Welcome to the World
Welcome to the world, Eden.
Today we celebrate your arrival into the world. Gathered together is a community of people who love you and your mother very much. You don’t know your mother as well as I do, at least for now, so please allow me to introduce you to her.
Your mother is a unique and charismatic spirit. She is both spontaneous and diligent–flexible yet focused. She is persistent and a pioneer blazing a trail that is uniquely hers. I have often found myself the grateful recipient of her illuminating example. Your mother inspires me to be the best version of myself and I can think of no higher compliment. She also happens to be one of the most intelligent people I know, as I’m sure you’ll learn. You’re not likely to win an argument with her, but it’s only because she’s right. She is also especially creative. Her unique combination of intelligence and creativity is truly a marvel.
Mostly, your mother is an “Eve.” An “Eve” is a life-giver. She carries the sparks of creation and ignites beginnings. Like all other “Eves” that came before her, as a creator, she is also a bearer of knowledge. Knowledge, particularly experiential knowledge, is necessary for our growth. (Luke 2:52) In creating you, she has now partaken of that experiential knowledge as your creator.
In the bible, Eve was the first to partake of the Tree of Knowledge to know good from evil. When she saw the fruit was “desirable for gaining wisdom” she ate it. (Genesis 3:6) She was the first to corrupt innocence with a new experience so that she could become and create gods. Gods are not innocent nor ignorant. Gods grow from experiential knowledge made possible by Eve’s sacrifice.
Eve’s sacrifice was not just a spiritual sacrifice but came with a physical cost. As our species evolved so did our knowledge, and by extension, our brains. Roughly 2 million years ago, our pre-human ancestor’s head size increased to accommodate our growing brains. This created difficult, painful, and risky deliveries for our Eves. Many have been lost. When God told Eve, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children," I don’t think God said this spitefully. I think God was telling her that there is no other way to godhood, but through suffering. Up to that point, Eve did not know suffering. To quote author Shannon L. Alder, “The depth of your pain will always be equal to the depth of your love.” There must be opposition in all things. (2 Nephi 2:11) As our children’s heads grew, so did our suffering, but so did our love.
You, Eden, came into being because of your mother’s love. I have watched her love you selflessly and unconditionally. She loved you before there was a “you” to love. With her love and the assistance of technology, she made you. As a creator, she is the first cause of all she brings into being. This is not an easy position to hold. As an “Eve,” she bears the knowledge that everything you ever experience in this world will be, in part, because of her. All your suffering, all your joy, all your misery and doubts, all your successes and triumphs, every burden you carry and every outburst of laughter, will be because she brought you into this world.
However, your mother, Michaelann, is a benevolent creator. She is not interested in molding you into an idealized version of herself but instead gave you life that you might live according to your desires. (Alma 29:4) You are blessed, Eden. Your mother is kind and strong. She is capable and sovereign. Like Eve, she holds an inner power that is not easily shaken because it was forged in the depths of her suffering. She is stronger, gentler, and wiser for it. And if you let her, she will willingly share her gifts and knowledge with you. Listen to her wisdom and learn from her example. She can guide you through rough terrain, just as she has done for me.
Welcome to the world, Eden. You and your mother are cradled by a community of people who love you both very much.
In the name of Christ, Amen
*Originally presented at the Baby Blessing of Eden Gardner on March 8, 2026.
