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 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.'”
Other General Conference news:
LDS Church announces three new apostles
Three new apostles to represent Christ throughout the world
English only at LDS General Conference
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
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:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: It works!
Elder M. Russell Ballard: God is at the helm
Elder Richard J. Maynes: The joy of living a Christ-centered life
Sister Neill F. Marriott: Yielding our hearts to God
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: The pleasing word of God
Saturday afternoon session:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Elder Bradley D. Foster: It’s never too early and it’s never too late
Elder Robert D. Hales: Meeting the challenges of today’s world
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Behold thy mother
Priesthood session:
Sunday morning session:
President Thomas S. Monson: Be an example and a light
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: Love one another
Elder Gary E. Stevenson: Fulness of times
Elder Dale G. Renlund: Through God’s eyes
President Russell M. Nelson: A plea to my sisters
Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer: Let the clarion trumpet sound
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa: That they do always remember him
Sunday afternoon session:
President Henry B. Eyring: The Holy Ghost as your companion
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Why the church
Elder Von G. Keetch: Blessed and happy are those who keep the commandments of God
Sister Carole M. Stephens: If ye love me, keep my commandments
Elder Allen D. Haynie: Remembering in whom we have trusted
Elder Kim B. Clark: Eyes to see and ears to hear
Brother Devin G. Durrant: My heart pondereth them continually
Elder Koichi Aoyagi: Hold on thy way
Elder David A. Bednar: Chosen to bear testimony of my name
Other conference-related coverage:
LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies
LDS Church members anticipate counsel on LGBT acceptance
English only at LDS General Conference
Music and the Spoken Word: A Mormon gift to the world
Mormons encouraged to review past sessions before General Conference
Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015
