Thinking Women of the Bible for Mothers Day

Lynn Arave, Deseret News cited the King James Bible and Reader's Digest in this alphabetical list of some of the great women of the Bible (who were mentioned by name). I often referred to "Mrs. Noah" because I'm sure this long-held tradition of attaching a married woman to her husband - even more recently when a woman was married she was referred to as "Mrs. [husband's first name, husband's last name]. So the fact most of the women were not named is not surprising.

However, it also gives great significance to those who are named - they were really something to be called by their actual name, to be revered and followed. In our church we are of the belief that Eve (whose name was significant, as recorded in the Bible, meaning "Mother of All Living") actually fulfilled her fore-ordained role when she partook of the fruit and her sin was actually a transgression, necessary to fulfill God's plan for His children.

Deborah: Her tale of charismatic leadership is told twice, once in Judges Chapter 4 in prose and again in the next chapter in "The Song of Deborah."

How this remarkable woman rose to become the only female judge of Israel — and even a war leader of some 10,000 soldiers — isn't clear

Elizabeth: As the wife of Zechariah the priest, she was advanced in years with no children when an angel told her she would miraculously give birth to a son — John the Baptist (Luke Chapter 1.) Her story parallels the stories of other aging women who gave birth to prominent leaders, including the mother of Samuel the prophet.

Esther: The wife of King Ahasuerus has an entire Old Testament book named after her. She was Jewish and was said to be very beautiful. At great risk to herself, she declared her lineage after a decree to put all Jews to death was announced, and she was able to reverse the ruling.

Eve: As the first woman and mother, she was the wife of Adam and played a leading role in the history of the world. Though some Christian faiths may think of her as the devil's gateway, others consider her a noble Christian.

Martha: The sister of Lazarus and Mary, she became a devout Christian follower, as recorded in the Bible's Gospels.

Mary: The mother of Jesus, through a virgin birth, is revered throughout Christianity as a pure and chosen woman. Indeed, Roman Catholics believe she was taken into heaven after her death and their rosary and some major annual feasts are centered around her. In the Catholic Church there is an ongoing campaign among the "Maryists" to have her declared the fourth member of the Godhead.

Mary Magdalene: She is the most prominent woman who accompanied Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem. She was also present at Christ's crucifixion and met the resurrected Lord at his tomb.

Miriam: This sister of Moses and Aaron was the first biblical woman given the title of prophetess (Exodus 15:20). Perhaps prideful, she later rebelled against her brothers and was afflicted with leprosy. Much later in the Old Testament, she is described as an equal of her brothers (Micah 6:4).

Ruth: This is another woman with an entire book of scripture named after her. As the great-grandmother of King David, she was described as a gentle heroine. Ruth 1:16 tells of her steadfast conversion to Christianity. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, is also reverred as a matriarch who was wise, hard-working and devout.

Sarah: This wife of Abraham is mentioned in Genesis. At age 91, she gave birth to Isaac, and the Apostle Peter mentioned Sarah as a model wife (1 Peter 3:6).

References: King James Bible and "Who's Who in the Bible," by Reader's Digest.

It is good to remember these women and to use them as examples of strength, goodness, and spirituality when we teach our children. We don't have to be men to be equal to them. We are equal by our very nature; but we have separate (thank goodness!) roles and responsibilities. I like the term, Biblical Womanhood, often used in protestant churches in describing the kind of women God wants us to be. In our church we only expand this to include other great women in scriptures such as The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. If we weret to coin such a term it would be Women of Scripture or Women of God. There is no doubt that God has great love for all women and has protected them. We believe we also have a Mother in Heaven (how can you have a father without a mother?) and the reason no name is given is because She is to be reverenced and Her name will not be used in vain.