In a world in which most religions begin with God the Father or some sort of male image of the divine, and are founded by male figures such as Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, do we undervalue Motherhood or the role of women in faith?

“There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of Motherhood.”

James E. Talmage, a modern day Apostle of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ stated: “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.” Throughout His mortal ministry, the Savior repeatedly ministered to, taught, forgave, wept with, and had compassion for women. Even in excruciating pain on the cross, the Savior expressed concern for His mother. The first person to whom He appeared after His Resurrection was a woman. The women in the ancient Church were dignified and noble, needed and valued. They served others, increased in personal holiness, and participated in the great work of saving souls. These patterns have been restored in these latter days through a world-wide organization, the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Women in the Church are called to ecclesiastical positions to serve one another, to bless the entire Church and to render compassionate service to others in local communities throughout the world. Additional information regarding the Relief Society and the important role of women in the family, the Church and in the community can be found at this web site: http://www.lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kingdom?lang=eng

The (former) General President of the Relief Society, Julie B. Beck stated: “Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and ‘where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21). By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood.”

The Family – A Proclamation to the World issued in 1997, by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, states in part: “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. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 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.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, in a Conference address stated that he prayed that: “God will continually bless the women of the Church to find joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God.”

He emphasized this profound statement: “There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of Motherhood.”