A Call to Action

Tonight I have been going over the talk given by Sister Beck in the 1st session of General Conference on Sunday. In the LDS blogging community, there has been some controversy regarding her talk, and I would like to give my opinion.

I truly believe that Sister Beck's talk was more of a call to action. I am sure that there would be no controversy if she didn't poke at some sore spots that need to be changed in our homes and families. For me, I felt that I was doing well in some of the areas that she talked about, but I definitely need work in others. That is what conference is for! It is a chance for us to evaluate our lives, and see what needs to be changed. I personally felt a resolve to try harder in this important role as a Mother. She was giving us direction, and helping us to see what we need to do to raise our children with no regrets. I believe it was pure inspiration.

She talked about how the role of Motherhood requires more vigilance. It is not a job, but a responsibility. How many mistakes could we prevent if we are more vigilant with what our children are watching on TV, what they are doing daily, and what they are learning. She asked us to do less. Permit less media, less distraction, and live on less so that we could spend more time learning, talking, laughing, and praying with our families. How pertinent is that to our day? I allow more TV and computer games than I should, and again, this was a call to action for me. When my children grow up, they will want to spend more time away from home. I realize that they will be involved in sports, and other extra-curricular activities, but I need to help them to be selective about the activities they choose, and also to value the time they spend at home. And that is where her words on being a homemaker come in. She did NOT say housekeeper. She said homemaker. You can be a homemaker whether you work outside of the home, or whatever the circumstance may be. She did say that a homemaker is a nurturer. They create a climate for growth by keeping an orderly home. I could not agree with this more. Having order promotes spiritual growth. It gives stability to a child.

I love this quote from Sister Beck, "Home is where women have the most power and influence." That quote has been on my mind. Where else in the world will we hear words like those? Many people in our day and age demean motherhood. The world tells us that women belong in the workplace. That motherhood is a chore and not valuable. That we can achieve more from having a career. That our children will be okay without our vigilance. This is not true! We are needed at home! If we are not teaching our children, who is? She mentioned a young man who said that he did not learn anything at church that his mother had not already taught him. Our children need our direction and influence more today than ever before.

I want to be "a woman who knows." I am not there yet, but I am striving for that every day. It is not easy. If it were easy, I would not become the woman that I hope to be. It stretches me and challenges me. These two little lives that I am responsible for are priceless. They are entrusted in my care and I cannot be casual with the way that I raise them. I hope that Sister Beck's words struck many of you as they did me. It is, as I said, a call to action. A challenge to take our role a step further and do more.