Taken from the August 2007 Ensign Magazine, pg. 24

Taken from the March 2005 Ensign Magazine, pg. 63

Taken from the August 2009 Friend Magazine, pg. 44

Taken from the August 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 4

Taken from the June 2009 Friend Magazine, pg. 22

Taken from the June 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 14

Mother: a Precious and Chosen Vessel
This painting is by Megan Rieker.

Throughout time the role of mother has remained constant: a nourisher, comforter, teacher, and  caretaker.  She is the vessel through which God may do his work—be it physically or spiritually, in so many ways she will be his hands on earth.  This is why women must choose to partake of only the best… so they can in turn give the best to others.  The term, ”A Precious and Chosen Vessel” is taken from the description given of Mary, and is used here to show that  mothers can be precious tools of our Father in Heaven.   

This painting has been displayed in the Museum of Church History and Art in 2006 as well as at the Hispanic Celebration and was printed in the August ‘06 edition of the Ensign Magazine. 

Elder Russell M. Ballard said:  “Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God. Sister Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), the second general president of the Relief Society, said that “every sister in this church should be a preacher of righteousness … because we have greater and higher privileges than any other females upon the face of the earth”

Every sister who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil. Every sister who strengthens and protects her family is doing the work of God. Every sister who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come. Every sister who makes and keeps sacred covenants becomes an instrument in the hands of God.” (”Women of Righteousness” 2002)

Our Mothers Knew It
This painting is by Megan Rieker.

Many of us like to think about what the mothers of the stripling warriors would have been like.  In this painting, I set out to show mothers preparing their sons to rise to - and not fear - the everyday battles we each experience in our earthly life. These are the mothers who teach the words of the prophets, lead us along the safe paths, promote family unity, support the priesthood, feed us spiritually and physically, and prepare us for our own battles.  All these things and more are what a woman of faith knows and shares with her children. 

There are a few symbols in this painting that make it more meaningful.  The  woman teaching the tree of life story (drawing taken from existing carvings in western Mexico), the Mayan Hieroglyphics at the base of the house translate as: “cherished - mother - one who guides - children. - Her harvest - not - fear - death”.  And lastly, the Mother preparing her son with the full armor of God.

Taken from the Nursery Manual, “Behold Your Little Ones”, Lesson 13

Taken from the August 2006 Ensign Magazine, pg. 68

Taken from the August 2006 Ensign Magazine, pg. 63

Taken from the Nursery Manual, “Behold Your Little Ones”, Lesson 6

Taken from the Nursery Manual, “Behold Your Little Ones”, Lesson 6

Taken from the Nursery Manual, “Behold Your Little Ones”, Lesson 3

Taken from the June 2008 Friend Magazine, pg. 8

Taken from the February 2009 Friend Magazine, pg. 38

Photo shared courtesy of Amy Patterson / ga01092009

Lucy Mack Smith reading to her two sons, Joseph and Hyrum
Taken from the January 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 81

Taken from the January 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 71

Taken from the January 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 46

Taken from the January 2009 Ensign Magazine, pg. 36

Taken from the August 2008 Ensign Magazine, pg. 53

Taken from Primary Visual Aid Kit, Set 1, Mother holding child drinking bottle

Taken from Primary Visual Aid Kit, Set 1, Mexican or Central or South American Mother

Taken from Primary Visual Aid Kit, Set 1, Middle-Aged Mother