Mothers: Women of God

Mothers: Women of God

Many happy Mother’s Day wishes to all the women I know and love, especially my lovely bride of 35 years and mother of our two daughters Anna Rose and Hailey.

I have watched Joanne from the moment Anna Rose was placed in her arms. She has always been beautiful, but at that moment of mother and daughter meeting and melting into one, it became obvious of the connection those two made and then again when Hailey emerged from the pre-existence to this world. I don’t know of anything that is more connective or more poignant than the relationships of mothers and daughters.

Over the years, the girls have spent a considerable amount of time with their mother, doing a host of things, from cooking to camping to playing tennis to watching movies to doing crafts. When they left home to attend college or even after they were married, they called periodically—sometimes frequently—to ask Joanne a question about this or that, a recipe, counsel about how to raise children, how to handle a difficult situation, etc. With ease of an eternal mother, Joanne has dispensed her ever-growing knowledge and wisdom to them and to numerous other young women who she has served throughout her service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Every day I am more convinced that if the young women would adhere to Joanne’s counsel and incredible example and faith, they would be better women, incredible mothers, and serving citizens. Joanne has and will continue to serve others well because that’s who she is and is becoming. Joanne’s influence on our daughters has been great, and I sincerely hope they continue to follow her example. Hailey recently wrote in her Mother’s Day card to Joanne: “I am me because of you! If they follow Joanne’s example, I know they will be better and more effective mothers and more holistic and loving people, now and forever.

It’s humbling to watch Joanne in action. I know for a surety that our kind and dear Heavenly Father loves her and protects her and watches over her constantly. When I am in her presence, I feel significant and loved and safe, no matter the situation. Her smile is infectious and grand. Her humility wilts me. I can only wish I can grow up to be like she is.

Perhaps, Elder Neal A. Maxwell described Joanne and a host of women throughout the ages most effectively: "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this."

Joanne is a woman of God! I love her for being a woman of God and loving Heavenly Father in all that she does. She knows He is real and loves His children and wishes for them to come unto Him and enjoy the fruits of eternal happiness. For that is what women of God do: They know and follow His paths, humbly accept His Son’s gracious atonement, and helps others to come to know for themselves of Heavenly Father’s unfalteringly love.

Thank you, Joanne, for being a woman of God and for being the most incredible mother I personally know.

And so it is….and so it will ever be!