Guardians of the Hearth

This lesson is found in the Relief Society book entitled Daughters in My Kingdom, chapter 9.
It is a good thing I am old enough to know how to takes notes with paper and pen for upon sitting at my desk, I discovered all my highlights done during Sister Metten's lesson have gone to alpha centauri, leaving me with a blank lesson, untouched. Onward- - - -
In September 1995, President Hinkley met with the sisters of the Relief Society and made a landmark announcement to them. He spoke of his concern for the sisters and the state of the family worldwide. With love and caring, he presented the proclamation of the family to the sisters the church.
" “happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” They “solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” They remind husbands and wives of their “solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”²

As the proclamation’s title emphasizes, it was published as “A Proclamation to the World”—reminding all people, including the leaders of nations, of the eternal importance of the family. Eight months after presenting the proclamation, President Hinckley spoke in a press conference in Tokyo, Japan. He said: “Why do we have this proclamation on the family now? Because the family is under attack. All across the world families are falling apart. The place to begin to improve society is in the home. Children do, for the most part, what they are taught. We are trying to make the world better by making the family stronger." If you don't have a copy of this vital document, you can find it on the lds.org. If you are familiar with this document, you realize the power and guidance that comes from it. The women in the Relief Society have responded to receiving this guiding light. I will highlight a few comments made by some of them and some of our prophets in regards to the importance of mothers/sisters.

Sister Thompson who was in attendance commented “That was a great occasion,” she recalled. “I felt the significance of the message. I also found myself thinking, ‘This is a great guide for parents. It is also a big responsibility for parents.’ I thought for a moment that it really didn’t pertain too much to me since I wasn’t married and didn’t have any children. But almost as quickly I thought, ‘But it does pertain to me. I am a member of a family. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a niece, and a granddaughter. I do have responsibilities—and blessings—because I am a member of a family. Even if I were the only living member of my family, I am still a member of God’s family, and I have a responsibility to help strengthen other families." I am thankful our leaders are aware that not all people are in a happy, healthy marriage but that the gospel principles still prevail and can guide all.

Sister Metten asked us why we thought the prophet delivered this proclamation to us women first. There were good thoughts shared which can be summed up with the prophets comments of " “You are the guardians of the hearth,” he told the sisters. “You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God." I addition to these words of council Sister Metten counseled us to read For the Strength of Youth which you can also find on the church website. (Isn't technology grand?)

You can see how smart the leaders are with this next quote: "President James E. Faust, President Hinckley’s second counselor, added the following explanation: “Because you mothers are the heart and soul of any family, it was appropriate that it [the proclamation] was first read in the general Relief Society meeting.”

Sister Zina Young also gave good counsel in the following words, "If there is one mother present here who does not teach and instruct her children properly, … I plead with you to do so. Call your children around you … and pray with them. … Warn the children of the evils that surround us … that they may not become a prey to these evils, but grow up in holiness and in purity before the Lord.”²⁰ She also taught: “Be diligent in all the duties of life, as mothers and wives. … Let us be careful to speak with wisdom before our little ones, avoiding fault-finding, … and cultivate the higher attributes of our nature, that will tend to elevate, refine and purify the heart. … We should take the utmost pains to teach the children of Zion to be honest, virtuous, upright and punctual in all their duties; also to be industrious and keep the Sabbath day holy. … Mothers should never speak a word detrimental to the father’s best interest before the children, for they are close observers. Sow good seeds in their young and tender minds, and always prefer principle to policy, thus you will lay up treasures in heaven." Can you see yourself any place in this paragraph? Is there room for improvement? Can you see where your successes lie?  I bet you can't count the number of random thoughts you have been privy to hear as you associate with children. Remember that these things are important to them as are our "random thoughts" to us.

Sister Metten mentioned that earlier in the church there were mother education lessons which some of us may remember. Although the church has reorganized our lessons  since that time, there are still teachings for our benefit in many places, IF we will look for them. Consider it like an egg hunt if you were a child; make hunting exciting.

Elder Ballard beautifully stated, "All sisters share the responsibility to nurture, or “mother. Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman. … All women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and the stewardship to mother." Isn't it wonderful to see in print who we are/can be? Do let this guide, not hinder your growth.

I LOVE this next quote from President Hinkley and hope you will feel edified by it as I am.

"It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. I am convinced there is no other organization anywhere to match the Relief Society of this Church. … If they will be united and speak with one voice, their strength will be incalculable.

“We call upon the women of the Church to stand together for righteousness. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities.

“They must be the teachers and the guardians of their daughters. Those daughters must be taught in the Primary and in the classes of the Young Women of the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you save a girl, you save generations. She will grow in strength and righteousness. She will marry in the house of the Lord. She will teach her children the ways of truth. They will walk in her paths and will similarly teach their children. Wonderful grandmothers will be there to lend encouragement."

"When you save a girl- - -  -" Don't we wish the entire world could take this to heart and see the value of sisters and all our earthly family!

Be strong; stay committed and be part of saving all the girls and boys. Let us remember that we are here to help each other and not be afraid to speak out in need or in loving care.

Your bloggess,

Janice