Dear Sisters,
What a blessing it is to be a Daughter of God ! The blessings that come into our lives as a daughter of royalty are many. One of the blessings that come to us in this life is that one day of becoming a wife and then at the appointed time a mother. What a wonderful opportunity to learn through the experience of motherhood and fatherhood. I would like to share a personal experience with each of you. Growing up in a family of five children I watched my mother and did the things that she did. My sister and I would play house, pretend to be married and be mothers. When I grew up I wanted to be a wife and a mother. I assumed that would happen. I met a wonderful man and we were married in the Salt Lake Temple and life was wonderful. I assumed the next thing would be that we would have a family and I would be a mother. There were other couples that married about the same time as my husband and I and they were having babies. Well that didn't happen for my husband and I as soon as we thought it should. I became concerned and worried about it and wondered why we weren't being blessed in our home with a child. Each Mother's Day when mothers were presented the plant at church in honor of being a mother I wanted to have one in the worst way.
After being married for a couple years I reread my patriarchical blessing and my blessing indicated that I would be a mother in Zion. Upon reading that I received comfort to know that at sometime and in some way I would be a mother. The next Mother's Day came and the young deacons were directed to pass out the plants to the mothers in the ward. On this day I was presented a red geranium plant and I reached out to receive it from the young deacon. I put my hands around the plant and started to draw it to me and I met resistance from the young deacon as he pulled the plant back towards him, and I more forcefully pulled the plant toward me. It became a wrestling match between that young deacon and myself and I am sure entertainment for those sitting around me. He said to me, " Oh, you're not a mother." as he tugged to get possession of the plant. I continued to pull the plant toward me and through all of this exchange the poor plant was shaken loose from the dirt and there was dirt on my lap and on the floor as my response to him was, " But I am going to be a mother someday." Well, I won out and had in my possession this red shaken geranium with most of the dirt on the floor in the chapel, which I picked up and packed around the plant once again. I am sure it was a sight to behold. I am sure every Mother's Day that this young man who has since grown up remembers that young sister "a mother to be" with a chuckle.
Eventually my husband I did become parents of three wonderful children that came to bless our lives. They each came at their appointed time with three years in between our two sons and six years after our second son our daughter was sent to us. During those years of not knowing if I would ever be a mother, I taught Junior Sunday School, the four and five year olds. I was blessed to teach someone elses children and I loved it. We all can be an influence on helping children learn and in so doing can receive blessings, even if we are not blessed in this life to be mothers. We can help mother nieces and nephews and others. Our children are grown and gone from home and have children of their own and we are grandparents. Mothering continues on as does parenting. What a wonderful plan to be in families.
As we think of the month of May as a time we honor mothers, we can all reflect on the influence that our own mothers have had on us. When I think of my own mother I remember that she always had complete faith in me. She had a strong testimony, great faith, and was always active in Church organizations. She was always kind, gentle, thoughtful, understanding, one to whom I could always turn, and one whom I could always trust, willing to sacrifice for her children. She has set for me the perfect example of clean living. She taught me a love, appreciation,, and understanding the Gospel while very young. She always gave me encouragement, inspiration, and a desire to live life in its fullness through love and service to others. May each of us during this month reflect on the blessings that we enjoy because of mothers, from Mother Eve through all generations of time to our own mothers. May we also remember of our royalty in being daughters of a kind and loving Heavenly Father and Mother. May we live our lives in a manner to bring honor to them as we recognize that Motherhood is an Eternal Partnership with God is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ , Amen.
Love,
Sister Sallye Johnston
Stake Relief Society President
