God Is Perfect and So Is His Son

Despite the fact that I’ve spent several years reading and writing about motherhood, I still have a lot of bad mom days. I have acted and spoken in ways that do not make me proud. I apologize and try to do better, but still. Some moms hate Mother’s Day because they feel like it’s a reminder of everything they’re supposed to be and they simply don’t measure up. I’ve always been one to brush off the self-loathing and embrace the attention and the chocolate, but this year, with the months leading up to Mother’s Day being among the busiest in my life, I can empathize. I don’t see glowing examples in my recent mothering that are worthy of celebration.

“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” (Henry David Thoreau)

J. David Pulsipher is a professor of history at Brigham Young University–Idaho, where he leads its program in peace and conflict transformation and is also a practicing mediator. He is the author of When We Don’t See Eye to Eye: Using the Weapon of Love to Overcome Anger and Aggression (Covenant Communications, 2014) and editor, with Patrick Mason and Richard Bushman, of War and Peace in Our Time: Mormon Perspectives (Greg Kofford Books, 2012). He and his wife, Dawn, live in Rexburg, Idaho, and they are the parents of six children.

President Packer's book, The Holy Temple, is a classic of Latter-day Saint literature that has become one of the most comprehensive and definitive works written about temples. In fact, much of the material found in the Church's temple preparation pamphlet comes from this inspired book.

I sit on my pew, heart heavy and storm raging. In the prayer over the bread I am reminded that I have covenanted to take His name, and my soul is caught up in the wondering about this.

During the Church's "Be One" event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the priesthood revelation, touching stories were shared of the black pioneers in the Church who remained faithful despite painful priesthood and temple restrictions. President Dallin H. Oaks acknowledged, “I observed the pain and frustration experienced by those who suffered these restrictions and those who criticized them and sought for reasons. I studied the reasons then being given and could not feel confirmation of the truth of any of them.” He also shared the touching moment when he sat down and cried for joy learning of the priesthood revelation. President Russell M. Nelson added, "Differences in culture, language, gender, race, and nationality fade into insignificance as the faithful enter the covenant path and come unto our beloved Redeemer." Read President Nelson's full remarks here, and President Oaks's full remarks here.

Primary can be a difficult but also very rewarding calling. Sometimes short attention spans and boundless energy can make it seem almost impossible to focus the lesson on the gospel and keep the class in control--and that's when you're really greatful for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and the snowman and popcorn songs.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in October 2020.