I have some ideas of speaker topics but I thought I would start a thread for suggestions of topics, scriptures, conference talks, etc that would help make a great Sacrament Meeting that . Most seemed to realize bishoprics are trying and they appreciate any effort. I would be totally okay if they did nothing for Mothers Day at church. Women focused or mainly about Christ too. In the spirit of the quib in #21 we should just cancel these commercial holidays. Uchtdorf, but you have to admit he gets pretty Hallmark(y) sometimes. THE major Mothers Day talk in Sacrament Meeting in our ward this week, I have forwarded all of this discussion on to him! first adult speaker: Motherhood is like a roller coaster: there are lots of ups and downs, and sometimes you just have to close your eyes and scream., second adult speaker, quoting a Native American proverb: The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears., benediction, by a former Bishop: Heavenly Father, we speak with thee every day, and we look forward to the day when we can renew our relationship with Heavenly Mother.. Father's Day Talk in Sacrament Meeting June 21, 2009. Talk topics could be: - examples in the scriptures (Eve, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Sarah, Mary, Sariah, etc), - early Saints (Lucy Mack, Emma, Eliza R Snow, Aurelia Rogers, etc), - influence of (teachers, nurses, aunts, grandmas, etc). I must let my voice be heard, Watch This Touching LDS Mother's Day Medley | LDS Daily Let us take as self-evident that, in reality, not all women are naturally pure or spiritual. For example, look at how Mothers Day and Mothering Day each have a religious as well as a secular component to them, and have even merged: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothering_Sunday. Young Latter-day Saint priesthood . And dont even get me started on the Are We Not All Mothers tripe. Sacrament Meeting - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Sorry to barge in madhousewife). Clap my hands and shout for joy! Examples? My favorite Mothers Day talk was my own talk. LDS Hymn Arrangements. I love her and think she did a great job with the limited resources she had. Ere the sun goes down. It seemed to strike just the right tone. Nothing, wakes people up in sacrament meeting like talking about chimpanzees dismembering each other. (just kidding). . But these are good points. 1 Dead, 1 Injured in Shooting During LDS Sacrament Meeting in Nevada. It very gently re-addressed several of the points that were flying in the newspapers and throughout the church in the Mothers Who Know backlash. Her mother didnt come across as being perfect, but rather imperfect but faithfully trying, and her simple persistent efforts turned out to be eternally valuable. I was supposed to talk two weeks ago on the purpose of the Sacrament but ended up in surgery instead, and upon returning to church last Sunday was asked to reschedule. " Cogito! Ive taken as the Ward Music Chair person and conductor to pick hymns and have a couple special musical numbers, but does anyone have any ideas for a small token we could pass out to the men? I have no aversion to motherhood being spoken of in church. Cannot load blog information at this time. more guilt and more controversy.). iPad. The best MD talk I ever heard was given by my neighbor. Tell the moms that you'll be playing a game with the kids on Mother's Day and that . See also What to Expect at Church Services. I too am irritated by mother-worshipping in MD talks, but at the same time, I think many Mormon women identify so strongly with being a mother and so many have sacrificed just about everything to focus on that specific role, that they really appreciate a little validation, a little boost of confidence that what theyre doing is significant and has meaning. You can guess how well that went over. Should we have days for every type of individual? Please Please Please! With that in mind, there are great ideas in this discussion thread of ways to do exactly that. More importantly, what impact does this conscious attempt to devalue motherhood within our community have on the future of the family? In honor of Earth Day, you could throw in the topic of Mother Nature also! We also have free LDS program covers and printable LDS program covers you can print off at home. American LDS women who attended Sacrament Meeting were told that they have a lot of innate qualities, such as being righteous, spiritual, pure, or nurturing. Now, I detest it. I have seen women leave the meeting in tears, and I know others who have learned, through sad experience, that it is best for them to take a break from church on Mothers Day. Tracy M posted an amazing video that deals with the general concept of this post in a really insightful way. Have a variety of ages speak on ideas or what they've done to help their mothers and ways they've stayed close to their mothers. Just plant a tree and name it after our mothers! Elder Perry uses personal stories and memories of his own mother to illustrate the importance of teaching the gospel inside the home. Honest! Isnt it reasonable to think that Abe is trying a little too hard, and might be overcompensating for something? I believe the best thing a man can do is not to love his wife in word, but to help her find and be and become whatever she truly wants to be and become outside of her role as mother. So He can be ideal AND real. Mothers Day theme, is the spirit is trying to witness to us at what a dumb idea it is. It will easily demonstrate the weaknesses in the position: The logic is faulty. Questions and Answers about the Sacrament, Remember Jesus Christ during the Sacrament, The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part1: Loss and Christian Reformations), The Restoration of the Sacrament (Part2: A New and Ancient Covenant), Sharing Time: Be Grateful for the Sacrament, Viewpoint: The Sacred Ordinance of the Sacrament, Young Men, Teach about the Sacrament, Brother Beck Says. The other auxiliaries are free to do something, its just the bishopric that doesnt. At first I was wishing that I wasnt, but after thinking and praying about it for a few weeks and speaking with friends and family, Im rather excited about it. Just wondering. I just pray that the spirit can convey the message that seems so exciting in my heart. But since youre not, Im bowing out this year. Yeah. A new Mother's Day song for Mormons - Religion News Service The story of Martha and Mary each bringing important and valuable things, even though they were very different. Not using individual's names, I told stories of selfless service performed by sisters in our ward that I had observed during my time as bishop. Cant we just give praise and gratitude for the atonement, and human goodness and resiliance inspite its adversity and imperfection? It was so honest and hopeful all at once. Im not going tomorrow. Latter-day Saint Missionary Hospitalized After Stabbing in Colombia, A Slam Dunk of a Service Project: The NBA and Church of Jesus Christ Feed the Hungry, All Missionaries Accounted for in New Zealand After Devastating Cyclone, New Zealand Latter-day Saints Urged to Prepare for Cyclone, Latter-day Saint Artists Paints Uvalde Shooting Victims, Delivers Portraits to Families, Tender Advice from President Monson Trends on Instagram Reels, Church of Jesus Christ Releases Statement of Support After Earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, Try Faith: A 30-Day Challenge Shows How Four Young Vloggers Built Faith in Jesus. But I love my mother, and I miss her, so Im hopeful that the experience will be a good one. Sadly, though, it probably caused a lot of pain to the listeners. Oh, great. Although the later version of Mothers Day in the US was to honor mothers, it retained its association with peace as carnations were given out as a symbol of peace (white if ones mother was dead, pink if alive). I like the idea of a simple gift for those in attendance. April 24, 2016 in General Discussions. On Mothers Day. The "Sacrament Meeting Program" app provides users a quick, easy way to create their sacrament meeting programs. They really did. This might be a useful reference in terms of stories about Christ and women (not saying to cite it, just to get scripture references and helpful context): http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/fair-conferences/2015-fairmormon-conference/christs-emancipation-of-women-in-the-new-testament. I'm fascinated by these two suggestions because I was leaning toward only having youth and men speak so that all the mothers had the day off. Special celebrations can and should be held at home within the family. Kind of it takes a village/ward to raise a child philosophy. At the end of the survey there was a comments box where individuals could leave specific feedback to bishoprics that organize Mothers Day. Preparation Print the song pages. I Know I would like Mothers Day more if they changed the official hymn of the day from Love at Home to this one (to be sung from the perspective of the mother): 1. This morning I decided to Google search Mothers Day LDS talks and came upon this article. Ere the sun goes down. . I get fed up listening every year to only men saying how wonderful their wives and mothers are. "I am a sociopathic perverted mess emotionally and mentally thanks to the influence of my insane codependent mother.'". Most threads die a natural death. Their talks often included poems about the immeasurable amount of crap mothers had to deal with. Why was she an ideal? I plan to skip church on Mothers Day morning to visit my mother in the home and I will receive my Masters Degree that afternoon! We can only celebrate the nonentity because we are afraid of hurting those who are not being celebrated "today". I think this is one of the most confusing topics for men in the church. I think we should dispense with handing out things and tell everyone weve made a donation to a local womens shelter or program for mothers in need. As I journey on my way, Integrate how Jesus takes care of his mother's future well being while hanging on the cross with the scripture John 19:26-27. It is Mother's Day and yet the day is supposed to about everything about women EXCEPT being a mother. In simple terms his philosophy was that the church is not true because it is madeconsists of people who are imperfect and therefore not always true to all of the ideals taught. Pres Hinckley and apparently Mark has it right. Latter-day Saints in a contemporary congregation partake of the sacrament. I am confident that a poll ofactive Mormons would show that Mothers Day sacrament meeting is, hands down, the one meeting of the year most fraught with difficulty for the people who attend. I love your idea of wearing different color of flowers. It might be that it was a holiday originally conceived by the US Socialist Party and propagated by the Soviets. It was a one day break from the 40 day Lent cycle to give a feast in honor of Mom with cakes and flowers and her grown children visiting from afar. Thanks! I remember long ago a young woman spoke on Mother's Day and described her mother as "the mean mother". Im the counselor in charge of calling speakers for Mothers Day. Or better yet, teach their classes and let them attend RS for a day? Any Advice? Thank you for being the kind of people you are and doing the things you do. Not until the 1600s did people start associating the holiday with their own actual mothers (Mothering Day in the UK). Gods commands I must obey, when she becomes a God like I know she will she will be an inspriation to all ladys, Loverboy was gone, she was outside of the church, and she had no means of support. So no one is left out. Beware the philosophies of Hallmark, mingled with scripture. lol. He offers advice on how young women can look to faithful mother figures as a pattern to follow. I have heard good talks and bad talks, and really dislike the sacralizing of the universal and perfectly average activity of mothering. Id also like a break from a poem in the EFMormons which says that no painting, no book, no song penned by a mother could be as great as a worSocrates by their children in the future, so spending your time raising the next generation is the greatest thing you can do. Id like to see the swords beaten into plow shares this mothers day And for once ( just once) the SAHM vs working mom verbal cat claws retracted. Thank you for writing this blog post. Mrs. Gui, All the little Guis and their little Guis, the violin, photography, Prokofiev, Mahler, Terry Pratchett, Patrick OBrian, Umberto Eco, sci-fi and fantasy, Brigham Young, playing Bluegrass with real Kentuckians. Serious question for everyone, just out of true curiosity: How many of these horror stories happened in the last five years? I get really tired of hearing the stripling warrior passages on Mother's Day. Aiming for Heaven is again looking to the sinless for examples, not to an episode of Leave it to Beaver. Tony, thanks! I like the post. Those were the kinds of talks I gave, and thats what I would rather listen to. If my kids are with me on MD I go, but FD is just too painful. I know my own mother dislikes being called a good mother because she feels so awful about how she raised us from her perspective. My bishop knows where its at, and we always get Dove bars, Milk for those of unrefined taste and Dark for the rest of us. Some were difficult for metotell without choking up. Im asking this out of genuine curiosity/responsibility for handing stuff out. We speak about it nearly every Sunday. anon, pretty sure hearing about an old guys non-existent sex life is worse. I think Ill check myself in to a nice bed and breakfast. It makes my heart sad to see that the men arent recognized and given something however small it may be. I am the wife of a bishopric member, and I used to love Mothers Day. Its never the men. It was designed with ward choirs and Sacrament Meeting musical numbers in mind. Which also makes me wonder about why we Americans dont recognize International Womens Day. They do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but they should have a spirit of humility and repentance in their hearts. MD really is a no-win. No talk is necessary, but a simple acknowledgement of our love for all the women in our lives is nice. I explained that I was not calling any men to speak, due to their tendency to give perfect mother talks, and felt they could do a better job giving an honest uplifting talk that could be of benefit to the mothers in the congregation. I could brave baby showers and birth announcements just fine, but Mother's Day cut me to the core. Sacrament Meeting Program LDS 4+ - App Store Have a young child, a teenager, husband and elderly father take you through the different phases of motherhood in their own point of view. By Thank you to everyone! It spoke to the special importance of mothers to their children, but also made clear that as with other mistakes, the effects of mothers failings can absolutely be healed by the Atonement. I had some ideas but didn't want to repeat anything that had already been done from the Primary. Why..thank you! Sorry I missed that. Then the clincher, it is only for women to celebrate and they need to be left alone to celebrate it as they demand and see fit. How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in todays increasingly toxic world? As far as Jesus is concerned, he was sinless so is able to stand as an ideal. All women were given a 'present' which looked like a flower or something, I didn't inspect it; many men and women took extra ones to give to any mother or lady in the neighborhood, single, mother, any sister or non member. People seemed to feel good about it but Mark is right about it being a fraught day. So this year we are setting up tables and chairs in the gym, hauling in meat and cheese and veggies and chocolate, and the Bishop will talk for five minutes and then we will let everybody socialize while I play the tuba for the entire primary. Im thankful for ideals even when I dont measure up not even often let alone all the time. I just dont like when they push the plant on me after Ive politely declined it. Does this mean that finally..a talk could be about our Heavenly Mothers? Love your mother, my young sisters. Regular G.A.S. Can anyone say overdone? It was an emotional rollercoaster of raised hopes and disappointments. Last year we did two songs for the Mother's Day sacrament meeting, and they turned out beautifully, so I thought I would share them with you. Then they would close by saying that it was the most wonderful blessing imaginable. It was perhaps the best talk I gave as a bishop. don't get me wrong, I'm not bragging. That said, I cant say I recall ever hearing a bad Mothers Day talk. Let's apply your logic standard to other holidays. #93 Ruth Others must be killed or theyll live forever, injuring regular folk. After a lot of thought and prayer I called two sisters to speak on some of the blessings and also the challenges of raising children in the gospel. all while X sat smugly on the stand. I know some women get upset because they arent mothers, but it doesnt bother me. The reminder was given to visit those sisters unable to attend on Mother's Day. Until I see a longer lasting cease fire, Im staying home MD (with my mother and daughters). Don't subscribe Christian churchs teach that you are inherently bad, that it is not entirely your fault and that Christ has already saved you and after He gets around to telling you (if He hasnt already) that you forgiven and are His, you will do nonspecific good things he directs because you will naturally want to do them. He emphasized there is no one perfect way to be a mother and that every situation is different. This talk teaches us how rearing up children in righteousness can help keep them safe in an increasingly wicked world and how what happens in the home can benefit communities and nations. Even though Mothers Day is now a reasonably happy day for me personally, I still find that my mind is focused on how other women in my ward might be experiencing it. Focus on womanhood and examples of strong women, not on a perfect homemaker mother. Alece, I also love CS Lewis, and agree that we should look to higher ground in our mortal journey. Jana Riess: LDS Church's slow shift away from demonizing working mothers Next, it is always very specific so as to not offend anyone. Disciples of Christ know what they want and there is not need to celebrate Christmas in front of others that are not faithful. I recommend that you take President Eyrings approach and assume that the women to whom you are speaking are doing their best, but that often their very best means just barely hanging on. The division of labor between the holidays helped to alleviate some of the awkwardness of the women = mothers mindset that we face in the US. Home & Family. We were utterly gobsmacked. The first speaker was a single father, then the bishop spoke, then the stake president spoke. This has been a big concern for me, as there are many women in the ward who are very sensitive to the Perfect Mother talks, and I didnt want to heap on to their burdens. Doesn't seem strange in a religion that supposedly is so family focused? All Latter-day Saint Youth Need to Hear Ready to Rise, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FREE I Can Do All Things Through Christ Sheet Music + Music Video, Latter-day Saint Missionaries Perform Is There Room, Official 2023 Youth Theme Music Video: I Can Do All Things Through Christ, Popular Rapper Says He Wants to Be Baptized into The Church. Wards/branches can use this app to create and print traditional . President Eyringonce said that when he meets somebody for the first time, he assumes that person is struggling mightily with an intractable problem, and cannot see any possible solution. She is buried in the same plot as my great-grandmother as well so it was nice to be able to be there with them again. Theyre all very good, and not being critical, but Hallmark w/ scripture would seem to be one way to describe the style of Pres. Did they not have mothers? https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/wanted-hands-and-hearts-to-hasten-the-work?lang=eng. I had assumed it was a greeting card holiday of commercial origins, but it is actually (like Christmas) based on Roman pagan traditions. It is awkward for those who are NOT mothers and I don't think fathers get their due comparibly. Mothers Day is celebrated, and increasingly commercialized, but my impression of the local situation is that ones obligation to honor ones mother is largely discharged at home. My Mother will one day reach the godstage with my Father and will have there own planet. Every week they strive to prepare for that sacred ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3Nephi 9:20). Well, counselor x/counselor y is in charge of May, I dont know what hes doing for sure . Pertaining to gifts: #53 Im against handing out plants on Mothers Day. Mother's Day became the hardest day of the year for me. 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.. Your email address will not be published. Since my husband gets to give The sacrament provides an opportunity for Church members to ponder and remember with gratitude the life, ministry, and Atonement of the Son of God. I wanted to know more, so here are his thoughts. I have been called by God to be there and that is where I should be. Most seemed to realize bishoprics are trying and they appreciate any effort. But I realize others prefer plants. So be kind to her. After His Resurrection, He instituted the sacrament among the Nephites (see 3Nephi 18:111). Now we have a tradition that during the last ten minutes of priesthood meeting, they gather all the classes from deacons to high priests together in the multi-purpose room and present them with Fat Boy ice cream sandwiches. Keep in mind, this is from a male perspective, andmy opinions might be worth exactly what you paid for them. please please please please dont pull us teachers from Primary for pie or talking. Speechless. I am a single (divorced) old man with no children. Over the years, Ive heard some very good Mothers Day talks, but I have also heard some that were cringe-worthy. It appears that this phenomenon is growing and becoming even more common everywhere in the US church. The kids sang the first verse and the adults the second. We changed the lines to "Mother Do You Love Me". The worst talk I ever heard came from a woman who described how her mother used to sit by her during piano lessons. Talking to other grownups while nice doesnt belong in 3rd hour. I dont recall what the men are given on Fathers Day, but at one time in my ward they gave them nice ball point pens. Women have mothers too! It was both simple and profound. Because disciples can be wayward in their faith we should not celebrate Christmas because it causes too much pain in those who remain more faithful. In the mean time, please, PLEASE, dont go hunting the sisters. It seems like every time theres a church scandaland especially one that concerns moneypeople start arguing that the scandal-ridden church (or even churches in general) should lose their tax exemptions. We like to celebrate mothers in the Church and we like to ignore fatherhood. . Thats why youve been my cyber-crush for years. It falls short when it is not delivered with love, patience, acceptance, humility, an understanding of the limitations of REALITY, and the the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The only thing I might try if I were in charge would be to put out pink, white, red carnations and safety pins and invite everyone in the ward to wear a carnation to honor their mother pink/red if shes living, white if shes passed away. . 1) Peanut butter sandwiches served with a smile tastes much better than the fanciest meal served with a side of stress. Then it gives them the option to (1) print traditional paper programs, or (2) give members access to a digital version of the program on their phones. Questions & Answers: What am I supposed to think about during the sacrament? Elder Ballard mainly focused on young mothers in this talk from 2008. Sacrament meeting is for honoring and remembering the Savior, its not Fathers Day or Mothers Day, its the Saviors Day! Ill be hiding in the clerks office. Sorry for the sacrilege I think all women want massages but not sure the church is the right place for it. The first one we did was a modified version of "Teacher Do You Love Me". This ordinance is an essential part of worship and spiritual development. The average of the survey said their bishopric probably spends about $1 per sister for Mothers Day gifts. Sacrament - LDS Living Glad as I can be Christmas is not a universal holiday and thus we should not celebrate one day a year, We focus on Christ every day and every Sunday so there is no need to celebrate on Christmas. If you take one thing away from this not-so-scientific survey, it is, when in doubt, go with chocolate. President Hinckley directly addresses mothers in this talk, commending them for the wonderful thing they have done by becoming mothers, but offering insights on their greatest challenge: to be able to answer the question How well have my children done? with happiness. Heres my updated version: Im so glad when Daddy comes home, If youre already perfect, who needs it? And this is all in addition to the everyday problems like getting the bills paid and the laundry done. Inevitably they would be instructed that the gifts were for all women, so theyd try hard to give me one. For those in Europe, is Mothers Day celebrated to the same awful-gut-wrenching extent? Geesh! The meeting isnt about me or you, or a missionary, or mother, its about the Savior and His atonement. Elder Ballard lists three ways mothers can do that; first, is realizing joy comes in moments, second is to not overschedule children, and third, to find time to cultivate talents and interests.. Like many others, my wife and her mother have both always struggled with hearing sacrament meeting talks on Mothers Day. iPhone. I only wish my daughter could come in for graduation I am sure we would skip church together that morning! Just sharing those times with women in the scriptures and what we can learn from them - and NOT have a focus on mothers. I dont mean to be rude, but I know I will have anxiety over killing it and then I *will* kill it and then I will have to look at its dead body. It worked well in my ward, I think. Why do *we* have to have an ideal? Trust her. At one point they cut down a tree and paraded it into town to symbolize the mother of the Gods (Asherah, anyone?).
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