Mothers are Primarily Responsible for the Nurture of their Children

Questions:

What characteristics does the ideal mother have?

What does it look like to nurture?

How can I support my wife, mother, and all women in their roles?

Quotes:

Nurturing refers to parenting behaviors such as warmth, support, bonding, attachment, recognizing each child’s unique needs and abilities, and attending to children’s needs. Nurturing in and of itself is more important in the development of a child than is any particular method or technique of child rearing. It hardly needs saying that nurturing is best carried out in a stable, safe family context. -M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parents, 2003

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. -The First Presidency of the LDS Church, October 1942

One cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one. -Thomas S. Monson, Behold Thy Mother, Ensign, April 1998, 6

Some years ago President Benson delivered a message to the women of the Church. He encouraged them to leave their employment and give their individual time to their children. I sustain the position which he took. Nevertheless, I recognize, as he recognized, that there are some women (it has become very many in fact) 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. The greatest job that any mother will ever do will be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth. None other can adequately take her place. It is well-nigh impossible to be a full-time homemaker and a full-time employee. I know how some of you struggle with decisions concerning this matter. I repeat, do the very best you can. You know your circumstances, and I know that you are deeply concerned for the welfare of your children. -Gordon B. Hinckley, Women of the Church, Ensign, November 1996, 69

Scriptures:

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. -Alma 56:47-48, Book of Mormon

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciplestanding by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. -John 19:25-27, Holy Bible

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: -Mark 7:10, Holy Bible

Definitions:

primarily - for the most part; chiefly

responsible - having the job or duty of dealing with or taking care of something or someone; able to be trusted to do what is right or to do the things that are expected or required

nurture - the care and attention given to someone or something that is growing and developing; training; upbringing. -Merriam-Webster.com