent strengths of men?
What are the inherent strengths of women?
Does superiority rest with either of the sexes?

The divinely appointed roles and responsibilities of men and women reflect their different but complementary natures.
Which responsibilities belong primarily to men? to women?
What does the proclamation say about individual adaptations to these responsibilities?
What is our obligation in helping each other fill our separate roles and responsibilities?
In what ways are these roles complimentary?

Melvin J. Ballard
“For as we have a Father in Heaven, so also we have a Mother there, a glorified, exalted, ennobled Mother. I recognize that this is a startling doctrine to some folks, and yet we ought to be governed by reason in giving consideration to this doctrine which is a revelation from God. .

Melvin J. Ballard (con’t)
Not only is there no life in this world without a mother; there is no life in the realms that are above and beyond us, unless there is also a mother. Motherhood is eternal with Godhood, and there is no such thing as eternal or endless life without the eternal and endless continuation of motherhood” (Melvin J. Ballard, as quoted in Crusader for Righteousness, Bookcraft,, pp. 127-128).

Matthew Cowley
"You [sisters] belong to the great sorority of Saviorhood. You may not hold the priesthood. Men are different, men have to have something given to them to make them saviors of men, but not mothers, not women. You are born with an inherent right, an inherent authority, to be the saviors of human souls. You are the co-creators with God of his children. Therefore, it is expected of you by a right divine that you be the saviors and the regenerating force in the lives of God's children here upon the earth." (Matthew Cowley, Matthew Cowley Speaks, p. 1090.

President Gordon B. Hinckley
Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift from the Almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality and from the shame of delinquency. (Ensign, November 1993, 60.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley
"Now there is an added challenge for you [women] of this day. Never before, at least not in our generation, have the forces of evil been so blatant, so brazen, so aggressive as they are today. Things we dared not speak about in earlier times are now constantly projected into our living rooms.

President Gordon B. Hinckley
If anyone can change the dismal situation into which we are sliding, it is you [the mothers]. Rise up, dear women to the great challenge which faces you. Stand above the sleaze and the filth and the temptation which is all about you. (“Walking in the Light of the Lord,” Women’s Meeting, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 98-99.)

Church leaders have counseled mothers generally not to seek employment outside the home.
What are the potential costs of mothers working outside the home when it is not necessary to do so?
What is the counsel regarding those who must do so?

"President Benson has taught that a mother with children should be in the home. … (To the Mothers in Zion [pamphlet, 1987], 5–6). You in these unusual circumstances qualify for additional inspiration and strength from the Lord. Those who leave the home for lesser reasons will not"
(Elder Richard G. Scott, in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 42–43; or Ensign, May 1993, 34).

Church leaders have counseled mothers generally not to seek employment outside the home.
What are some of the unrealistic role expectations among women today?
Why do some men and women feel burdened by conflicting or unrealistic role expectations or feel they are expected to "run faster or labor more than [they] have strength" (D&C 10:4)?
What are the dangers of comparing ourselves to others?

President Kimball
“It was never intended by the Lord that married women should compete with men in employment. They have a far greater and more important service to render.” (Faith precedes the Miracle, p. 128)

Should Mothers Work? President Kimball
“Numerous divorces can be traced directly to the day when the wife left the home and went out into the world into employment. Two incomes raise the standard of living beyond its norm. Two spouses working prevent the complete and proper home life, break into the family prayers, create an independence which is not cooperative, causes distortion, limits the family, and frustrates the children already born.”

President Kimball (con’t)
“…Wives, come home from the typewriter, the laundry, the nursing, come home from the factory, the care. No career approaches in importance that of wife, homemaker, mother—cooking meals, washing dishes, making beds for one’s precious husband and children.”

President Ezra Taft Benson
Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mother’s calling is in the home, not in the marketplace…We realize also that some of our choice sisters are widowed and divorced and that others find themselves in unusual circumstances where, out of necessity, they are required to work for a period of time. But these instances are the exception, not the rule”

President Hinckley
“There are some women who have to work to provide for the needs of their families. To you I say, do the very best you can. I hope that if you are employed full-time you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge a taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries…It is well-nigh impossible to be a full-time homemaker and a full-time employee.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley
“Nothing is more precious to you as mothers, absolutely nothing. Your children are the most valuable thing you will have in time or all eternity… I think the nurture and upbringing of children is more than a part-time responsibility. I recognize that some women must work, but I fear that there are far too many who do so only to get the means for a little more luxury and a few fancier toys.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley – Advice to Single Women
“Do not give up hope. And do not give up trying. But do give up being obsessed with it. The chances are that if you forget about it and become anxiously engaged in other activities, the prospects will brighten immeasurably…

President Gordon B. Hinckley
“My prayer is that you will rededicate yourselves to the strengthening of your homes… But the task will never be finished. It will never be complete. May the light of the Lord shine upon you. May the Lord bless you in your great and sacred work” (“Walking in the Light of the Lord,” Women’s Meeting, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 98-99).

President Ezra Taft Benson 10 Ways To Be a Better Mother
Be at the Crossroads
Be a Real Friend
Read to Your Children
Pray with Your Children
Have Weekly Home Evenings
Be Together at Mealtimes
Read Scriptures Daily
Do Things as a Family
Teach Your Children
Truly Love Your Children