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| Similitude by Walter Rane |
The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches that “each [of us are] a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is a characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” It is our opportunity to celebrate righteous womanhood and motherhood today, beginning with a mother we all share.
Our greatest of grandmothers, Eve, was the first mortal woman to walk upon the earth. Through the annuls of time, Eve has often been portrayed as gullible and weak, however beautiful, and valuable primarily for bearing children and serving her husband. In modern times, many relegate Eve to the back shelf as a fictional character in an ancient children’s fable. For more than a thousand years, Eve, the mother of us all, has been portrayed in art, humor and dogma as little more than the First Stereotype.
Modern prophets give us a different picture of the Mother of All Living. Listen to their words:
There is no language that can do credit to our glorious mother, Eve. Eve--a daughter of God, one of the spirit offspring of the Almighty Elohim--was among the noble and great in [the premortal] existence. She ranked in spiritual statue, in faith and devotion, in conformity to eternal law with Michael (Bruce R. McConkie. "Eve and the Fall". Woman. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1979. p. 69).
Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam... and our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages (Joseph F. Smith, D&C 138:38-39).
We and all mankind are forever blessed because of Eve's great courage and wisdom. By partaking of the fruit first, she did what needed to be done. Adam was wise enough to do likewise (Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, October 1993).
It was Eve who first transgressed the limits of Eden in order to initiate the conditions of mortality. Her act, whatever its nature, was formally a transgression but eternally a glorious necessity to open the doorway toward eternal life. Adam showed his wisdom by doing the same...
Some Christians condemn Eve for her act, concluding that she and her daughters are somehow flawed by it... Informed by revelation, we celebrate Eve's act and honor her wisdom and courage in the great episode called the fall (Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, October 1993).
Eve is, "honored by Latter-day Saints as one of the most important, righteous, and heroic of all the human family" (Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992. 2:475.). Zebedee Coltrin related this insightful vision he shared with Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, the prophet:
The heavens gradually opened and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a lighthouse, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white garments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind he ever saw. Joseph said, 'They are our first parents,' Adam and Eve ("The Words of Joseph Smith." Provo: Brigham Young University. vol. 6.).
That Eve would be exalted to a throne as the lucky consequence of a clumsy mistake or a weak moment is inconsistent with the gospel of exaltation. That gospel requires each of us to "work out our salvation" by developing great faith in Christ, choosing to change our behavior each day to better follow Him, make and keep inspired covenants and continually keep the commandments of God throughout our lives (see Phillippians 2:12; Alma 34:37; and Mormon 9:27). Eve did not get a pass for going first; that would not be just. Rather, modern prophets teach that Eve was chosen, with Adam, to set the course, to lead the way, to make the Lord’s plan of happiness possible, and to provide an example of faithfulness for the whole human race.
Popular culture is wrong about Eve and, by extension, it is wrong about women in general. Some of that error comes from a poor understanding of the Creation and the Fall. We can learn a great deal from a careful study of these events. I will make only a single point about each event today.
First, some point to the verses in Genesis that say Eve was created from Adam's rib to be an 'help meet' for him. They interpret this verse to suggest that God created women to help or serve the interests of men. Understanding that President Kimball taught the reference to Adam's rib is, "of course, figurative" (Spencer W. Kimball. Blessings and Responsibilities. Ensign. March 1976, p. 71), we can focus our attention on what it means to be an help meet.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a 'help meet' as being, 'even with or equal to'. Sister Beverly Campbell has written that the Hebrew scripture uses the phrase ‘help meet’ to mean an equal saving power of some majesty. President Benson confirmed, 'In the beginning, God placed a woman in a companionship role with [Adam]... She was to act in partnership with him' (To the Elect Women of the Kingdom of God. Woman. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. 1979. p. 69.).
Elder Bruce C. Hafen explained further, “Genesis 3:16 states that Adam is to 'rule over' Eve, but... over in 'rule over' uses the Hebrew bet, which means ruling with, not ruling over... The concept of interdependent equal partners is well grounded in the doctrine of the restored gospel” (Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners. Ensign, August 2007. pp. 24-29.).
So we read in Moses chapter two that the Lord blessed both Adam and Eve and commanded them together to, “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Moses 2:28).
The truth that Eve was and is Adam's equal-- in intelligence, in spirituality, and in potential-- adds clarity to the account of the Fall. Gospel scholar Hugh Nibley explained that, "[Eve took] the initiative, pursuing the search for ever greater light and knowledge while Adam cautiously [held] back... It is she who perceives and points out to Adam that they have done the right thing after all" (Patriarchy and Matriarchy. Old Testament and Related Studies. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. 1986. p. 92).
Eve acted in courage and in faith to complete her mission on earth. This could only have happened as it did if Eve were both capable and involved in the process all along. She wasn’t waiting for Adam’s permission or direction. She was united with him in their purpose and intent to follow the commandments, but then acted autonomously and selflessly to benefit the whole of the human family. God blessed Eve for her righteousness and courage.
A true understanding of the Creation and the Fall justify reverence, honor, and respect, rather than ridicule, for our mother, Eve. Eve had the faith to act, to trade comfort for progress, to stay focused on the Lord’s plan and to lead the way through uncertainty. Eve outwitted Satan to obtain divine blessings for her posterity that he sought for only himself. Each of us can be grateful this Mother’s Day for the achievements and example of our first mother, Eve.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, exemplified the way we should honor the daughters of Eve in our lives today and every day. Christ’s use of the term ‘woman,’ consistent with Jewish culture at the time, was 'highly respectful and affectionate', implying ‘the greatest respect to the person spoken to', and intending 'no severity nor disrespect'.
Like Eve, Jesus Christ’s mother, Mary, was a woman of great courage. As an unmarried teenager, an angel appeared to her to declare that she would be pregnant with the son of God. Even an immaculate pregnancy could have caused her to be completely cast out of her society. She did not know how her fiancé would react or maybe even how she would try to explain it to him. And how does one raise as a child the Lord whom you revere as a God?
Mary asked the angel how it would be so and then, when she understood what she was being asked to do, Mary replied humbly, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Though Joseph would marry her, Jewish tradition holds that Joseph died in an industrial accident when Christ was about thirteen years old and Mary was left to raise her children on her own.
The Lord’s respect for his mother is clear. At a wedding in Cana, when she is concerned about running out of wine, Christ replies, “Woman, what wilt thou have me to do for thee? That I will do; for mine hour is not yet come” (JST John 2:4). On the cross at calvary, suffering pain beyond our capacity to conceive, he spoke tenderly to his mother, saying, “Woman! Behold thy son!” and directed his disciples to continue to care for her.
Christ spoke with similar respect to all of the women he encountered. To the woman taken in adultery, he inquired with respect, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?... Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11-12). To a woman of Canaan—a Gentile to whom he was not sent—who was seeking relief for a daughter “grievously vexed with a devil,” the Lord said, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15:28).
When his disciples saw the empty tomb and left astonished, Mary Magdalene lingered and wept. Christ appeared to her first, saying, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She was not immediately consoled, but Christ comforted her and revealed his identity to her exceeding joy.
Brothers and Sisters, is this how we treat the women in our lives? Brethren, do you counsel with your wives as your equals, working toward unanimous decisions, or do you suppose you are somehow endowed with better judgement or a divine right to the final say? Do you consume entertainment that portrays women as daughters of Eve, or do you spend your time with shallower depictions of women as objects or less capable than men? How do your sisters, including your female coworkers and other women you encounter, know of your respect for them? You know the right answers to these questions—and if you need to repent, you need to do it now.
Sisters, are you kind to one another? Do you honor the heritage of womanhood within you with your words and actions? Do you selflessly seek the welfare of others and the will of the Lord, as Eve and Mary did, or do you suppose you can lift yourself while tearing others down?
Relief Society President Jean Bingham taught last month that “studies have shown that the number one reason people leave religion is that they feel judged or unwelcome. That is cited more often than doctrinal disagreement or lack of belief… That situation can be practically eliminated if we really open our arms and hearts to everyone.”
I’m sure each of you can think of times when you or someone close to you has been offended by someone at church. It does not matter if you think the offense is justified. The church should be a safe space where everyone can feel the love of God and of each other. Withhold from criticizing each other’s personal decisions. Focus on being a light for each other, not a judge of each other.
Every woman on this earth is a beloved daughter of heavenly parents. As such, each of you sisters have a divine nature and destiny. Your gender is not a biological coincidence and it is not a mistake. It is an essential characteristic of your individual premortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose. In the words of Elder Rasband, “you have come [to earth] just at this time to valiantly build up the kingdom of God on the earth.” This is the errand of angels that you have been given.
You are where you are because there are people of every age who need you to reach out to them and help them in ways that only you can; and there are people here who can help you in ways you may not even know you need. Each of us will experience more joy and satisfaction in our lives as we strive to build our brothers and sisters around us.
Now, before I conclude, I know that some of us, for various reasons, may not feel like celebrating Mother’s Day. That is okay. The Lord is mindful of you and those things that are on your hearts today.
I’d also like to echo several messages from the most recent BYU women’s conference. In doing so, I take inspiration from Sister Wendy Nelson, Sister Sharon Eubank, Sister Sheri Dew, Elder Ronald Rasband, and others who spoke at that conference. I hope some of what they have said will begin to address the things that may be on your mind and heart. Listen to their words:
- Each person is born to do three basic things. First, choose to love God and others. Second, come to know the Savior by repenting and keeping the commandments. Third, establish family relationships on both sides of the veil. Those things may happen in a different order or timing than we expect or desire, but if you’re doing any of those things, you’re fulfilling the thing you were born to do.
- Waiting faithfully upon the Lord for His blessings is “a holy position” and “doesn’t deserve pity.” While waiting, “you are in the company of some of the best souls on Earth.”
- Two similarly faithful women can receive different responses to the same basic questions. One sister may be inspired to attend medical school, for example, while another may feel she should forgo a scholarship and begin a family. What is right for one woman may not be right for another.
- Some of you may have children who are no longer active in the Church. Rather than grieving the children you may feel you have lost, rejoice in the children that you have. Pay attention to the things you enjoy about them and in their good values. Be positive with them and appreciate who they are. It will help your relationship become sweet again.
- Women’s voices and perspectives are present in a variety of Church councils and committees and they are equally important in ward and stake councils.
- Give yourself some grace. A lack of spiritual feeling, particularly if we are struggling with depression or anxiety, isn’t an indication of unworthiness. Sometimes we just need to hold on with our head what we don’t feel in the moment in our heart. We don’t need to compare ourselves today to the way we were on our best days.
In conclusion, Elder Ballard has affirmed, “Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.”
In this light, we begin to see, as Elder Holland has commented, that “in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a woman... occupies a majesty all her own in the divine design of the Creator.” That Creator, Jesus Christ, respected and reverenced the women in his life. He saw their spiritual vitality. He knew perfectly of the sacrifices they have made to respond to the will of God and keep His plan moving forward. He saw their divine and infinite potential, and he sees yours.
No wonder it is the women's organization of the Church that so often leads the way in reaching out to friends and neighbors. No wonder the Lord designed the family to pair priesthood and womanhood as evenly yoked saving powers in the lives of God's spirit offspring. Though this day can be difficult for some, it is this glorious heritage we all share that we honor and celebrate each Mother’s Day.
I pray, with Elder Ballard, that God will continually bless the women of the Church, and of our ward, to find joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God. The leaders of the Church, including Jesus Christ, who is at the head of this Church, believe in you. They are and I am counting on your goodness and your strength, your propensity for virtue and valor, your kindness and courage, your strength and resilience. We believe in your mission as women of God.