Quotations for Christian Mothers
"We may safely say that the dignity and importance of woman’s mission and distinctive duties are of a more sacred and holy character than the duties of man." {3T 565.2}
Introduction
Mothers play a key role in the raising children, though often not fully appreciated. On this page you will quotations of various kinds that speak to the mother's role in raising children. Most of them will come from the writings of Ellen G. White unless otherwise indicated. This is a work in progress.
Scriptures and Quotations
Importance Of The Mother's Role
Proverbs 31:28 (NKJV) 28 "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:"
"Next to God, the mother’s power for good is the strongest known on earth." {HR March 1, 1880 Par. 12}
"The position of a woman in her family is more sacred than that of the king upon his throne. Her great work is to make her life an example such as she would wish her children to copy." {Ms5-1875.14}
"The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children’s characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission; for in doing this work she is doing service for God. Let her only realize the high character of her task, and it will inspire her with courage. Let her realize the worth of her work, and put on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world’s standard. Her work is for time and for eternity." {ST March 16, 1891 Par. 1}
"The mother is the queen of the household, she is the teacher of the children from their babyhood, and she is to be respected in every sense of the word as the queen of the household." {Ms155-1904.56}
"Would that every mother could realize how great are her duties and her responsibilities, and how great will be the reward of faithfulness. The mother’s daily influence upon her children is preparing them for everlasting life or eternal death. She exercises in her home a power more decisive than the minister in the desk, or even the king upon his throne. The day of God will reveal how much the world owes to godly mothers for men who have been unflinching advocates of truth and reform,—men who have been bold to do and dare, who have stood unshaken amid trials and temptations; men who chose the high and holy interests of truth and the glory of God, before worldly honor or life itself." {ST November 3, 1881, par. 8}
"If married men leave their wives to care for their children at home, the wife and mother is doing fully as great and important a work as the husband and father. Although one is in the missionary field, the other is a home missionary, whose cares and anxieties and burdens frequently far exceed those of the husband and father. Her work is a solemn and important one. It is to mould the minds and fashion the characters of her children, and train them for usefulness here, and fit them for the future, immortal life. The husband in the open missionary field may receive the honors of men, while the home toiler may receive no credit for her labor. But if she works for the best interest of her family, to fashion their characters after the divine model, the recording angel writes her name as one of the greatest missionaries in the world. God does not see things as man’s finite vision views them." {ST October 15, 1885, par. 3}
"We have an earnest desire that woman shall fill the position which God originally designed, as her husband’s equal. We so much need mothers who are mothers not merely in name, but in every sense that the word implies. We may safely say that the dignity and importance of woman’s mission and distinctive duties are of a more sacred and holy character than the duties of man." {3T 565.2}
"Society is molded by the influence of the mother. She may be wholly occupied within the narrow limits of her home, apparently engaged in life's humblest duties; yet if she does her work as well as she may do it, in the fear of God, she is gaining greater victories than the leader of armed hosts. She may send forth from her home young men and young women strong in right habits and firm principles. The upright deportment and unblemished morals of her children will be a blessing to the church and to society. {ST September 29, 1881}" {ST September 29, 1881}
Christian Women Have Value
"Let the wife stand by the side of her husband and help him in the conscientious discharge of his duty. Let her realize that she is of value, because she is the purchase of the blood of Jesus Christ. It is essential that honesty be practiced in all the details of the woman’s life, and it is important in the training of children to teach the youthful girls as well as boys never to prevaricate or to deceive in the least particular. Women are not to be satisfied to be toys to be played with as a toy, and caressed and flattered, to be light and trifling, to laugh and gossip and play on [as] an instrument of music. {Lt41a-1888.14} Woman should have a staunch, noble independence of character, reliable and true as steel. [A] woman who has good sense, who is connected with God, will not prove to be a temptation to her husband to live beyond his earnings, to supply her with money to obtain changeable suits of apparel, to please her whims, to gratify her desire for change and sightseeing. She must have a just appreciation and accurate conception of her position as a wife and mother, and her demands should be such as not [to] bring weariness and care and perplexity upon her husband because of her thoughtless extravagance in procuring dainties for the appetite and in fine dressing. This consumes the means far beyond the income. The wife can be a comfort, a blessing, standing by the side of her husband as his safe counselor, her influence keeping him to the right, to honesty and purity and godliness." {Lt41a-1888.15}
Prenatal Influence On The Child
"The words uttered by the angel convey an important truth. Our Creator himself declares that the mother’s habits prior to the birth of her child will affect its character and destiny. In speaking to this one mother, the Lord spoke to all the anxious, sorrowing mothers of that time, and to all the mothers of succeeding generations. Yes, every mother may now understand her duty. She may know that the character of her children will depend vastly more upon her own habits before their birth, and her personal efforts after their birth, than upon external advantages or disadvantages." {ST September 15, 1881, par. 14}
Victory Over The Stubborn Will Often Comes With Presentation Of Christ In Prayer
Mothers often err in the management of their children. The mother must be daily converted, as a vessel unto honor, to devote her capabilities to her family. Converted and sanctified through the truth daily, she can be a sanctified worker in the home. She will often have her feelings stirred by the errors and the presumptuous course of her children, but she should never punish them in anger. The Lord will help the true Christian mother to seek His wisdom in difficult cases, and He will be her guide. {Lt32a-1910.29} Mothers, you can conquer only through Christ. With deep feelings of regret, she may be obliged to punish the wilful, disobedient child; but prayer will often do more than the rod. The victory over the stubborn will often be gained by the presentation of Christ in her prayer. Never strike a painful blow to your child, which may cause a reform. Be sure to learn how to conquer self. As you live His life, showing your grief because of the self will of the child, a complete victory may be given and God be glorified. {Lt32a-1910.30} Mothers, fathers, by the grace of God you can gain the victory over your own strong selfish propensities. As you live His [?] showing self-sacrifice at every step, you will leave a life-long remembrance upon the minds of you children. Day by day you will learn the lessons of self-denial, and how to conquer self. The Lord Jesus will be your Helper. He understands your character, and He will be your light, your strength, your crown of rejoicing. Because you yield your will to the will of Christ, an impression is made which is of the highest importance to yourself. Strive to fulfil the will of your precious Redeemer, day by day looking unto Him who is the Author and Finisher of your faith. Try it, fathers; try it mothers. Your children will be helped, and cured of their unhappy tempers, Begin at once to conquest self. {Lt32a-1910.31}