My First Mother's Day: The Precious Balance of Life in the Womb

This Mother's Day is my first as a mother myself; in about 5 weeks my husband and I expect the birth of our first child.

I have been very blessed that up until recently this pregnancy has been relatively easy and uneventful. This is especially significant to me since I have a medical condition that requires me to take medication that has not been well studied in pregnant mothers. Given this complication, the health of my unborn child has been closely monitored by maternal-fetal medicine specialists.

Realizing the Precious Balance of Life (A Prenatal Diagnosis)

Unfortunately, at my most recent appointment, moderate to severe urinary tract dilation (UTD) was detected in my baby. The majority of cases will resolve on their own prior to birth or in infancy, but occasionally do require surgery.

While I am grateful it isn't anything more severe, like a heart defect, at the same time the possibility that my precious little boy may need surgery in his first year of life breaks my heart.

Beyond that, it helps me realize how precious life and motherhood is and makes me grateful that we live in a time when medical interventions can do so much to reduce suffering and save young infant lives.

On the flip side, how tragic to know that there are other medical interventions that are used every day to intentionally kill those same infants, especially the ones with congenital abnormalities or genetic diseases.

The Gift of Life and the Power of Mothers

What those who support elective abortion don't understand is that every child is precious in God's eyes, and often the sweetest spirits are housed in imperfect bodies. President Nelson has affirmed this:

"a perfect body is not required to achieve one’s divine destiny…Great spiritual strength is often developed by people with physical challenges, precisely because they are so challenged." (Russell M. Nelson, "Thanks Be to God", April 2012)

To that point, I am reminded of President Oaks' admonition that “we must teach and contend for principles and practices that provide the best conditions for the development and happiness of children—all children” (Dallin H. Oaks, "Truth and the Plan", October 2018).

As Latter-day Saints and as women and mothers in particular, I feel that God has called us to be the last line of defense in advocating for the “development and happiness of…all children.”

I actually believe that part of the continuing restoration of the gospel is to restore women to the knowledge of their true purpose and identity—to protect and nurture their own and all of God’s children.

It doesn't mean it is easy; it takes deep commitment and sacrifice, learning to follow the example of Jesus Christ in loving and ministering to others, including the mothers and children at risk of elective abortion. I am just at the beginning of that journey myself.

However, it is my prayer that, this Mother's Day, we can recommit to fulfilling that purpose and by doing so help every child of God fulfill the measure of their creation.

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