In January and then again in May I was asked to speak in two different meetings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Given the controversy our world currently faces, I feel it is time for me to share that message with you. You will find my style bold, a pattern I think you will find with pretty much everything I share. It is my prayer you will read this message with an open heart and mind and rediscover truths you hopefully already know.
Growing up my mom always encouraged us not to use the term “self-esteem” but rather divine nature because divine nature signifies something deeper. Understanding our divine nature or divine identity helps us to know who we are, what our purpose is, and who we may become.
We are each a son or daughter of God and He had and has big plans for us. God’s ultimate plan was for us to gain bodies and learn, grow, and love in families. His plan had a need – Creation and a Creator, or Creators.
Under the direction of Heavenly Father, and through God’s power, the Priesthood, Jesus Christ, and Michael (who would become Adam) created this earth and everything on it.
As Michael, Adam did his part. He became the first man. But, in spite of the power and glory of creation to that point, the final link in the chain of creation was still missing. All the purposes of the world and all that was in the world would be brought to naught without woman—a keystone in the priesthood arch of creation.
When Eve was created—when her body was made by God—Adam exclaimed, “Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man” (Moses 3:23).
Elder Russell M. Nelson, Lessons from Eve, 1987
God created the very first man and woman. At that moment he created the first family unit and then gave them a commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, along with which came the potential to create – a power each of us would be blessed with.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:28
With the purpose of the creation being to provide bodies to our spirits, it only makes sense that this would be God’s first commandment to Adam and Eve. And so, as partners, they were to help God fulfill His greater purpose for all of us, His children. Eve was called to be the Mother of all living (Moses 4:26), “to build and to organize the bodies of mortal men.” She was the first of all women and the first of all mothers.
To women young and old, I remind you that we have been called just as Eve of old to be mothers.
Before I continue, I want to address a very special group of women using the words of President Nelson:
For you childless sisters and those without companions, remember the eternal timetable of the Lord is much longer than the lonely hours of your preparation or the total of this mortal life. These are only as microseconds when compared to eternity. Your willingness and worthiness are surely known to Him. The spiritual rewards of motherhood are available to all women. Nurturing the young, comforting the frightened, protecting the vulnerable, teaching and giving encouragement need not—and should not—be limited to our own children.
Lessons from Eve, 1987
I may not understand the pains of being childless or without a companion to the extent you do, but I have known it for periods in my life. I knew what it was like to be without a companion, much more an unfaithful companion. My arms may also carry a beautiful daughter now, but they first were empty with the loss of our first daughter and periods of infertility. I say this in hopes that you may know there is an emotional part of me that understands your pain and longing. Please know you are thought of and loved deeply by so many, but most importantly our Heavenly Parents.
Motherhood is a divine role. We can be a mother (noun), and we can mother (verb). To mother is a calling from God for all women. Just as God does, mothers help … children navigate life with love, guidance, and support. Mothers help make hard decisions, encourage in hard times, and love no matter what.
To the Women We Love
This is a role women alike can and should take part in.
And now, I return to my reminder to each woman here, young and old, that we have been called to be as Eve, mothers, nurturers, and even creators.
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, love, sacrifice, service, are as one.
Thomas S. Monson, Behold Thy Mother, 1998
Our calling as mothers is divine and a role the world treats foully with its terms such as “birthing person” and practices such as abortion. Simultaneously, the world dismisses the great need each home has for a mother but also a father.
The call of motherhood is a great responsibility and should not be done alone, hence the first family being composed of a man and a woman.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. … By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
These are unalterable and eternal truths that extend to the beginning of time. No opinion, alteration, no force in the world can change the truths and mind of God. There must be man and woman. They create families and make up the family unit. They are intended to be partners and share in responsibility.
Although not ever explicitly named in scripture, we can know and believe that while we have a Heavenly Father there is also a Heavenly Mother. How can we know this?
For one, God created us in His image.
And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.
Moses 2:26-27
How could God create males and females unless there was also a She? And because there is a She, a Heavenly Mother, God patterned our likeness and families after theirs – a mother and a father.
God in fact created man and woman to be a support to one another. Isn’t it amazing? It takes a man and a woman to create a man or woman, an eternal truth our world wants us to forget, but a necessary truth. It is this truth that helps teach us who we are and who we may become.
Knowing this, that there is also a Heavenly Mother, proves to all women that we are special and divine. We can see our potential as women. We, like Heavenly Mother and like Eve are intended and made to be Creators.
As both a mom of a daughter in heaven and a daughter on earth I have felt so blessed in my capacity for creation and motherhood. Both of my daughters keep me pressing forward in Christ and remind me of my own divine identity because I can so very clearly see theirs.
Our life is intended to be filled with purpose and knowing who we are and where we come from gives us that. For me, hearing our oldest daughter, Adlee’s heartbeat for the first time at just six weeks was living proof that God has a plan for each of us. Then, at almost 21 weeks when I delivered her lifeless body at the very end of Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, I learned what it is I have to protect: life at any and every stage and motherhood in all its variances.
I mentioned earlier that the world degrades motherhood and the creation of new life by calling us birthing persons and practicing abortion. It is disgusting and will only cause us to forget our divine identity. Remember, we are successors of Eve and partners in Creation with God. We are to hold life sacred, to nurture and grow life in whatever capacities this life permits.
Your foes in a sordid society demean the sacredness of women and the sanctity of motherhood. Your world, sickened by unchastity and plagued with sexually transmitted disease, needs your righteous example. For the wrath of God is provoked by governments that sponsor gambling, condone pornography, or legalize abortion. These forces serve to denigrate women now, just as they did in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.
You can—you must—make a difference. You are vital to the Lord’s team—one team with one purpose. Through your diversity, build strength in unity. Bind yourselves together in all holiness. Anchor yourselves to “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).
Russell M. Nelson, Lessons from Eve, 1987
As we press forward in Christ we will be able to recognize and know the truth. We will be reminded of the truth that we are divine. We have a divine identity and a divine calling. We women are called to be mothers, just like Eve and our Heavenly Mother.
At night I hear every single noise, giggle, whimper, and cry our little Kimberlee makes. Anthony has this ability to sleep right on through because, as he says, he knows I’ll take care of her and her needs. I like to believe our Heavenly Parents are similar.
Yes, Heavenly Father is perfect and I have no doubt He hears every noise, giggle, whimper, and cry from us, but I often think the One who most often comforts us must be Heavenly Mother because our roles are eternal.
Now, I know I’ve boldly focused primarily on women and their divine role. As I have stepped into the roles of angel mom and mom, I have gained a stronger and more firm perspective on the importance of protecting motherhood and its tenderness and femininity in a gentle sense of the word, not the harsh and masculine insanity so many women try to force upon themselves.
With this said, I wish I had the time to also address the men more fully. Hopefully, I have opened your eyes to a new way of thinking about yourselves and your divine identities as men, fathers, protectors, and Priesthood bearers.
I know we were created in God’s likeness. I know that as we press forward in Christ, we will remember our divine identity and potential. I know God loves us and created each one of us with a purpose. I know all life is sacred and it is our responsibility to protect and advocate for it. May we ever stand for truth. May we fight for the sanctity of life and remember our divine roles and callings as God’s children.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With love, Analee
