Hello, sisters. I’m Amber Irwin, the Creative Director of Gathering of Tribes. For those of you wondering, I do not carry Indigenous ancestry. But in part, that is why it has been such a privilege to work alongside and learn from this team of amazing women. I’m beyond grateful and honored to have been adopted into this beautiful sacred sisterhood. 

 

As we draw to a close, we’d like to thank everyone who came together to make this wonderfully unique event a reality. We hope that you have been strengthened by the speakers' words and shared testimonies.

 

As I was pondering on what to say to close this event, I decided to go for a walk, and on my walk, I had music playing in the background. Song after song, the lyrics flowed right past my ears, but then suddenly, this phrase stopped me: “I hope you understand the power of a praying mom.” This lyric resonated so deeply in my heart. 

 

For those who do not know this song, it is titled “Momma’s Prayer” by Christian Parrish, known professionally as Supaman. He is a Native American rapper who grew up in Crow Agency, Montana. This song tells the story of how his mother’s prayers have saved his life more times than he can imagine.

 

This made me think of all the mothers in my life who have prayed for me, and some that continue to pray over me. This includes the one who gave me life and the ones who just “mother” me: my older sister, aunts, grandmas, teachers, women's leaders, and even friends. It made me think about how their presence and prayers have made such a difference in my life.

 

As my mind continued to wander, I remembered a story I had read about Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. They had been called to a place where the people were suffering horribly from sickness. The people pleaded for the brothers to give them blessings of healing. They quickly went to work; however, it wasn’t long before they too became violently ill. It became so bad that they thought that they would die and never return home again. They prayed and prayed and prayed again, hoping that one or the other of them would receive reassurance from the heavens that they would live. 

 

After many hours of anguish, Hyrum turned to his brother and exclaimed, “Joseph, we shall return, for I have seen an open vision in which I saw Mother on her knees under an apple tree praying for us, and she is even now asking God, in tears, to spare our lives, that she may behold us again in the flesh. The Spirit testifies to me that her prayers and ours shall be heard.”

 

Joseph then said, “Oh, my mother, how often have your prayers been a means of assisting us when the shadows of death encompassed us!”

 

It was from this moment on they were miraculously healed and continued their mission giving blessings to others.

 

When we turn to the scriptures we continue to see stories of miraculous protection from the power of a mother’s prayer. 

 

Let’s remember the brave stripling warriors from the Book of Mormon. They were only young men, never stepped foot on the battlefield before, fighting against seasoned warriors–and when the battle was done we found that not one had fallen. Every single son was accounted for and they knew it was because of their mothers’ faithful prayers. They said, “We did not doubt our mothers knew it.”

 

As a mother of five boys, stories like these give me comfort. That my prayers matter and are heard.

 

I also find an extra measure of peace due to the covenants I have made with the Lord in the temple. As I strive to keep my covenants, the Lord will bless me with all the things necessary to love and protect my family in this life. I wholeheartedly believe that as an endowed, covenant-keeping woman, the promise of ministering angels is certain and that I can call upon the powers of heaven in times of need. I just have to ask.

 

I recognize that these stories are examples of mothers who carried children; nevertheless, we've been taught that motherhood is more than just bearing children. Please understand that the tremendous strength that resides in a mother's prayer is inside us all. 

 

One of my most cherished General Conference talks was given by Sheri Dew in October 2001 titled “Are We Not All Mothers?” She explained, “While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve ‘the mother of all living’—and they did so before she ever bore a child. Like Eve, our motherhood began before we were born…Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.”

 

As women, we have been blessed with this natural gift to mother, whether we have physically borne a child or not. We are inherently nurturers, teachers, and healers. 

 

Abuse, addiction, starvation, mental health crisis, political unrest, racism, senseless violence, and war–the world needs us now more than ever before. Neal A. Maxwell once said, “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies?”

 

Women are so important. Every story begins with a woman, and although overlooked in many of our narratives, it is women who make crucial contributions to His children's success in reaching their divine potential.

 

An amazing example of this is in the story of Moses. Shifra and Puah were the midwives who refused to follow Pharoah’s order to kill the sons of the Hebrews. Risking their own lives, they lied and said they couldn’t get there before the babies were born, making the way for Moses to live past delivery. When Moses’s mother couldn't hide his cries any longer, she made the unimaginable choice to do whatever was necessary to give her son a chance at life. So she made a basket, placed him in the river as the law stated she must, and prayed that God would carry him to safety. Miriam, Moses’s protective older sister, raced alongside him in the reeds until he was drawn out of the water by an Egyptian woman. With compassion for him, she adopted him, and being the Pharaoh's daughter, she used her position and privilege to shield him and provide the education and resources he needed to grow into the great prophet Israel needed him to become. 

 

How different would this story be if any one of these women were not in it? The hands and prayers of these righteous women paved the road for Israel's salvation. 

 

We’ve been taught that before the creation of the earth, we were foreordained to carry out certain responsibilities and duties. As we prove ourselves worthy and ready, we will be given opportunities to fulfill these assignments. I invite you to consider what opportunity is presenting itself in your life. Where is the Creator beckoning you to go? More importantly, are you willing to partner with Him and see where that path leads? From my experience, I promise you, you will find happiness there. 

 

I know I’m taking quite some time, but before I end, I’d like to talk about one more scripture story that speaks to the power of women and their prayers. In the Old Testament, we learn about Queen Esther. She was an orphan, raised by her uncle, who eventually became a wife to the king. At the request of her uncle, she hid her Jewish heritage. Later on, it’s made known to her that the king's counselor has a dreadful plan to destroy all the Jews in the empire. She realizes she must intervene and use her unique position to save her people. However, approaching the king without being summoned was an offense punishable by death. To do so would be at great risk to her. So, what did she do?  She gathered her maids and asked them to fast and pray with her. Together they appealed to the heavens, and as a result the Jews were spared and delivered from this monstrous plan.

 

If there is one thing I've taken away from this story that helped me the most in my life, it's that when I'm in crisis, I need to ask my sisters to surround me in prayer. 

 

This past year, I had a series of severe health complications due to my pregnancy and the delivery of my last son. I found myself in and out of the hospital for months. A few of these stays allowed me an intimate opportunity to face my mortality. It was an extremely challenging time for me and my family. I can’t accurately express my gratitude to those sisters who entered our story when we needed them the most. I am convinced that the prayers of those women were what helped carry me through some of the most difficult days. 

 

I invite you to ponder on who your women are. Who are the ones that you can rely on to support you when times are difficult? The ones who are willing to fast and pray with you without hesitation. If you do not feel you have that circle of women yet, I encourage you to pray for them. I have done this myself and time and time again, heaven-sent women have come into my life. 

 

If you do not think that you have the protection of a mother‘s prayer over you now, please know that you have an army of mothers here at Gathering of Tribes praying for you.

 

Some of you may feel lost, alone, angry, or hurt–please know that we pray for you.

 

Many of you have someone in your life who may have strayed from safe paths – know that we pray with you.

 

Historically, many Indigenous cultures are known to be matriarchal societies. That's why it was no surprise to me that three women heard His voice calling to create this organization—an organization to gather and care for His children.

 

We have all been invited by Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to “shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel.” He said, “It is a cause that desperately needs women because women shape the future.”

 

I hope you will rise to this call to gather our families on both sides of the veil–to seek out the lost and pray for those who are struggling. 

 

Let’s bring every one home. 

 

I implore you to seek and obtain a bedrock understanding of the gospel and the access to priesthood powers you are eligible to receive as you make and keep sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. With this, you can draw upon God’s power for protection and to find guidance for your life and those you wish to serve. 

 

I truly believe as we strive to make and keep sacred covenants we will be empowered to protect and care for our loved ones and to all whom we mother, no matter the trial or darkness that comes.

 

In the General Conference of April 2013, Boyd K. Packer observed, “There are few things more powerful than the faithful prayers of a righteous mother."

 

I’d like to add my testimony to that as well. 

 

I encourage you to keep praying, sisters. One prayer can change everything–for you, for your loved ones, and even for the world.

 

I leave you now with heartfelt wishes for good health and many blessings. May a mother’s prayer be with you always! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.