What We Learn...

Today I taught the combined young women. The subject was "The Sacred Power of Procreation." Not an easy subject to teach to 30+ girls ranging in age from 12 to 17. I felt a huge responsibility as I prepared the lesson and had a few thoughts that touched me.

First, was how seriously the world undermines this sacred responsibility. Instead of intimate relations being confined to marriage, Satan has convinced the world that it is okay anytime, anywhere, with anyone, as long as both parties consent. What a sad view that is, and how completely it undermines the sacred nature of what it is for--the providing of bodies for Heavenly Father's spirit children and welcoming them into a home where they can be taught to learn to control those bodies.

Second, how very sad that this privilege, that should be regarded with reverence and treated sacredly is so demeaned in the world. It's the subject of vile jokes, it's undermined by pornography and it's misused in almost every possible way. What a huge responsibility we have when we know the truth, to be sure that we teach our children to honor and revere and keep sacred this special gift of providing these necessary physical bodies.

Lastly, I was reminded of the far-reaching consequenses of wrong choices relating to this sacred gift. The pain and anguish and sadness that comes from misusing this power--single parenting, losing your child through adoption, the far-reaching effects of having an abortion--are just a few of the sad effects of misusing this precious gift. Compare those with the blessing of bringing home a beautiful, new baby to a loving home where the gospel is taught. What a contrast.

Becoming parents is such a beautiful gift from our Heavenly Father. I look at my children and I believe the love I have for them is the closest thing I can imagine to how Heavenly Father loves us. I'm so thankful for the incredible privilege of being a mother. I only hope that as the world gets more and more wicked, I can do a better job of teaching them the importance of our Heavenly Father's plan and the importance of revering and treasuring the privelege of fulfilling a role in that plan.

We mothers who know are so blessed.