Elder M. Russell Ballard: Mothers and Daughters

As the father of five daughters and the husband of one wife, I really enjoyed this talk. You should all read it and take it to heart, as should I.

President Joseph F. Smith said: "It is not for you [the women of the Church] to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the . . . women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, every thing that is uplifting and . . .  purifying to the children of me."


There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.


Elder Ballard then had some specific remarks for the young women of the Church. This is good advice for my daughters. I am very proud of the daughters they are and the way they have treated their mother. These remarks reminded me that I have such great daughters.

Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches. (I would add that the same applies to me as their father, but I do understand that the relationship is different.

It is all too easy to illustrate the confusion and distortion of womanhood in contemporary society.  I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. (I am very proud to observe that all five of you, my daughters, are following that counsel and have been your whole life.) Model yourselves after them.  Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her.  When it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness - in this life and forever.


Love your mother, my young sisters. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do.


Elder Ballard next talked to the mother's. And Theresia is a great example of a righteous mother.
Mothers . . . [and] the special role you play in your daughter's lives.  Young women behave like their mothers. If the mothers are thrifty, so are their daughters. If the mother's are modest, so are the girls. If the mothers wear flip-flops and other casual clothing to sacrament meeting, so do their daughters. Mothers, your example is extremely important to  your daughters - even if they don't acknowledge it.


Now mothers, I understand that it sometimes appears that our children aren't paying attention to the lessons we're trying to teach them. Believe me - I've seen that glazed-over look that comes to the eyes of teenagers just when you're coming to what you think is the best part of your instruction. Let me assure you that even when you think your daughter is not listening to a thing you say, she is still learning from you as she watches to see if your actions match your words.


To us all he adds:  In these last days it is essential - even critical - that parents and children listen to and learn from one another.


The Church will help wherever we can. But the home is the most important place to prepare the youth of today to lead the families and the Church of tomorrow. It rests upon each one of us as mothers and fathers to do all we can to prepare our youth to be faithful, righteous men and women. It is in the home where we must teach the gospel by precept and by example.