The young women have been focusing on the principle of virtue these past few years. We, as their mothers, should be the best example for them to truly understand what virtue means. How we conduct ourselves in all situations is better than any words we may offer them.

Years ago, I made a mistake in my purchase and returned to the store to exchange it. Because I had already opened the package they couldn’t accept the item, so I let the poor clerk have it. There stood my children wide-eyed and bewildered. What was mom doing to that poor man? My children have never let me forget that incident. And just for the record, I have never lost it at the store since then and I never will again.

So, what exactly is a virtuous woman? I have recently attended two funerals where this attribute was honored in the lives of these wonderful women. These women reflected the gospel in their everyday lives. They taught their children, as well as many other children. One was a devoted Nursery Leader who cherished the children of her ward. The other taught children, including her own, how to sing, and gave hours of pleasure to so many with this beautiful gift. Their countenance shown brightly against the gloom of the world.

“We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.” (Brigham Young, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, p. 173)

At my own funeral, I sure hope no one brings up the incident at the store. Rather, I hope they mention my efforts. Please, oh please, let me be worthy!

So, our lives are often full of mistakes. That’s life, right? We know that perfection comes and goes, and in fact, is not for this world, but when the entire picture of our lives is viewed let the testimony of our lives be clear, deliberate, and unmistaken. “Parents, grandparents, and leaders, your message must be clear. Clarity can only result from having both hands on the (iron) rod.” (Mary Cook, CR, Oct 2010)

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson shared this story,

“I remember a girl that I had gone to high school with. She was from a good LDS family, but when she was a junior in high school, she began to compromise her standards and principles.

I remember how stunned I was one afternoon as a group of us were in the back of the bus, riding home from school, and we were talking about the consequences of sin or transgression. And she flatly announced that she wasn’t worried about committing any sin because her bishop had told her she could easily repent and could be quickly forgiven.

Well, I was shocked with this flippant attitude that didn’t reflect any understanding of repentance and no appreciation of the miracle of forgiveness. I was also sure that she had grossly misunderstood the instruction and counsel of her bishop.” (CR, Oct 1986)

Several things strike me about this story:

1. This would have taken place in the 1920s. There is nothing new under the sun.
2. Do young people really have conversations like this?
3. Do young boys and girls really have an understanding of repentance and the miracle of forgiveness?
4. This girl’s attitude embarrassed and shocked those boys.
5. This attitude is much more prevalent today and much more graphic.
6. Are parents aware of what their children discuss among themselves?
7. Are parents teaching enough about the consequences of choices?
8. Surely, this girl misunderstood her bishop.
9. Are bishops and leaders counteracting enough the popular beliefs of this sick world?
10. Whatever happened to this young choice daughter of God?

Pres. Benson leaves us with this message, “Mothers, stay close to your daughters. Do nothing in your life to cause your daughters to stumble. Teach your daughters to prepare for life’s greatest career—that of homemaker, wife, and mother.”

“Every girl and woman who makes and keeps sacred covenants can have a mother heart. There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities.” (Julie Beck, CR, Apr 2004)

Elder Russell M. Nelson recalled an experience he had. He was listening to a brilliant scholar speak once, where he pled for a change in direction of research.

“‘What we need is research in things that really matter. We need to learn more about why we are here, where we have come from, and where we are going!’ Elder Nelson then praised the teachers at Primary and mothers at home who teach their children these truths so readily. “While so doing, they bear firm testimonies of the divinity of the Lord, Jesus Christ.” (CR, Oct 1989) He continues with this inspiring thought, “To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman.”

Should we be concerned, wishful, or resentful, if we are not mothers in the literal sense? Absolutely not. When any woman reaches out to teach, uplift, edify, and love, she does it with a mother’s special innate influence. All worthy women are meant to be mothers, whether in this life or in the life to come. This has been explained to us many times. Do not give up on this promise.

I loved hearing Sis. Allred relate her observations. (CR, Apr. 2011) While serving in Chile, she saw sisters, whose families had very little, reaching out to help others who were even less fortunate. She saw this again in Argentina when the economy struggled. Relief Society presidents and visiting teachers stepped into action. She has seen it again in her travels to Kinshasa, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe. This is what women do. This is what sisters do for one another. We mother.

Painting by Julie Rogers