I Cannot Be Replaced!

I have been inspired. 
You know when you hear a statement from a public speaker, read a passage in a textbook or novel, or simply have a "light bulb moment" during a time of personal reflection?  Don't you usually want to share the "good news" with with someone?  I know I sure do . . .  and it has happened to me today, so I need to share this inspiration I've experienced!

  I have been inspired by the words of Cathy Ruse, senior counsel at the Family Research Council in her address at the World Congress of Families IX in Salt Lake City last year (October 28, 2015). 
Cathy is a defender of marriage.  I am a defender of marriage.  She inspires me to boldly declare that
I am a Mormon Christian Mother.
And what does that have to do with marriage? 
It has to do with the fact that I believe in the teachings of God and Jesus Christ--I am a Mormon Christian.
I believe in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and God's modern day prophets who declare God's unalterable law that
"marriage is between a man and a woman"
(Genesis 2:24, D&C49:16, The Famliy: A Proclamation to the World, 1995). 

 

It has to do with the fact that I am a mother.  So I echo Cathy Ruse's words,
"No man can be a mother . . . I am not replaceable by a man."
I cannot be replaced. 

 
Just like no woman can be a father and no father is replaceable by a woman.  Men and women are created differently on purpose.  They each have unique gifts, traits, characteristics that are fundamental and critical to the raising of children.  That's not to say that single mothers or single fathers aren't capable of raising children.  It's not to say that same gender couples aren't capable of raising children.  But capability is not the issue.  The issue is the definition of marriage.  And I define and defend the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
   "Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity" (The Family:  A Proclamation to the World, italics added).