James Duke defines traditions as"standards of behaviour shared by members of a group about how people are supposed to act. Traditions or norms are handed down from generation to generation and are taught to children by their parents, their teachers, their companions, and others with whom they come in contact."
The scriptures repeatedly teach that generations live after the traditions of their fathers. The apostle Paul taught the importance living after the righteous traditions of our fathers. He taught the Thessalonians to, "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thes 2:15)
King Benjamin reminded his sons that not all traditions are correct. He taught that the scriptures will validate if a tradition is of God or of the devil. He taught, "I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct." (Mosiah 1:5)
Modern revelation received through the prophet Joseph Smith also teaches this principle, "And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth." (D:C 93: 39-40)
About a year ago I started compiling stories of my ancestors. As I was doing this I began to notice several traditions that are common in my family line. A few of the traditions of my fathers include: valiant priesthood service, consecration, obedience to God and His prophets. While there are many stories I could share that exemplify these traditions, with today being Mother's Day, I want to focus on the traditions of the mothers in my family line. The two traditions that I want to focus on are resilient homemakers and selfless charity.
Resilient Homemakers
Charlotte Hirst, my 4th great grandma was a woman of knowledge. While traveling to America by boat many passengers on board became ill due to contamination of the drinking water. Many died. Charlotte had brought with her a sack of Chamomile flowers. She boiled the water her family drank mixed with these flowers making a herbal tea which likely protected the health of her family during the journey. None of the Hirst family became ill.
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| Charlotte Hirst - 4th Great Grandma |
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| Headstone of Charlotte Hirst, Salt Lake Cemetery
My 4th great grandma Agnes Scruggs put her family first, regardless of trial. She was a woman of resourcefulness. While her husband and sons were on the battlefield during the civil war some distance from their home, she got wool and spun it into yarn and knitted socks and made suits of clothing and prepared food. She and a daughter obtained an old lame horse the soldiers had left, fixed up a harness of old rope and wire, and hitched it to an old rickety cart which the soldiers had also left. They drove for three days to the battlefield where they found their loved ones. The men were given permission to leave the army for one hour to visit their mother and sister and wife and receive the clothing and food they had brought.
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| Agnes Scruggs, 4th great grandmother |
My 3rd great grandma Ann Low was known as a talented housekeeper. One family story shares that "On Saturday the house was cleaned, food prepared, baths were given, clothes looked over, shoes polished and things were made ready for the Sabbath, and in the morning all went to Sunday School. One neighbor said: “Mrs. Low I don’t know how you do it , you have a bigger family than I and I know you have your work done up for I went and peeked in your window and your work was all done up and your dinner was cooking on the stove. How do you do it?”
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| Ann Low, 3rd great grandmother |
My mother has carried on the tradition of resilient homemaking. She has always put her family first, they are her prized possession. She works tirelessly to see that they are cared for. I can't remember a day when the dishes weren't done, or food left out. Many times she had opportunities to go out with friends and she would always say, "I just want to be home with my family."
Sister Bonnie Oscarson has counselled, "We need to take a term which is sometimes spoken of with derision and elevate it. It is the term homemaker. All of us—women, men, youth, and children, single or married—can work at being homemakers. We should “make our homes” places of order, refuge, holiness, and safety." I desire to follow this council. I am grateful that I can follow after the traditions of my mothers to do so.
Consecrated Charity
My 4th great grandma Mary Woolley possessed the gift of charity (Moroni 7:47), because of this she understood and lived the law of consecration. Mary was very industrious and frugal. Her husband planted and took care of their land and they always had a crop. When many were living on bran bread and greens, they had their white flour bread. Times were so hard that many came to them for a little wheat which was kept in a grain bin. She never turned anyone away from taking wheat. Many times while her husband went to the bin to give to the needy Mary would say, “That’s the last of the wheat, isn’t it?” He would answer, “No, there is a little more left.” They claim that there was more wheat taken out of that bin than there ever was put in, and that the Lord increased their grain as they were always willing to share and even go without themselves to help others.
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| Mary Woolley, 4th great grandmother |
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| Headstone of Mary Woolley, Kaysville Cemetery |
My 3rd great grandmother Mary Oler was a woman with deep trust in the promises of God. Her life was consecrated to bearing and raising children. God was by her side as she did so. Mary had thirteen children. The household tasks of each day were endless. There were babies to care for, meals to prepare, the house to clean, washing, ironing, mending, sewing, water to carry, wood to bring in. Mary would cook a hot dinner and carry it to the field to her husband and sons, with a baby on her back and the small children running beside her. When Mary was expecting her 12 child she had an impression that she would not live after the baby was born. Instead of one, Mary gave birth to twin boys. After the twins were born she told her oldest daughter not to worry about the boys, for she would call for them soon. She died shortly after. One son lived only a month, the other to age 4.
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| Mary Oler, 3rd great grandmother |
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| Headstone of Mary Oler and her twins, American Fork Cemetery |
My own mother exemplifies consecrated charity. She to was pregnant with twins. When she was expecting my twin sister and I she was put on bed rest 4 months before our due date, leaving two little boys in her husband's care. She was far away from her family, and experienced a great deal of pain, yet she prevailed, with a consecrated heart, and the gift of charity.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson has taught, "True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny." I desire true success in my own life. To do so I can follow after the traditions of my righteous mothers. I am so grateful this is so.
The traditions of my mothers has taught me the importance resilient homemaking and consecrated charity.
In the words of the apostle Paul, I desire to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which (I) have been taught." (2 Thes 2:15)
