Mother's Day Talk by Jack

Today Jack had yet another first as a deacon. The deacon's quorum was asked to speak in church today for Mother's Day.  There were a total of 5 who spoke.  They did a great job.  Jack passed the Sacrament for the second time today and then got to go up to the stand afterwards and was the first speaker.  He was a bit nervous and last night he didn't want to do it.  He had a blessing last night and I said some prayers that he would be okay and would give his talk and this morning he was okay with things and ready to do it.  He was still nervous but he got up there and did a great job.  Yesterday he and I listened to the talk that was the topic of the talks, it was Behold Thy Mother from Elder Holland in the October 2015 Conference.  Jack picked out a couple of quotes that he liked from Elder Holland, we talked about them and what it was that he liked, what they meant to him.  He shared those thoughts and we put them down on paper.  I was quite relieved that he was good to go this morning, it was indeed a tender mercy.  Anyway, he did a great job.  He lead into it with a story about living in Florida and how he would come in to our room when he should have been sleeping and would say "trains".  His mom would tell him to go back to bed that it wasn't train time and he would say "trains" again with more enthusiasm.  He really liked that story and though it wasn't in his talk he wanted to share and he did so with a big smile on his face.  Anyway, we had put his talk in writing and thought we would post it here.  Happy Mother's Day!

Mother’s Day Talk – Jack Fontano

Happy Mother’s Day –

I’d like to start out by wishing everyone a happy Mother’s Day and to say thank you to all of the women in our ward for all that you do.  As you know my mom lives in Alaska and I don’t get to spend a lot of time with her so I am grateful to each of you and thank you for your love and concern for me. 

 

Elder Holland Quotes –

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in the October 2015 conference “that no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child”.  

Elder Holland continues speaking about mothers and said “You see, it is not only that they bear us, but they continue bearing with us.  It is not only the prenatal carrying but the lifelong carrying that makes mothering such a staggering feat”. 

These quotes remind me that when I am going through difficult times or struggling with something that I can talk to my mom or my grandma and be strengthened.  These quotes also remind me of times when I make mistakes and how my mom or grandma still love me and are willing to look beyond my mistakes.  That is a wonderful feeling. 

 

Personal Story – 

As some of you know I have autism. My mom saw that I was a little behind in developing and she took me to doctors and specialists to get me help when I was really young.  She did so much for me to help me get the help that I needed.  I am grateful for her prayers of faith and her hard work for me when I was so young. 

Closing/Testimony –

I am grateful for my mother and for all women who are filled with charity and who “beareth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things”.  I hope we can all be filled with this love, which is the pure love of Christ.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.