As precious as life itself is our heritage of individual freedom, for man's free agency is a God-given gift.
Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Motherhood has a profound impact on a child's development, shaping their perceptions of love and security.
This quote by David O. McKay emphasizes the profound influence a mother has on her child's early life, highlighting that a mother's love, affection, and support provide the foundation for a child's sense of security and understanding of love. The quote suggests that a mother's role is pivotal in shaping a child's emotional and social development, illustrating how her actions and expressions positively or negatively can affect the child's outlook on life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a parenting seminar, one might quote McKay to illustrate the importance of maternal impact on children.
More from David O. Mckay
All quotes →The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night, but it cannot banish the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry, and selfishness from the hearts of humanity.
Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. Though it carries the woman close to the brink of death, motherhood also leads her into the very realm of the fountains of life and makes her co-partner with the Creator in bestowing upon eternal spirits mortal life.
It is possible to make home a bit of heaven; indeed, I picture heaven to be a continuation of the ideal home
Happiness and peace will come to earth only as the light of love and human compassion enter the souls of men.
Out of the homes of America will come the future citizens of America, and only as those homes are what they should be will this nation be what it should be.
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I want to give a child a life who wouldn't be given a life. I want a child that nobody else wants.
The difference between keeping things clean and keeping kids clean was that things just sat still and waited for the dirt to collect. We kids were carriers. We ran a pickup and delivery service.
Being pregnant was very much like falling in love. You are so open. You are so overjoyed. There's no words that can express having a baby growing inside of you so, of course, you want to scream it out and tell everyone.
A family can develop only with a loving woman as its center.
The Jewish people asked nothing of its sons except not to be denied. The world is grateful to every great man when he brings it something; only the paternal home thanks the son who brings nothing but himself.