I memorized the proclamation when I was 14 years old, and had no idea how much it would help me deal with the problems I would face in my future.

The first was when my very best friend told me she was gay. I was so confused and didn’t know how to react or what to think for months. I loved her dearly, but didn’t agree with the direction she had decided to go. The words “gender is an essential characteristic of pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” kept calming my confused mind. When I didn’t know what to say or how to act, I had the peace that I knew where I stood with myself and my God on the matter, and it has helped me come to terms with that huge change.

The second was an LDS therapist online asking the question: “Can a father preside over the home and the husband and wife still be equal partners?” To which a shocking number of responses came back “NO”. In a world where most women want to be equal with their counterparts, I wondered if there was something wrong with me being more than ok with staying at home, supporting my husband, and caring for my children. But then I realized that YES, it’s ok to be a woman who loves what she was made for. I saw my mom serve my dad everyday, and I loved watching that! I couldn’t wait to have a husband of my own that I could make dinner for and get some ice water when he came in from a hot day on a horse.

The proclamation has calmed my heart and given me confidence when the world tells me I need to be upset and dissatisfied with the role I was created for.

The proclamation has been scripture to me, and memorizing it has been one of the greatest helps that a mother could have in today’s world. Family has brought the most happiness into my life, and that’s the way God meant it to be!

Hi, I’m Sariah. Born and raised in Nevada but now I live in Canada with my rancher husband and 2 kids! I can’t stop canning jam, baking sourdough things, and making new macrame creations. “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother”.