Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Behold thy mother

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of Twelve spoke on the important influences of mothers.

'No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love that a devoted mother has for her child.'

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Mormon Newsroom)

Elder Holland began by describing the power and strength of a mother’s love and addressed a mother’s burden of not only bearing children, but also bearing all of their children's burdens.

Elder Holland asserted that 'maternal love has to be divine, because it is an essential element of Christ’s work.'

To expound on the power and importance of a mother’s love, Elder Holland shared three experiences of mothers and their influence on their children.

The first account is about man who, as he was facing death, was pained to think of standing before God, but could not “bear the thought of standing before (his) mother.'

Elder Holland called this first experience, 'a cautionary tale,' and used this example to remind people of their mothers when facing temptation.

The second experience was the story of a young man who suffered with same-sex attraction. After leaving his mission field because of the temptations he faced, the young man confided with his parents. Elder Holland shared that through the persistent love and help from his mother, he was able to continue as an active member of the church and even returned to the missionary field.

'He knows he owes much to so many, but he knows he owes the most to two messianic figures in his life, two who bore him and carried him, labored with him and delivered him — his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his determined, redemptive, absolutely saintly mother.'

Elder Holland’s last example was the story of Lisa Turtle Pieper. The mother had raised up her daughter, Dora, and helped her dysfunctional right hand wave a white handkerchief at the Mexico City Temple re-dedication, showing her love both for her daughter and God.

Elder Holland concluded by thanking the mothers for their influence and encouraged them to keep going.

'Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. You are saviors on Mount Zion and, like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.''

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Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015

Women’s general session:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Now is a part of eternity

Sister Carol F. McConkie: The Lord’s agents

Sister Linda S. Reeves: Rewards will come

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom: Divine nature within you

Saturday morning session: