Sacrament meetings include music, talks, testimonies and prayers. But arent mothers also sweet, like cookies? A year later he died in a car accident, and the children went back to mom, whose life was now very different. However, like you, I thought Fathers Day was a done and done. My own plan of attack: 1) lay some knowledge on people (see above), 2) talk about our own mothers and that they are real people who faced real struggles, 3) the Plan of Happiness (is that what were calling it now?) I figure maybe in the next life I will be someones Heavenly Mother. Then the clincher, it is only for women to celebrate and they need to be left alone to celebrate it as they demand and see fit. Thank you. Nourishing both body and souls.Just my humble opinion. Sorry for the sacrilege I think all women want massages but not sure the church is the right place for it. I would expect him to give a talk like that because he is so utterly black and white in his thinking and he never heard a strict utterance over the pulpit that he did not love. It demands that the single day of the year that Mother's are celebrated to a holiday that is solely for adult females and no one else. I come to church to be fed spiritually, and sappy poems and stories are never ever going to measure up to the meat that scriptural examples can provide. So this year we are setting up tables and chairs in the gym, hauling in meat and cheese and veggies and chocolate, and the Bishop will talk for five minutes and then we will let everybody socialize while I play the tuba for the entire primary. Might spark some interesting conversations. Based on the comments it seems to be prevalent everywhere in the US church. My preference is for a talk focusing on women of the scriptures. When chocolate is handed out, our children end up begging for it but its the one day I wont share. It was part of the talk. Ugh.chocolate and cheescake.and NO TALKS!!! The bad ones tend to deal withthe big generalities, praisingmotherhood without even pausing to define whether we are speaking of women who have given birth, or womanhood in general. Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Environmental Stewardship and Conservation, Joseph Smiths Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women, Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints, The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage, Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham. The division of labor between the holidays helped to alleviate some of the awkwardness of the women = mothers mindset that we face in the US. My wife spoke on Mothers Day (which I originally thought was a bad choice, because she herself appears to the outside world to be the perfect mother) about her own mother and some of the simple things her mother had done for her that made a big difference in her life and how grateful she was. Latter-day Saints in a contemporary congregation partake of the sacrament. Set them up outside the chapel, or in the kitchen or sometime. For sacrament meeting, we can give the men a sternly worded warning about the danger of tehpernogriffiez. Daughters of God Why in the church is there such a strong, almost secular aversion to motherhood? Modal title . Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus Christ saved all people from what the scriptures call the original guilt of Adams transgression (Moses 6:54). The two adult speakers should center their talk on Jesus; if you want, assign a youth speaker to speak on Mothers, the Primary sings a song, and pass out the flower at the end. Alma 56:47-48. There are wrongs that need redressing Avoid speaking of angel mothers. The primary children sing and we are making a mothers day gift in primary. Fun Photos of Latter-day Saint Leaders in the Snow! American LDS women who attended Sacrament Meeting were told that they have a lot of innate qualities, such as being righteous, spiritual, pure, or nurturing. It was the service ofthe sisters that made the talk memorable. If So, Should We Pray Out Loud? I think Ill check myself in to a nice bed and breakfast. Wards/branches can use this app to create and print traditional . THAT is what non-denominational Christian churches do :). Uchtdorf. I recommend it highly: This! (http://dandelionmama.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/this-this-is-what-i-believe/). It makes my heart sad to see that the men arent recognized and given something however small it may be. I dont envy you people who have been called togive talksnext week. Maybe. Then they would close by saying that it was the most wonderful blessing imaginable. me) before deciding on these speakers. Although the later version of Mothers Day in the US was to honor mothers, it retained its association with peace as carnations were given out as a symbol of peace (white if ones mother was dead, pink if alive). After the explanation, both seemed excited and accepted the challenge willingly. May 6, 2017 I believe he has mellowed and gained wisdom over the years and was a part of a later bishopric. Serious question for everyone, just out of true curiosity: How many of these horror stories happened in the last five years? Variations included a verse for when mommy comes home stoned, with descriptions of bratty violent Mormon children and a terrible version only whispered with stifled giggles including titillating, lolita overtones. Nothanks to my back problems got to fly non-stop from Atlanta to Seattle. But shes never experienced the horrors I have where the local ward nut case talks about how his wife isnt putting out thanks to menopause. The greatest Mormon blog in the universe. Have a young child, a teenager, husband and elderly father take you through the different phases of motherhood in their own point of view. Because children can be wayward we should not celebrate parenthood. Its impossible to please everyone. After church we can give dear old dad a cookie in a baggie and a kick in the pants, call it good for another year, and send him home. One thing I would add is that somehow we need to stop telling LDS women that they need to do everything in 6 days and 90% income with smiles on their faces and do it better than their non-LDS peers. "We express our love to those in this congregation and our prayers for the victims and their families. LDS Hymn Arrangements. more guilt and more controversy.). Why..thank you! I actually think its good to celebrate both Mothers and Fathers Days with the caveat to be sensitive to the feelings of those who have difficulty with that celebration. We speak about it nearly every Sunday. Why in the church is there such a strong, almost secular aversion to motherhood? In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism (see Mosiah 18:810; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). Being Mother's Day, that meant the soft seats up front were filled with grandmothers and other maternal figures visiting for the weekend, which meant latecomers like the Lemons got metal seats in the back this week. President Hinckley directly addresses mothers in this talk, commending them for the wonderful thing they have done by becoming mothers, but offering insights on their greatest challenge: to be able to answer the question How well have my children done? with happiness. at all.. Beautiful. Clap my hands and shout for joy! In one of my wards, the women of the congregation were given wooden spoons as their gifts at the end of the meeting. The meeting isnt about me or you, or a missionary, or mother, its about the Savior and His atonement. I have to say that I was almost offended that there would be an assumption that FD would be a piece of cake. XD. For those who disagreed with my thoughts (above) about our needing ideals to aim at in our lives, I fell upon a quote from C.S. iPhone. It was an emotional rollercoaster of raised hopes and disappointments. Even now, 4 years after her passing, I miss her. A BIGTHANK YOU to Heather Mecham for compiling all the results from this survey. At the end of the survey there was a comments box where individuals could leave specific feedback to bishoprics that organize Mothers Day. Also waiting by the library's tiny window with the Dutch door was a . The good talks that I have heard tend toaddressthe details ofan individual womans life, in all its messiness and particularity. Gospel Q&A: How Can I Find and Foster Celestial Love? But in Argentina, where Mothers Day is in October, they also tended to recognize International Womens Day (March 8) even in church (in addition to a wide variety of other holidays Childrens Day, Grandparents Day, etc.). This is what I need for . Many said not to assignmother or female focused messages in sacrament meeting, others said to keep your effortssimple as long as it is sincere. I am confident that a poll ofactive Mormons would show that Mothers Day sacrament meeting is, hands down, the one meeting of the year most fraught with difficulty for the people who attend. Excuse everyone after Sacrament meeting to spend the time with their mothers. His topic? I miss her something terrible, and being at the grave-site really brought all of those emotions to the surface. No one tries to probe for subliminal meaning in the choice of Fat Boys. In the garden He said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death (Matthew 26:38). Alece, its usually when the admins sense that the conversation is no longer productive, or when we dont have time or patience to keep monitoring the thread. Ere the sun goes down. In preparation for the sacrament each week, Church members take time to examine their lives and repent of sins. I do look forward to handing the kids over to my husband for the day, but Ill take a pass on sacrament meeting. I totally agree. Women are saved in child bearing is good as always. All I know I dont have any say on when the thread closes, but it would be interesting to hear feedback from how each persons respective wards handled MD, and how the people assigned to talk felt their messages were delivered and/or received. It very gently re-addressed several of the points that were flying in the newspapers and throughout the church in the Mothers Who Know backlash. She loved us unconditionally heart and soul. You can also subscribe without commenting. Perhaps the reason so many women have an aversion to an all Sacrament Mtg. Is this our Sharon Haynie from DN branch? Are you looking for the best LDS talks on motherhood? https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/wanted-hands-and-hearts-to-hasten-the-work?lang=eng. It is Mother's Day and yet the day is supposed to about everything about women EXCEPT being a mother. On the other hand, women tended to speak about motherhood as the most emotionally-exhausting and time-consuming chore imaginable. They may have services on Holy Mother Mary but then again, she left her son behind in Jerusalem and didnt even notice she had forgotten him for quite some time before going back to look for him so not sure about her mothering skills ;)). He invites mothers to count the debits and credits in your role as a mother. President Hinckley then goes through a number of important gospel teachings mothers should focus on. Seriously, it would be nice to have some idea. I would be all for that. This talk teaches us how rearing up children in righteousness can help keep them safe in an increasingly wicked world and how what happens in the home can benefit communities and nations. I haven't a clue about how to interact at times. Over the years, Ive heard some very good Mothers Day talks, but I have also heard some that were cringe-worthy. What do you think should be handed out for Mothers Day? 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.. Really perfect for MD! Doesn't seem strange in a religion that supposedly is so family focused? I am actually traveling with my mother and other members of the family this weekend and showed her this in church to get a laugh. Latter-day Saint pianist Monica Scott has arranged a touching Mother's Day medley in honor of Stephanie Pope, a mother of five who recently passed away . You then leap to classifying it a family celebration rather than a national holiday. For example, look at how Mothers Day and Mothering Day each have a religious as well as a secular component to them, and have even merged: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothering_Sunday. Since my mom has unacknowledged mental health issues, this is my oldest sister and a lady in L.A. who I still keep in contact with. Ere the sun goes down, As always, Kurt, I was happy to give you a hand with this! Yes! That we be a great subject for Mother's Day. Saw the survey and didnt reply, but one suggestion-Please have enough for EVERY female in the ward or branch. No talk is necessary, but a simple acknowledgement of our love for all the women in our lives is nice. He also discussed the importance of placing motherhood first in our lives but not allowing the pressures of motherhood to sap us of joy. My grandmother is my ideal of both a woman and a mother, but she was married to an alcoholic so I understand if she is not the ideal for others. Im grateful for it. I asked a mother and daughter to sing the main lines, and then I had the . It will easily demonstrate the weaknesses in the position: The logic is faulty. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies. Some were difficult for metotell without choking up. Many times, it seems bishoprics want to put women on a pedestal for a day, while trying not to offend anyone. Ere the sun goes down. Aiming for Heaven is again looking to the sinless for examples, not to an episode of Leave it to Beaver. " Cogito! I have an aversion to bringing my family's celebration intochurch and causing other women pain. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.. All Latter-day Saint Youth Need to Hear Ready to Rise, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FREE I Can Do All Things Through Christ Sheet Music + Music Video, Latter-day Saint Missionaries Perform Is There Room, Official 2023 Youth Theme Music Video: I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church. Mothers Day was open so I said ok, I will come up with something appropriate. Less than nothing because the message of such a gift is that the person is not important. She is buried in the same plot as my great-grandmother as well so it was nice to be able to be there with them again. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Yeah. Mormon women are harder on themselves than any other group of ladies I have associated with. Maybe Ill get a pizza and tell the kids to cook it for breakfast when Sunday morning comes. It isn't in every country so I don't know why it has to be in just a few. Sometimes its good, sometimes its bad. Ugh ugh ugh. Well, counselor x/counselor y is in charge of May, I dont know what hes doing for sure . By Great, and I was just asked to talk on Sunday, I guess I will be very careful. Disciples should take this personal holiday to their own homes to celebrate it when and how they choose. Every week they strive to prepare for that sacred ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3Nephi 9:20). Why shouldn't women be those who teach about the glory of god that is woman? On this site you will find a variety of arrangements for ward choirs, solo piano, vocal duets and more. Church meetings Sacrament Meeting Overview To find a ward near you, try the Meetinghouse Locator, which will also provide sacrament meeting times, driving directions, and contact information. And dont even get me started on the Are We Not All Mothers tripe. It was a nice meeting. I must speak the loving word, Sadly, though, it probably caused a lot of pain to the listeners. I think its good to have something to air at! Your email address will not be published. For the injured interceding, Food is the communication tool of choice for Latter Day Saints. My husband told me to stop focusing on myself and think about who mothered me instead. I have seen, heard and experienced much of the imperfections, joys and sorrows in life, and know that reaching out for and holding on to the Iron Rod brings souls closer to the ideals with every step. Nice meeting. Make sure you understand where that line is. It would be much easier for me to hear mothers day talks if they were real instead of ideal, though Id prefer a good sermon on Christ, instead. Because disciples can be wayward in their faith we should not celebrate Christmas because it causes too much pain in those who remain more faithful. They seemed to love the tradition and I never received negative feedback. I was honored to have known her, and to have been able to claim her as my own. Personally, I like cookies. I hope none of you mind if I quote from this. Kind of it takes a village/ward to raise a child philosophy. Families are good about this but public acknowledgement is hard to come by. Somehow those who are not mothers are incapable of celebrating motherhood and thus it is painful for them and thus no one should celebrate motherhood as a church. I gave a MD talk one year and focused on Emma Smith, Naomi the MIL of Ruth and my daughter who was a young mother at the time. It was given by one of my high school friends. And I did use some of the suggestions here. It is the essence of who we are as women. Actually, Ive never heard anything about Heavenly Mother beyond, Isnt it so wonderful that we believe in a Heavenly Mother?!. Just wondering. With that in mind, there are great ideas in this discussion thread of ways to do exactly that. Topical Guide, Assembly for Worship, Index to the Triple Combination, Assemble, Meetings in the Church, Handbook 2, 18, Speaking in Sacrament Meeting? youth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Is Sacrament Meeting a Top-of-the-Mountain Experience for You? ChurchofJesusChrist.org blog, Frequently Asked Questions, Music Callings, Appropriate Music for Church Meetings, Music Callings, Worship with Us, ComeUntoChrist.org, The Longest Sacrament Meeting, Ensign, September 2013, Idea List: Getting the Most Out of Sacrament Meeting, New Era, June 2007, Church Leaders Call for Better Observance of Sabbath Day, Church News, Learn Steps for Giving Better Sacrament Meeting Talks, Church News, First Presidency Letter: Testimonies in Fast and Testimony Meeting, Church News, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, chapter 6, Speaking in Sacrament Meeting, Media Library, Bearing Testimony in Sacrament Meeting, Media Library, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square App Icon, Teachings of Presidents: Joseph Fielding Smith Manual, 2014, Index to the Triple Combination, Assemble, Is Sacrament Meeting a Top-of-the-Mountain Experience for You?, Appropriate Music for Church Meetings,, Idea List: Getting the Most Out of Sacrament Meeting,, Church Leaders Call for Better Observance of Sabbath Day,, Learn Steps for Giving Better Sacrament Meeting Talks,, First Presidency Letter: Testimonies in Fast and Testimony Meeting,. Why can't we let women celebrate it how they want at home and focus on Christ at church? She told us that as a girl, she would sit in her room crying, with big welts on the back of her hands, but now that she was grown up, she understood why her mother did it, and she was grateful, by golly. (i.e. My favorite Mothers Day talk was my own talk. Rockpond, is this separate from a Primary Program? I think this can be especially true for women who feel theyre just holding on. Doesn't it seem strange in a religion that supposedly is so family focused that we have people who ignore the cries of many of the women in church who want to be mothers and can't be or who sorrow over children who are not making good eternal choices? Nuts. Further, that it wasnt the wards responsibility to celebrate the day. Although Mothers Day is not fraught for me the way it is for so many, I will be watching with interest next Sunday to see which way our meeitng falls. Integrate how Jesus takes care of his mother's future well being while hanging on the cross with the scripture John 19:26-27. This is something better done away with. She was not worthy of any review from me. Intent matters, and I dont believe the idealism we are fed is meant to hurt, but rather to uplift. Mothers Day was pure torture and the only time I ever serious entertain thoughts of staying home. In honor of Earth Day, you could throw in the topic of Mother Nature also! From all accounts, her talk was very well received. Maybe we should do it eucharistic-like so I dont have to feel guilty? Trust her. In my nearly 40 years in the church that has borne true. The rest of us mortals should stick with real. When her dad found out that there was a whole lottashakin goin on without him, he summarily divorced his adulterous wife and took the children to live with him. I accidently hit the quote button and so nothing is there..you guys can fill in the blank.. My wife and I will be on an Alaska Cruise. We changed the lines to "Mother Do You Love Me". And out the door I flee. Pertaining to gifts: #53 Im against handing out plants on Mothers Day. I dont think it would occur to anyone to give a man a plant for Fathers Day *, but its very common to give women plants for Mothers Day. Submitting to the will of the Father, He suffered more than we can comprehend: Blood [came] from every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people (Mosiah 3:7). Even though Mothers Day is now a reasonably happy day for me personally, I still find that my mind is focused on how other women in my ward might be experiencing it.