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A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time in my car driving to and from Salt Lake City.  During the trip, I had the opportunity to listen to one of the best talks on Women's Roles in the LDS faith.  I was so impressed by the contents of this talk, I had to listen to the entire thing twice.

Both times, both my heart and my eyes were filled.

This talk was given a little less than 2 months ago by a person by the name of Julie B. Beck, and the talk's title was "Mothers Who Know".

I wouldn't be writing this entry, if it wasn't for a blog entry I read this morning by a person known as "BroZ".

BroZ maintains a very interesting blog on the topic of church doctrine.  He says he has heard of a vocal minority of the church rising up against what President Beck said, and quite frankly, I believe him.  The contents of President Beck's talk was both overwhelmingly spiritual, and quite controversial, if taken in a light of "women's rights".

When I first listened to the talk twice, back-to-back, I felt overjoyed at the insight Pres. Beck gives on the importance of teaching our children, the multitude of teaching opportunities we have in life, and the importance which should be placed on family.

She states over and over again the phrase "Mothers who know" while talking about scripture reading, family home evening, teaching in the home, etc...

Well...  At the time I originally listened to it, I didn't think anything controversial about it - at all.  I was so overwhelmed with the spirit, I couldn't really put much cognative thought toward it's potential controversial nature.

I guess the reason for this is two-fold:

1. Because when the Spirit talks, it's because something is true.  I've learned not to doubt it, but rather lean into that to which it might be testifying.
2. I grew up with a mother who was *always* a "mom" first.  No matter how important other activities might have seemed to her, she was always, always, always there when I needed "my mommy".  I've grown to appreciate that more and more over the years.

So...  This morning,  I read BroZ's blog entry and was a bit baffled at his conclusion that "'just being a mom' should never be considered enough for any woman".

I've been milling over what he might mean by such a statement, and have come to believe that such a statement can only be considered as a huge generalization in that BroZ himself isn't a woman, and he probably hasn't issued a survey of women who have had more than 5 kids to see if he's even coming close to the truth.

Also taking into account the wide variance of personalities, gifts, and trials each woman has, makes that statement even more generalizing, if not completely untrue.

Sure, some women might be able, through their individual personalities, situations and gifts, to take care of a family of 8, a hard-working husband, and still have time and energy to take on the calling of being General Relief Society President and the community's PTA coordinator, as well as working a part-time job, but.....   suffice it to say, I believe this to be the exception.  Definitely not the rule.

Anyway...  If you haven't read / listened to / watched the talk given by President Beck's talk, I'd highly recommend it.

I'd also recommend BroZ's blog, as it is certainly thought-provoking...  and most of the time, spot-on as well.