Reader comments
Don't leave child-rearing up to world, Sister Beck says

Betsy | 12:09 p.m. May 3, 2008

I support Sis.Beck as the Relief Society President. I did not attend the Women's Conference. I read an article where it talked about how many stay at home mom's have nannies. My question why? There is no one more entitled to the powers of Heaven than a mother praying over her child. A woman gets one chance with each child. A woman has her whole life to be in the "career" world. I am saying this as a woman who has never had children of her own.

Amen, Betsy! | 8:26 p.m. May 3, 2008

It was wonderful to hear Sister Beck, to learn where she gained her deep love for the gospel, and for the Relief Society -- imagine living where no one knew what a Visiting Teacher was!
I came home motivated to become more involved in my children's schools -- if not me, who?!
Thank you, Sister Beck, and thank you, Betsy -- you are a great example of a woman of faith!!!

Roxie | 8:50 a.m. May 4, 2008

I am so glad to hear that Sis Beck is not letting up on her message to women of the church. I support her fully and am excited to hear the whole talk. I too could listen to her talk all day. We need to realize that our children are the most important thing we have been given. No one else has the responsibility to raise them. Women like Betsy are vital to all of us who have children. We all must work together to keep our children safe from the world. Thank you Sis Beck for staying the course in spite of criticism. I know you speak with the Spirit and your words are words of God. We should all pay very close attention when Sis Beck speaks.

Comments continue below

Arizona Sister | 1:55 p.m. May 5, 2008

Sister Beck is speaking strongly to us and I absolutely applaud her for her boldness. Many sisters in and out of the Church have and will attack her for her comments and are sadly, trying to relieve themselves of guilt by doing so. We are not all able to be stay at home moms but that doesn't change the fact that we should be. No one is more important to children than their mothers and no day care is ever going to compensate for that. Of course I understand that there are situations that make it impossible for a mother to stay home, the Church realizes that too. However, that does not change the fact that Sister Beck is our representative and speaks to us about what we need to hear and learn for today. Period.

AZmom | 2:12 p.m. May 5, 2008

I enjoy the message. We are responsible for our children, that is absolute! Let's be careful though. I am turned away when someone says "We are not all able to be stay at home moms but that doesn't change the fact that we should be." I work outside of the home for various reasons. 1. I need the income. 2. I enjoy it and want it for my own personal growth. So, I see both sides of the issue. Do your best and don't judge what others are doing.

Quinny | 2:50 p.m. May 5, 2008

Just so you Sisters know also - the men look upto and appreciate Sister Beck's wonderful ability to assert herself in the truths of the gospel; she is an icon of great fortitude. I appreciate her conviction and have felt the Lord speak through her as much as any of the General Authorities. God Bless Sister Beck to continue to assert the truth regardless of political correctness - even the political correct nonsence we have formed in the realm of Mormonism!

CC | 2:51 p.m. May 5, 2008

We do need to be careful judging others. But when "my" needs are not really necessities but are more important than the nurturing, caring and teaching of my own children, I really need to question to whose philosophy am I following.....the world's or Heavenly Father's. The world has a tremendous pull on LDS women even, from more and more women showing cleavage at church (comment from my husband currently serving in a stk ldrship position), limiting the number of children they have to "needing" more and bigger "stuff" and looking younger with all of those medical treatments/enhancements. Sister Beck, I think, is trying to keep us BALANCED and ANCHORED to Heavenly Father's plan...and not drifting more and more to the world. Sometimes the choices are very difficult--the world's voice so strong. I'm thankful for Sister Beck's courage to say things that will offend some.

Utah Sister | 3:10 p.m. May 5, 2008

I heard the talk in person and cannot say enough about what a wonderful experience it was. I, too, feel deep gratitude for Julie Beck's boldness, her willingness to say unflinchingly what she knows is true. Then we can know it is true, as well.
I want to second AZmom's urging not to judge, but I hope the genuine need for money is really why she works and the personal growth and enjoyment are unavoidable bonuses, not the reason she does it. I don't judge her either way, but one way will lead to ultimate happiness and the other will not. I think that's what Arizona Sister was getting at when she said we can't all be stay-at-home moms, but that doesn't change the fact that we should be. Having been on both sides of that fence at various times, that makes perfect sense to me. It's the same principle as Mosiah 2:24. Hopefully, we would stay at home if we could--and we do if we can.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 4:23 p.m. May 5, 2008

THERE IS "NO REASON" why YOUR US Senator and Congressman can't write a Bill RIGHT NOW, or even have another co-sponsor one as well, to get rid of that Marriage penalty Tax (aka) the low number for a married couple without any dependent's because they are now all grown-up, in The Federal Poverty wage Guidelines, up to at least $75,000 a year, from the $14,600 it's at right now, so that the lower end of the middle class and the poor can GET THE HELP they need, for to many years now.

Carole Knowles | 4:33 p.m. May 5, 2008

Amen and amen. I pray that we, as women of the church, wisely give heed to her counsel. She is 100 % right.

Bro. Steve IF | 6:45 p.m. May 5, 2008

Remember sisters that sister Beck is called of God to do what she is doing. That gives her the right to teach by His spirit and to council we as members and help us to protect ourselves and our families.
There is no more importent figure in the home then a mother. Their calling is one the the marriage and family relations class manuel says is divine and near to God. To me that means that the role of mother should be the most rewarding and growth oriented privlage a women can have. Think of it, to be like and do what our Heavenly Mother does. The personal growth and the enjoyment in that is endless.
I to hope that the women who works because she needs the money is honest with herself and that she really does need the income and not just for more stuff but out of nessesity. As for personal growth and development, to that I wouls encourage her to go to her Heavenly Father and together examine where her loyalties and piorities are and should be.
To all those women who have to work, God will bless you and make up the difference. Be Happy.

billyum | 11:37 p.m. May 5, 2008

Sis. Beck has provided one example of why I am proud to be a Mormon: our church does not ask "How high?" when the politically correct say "Jump."

Young Indiana Mother of 2/SAHM | 2:17 p.m. May 8, 2008

Amen Arizona Sister and to all of you positive uplifting and wonderful hardworking sisters. I am so glad and inside am jumping for joy that Sis. Beck and so many other sisters with her are more than encourging this but are also saying we must do the words and I too am very disgusted and deeply saddened to hear and see others being so foul about all these important ways. After all isn't that what motherhood,parenthood, and being an family is all about? Us taking care of our families and especially our children and not the world? Let's also not forget though sisters that this is a signs of the times like it saids in the scriptures that there would be some parents whom would have no real good feelings for their own. So let us all stick together like Sis. Beck saids and show them how it's really to be done and help those that are really truly wanting and needing the help and not waste our time. Much love and respect to you all.

Anonymous | 2:29 p.m. May 8, 2008

Thank you CC and I agree with you all the way. I am glad for the boldness it's way needed. If some are offended I believe it's because some know somewhere they are not doing what the Lord is asking of them to do and they know they could. This is why I also enjoy standing up and staying with Sis. Beck that we should stay at home and rear up the children and not let money or claim of personal growth get into us. I don't see how you personally grow the right way when living an worldly lifestyle? My husband is an perfect example of what the world can do to an person if made to fend for themself when they are way to young too. This is why I am also so bold in my saying and will not back down just because I've offended some. It's time to wake up and grow up and stop doing no no's and I say here here to Sis. Beck and any others willing to stand immoveable on this. I am sorry to hurt others feelings but when I know the grass is greener here I will tell someone.

Susan Seet, Malaysia | 5:11 a.m. May 10, 2008

When my husband and I joined the church 13 years ago, we put our faith in the Lord and I quit my job when our oldest child was born. My husband's career blossomed as our family grew larger. It turned out that all three of our kids have learning disabilities so I homeschool them as we do not have well equipped schools here for kids with special needs. It is not easy but we do not have nannies to help us simply because we know our kids are not capable of defending themselves if they were not treated right by someone else. Like the people of Alma, the Lord makes our burdens lighter if we will just be obedient and put our faith to the test. Please do not be offended by the counsel given by those chosen by the Lord. Instead, let's channel that energy into changing our ways and be true to the Lord and ourselves.

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