Mormon families follow the admonition of God to Adam and Eve to “multiply and replenish the earth.” As Sister Julie Beck of the General Relief Society Presidency (the highest calling held by a woman in the Mormon Church) said on October 7, 2007 in General Conference:
“Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the , seers, and revelators who were sustained at this conference have declared that “God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” President Ezra Taft Benson taught that young couples should not postpone having children and that “in the eternal perspective, children—not possessions, not position, not prestige—are our greatest jewels.” (Sister Julie Beck, “Mothers Who Know,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2007 General Conference)
My husband and I have not been able to have children, which has been a source of great sorrow in our lives. However, my sister and her husband are very generous with their children. Connor, Stormy, Brigham, Skye and Elias have brought such love and joy into our lives.
For instance, last night we went to my sister’s house for Skye’s birthday party. Every time Alvin and I walk through the door the children jump up and run toward us, arms outstretched, to launch themselves into our arms. There are cries of “Uncle!” or “Aunty!” This is always followed with us smothering those children with kisses and hugs.
Elias, the youngest of the crew, is eleven months old. Last night, he crawled as fast as he could and held his arms up to me. I swept him up and that sweet little boy wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me slobbery kiss after slobbery kiss. There is nothing sweeter than kisses from a baby.
Had my sister and her husband chosen to not follow the admonition of God and His prophets, Alvin and I would not have this unmitigated joy in our lives.
I do understand that being a parent in this day and age can be scary. Sister Beck said, in that same talk,
“The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.” (Sister Julie Beck, “Mothers Who Know,” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 2007 General Conference)
I can’t thank my sister and her husband enough for having the courage and strength to bring these precious children into the world. In their obedience we have been greatly blessed with untold joy and happiness in our lives.
