A friend once said, "You have the best of both worlds," because I'm now a stay-at-home mother, who also enjoyed a brief career in TV news some years ago. Journalism is great fun and, I'm not going to lie, I loved being on TV. But no other job could be as challenging and bring me as much joy as being a mother.

When my daughter, now 5, was a baby, I had an unofficial offer for an anchor job at a CBS affiliate where we were living at the time. The offer came from a mentor I worked with at another station right out of college.

I told him I now had a baby and he said, "Well that's what day care is for."

While that may be the answer for many, it wasn't for me.

Modern-day prophets have taught me, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about the sacred role of motherhood.

"Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children," one said. "And no other success can compensate for failure in the home."

Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who recently passed away, said, "Nothing is more precious to you as mothers, absolutely nothing. Your children are the most valuable thing you will have in time or all eternity. ... I think the nurture and upbringing of children is more than a part-time responsibility. I recognize that some women must work, but I fear that there are far too many who do so only to get the means for a little more luxury and a few fancier toys. ... Families are being torn asunder everywhere. Family relationships are strained as women try to keep up with the rigors of two full-time jobs."

No one has told me I have to stay home. But as an educated, God-fearing woman who had a fun and fulfilling career, I now choose to stay at home to raise my children.

I want to be home with my kids, even though it is harder than dropping them off in day care and going to work all day.

I want to be home when they leave for school, so I can send them off with a family prayer and a smile.

I want to be home when they return, so I can gauge how their day was. I want to be home to watch them grow.

I know that if we follow the Lord's commandments, he will help us. He does not ask us to accomplish the impossible. He does not send us here on earth to fail. He wants us to succeed, and if we ask him, he will give us the help we need.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Someday, perhaps, I will return to the news business. In the meantime, there are plenty of people who can do the news, but only one person who can be Abigail, Samuel and Paul's mother.

Sarah Fuhriman is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.