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A Mother's Influence
"A Latter-day woman who follows Christ's example in her daily living can be a powerful influence for good in the lives of her children," writes Margaret D. Nadauld, former Young Women General President. Each chapter of this inspirational book for mothers is designed to build confidence and courage for raising a family in today's world. For every woman who has felt that society does not value the role of motherhood or wondered if the job is worth the effort, A Mother's Influence points to the long-term impact of strong families and notes that the very future of the world is at stake.
152 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 7, 2019
Such an inspiring book! I think every woman should read this (mother or not, religious or not) It was a great reminder of our divine nature as women and mothers. I loved all the stories that she shares as well.
Some of my favorite quotes/thoughts from the book:
“What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries, in the history of the church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like the 2,000 stripling warriors, are exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity and who are true at all times in whatsoever thing they are entrusted.” Elder Ballard
In order to fulfill this kind of a request mothers are going to have to be like the legendary mothers of those stripling warriors.
A Latter Day Saint mother who follows Christ’s example in her daily living begins to fulfill gods plan for her. By doing so she can be a powerful influence for good in the lives of her children.
A women of faith trusts god and faces adversity with hope. She knows of his interest in her life. She knows that he knows her.
A women of Faith is confident because she understands the divine plan of our Heavenly Father and her role to bless lives. She is confident that she is fashioning a character and a record of performance that will be invited to stand in the presence of her Heavenly Father.
A women of Faith is fearless. She stays away from evil influences and the unclean thing, and if it encroaches on her territory, she is as a lioness protecting her cubs.
A fearless woman of faith has the courage to talk with her children about practices that would destroy them.
Every time a child kneels at a mothers knee to pray the child is taught.
When going to church is the expected natural course of events each week, the child is taught.
When classroom teachings are discussed at home, a child is taught, twice.
When home teachers are welcome with appreciation, a child is taught.
When tithing is paid first and regarded as important a child is taught.
When parents love the lord and find joy in living his teachings a child is taught.
When a parent repents and asks for forgiveness if a child a child is taught and then forgives and forgets.
When a parents honors marital vows with complete fedelity a child is taught and feels safe.
When scripture are part of teaching in the home a child is taught by the spirit as well as by the word.
Kitchens are an important place for teaching and adding building blocks to a family foundation. Mothers have no idea of the impact of their daily kitchen consistencies in nurturing their children
*turn the table chairs away from the table to kneel at before breakfast
“A generation or two ago, family prayer in the homes of Christian people throughout the world was as much a part of the days activity as were the meals. As that practice has diminished our moral decay has ensued. I fear that as the quality of our housing has improved, the spirit of our homes has deteriorated. “Gordon B Hinckley
Wise mothers have some vision of what they want their families to become. Teach your children about your vision for the family. If we could see the spiritual stature of that home out on the front lawn, would it tower over the house or barely fill one little corner of the lot? It would be sad if people drove by our house and said ‘oh look at that beautiful house.’ What i would hope is that people would drive by and say ‘oh the nicest family of outstanding children live in that home.’
More religion is caught than taught.
Do your children know from your example and attitude that you value womanhood? Do your girls know that it is a privilege and a joy to be a woman that it is a divine and priceless blessing from god? In a world where gender roles are questioned and even outdated in popular media, I believe in the teachings of god regarding our divine nature. Let your daughter know that she was feminine and female long before her physical body began to develop inside her mother. The spirit that gives life to her body is female.
The ultimate success for our children as well as a measure of our success as parents will depend on how well we teach them to look to the lord.
“Have I loved the children enough today?” Child development experts know that much of what a child learns and experiences before the age of 5 affects the patterns of their life.
I believe that today’s women can use their god given abilities to motivate, inspire, manage, and build. Whether paid or volunteer, women’s leadership talents can and will and must bless the world! And I believe that as we assume this leadership responsibility we will be blessed and magnified and the world in which we live will be better for our having been there.
To be most effective and make the best use of her talents a women must learn the skill of prioritizing. she will learn to discern those things which matter most and give them top priority. There will be things only she can do well, there will be things that she can delegate. There will be things that she can do later. There will be things that she must do now. In her leadership roles today’s woman will see that there will be things that matter most and things that matter least. The great leaders will be patient women and they fill come to realize that out of small things procedeth that which is great.
Some of my favorite quotes/thoughts from the book:
“What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries, in the history of the church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries who, like the 2,000 stripling warriors, are exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity and who are true at all times in whatsoever thing they are entrusted.” Elder Ballard
In order to fulfill this kind of a request mothers are going to have to be like the legendary mothers of those stripling warriors.
A Latter Day Saint mother who follows Christ’s example in her daily living begins to fulfill gods plan for her. By doing so she can be a powerful influence for good in the lives of her children.
A women of faith trusts god and faces adversity with hope. She knows of his interest in her life. She knows that he knows her.
A women of Faith is confident because she understands the divine plan of our Heavenly Father and her role to bless lives. She is confident that she is fashioning a character and a record of performance that will be invited to stand in the presence of her Heavenly Father.
A women of Faith is fearless. She stays away from evil influences and the unclean thing, and if it encroaches on her territory, she is as a lioness protecting her cubs.
A fearless woman of faith has the courage to talk with her children about practices that would destroy them.
Every time a child kneels at a mothers knee to pray the child is taught.
When going to church is the expected natural course of events each week, the child is taught.
When classroom teachings are discussed at home, a child is taught, twice.
When home teachers are welcome with appreciation, a child is taught.
When tithing is paid first and regarded as important a child is taught.
When parents love the lord and find joy in living his teachings a child is taught.
When a parent repents and asks for forgiveness if a child a child is taught and then forgives and forgets.
When a parents honors marital vows with complete fedelity a child is taught and feels safe.
When scripture are part of teaching in the home a child is taught by the spirit as well as by the word.
Kitchens are an important place for teaching and adding building blocks to a family foundation. Mothers have no idea of the impact of their daily kitchen consistencies in nurturing their children
*turn the table chairs away from the table to kneel at before breakfast
“A generation or two ago, family prayer in the homes of Christian people throughout the world was as much a part of the days activity as were the meals. As that practice has diminished our moral decay has ensued. I fear that as the quality of our housing has improved, the spirit of our homes has deteriorated. “Gordon B Hinckley
Wise mothers have some vision of what they want their families to become. Teach your children about your vision for the family. If we could see the spiritual stature of that home out on the front lawn, would it tower over the house or barely fill one little corner of the lot? It would be sad if people drove by our house and said ‘oh look at that beautiful house.’ What i would hope is that people would drive by and say ‘oh the nicest family of outstanding children live in that home.’
More religion is caught than taught.
Do your children know from your example and attitude that you value womanhood? Do your girls know that it is a privilege and a joy to be a woman that it is a divine and priceless blessing from god? In a world where gender roles are questioned and even outdated in popular media, I believe in the teachings of god regarding our divine nature. Let your daughter know that she was feminine and female long before her physical body began to develop inside her mother. The spirit that gives life to her body is female.
The ultimate success for our children as well as a measure of our success as parents will depend on how well we teach them to look to the lord.
“Have I loved the children enough today?” Child development experts know that much of what a child learns and experiences before the age of 5 affects the patterns of their life.
I believe that today’s women can use their god given abilities to motivate, inspire, manage, and build. Whether paid or volunteer, women’s leadership talents can and will and must bless the world! And I believe that as we assume this leadership responsibility we will be blessed and magnified and the world in which we live will be better for our having been there.
To be most effective and make the best use of her talents a women must learn the skill of prioritizing. she will learn to discern those things which matter most and give them top priority. There will be things only she can do well, there will be things that she can delegate. There will be things that she can do later. There will be things that she must do now. In her leadership roles today’s woman will see that there will be things that matter most and things that matter least. The great leaders will be patient women and they fill come to realize that out of small things procedeth that which is great.
June 24, 2015
There were so many great quotes! Here's a gem that touched me this morning as I read:
"You, a mother, are the noblest of torchbearers. And you pass the torch from your hands to the outstretched hands of your children and succeeding generations.
Each of us has been handed a torch, the gospel torch that lights the path to true freedom in the kingdom of God for every soul on earth. When hands were laid upon your head and you were confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, you were, in essence, being given a gospel torch and asked to hold it high, to shed its light along the path for those who walk in darkness. It's exciting work you've been called to do! And you are just the ones to do it. You are the best blood of your generation, and the Lord is counting on you to help bring true freedom to the earth, the freedom that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can offer mankind."
- Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President from 1997-2002
A Mother's Influence: Raising Children to Change the World
Sister Nadauld was my General young women's president. I graduated high school in 2001. Her words have always touched me, but reading this today was particularly profound. My word of the year was "freedom." I have been underlining it and taking note of it everywhere, from the Book of Mormon to secular history. This quote exalts the idea of freedom by placing us in the Kingdom of God. That is truly freedom, and we have the power to share it with all! Good news.
"You, a mother, are the noblest of torchbearers. And you pass the torch from your hands to the outstretched hands of your children and succeeding generations.
Each of us has been handed a torch, the gospel torch that lights the path to true freedom in the kingdom of God for every soul on earth. When hands were laid upon your head and you were confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, you were, in essence, being given a gospel torch and asked to hold it high, to shed its light along the path for those who walk in darkness. It's exciting work you've been called to do! And you are just the ones to do it. You are the best blood of your generation, and the Lord is counting on you to help bring true freedom to the earth, the freedom that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can offer mankind."
- Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President from 1997-2002
A Mother's Influence: Raising Children to Change the World
Sister Nadauld was my General young women's president. I graduated high school in 2001. Her words have always touched me, but reading this today was particularly profound. My word of the year was "freedom." I have been underlining it and taking note of it everywhere, from the Book of Mormon to secular history. This quote exalts the idea of freedom by placing us in the Kingdom of God. That is truly freedom, and we have the power to share it with all! Good news.
August 12, 2009
This was a great book. A book that just made me want to be better. The way it did that was by showing you your potential and the impact you can have on many other lives. It is a book that you also don't need to read all in one sitting. It has short chapters that each have a good message that you can read everyonce in a while for a quick picker-uper. I liked it, I'm definately going to keep it around and read another chapter every once in a while. I also liked how it really related to all levels of life. Whether you have kids, or not kids, or one young toddler, or many teenagers, or whatever it may be, it related to everyone. It made me want to be better, and strengthened my resolve to be the best I can.
One story that stuck out to me was how the author knew a stake president who can remember his mother standing by his crib teaching him how to kneel and pray in the morning. That really made me think that even though my little boy is young, I can still teach and do small things to be influencial now.
Not only did it make me want to be a better mother, but also a better person in all aspects of life. I recommend it!
One story that stuck out to me was how the author knew a stake president who can remember his mother standing by his crib teaching him how to kneel and pray in the morning. That really made me think that even though my little boy is young, I can still teach and do small things to be influencial now.
Not only did it make me want to be a better mother, but also a better person in all aspects of life. I recommend it!
May 10, 2011
An interesting mixture of trite reminders to live the way we're supposed to, but mixed in were some real gems...quotes, stories and inspiring messages a few of which I had heard before but loved, and some that were new and delightful. The narrative I would have given 3 stars, but some of the quotes and such were five stars....so in my mind it averaged it out to a four. Just wish there were more of the gems and less of the other.
June 23, 2008
This is the second time I have read this book. It puts things in perspective for me as a mother. Reading this book reminds me that it is the daily actions I make in teaching my children that will make the difference in the end. It is uplifting and helps me to see that I am doing a pretty good job as a mother after all.
July 1, 2007
I read this while I was pregnant...no wonder I don't remember much other than turning from side to side in bed and wondering if anything could be more uncomfortable than being nine months pregnant! I am anxious to re-read it now that I have some idea of what being a mother is really like :)
July 16, 2008
This was a great little book that I found very encouraging as a young mother. As I thought about the mothers in my life that had an impact on my life I recognized that most of them had worked hard to apply the principles that are illustrated in this book.
February 3, 2009
This was an amazing book. I wrote down so many of the things she said in my quote book. This is the kind of mother I want to be. She reminded me of so many important things. She was never preachy, just so encouraging. This was a wonderful, helpful book. I loved it.
August 26, 2010
I didn't think I would be wild about this book, but it has some good stories in it. I esp. like the basketball story. Good inspiration on the kind of person/parent I hope to be through this journey.
September 7, 2007
This book is a feel-good book. It makes you feel good about being a mom and what we are doing...Raising the next generation. I really enjoyed it.
January 27, 2008
Great pat on the back for mothers!
May 12, 2016
This was a short, little book with some good reminders of the importance of strong, faithful mothers.
September 4, 2008
This book reminded me that my title as "mother" is the most impotant thing in life even when I feel very unappreciated. I read this in a couple of hours. It was fabulous.
January 16, 2009
one of the best mothering books i've read!
January 21, 2009
This is a very quick read. It contains several short chapters on various topics related to the sacred role of mothers. It will boost your spirits on a hard day.
April 14, 2009
Aimee gave this to me for my birthday at one time.....I need more books like this. I need all the help I can get at being a better mother.
April 15, 2009
I recommend this book to all women, not just LDS women. It is a great reminder of the influence we have on our children for their whole lives and how to appreciate them more.=)
April 27, 2009
A quick read and easy to pick up and put down. I liked a lot of what she said, but didn't feel that it was one of my "top books."
February 11, 2010
I thought this book was ok. While it was encouraging I kept wanting more from it and felt a little disappointed. Still an easy and uplifting read.
May 28, 2010
Again, I think this was a collection of talks, but a very good, easy read.
June 2, 2011
Can I give this three and a half stars. There were some good nuggets in it; as a good bit of inspirational reading I recommend it. I was just looking for more specific information, I guess.
April 28, 2008
Makes me feel good and overwhelmed all at the same time
November 11, 2008
I think every mother should read this book.
March 21, 2011
I wish this book had been written 30 years ago!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews