"We Do Not Doubt..."

Today at church many people repeated the scripture in Alma 56:48 that includes the phrase "We do not doubt our mothers knew it." I have always loved the story of the stripling warriors and the homage they pay to their mothers. Like those young men, I have learned much from the mothers in my life.

My Mama!

First and foremost is my own Mom. My mom has taught me so much. Much, much more than I could ever adequately articulate. She has taught me to be independent, to love, to work, but most importantly, to have fun. No matter how busy she gets, she always finds time to spend some time with me and my siblings so we can relax and have a little fun. She showed me that people are more important than anything else and that we always need to be willing to do things for others. I am now and will be forever grateful for her love, advice, and support.

Grandma K. was one of the kindest people in this world. She loved her family more than anything and made sure they knew it. She taught all of us to be compassionate toward everyone, especially to show unconditional love to our family members. She was the best listener. She knew when her advice was needed and when all that was necessary was for her to lend an ear. 

Grandma Wendel was strong. She taught me that I can endure and overcome much simply by continuing to move forward. She had many tough things happen to her in life but she never despaired or gave up. She just kept moving forward and eventually overcame everything. She taught all of her children to work hard, too; skills they have tried their best to pass on.

Aunt Marie has been a mother to us all for as long as any of us can remember. She was always the one willing to tend us, and now she has taken up that role with the next generation. She teaches all children the importance of learning and has inspired so many children in her life, including me and all of my siblings.

Alicia, Mandi, Amy, and Me (just missing Shannon)

Although they are not my blood sisters, Amy and Mandi have been part of our family for so long, that I consider them to be my sisters. All of my sisters have mothered me throughout my life, as well as setting incredible examples of what mothers should be.

Amy understood her role as a mother quickly and has done everything in her power to fulfill it each and everyday. She prizes being a mother to her children with all of her beautiful, tender heart. Because of this she has a gift with children, especially those sweet babies.

Mandi shows incredible patience as a mother. Daxton can be quite the little stinker when he wants to be, but she is so patient with him. She has also showed great faith and courage in her desire to have another child, despite the difficulties she faced her last pregnancy.

Shannon isn't a mother yet, but through her job the past two years, she has been more of a mother to those children than you can imagine. She has come to love the children she teaches so much and has truly come to understand mother like love and affection.

Alicia isn't a mother yet either. But she has set an incredible example to me in her desire for children. She has shown amazing courage and willingness to sacrifice everyday as she expresses her surety of the importance of the divine role of a mother. There is nothing she wants more, and because of that she is going to be an awesome mom.

As much as I love the scripture stated above, today I want to change it a little bit. Instead of "We do not doubt our mothers knew it", I want to focus on what it means if you add a period: "We do not doubt. Our mothers knew it." 

This Mothers' Day, I think the best gift I can give my mother and all of those women (named and unnamed above) who have been mothers to me is to ensure them that 

I Do Not Doubt.

I know that I am a Daughter of God. I know that the Gospel is true and was restored by Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and that it works with the Bible to teach us the truth. I know the Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he was the only person to live on the earth. I know he lived, suffered, and died so that we can repent and return to live with him and our Father. I know that because of the Atonement Christ can help us through everything and that he will. I know that through temple ordinances we can be sealed with our families forever. 

And I'm so grateful for that so that I can be with my amazing mothers always.