I have heard that a lot of women didn't appreciate (and that is putting it mildly) Sister Beck's talk...
see for yourself. To listen to the talk go
hereSo after hearing this you know I've gots to put in my 2 cents and stand up for Sister Beck!
I LOVED Sister Beck's talk. I thought it really hit home. I loved her theme of "mother's who know". I think she stood up for the LDS mother. She stood up for having children (and yes dare I say it? not postponing them after marriage). She stood up for nurturing and as she says nurturing is another word for homemaking (gasp!). She says that as women "who know" we should make sure that our homes and family are clean, presentable, and orderly. She said that LDS women should be the best homemakers in the world. She said by doing this we will create a climate for spiritual growth. She said that women should pattern their homes after the temple. She goes on to say that mothers who know are leaders, they teach their children any way they can. They prepare their children to be missionaries. They do less...they choose carefully where they want their time and attention. She says we cannot have it all. She tells us that we will raise the generation that will take the gospel to all the world. She says that the LDS women should EXCEL at all these things.
Well...after this talk and all of the responses I salute Sister Beck. I am not the best homemaker around. I dread cleaning bathrooms, and doing the laundry. But even when I don't want to, I do it. Not for me but because I love my family enough to hopefully make our home a place where the spirit resides and feels comfortable to be in. I have been taught by goodly parents that a clean home is a godly home. In a world where housework is made out to be degrading Sister Beck stood up for homemakers. As I have been cleaning my home and taking care of the physical needs of my family I have often felt the spirit confirm to me that what I was doing was noble and good. I have felt the approving love of our Heavenly Father as I have labored to be a homemaker. In a world where women claim that they are "just a housewife" I have confidence and know that I am doing what my Father in Heaven wants me to do. I have often felt that more then anything my goal was to raise righteous missionaries. I want my sons and daughters to serve worthy missions to help bring the gospel to all the world and to help them set a wonderful foundation for their own lives. There are things that I took from her talk that I know I need to do better at. I was reminded of my purpose and my goals and have since set more goals to be a better mother. I want to be a mother who knows.
I thank Sister Beck for giving such a great talk. For helping me know what I should be doing better. More importantly, Sister Beck is called of God. She is God's choice for the Relief Society General President and I have full confidence that she speaks inspired words. I have a testimony of a living prophet who receives revelation, so therefore I know Sister Beck is what we need at this time to give us the women of the church, advice and councel.
We had a great General Conference weekend! I absolutely love this time of year when we are together as a family, watching General Conference. Like Todd said yesterday, there is just a nice feeling during this first weekend in October and April. Conference was so good. I loved hearing all the talks and hearing all the advice and support. I loved Elder Hollands, Nelson's, Oaks and Bednard talks as well. They were all so good. I really loved how all the talks "laid it out there" this conference. They certainly didn't beat around the bush! I know I have gone out on my soap box but I have always felt a strong desire to stand up for what I think is right. What a nice weekend...I look forward to getting our Ensign so I can study these talks more in depth.
