For those of you who are not LDS and wonder about prophets...this is a quick little comment about what we believe. We believe that God speaks to us now, just as He did in ancient times, through a prophet. This is Thomas S. Monson, our prophet today. I personally believe it is the arrogance of man that believes that God can't or doesn't use prophets today. Who are we to say what God can or cannot do? He's God, and will do what he wants! But how do you know that this, or any man is a real prophet? It says right in the scriptures... Matthew 7:15-20. The difference between a false prophet and a true prophet is "by their fruit [the things they do] ye shall know them." If you want to know more scriptorialy I will be happy to post more later. I just wanted to clarify the title of this post. We believe that God loves his children and wants what is best for our joy and happiness in this life. Here are some of the words from prophets (ancient and modern) that may motivate and inspire each of us to see the wisdom in being at-home-moms.
Since the beginning of time God has placed prophets on the earth as His spokesmen, to warn all who would listen of the calamities that were sure to come to those who disobey God’s laws; of the sweetness of God’s promised blessings; and to utter an urgent plea for all to follow God’s words.
A VOICE OF WARNING
In, “THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD”, President Gordon B. Hinckley, stands as a sentinel to the inhabitants of the earth in our day, and forewarns..... “We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn
that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” 1
WARNING OF SATAN’S INFLUENCE
Forewarning us of the evil that Satan will prevail upon the hearts of the people, the ancient apostle, Paul, declared to us in our day these prophetic words that are disturbingly familiar. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent [without self control], fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-4) All we have to do is look around us to see the fulfillment of this scripture. Our families, our children, live in a world where these evil characteristics are common and thought correct. How can we combat the onslaught of these morals in our homes? God gives us the solution by way of the prophets.
We gain valuable truths from David O. McKay in a letter where he writes, “The adversary knows ‘that the home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control, the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”2
In the early 70's, Ezra Taft Benson, apostle and later prophet of the church warned, “The family is under attack today as never before, at least in my memory, and it is very real. Yet the family is the rock foundation, the cornerstone, of civilization. The Church will never be stronger than its families, and this nation will never rise above its homes and its families.” 3
Warning all in a 1996, October general conference address, Elder Robert D. Hales, of the twelve apostles states, “Because of the importance of the family to the eternal plan of happiness, Satan makes a major effort to destroy the sanctity of the family, demean the importance of the role of men and women, encourage moral uncleanliness and violations of the sacred law of chastity, and to discourage parents from placing the bearing and rearing of children as one of their highest priorities.”4
Elder Richard G. Scott, of the quorum of the twelve apostles admonishes, “ Beware of the subtle ways Satan employs to take you from the plan of God and true happiness. One of Satan’s most effective approaches is to demean the role of wife and mother in the home. This is an attack at the very heart of God’s plan to foster love between husband and wife and to nurture children in an atmosphere of understanding, peace, appreciation, and support. Much of the
violence that is rampant in the world today is the harvest of weakened homes. Government and social plans will not effectively correct that, nor can the best efforts of schools and churches fully compensate for the absence of the tender care of a compassionate mother and wife in the home.”5
President Gordon B. Hinkley, proclaimed in general conference of October, 1998, “The home is under siege. So many families are being destroyed...
Never before, at least not in our generation, have the forces of evil been so blatant, so brazen, so aggressive as they are today. ...I believe our problems, almost every one, arise out of the homes of the people. If there is to be a reformation, if there is to be a change, if there is to be a return to old and sacred values, it must begin in the home.”6
WARNING OF WORLDLY VOICES
Women have been inundated with the politically correct mantras of the day that repeatedly tell us that we need to seek self-fulfillment in other places than our homes, and that self-esteem is only gained through worldly wealth, success, and countless other forms of self-indulgent occupations. Here is what the prophets have been saying for decades about the dangers of listening to the
worldly voices that are all around us.
Speaking of the “beguiling voices” of the world during October 1981 General Conference, Ezra Taft Benson stated, “There are voices in our midst which would attempt to convince you that these home-centered truths are not applicable to our present-day conditions. If you listen and heed, you will be lured away from your principal obligations. Beguiling voices in the world cry out for “alternative life-styles” for women. They maintain that some women are better suited for careers than for marriage and motherhood. These individuals spread their discontent by the propaganda that there are more exciting and self-fulfilling roles for women than homemaking. Some even have been bold to suggest that the Church move away from the “Mormon woman stereotype” of homemaking and rearing children. They also say it is wise to limit your family so you can have more time for personal goals and self-fulfillment.”7 Ezra Taft Benson also admonishes, “There is no satisfactory substitute for mother, and no one can take care of her children as she can. No so-called social obligations, social enticements, or outside interests should impel any mother to neglect the sacred charge that is hers of caring for her own flesh and blood.”8 He also warns, “Fathers, you cannot delegate you duty as the head of the home. Mothers, train up your children in righteousness; do not attempt to save the world and thus let your own fireside fall apart. The duty of parents is to be of help to each other and to the children; then comes their duty to their neighbors, community, nation, and world, in that order.”9
David O. McKay warns women that equality should not be confused with equivalence when he spoke these inspired words, “ Woe to that home where the mother abandons her holy mission or neglects the divine instruction, influence, and example— while she bows, a devotee, at the shrine of social pleasure; or neglects the essential duties of her own household, in her enthusiasm to promote public reform.”10
Spencer W. Kimball warned about the voices of materialism and social pleasure, “Too many mothers work away from home to furnish [expensive clothing] and music lessons and trips and fun for their children. Too many women spend their time in socializing, in politicking, in public services when they should be home to teach and train and receive and love their children into security.”11
A child’s basic need for mother and home is a theme that the prophets have repeated over and over throughout the years. Spencer W. Kimball stated, “A child needs a mother available more than all the things which money can buy.”12
Ezra Taft Benson repeatedly cautioned, “Mothers in Zion, your God-given roles are so vital to your own exaltation and to the salvation and exaltation of your family. A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy. Spending time with your children is the greatest gift of all.”13
“The seeds of divorce are often sown and the blessings of children delayed by wives working outside the home. Working mothers should remember that their children usually need more of mother than of money.”14
Even such a seemingly harmless topic as education can be twisted by worldly voices in order to confuse women as to their eternal goals. Concerning education, Ezra Taft Benson has counseled, “It is a misguided idea that a woman should leave the home, where there is a husband and children, to prepare educationally and financially for an unforseen eventuality. Too often, I
fear, even women in the Church use the world as their standard for success and basis for self-worth. Some are deluded into believing that more and better circumstances will improve their self-image. A positive self-image has little relationship to our material circumstances.”15 And, “The first priority for a woman is to prepare herself for her divine and eternal mission, whether she is married soon or late. It is folly to neglect that preparation for education in unrelated fields just to prepare temporarily to earn money. Women, when you are married it is the husband’s role to provide, not yours. Do not sacrifice your preparation for an eternally ordained mission for the temporary expediency of money-making skills which you may or may not use.”16
WARNING OF RATIONALIZATION
Next to fear and despair, I feel that rationalization has to be one of Satan’s greatest tools in convincing women to denigrate the role of homemaker and mother to a lesser level of importance. It is so easy to believe that we are the exception to the rule rather than the solution. That is why the prophets have so vigilantly warned us of the dangers of rationalizing ourselves out of living the commandments, a sort of smorgasbord concept of gospel living. Concerning rationalization, Spencer W. Kimball exhorts, “Let every working mother honestly weigh the matter and be sure the Lord approves before she rushes her babies off to the nursery, her children off to school, her husband off to work, and herself off to her employment. Let her be certain that she is not rationalizing herself away from her children merely to provide for them greater material things. Let her analyze well before she permits her precious ones to come home to an empty house where their plaintive cry, ‘Mother,’ finds no loving answer.”17 He also cautions, “Some women, because of circumstances beyond their control, must work. We understand that. We understand further that as families are raised, the talents God has given you and blessed you with can often be put to effective use in additional service to mankind. Do not, however, make the mistake of being drawn off into secondary tasks which will cause the neglect of your eternal assignments such as giving birth to and rearing the spirit children of our Father in Heaven. Pray carefully over all your decisions.”18
Gordon B. Hinckley, repeatedly has admonished us to carefully weigh our decisions. In 1996 General Conference he urges, “...I hope if you are employed full-time you are doing it to ensure that the basic needs are met and not simply to indulge a taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries. The greatest job any mother will ever do will be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth. None other can adequately take her place. It is well nigh impossible to be a full-time homemaker and a full-time employee. I know how some of you struggle with decisions concerning this matter. I repeat, do the very best you can. You know your circumstances, and I know that you are deeply concerned for the welfare of your children. Each of you has a bishop who will counsel with you and assist you.....”19
If we feel that our circumstances warrant our working outside the home it is of the utmost urgency that we gain a certain knowledge, through prayer, that it is our only course and sanctioned by the Lord. Otherwise, we must be aware of the consequences if we try and rationalize ourselves from obeying God’s commandments.
WARNING OF THE BREAK UP OF THE FAMILY
Divorce and the break up of the family is epidemic in society. These warnings have been proclaimed for decades by our prophets, of the ultimate price that would be paid for by women working outside the home. The warning voice of Spencer W. Kimball clearly states, “Through both spouses working, competition rather than cooperation enters into the family. Two weary workers return home with taut nerves, individual pride, [and] increased independence, and then misunderstandings arise. Little frictions pyramid into monumental ones. Frequently spouses sinfully turn to new and old romances and finally the seeming inevitable break come through a divorce with its heartaches, bitterness, and disillusionments, and always ugly scars.”20 Spencer W. Kimball also states, “From such homes come many conflicts, marital problems, and divorces, and delinquent children. Few people in trouble ever ascribe their marital conflicts to these first causes, but blame each other for the problems which were born and nurtured in strained environments. Certainly the harmonious relationship of father and mother and the emotional climate prevailing between parents give soundness and security to children.”21
Ezra Taft Benson also adds these prophetic words as a witness to the truths that have already been stated, “It is because of this belief [the eternal nature of the family] that the Church decries divorce, and that we are actively engaged in teaching fathers that their most important duty is within the walls of their own homes, and mothers that they should be full-time mothers in the home.”22
“Numerous divorces can be traced directly to the day when the wife left the home and went out into the world of employment. Two incomes raise the standard of living beyond its norm. Two spouses working prevents the complete and proper home life, breaks into family prayers, creates an independence which is not cooperative, causes distortion, limits the family, and frustrates the children already born.”23
“Working mothers contribute to increased divorce, to infidelity, to the weakening of homes.Brothers and sisters, it isn’t worth it. The Lord help us, on bended knees, to seek the inspiration of heaven, that we may be guided to live the gospel, to do our duties as parents and as young people also, that we may grow up together as families with family solidarity and unity in our homes.”24
With so much at stake how could we possibly ignore these warning voices?
If you would like a list of references, please comment and I will send them to you.
Ezra Taft Benson gives us this assurance of blessings that await those who are obedient to God’s word, “We need to arise and shine and to get the vision of this great work and to incorporate it into our lives and homes and our families. If we do so the Lord will bless us because He loves us. We are His people. We have accepted His gospel. You have taken upon yourselves sacred covenants and He wants to bless you. He wants to pour out His blessings, the blessings of heaven, upon you and your families. In those homes where you live the gospel, where mother and father and children are skimping just a little more to make ends meet, He will bless you even more, much more than He will in those homes where we find so many mothers unnecessarily working outside the home in order to get better clothes, a new living room suite, a new rug on the floor.”26 Despite their circumstances, Ezra Taft Benson, laid claim to great blessings promised to those who are faithful. “Regardless of how modest or humble that home may be, it will have love, happiness, peace, and joy. Children will grow up in righteousness and truth, and will desire to serve the Lord.”27
Ezra Taft Benson gives us this assurance of blessings that await those who are obedient to God’s word, “We need to arise and shine and to get the vision of this great work and to incorporate it into our lives and homes and our families. If we do so the Lord will bless us because He loves us. We are His people. We have accepted His gospel. You have taken upon yourselves sacred covenants and He wants to bless you. He wants to pour out His blessings, the blessings of heaven, upon you and your families. In those homes where you live the gospel, where mother and father and children are skimping just a little more to make ends meet, He will bless you even more, much more than He will in those homes where we find so many mothers unnecessarily working outside the home in order to get better clothes, a new living room suite, a new rug on the floor.”26 Despite their circumstances, Ezra Taft Benson, laid claim to great blessings promised to those who are faithful. “Regardless of how modest or humble that home may be, it will have love, happiness, peace, and joy. Children will grow up in righteousness and truth, and will desire to serve the Lord.”27
