Book of Mormon: Day 234: Am I a Mother who Knows?

Today’s Reading:  Alma 56

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

I cannot help but ask myself this question:  Can my children say this about me?  Can they confidently say that they have no doubt in their minds that their mother knew it?  When I send them out into this world that is riddled with sin and sorrow, will they be able to rehearse the words that I have said to them and use those words as a foundation on which to build their own testimony?

I hope that the answers to those questions are “Yes, yes, and yes!”

My goal as a mother is to be a “Mother Who Knows”, but what is that exactly?  What qualifies a woman to be counted among the mothers who know?  And what is it that they should know?

I could spend a long time trying to come up with answers to that question, but in 2007, Sister Julie B. Beck answered it perfectly with a conference talk entitled, “Mothers Who Know.”

Take some time to read, listen, or watch it…today or at the very latest by the Sabbath.  After you review it, I encourage you to take some time to ponder Alma 56 and the conference talk together.  They really do go hand in hand.  Here are a few of the things that came to my attention while studying both of them.

** Keep your covenants at all costs. (Alma 56:8 and talk section “Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances & Covenants)

This is something that I have tried to pay particular attention to in my own life.  Am I a committed covenant keeper or do I keep my covenants when it is convenient for me?  Those covenants include baptismal covenants, the covenants we make every Sunday when we partake of the Sacrament, and temple covenants, including wearing your temple garment, if you have had the opportunity to go through the temple.  God is serious about keeping His end of the bargain when He makes a covenant with you.  Are you serious about keeping yours as well?

**Be an active participant in the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Alma 56:16-22 and talk sections “Mothers Who Know are Leaders” and “Mothers Who Know are Teachers”)

The Nephites “fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities” (v. 16).  They also “were determined to conquer in this place or die” (v. 17).  That is how I feel about the battlefield of motherhood.  I fight valiantly every day to teach my kids gospel principles so that they can govern themselves in righteousness.  I am also determined to lead them using the Spirit as my guide.

**Stay firm in the faith and trust in God. (Alma 56:46 and talk section “Mothers Who Know Stand Strong & Immovable)

Helaman called these warriors his sons because they were so dear to him.  He was concerned about their well being even though he said that “never had I seen so great courage.”  When Helaman expressed his concerns to his “sons”, they told him not to worry.  “Behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth…”  They were firm in the faith and they trusted in their God.  As mothers, we can also stand strong and immovable in our faith and courage.  We need not fear as long as we trust in God and in His plan for our families.

“Mothers need not fear.  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.” -Julie B. Beck

Am I a mother who knows?  Yes.  Is it something that I have to work on every single day?  Yes.  But that’s why I am here.  I am here to learn, to grow, to teach, to love, and to grow closer to my Savior.  With His help, I know that I will not only be able to be a Mother Who Knows, but I will be able to be a Mother Who Loves, Who Acts, and Who Lives with faith in her heart and trust in her God.