Being a Mom is About More Than Passing on Genes and Bloodlines

The familiar story of the 2000 Stripling Warriors exemplifies the role mothers play in our lives. (Book of Mormon Alma Chapters 53, 56, and 57)

What concerns were foremost in the minds of mothers of the stripling warriors in their day?

Were those worries much different than those of today's mothers?

I bet the core concern is the same, though: their offspring's temporal and spiritual welfare.

Of course, today's world is more complex. As a result, the adversary's tools, tactics, and methods have evolved and become more sophisticated.

12 Characteristics of the Stripling Warriors

It is clear the mothers of these young men taught them well. But, even more impressive is these young men's absolute trust that their mother's teachings were true!

"And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." (Alma 56:48)

There are at least 12 characteristics the stripling warriors possessed as a result of their mother's teachings, including:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ (Alma 56:47-48; Alma 57:21; Alma 57:26; Alma 57:27)

2. Obedient (Alma 53:21; Alma 57:21)

3. Valiant and Courageous (Alma 53:20)

4. Diligent and Hard Working (Alma 53:17).

5. Humble (Alma 56:46).

6. Fearless (Alma 56:47).

7. Selfless (Alma 53:17; Alma 56:47; Alma 57:19-21)

8. Honest: (Alma 53:21)

9. Trustworthy (Alma 53:20)

10. Gracious (Alma 57:25; Alma 57:35)

11. Covenant Making and Keeping (Alma 53:17-18)

12. Possessed Gifts of the Spirit (Alma 56:48; D&C 46:14)

Perhaps even more characteristics could be extracted from the scriptures, but you get the point.

Are these not the personal traits we desire in the rising generations?

Not to minimize dads here.

But the truth is devoted mothers play a crucial role in teaching these fundamental values to their children, and it is a responsibility that should not be understated or taken lightly.

Mom First, Friend Second

My wife and I raised four kids, two boys and two girls. They are now the parents of our 17 grandchildren.

We are well acquainted with the natural human desire to form close, friendly relationships with our offspring. 

We want them to trust us, confide in us, and feel like they can talk to us about anything.

And that's a good thing. In fact, it's a great thing.

And yes, we want all these kids to like us!

But there's a fine line between being a friend and being a parent, and it's important to remember which side of that line we need to stand on.

It may be even more difficult for moms as the primary nurturers to stay on the parent side of that fine line.

Let's do a little role play

How would the mothers of the Stripling warriors handle some of the events in our day and age if they were parents today.

Following are 15 short scenarios. Ask yourself, "Would Stripling Warrior Moms:"

• Avoid discipline to keep the peace at home?

• Overshare personal information like a bestie?

• Seek emotional support or validation from a child?

• Be soft on setting boundaries for a child?

• Make a decision to be more "liked" by her child?

• Involve children in adult disputes?

• Consistently prioritize fun over responsibilities?

• Relinquish major decision-making powers to her child?

• Regularly participate in age-group-specific activities, such as partying with teenage friends?

• Allow disrespectful behavior from a child?

• Get involved in friendship disagreements that do not include bullying or harm?

• Consistently do a child's homework or step in to take over a difficult project?

• Interfere with coaches working on skills with players on a team? 

• Choose a child's extracurricular activities based on your likes?

• Step in to mitigate just consequences if a child has broken a rule at school or in the community?

(Wouldn’t this be a fun discussion to have in a group setting?)

The mothers of the Stripling Warriors played a crucial role in teaching their children fundamental values and instilling timeless character traits we desire to see in our rising generations today.

You have your own Stripling Latter-day Warriors to raise now.

All parents need to know where they stand on the line between being a friend and a parent. This can be difficult but necessary for moms as primary nurturers especially.

By striking this balance between friendship and parenting roles, we can help ensure that family culture survives into future generations!

Thanks for reading and pondering with me! 

Russell Anderson

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