Today I was taught by a Mother

Today is Mother's Day, and I would like to share with you something that I was taught today by a mother.

It happened during sacrament meeting (that's like the main sermon portion of many other churches). I was busy trying to corral my little 3 year old, generally enjoying the meeting. Every mothers day there's typically a focus from those asked to speak on mothers (naturally) and this day was no different. This year the Bishopric had asked each of the young men in the ward to speak on mothers. The messages were good, and the Spirit was present.

One of the young men approached the podium and began to speak. He didn't get further than about three words before he began to break down. He began to weep. He lowered his head, took a step back, and held himself tightly as his grief was made bare to the entire congregation. Frozen in what I imagine was a mix of grief, fear, and shame he stood there - alone - tears rolling down his face. I raised one hand slightly in his direction and began to pray with everything inside of me. God, please give this young man strength. Give him comfort. Let him know that I love him.

The strength did not seem to come.

I began to pray that someone, anyone would do something. That his young men's leaders that were feet from him would get up and comfort him. The comfort did not come. I could feel the weight of the prayers in the room rushing to him. I did not feel uncomfortable, only a desire to comfort. I felt helpless in the midst of this deeply emotional moment, powerfully powerless.

Then it happened.

In a flurry of purposeful movement, she came walking up the aisle at a brisk pace. Her face set in determination.

A mother. Not his mother. A Mother.

She strode up the steps, and everyone's eyes were riveted on them. She walked over to the young man, never faltering or flinching, never questioning what she was doing. She placed herself between him and the podium, between him and the rest of us, and wrapped this young man in her arms. She stroked his hair lightly and I imagine whispered words of comfort to him, then tenderly pointed him back to his seat. Without any fanfare she then walked down from the stand, and took her seat at the back of the room.

Now I was the one sobbing.

Many people spoke in that meeting. Some wonderful stories were shared about mothers. Some quotes from Prophets and Apostles regarding how sacred and righteous good mothers are. The young man who broke down might feel some embarrassment and shame over what he experienced, but he gave all of us an amazing gift. Never in my entire life, not from the greatest speakers, not from prophets or authors or any other source, have I heard a talk about mothers that was more powerful and more true than the one shared by that boy, and that mother.

"...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life..." Mosiah 18:8-10.

This is the lesson of motherhood. This is the lesson of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful to all of the mothers out there who have rushed to the aid of children when no one else could. I am thankful to those women who are mothers to those children whose mothers aren't, or can't be, present. I'm thankful for good mothers. And I'm thankful for a Father and Mother in Heaven who love us so completely that they send mothers rushing to the aid of those in need.