James E. Faust on gratitude for sacred motherhood

President James E. Faust (1920 - 2007) was called as a Seventy in 1976, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve in 1978. He served as a counselor to President Hinckley from 1995 until his death in 2007 at age 87.

"The First Presidency of this church has said, 'Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind' (Messages of the First Presidency, 6:178). The priesthood cannot work out its destiny, nor can God's purposes be fulfilled, without our helpmates. Mothers perform a labor the priesthood cannot do. For this supernal gift of life the priesthood should have love unbounded for the mothers of their children. Men should give them honor, gratitude, reverence, respect, and praise. A man who fails to gratefully acknowledge his debt to his own mother who gave him life is insensitive to the Holy Spirit....

"I wish to repeat that I do not believe that God's purposes on earth will ever be achieved without the influence, strength, love, support, and special gifts of the elect women of God. They are entitled to our deepest veneration, our fullest appreciation, and our most profound respect. I believe angels attend them in their motherly ministry."

- James E. Faust, "The Highest Place of Honor," Ensign May 1988, p. 36
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I've always loved the description of motherhood given by Heber J. Grant and his counselors in this message.

These words are part of a larger section of a great message, that includes these words:

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. To you mothers in Israel we say God bless and protect you, and give you the strength and courage, the faith and knowledge, the holy love and consecration to duty, that shall enable you to fill to the fullest measure the sacred calling which is yours. To you mothers and mothers-to-be we say: Be chaste, keep pure, live righteously, that your posterity to the last generation may call you blessed."
- Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, 6:178

President Faust goes on to share some of his own perspective on the sacred nature of the calling of mothers. He challenges men to fully understand and acknowledge the blessing that women are, and to demonstrate that appreciation.