Mother's Day Talk by a Teenager

Twenty-five years ago, one of our sons gave a Mother's Day talk in sacrament meeting. I figure enough time has passed that I can share it with the world. Now that we have teenage grandchildren, maybe this will provide some inspiration for them. Remember our family motto - Show Respect! Timeless principles don't change.

First, I’d like to start out by saying, “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!”  Mothers are the coolest, if for no other reason, then just for the fact that they brought us into this world.  I know some of you think, “Yeah, big deal, I was born, wow.”  Really, it is amazing.  Although I don’t know from experience, thankfully.  But I have been dragged through enough Family Life classes to know that birth is supposed to be uncomfortable, it’s supposed to be nauseous, it’s supposed to hurt, it’s supposed to be torturous.  In a sentence, your mothers go through a lot to create the living, breathing body that houses your spirit.

Mothers deserve something in return for that favor.  The cheapest, most easily accessible, most appreciated gift can be constant respect.  Did you know that there are seven instances in the scriptures that say “Honor thy father and thy mother” as a command?  Two in the Old Testament, three in the New Testament, and two in the Book of Mormon.  If the Lord put those exact words in there seven times, I think he wanted us to memorize it, cherish it, and obey it.

There are plenty of reasons to obey that scripture.  In reading through it I found two promises the Lord makes.  1) If you obey, you will live a long and blessed life in a choice land.  2) If you “curseth” mother or father, you will “die the death.”  I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I figure you will cease living.  I’ve always wanted to know what heaven was like, so I’m not too scared of death.  But if you “die the death” because you cursed your mom, I think there’s a pretty good chance you might not see heaven.

Proverbs 10:1 says, “A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”  Your mom hates it when you choose the wrong.  They don’t give you those CTR rings in Primary for nothing.  One of the best ways to honor your mother is to do your best to choose the right and grow spiritually.

You can take that scripture, change a couple words, and come up with a new one.  Weston 1:1 says, “A wise son is the lightness of his mother.”  Now, this isn’t real scripture, nor do I think it ever will be, but the idea it entails already is.  Choose the right and it makes your mom happy.

Now, just a quick recap of how to choose the right.  Okay, here we go:

• Study the scriptures

• Pray

• Have family night

• Go to seminary

• Go on a mission

• Get married in the temple

• Obey your parents

• Choose the right

• Obey the Word of Wisdom

• Obey the law of chastity

• Obey the Ten Commandments

• Be nice to your brothers and sisters

Above all, treat your mom with love and respect.  Show appreciation for everything she does for you.  If you don’t really like what she’s doing, approach her gently and make a suggestion.  Don’t scream and yell and make a fit and get angry.  Everyone knows how to make their mom feel miserable.  In order to honor your mother, exercise your power of choice and don’t do things that make your mom feel miserable.  Not only will she feel better, but she’ll want to do more things to improve your life.  I know of the truthfulness of this because I have exercised my power of choice in both ways.  It is better for both of you to honor your mother.