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TheDiscipleMD

A few years ago we held our annual family Christmas party. The highlight for me was when time was turned over to my now deceased father, then 87, to say a few words. He spoke a few words about my mother, who died in 2002. In his remarks, referring to my mother, he said:

“She was made of the right stuff.”

And while that statement describing her, is relatively simple, its meaning is highly profound.  What does it mean to be “made of the right stuff?”

I think for someone to have the ‘right stuff’ they need to be fearless, tough, independent, and courageous in moving forward a worthy cause. My mother was no more than a housewife in the eyes of the world, but to me she is an iconic heroine who tackled the  scary and important  job of being a builder of men.  I have often felt that God has sent out mothers, as were the apostles of old, being commanded that “they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse…” (Mark 6:8)  It was by simple faith that the apostles were able to heal many that were not only sick in body, but disease in spirit. This is what so many mothers do that are made of the right stuff. They perform miracles in their homes through the power of their faith and good works.

I think women like my mother are emblematic of a statement made several years ago by Gordon B. Hinckley.  He said:

“We are here [in this life] with a marvelous inheritance, a divine endowment. How different this world would be if every person realized that all of his actions have eternal consequences. How much more satisfying our years may be if … we recognize that we form each day the stuff of which eternity is made.”

I believe that the ‘stuff of eternity’  is made up of women like my mother, who, given only a staff,  dutifully go about the Saviors business by teaching and encouraging their children to be God-loving individuals whose influence then is felt for good throughout the world, not only for time but for all eternity. Mothers not only hold in their hands the destiny of the world….they ROCK!