THE LIFE AND EXAMPLE OF MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS
Unlike many other Christian religions, Mormons do not worship Mary. However, we rightfully hold her in high esteem. She must have been one of Heavenly Father’s most choice spiritual daughters as she was foreordained to be Christ’s mortal mother and caretaker, to raise him during his tender years of infancy, adolescence, and into adulthood. Many prophets, including Isaiah, Nephi, King Benjamin, and Alma, before the meridian of time foretold that the Only Begotten Son of the Father would be born to the virgin Mary, a precious and chosen vessel of the Lord (see Isaiah 7:14; 1 Nephi 11:18-20; Mosiah 3:8; Alma 7:10).
As I began to research Mary utilizing various scriptural accounts, I found myself reviewing many of the same stories I was aware of since I was small—Gabriel’s annunciation to her in the temple, her interactions with her cousin Elisabeth shortly thereafter, the marriage incident at Cana where water was turned into wine, and finally some of his final words before death to His mother at the foot of the cruel cross. There is so little scriptural information about Mary that one has a hard time learning about her directly. However, the accounts that are recorded have common themes that show she was an example not only to the mothers we celebrate today, but to all true disciples of Christ.
BUILD A FOUNDATION OF FAITH
In Luke, Chapter 1, there are two accounts of the angel Gabriel visiting Zacharias and Mary, both of whom were soon-to-be parents of important Gospel figures. Both mortals ask questions of their angelic visitor, but their attitude when asking the questions show a profound difference in the level of belief, trust, and understanding of God’s power.
Gabriel first visits Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. Reminiscent of Abraham and his wife Sarah, Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth, had no children and were well past the normal years of childbearing. In learning from the angel he and his wife were to conceive a son, John the Baptist, Zacharias doubtfully comments “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” His question, one showing not only a lack of understanding but apparently also a lack of faith, caused him to be struck dumb until his son, John the Baptist, was born.
Mary, on the other hand, had a similar visitation by the same angelic messenger. Her response shows not only her faith and willingness to do all required by her of the Lord, but also her testimony of God’s power and ability to do whatever He sees fit to do. When told by Gabriel she would conceive the Savior of the world, she asks how this would come to pass as she was espoused to Joseph but they were not yet married. He answered her question, and her response is very telling of her faith and willingness to believe and do whatever was required of her. In Luke 1:38, she said “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Faith overpowered logic and reason in her child-like answer showing total willingness to believe! Like Mary, we too must develop a sure knowledge of God’s perfect love for us, and be willing to do whatever he requires of us so we can achieve true joy in this life. We must not doubt, but be believing as true disciples of Christ.
GLORIFY GOD
After the annunciation, Mary went to live with her aged cousin Elisabeth for about 3 months. No doubt these were stressful times for Mary as Joseph knew she was expecting a child he himself did not father and was deciding whether to continue or sever their engagement. Though distressed by thoughts of uncertainty regarding her relationship with Joseph, Mary did not have a pity party. She understood all things were in Heavenly Father’s hands and she glorified the Lord, saying:
“… My soul doth magnify the Lord,
“And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
“He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
“As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:46–49, 54–55.)
We know Joseph was blessed with divine guidance and understandings through a dream to comprehend Mary’s situation, but even when faced with potential public humiliation and embarrassment at being pregnant outside of wedlock Mary retained a positive attitude, glorified God, and understood her role in helping create a mortal tabernacle for the Savior of the world.
DISCOVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR US
We all have a special mission to perform in this life. Mary’s mission was to help raise the mortal messiah. Although tutored by angels and other heavenly messengers, He was also taught at the knee of His mother as He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Like all other mortals, a veil was drawn over his mind at birth, temporarily obscuring memory of his premortal existence and status. The Doctrine and Covenants indicates that in the flesh he received “not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace.” (D&C 93:12. See also Acts 8:33.) For sure, Mary played a great role in helping Jesus understand who he was and what he was to do. Mary’s influence on her son was great as she taught him with a tenderness that can only be known between a mother and child.
Likewise, we have been born into families and given certain life situations not randomly or haphazardly, but for a specific purpose and reason. We have family members, friends, and acquaintances that we can touch in a way that no others can. When we discover God’s desire for us, we become aware of our divine destiny and how our relationships and interactions with others help us achieve our full potential in this life. We change the way we view other people, gain empathy for the sinner, and acquire a renewed conviction to do what is right.
ACCEPT AFFLICTIONS AND PATIENTLY PERSIST
Mary also knew the depths of despair. Having the confirmation that Jesus was the Son of the Eternal Father, it must have been very difficult for her to understand why he was despised and rejected during his ministry.
Many questions must have plagued her: Why did Herod want to kill him? Why did her neighbors reject him—those who had known him from childhood? Why did the nation he was sent to save try to kill him because he claimed to be what she knew him to be—the Messiah and Redeemer of all mankind? He previously had escaped attempts on his life because he had the power within himself to stay death until he knew his work was finished and he himself consented to allow his spirit to depart his mortal body. Perhaps when Mary stood at the foot of the cross she wondered if this would happen again.
No doubt as she stood at the foot of the cross on Calvary, one of a few devout disciples to stand unembarrassed and undeterred at the feet of her Savior, her mind reflected on the prophecy of Simeon, a “just and devout” man Mary and Joseph had met in the temple at Passover time shortly after the Savior’s birth. The Holy Ghost revealed to Simeon that this young child was to be the long-foretold Christ, and he prophesied this knowledge to Mary, saying, “Yea, a spear shall pierce through him to the wounding of thine own soul also.” (JST, Luke 2:35.) for he knew her suffering would be great.
Looking down in mercy from the cruel cross, and no doubt trying to shield her from the pain he knew she was enduring, he compassionately commends his beloved disciple, John, to her as he says, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then he spoke to John, “Behold thy mother!” [John 19:26–27] Shortly thereafter, John took Mary away from the scene of agony as her firstborn son successfully finished the mission he had undertaken for all mankind.
Mary, through her life of righteousness and example of motherly affection, has taught us many things. She has taught we must BUILD A FOUNDATION OF FAITH, GLORIFY GOD. DISCOVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR US, and ACCEPT AFFLICTIONS AND PATIENTLY PERSIST.
Mary was an elect daughter of God who taught us we be doers of the word and not just hearers only—our actions must align with our beliefs. We should not just talk the talk, we must walk the walk as well.
Along these lines, I would like to share a poem with you before I close:
“I love you, Mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
And left her the water and wood to bring.
“I love you, Mother,” said rosy Nell—
“I love you better than tongue can tell”;
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.
“I love you, Mother,” said little Fan;
“Today I’ll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”
So she rocked the babe till it fell asleep.
Then, stepping softly, she fetched the broom,
And swept the floor and tidied the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and happy as a child could be.
“I love you, Mother,” again they said,
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that Mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?
Like the children in this poem, we show our love for our Father in Heaven when we do what He asks of us. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” We show through our words, thoughts, and actions where our hearts lie. If we are true disciples, we will do as the Lord requires. At first it may be tough, but as we persist His will becomes our will and we find ourselves doing the right things not because we know we should, but because we want to.
As I began to research Mary utilizing various scriptural accounts, I found myself reviewing many of the same stories I was aware of since I was small—Gabriel’s annunciation to her in the temple, her interactions with her cousin Elisabeth shortly thereafter, the marriage incident at Cana where water was turned into wine, and finally some of his final words before death to His mother at the foot of the cruel cross. There is so little scriptural information about Mary that one has a hard time learning about her directly. However, the accounts that are recorded have common themes that show she was an example not only to the mothers we celebrate today, but to all true disciples of Christ.
BUILD A FOUNDATION OF FAITH
In Luke, Chapter 1, there are two accounts of the angel Gabriel visiting Zacharias and Mary, both of whom were soon-to-be parents of important Gospel figures. Both mortals ask questions of their angelic visitor, but their attitude when asking the questions show a profound difference in the level of belief, trust, and understanding of God’s power.
Gabriel first visits Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. Reminiscent of Abraham and his wife Sarah, Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth, had no children and were well past the normal years of childbearing. In learning from the angel he and his wife were to conceive a son, John the Baptist, Zacharias doubtfully comments “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” His question, one showing not only a lack of understanding but apparently also a lack of faith, caused him to be struck dumb until his son, John the Baptist, was born.
Mary, on the other hand, had a similar visitation by the same angelic messenger. Her response shows not only her faith and willingness to do all required by her of the Lord, but also her testimony of God’s power and ability to do whatever He sees fit to do. When told by Gabriel she would conceive the Savior of the world, she asks how this would come to pass as she was espoused to Joseph but they were not yet married. He answered her question, and her response is very telling of her faith and willingness to believe and do whatever was required of her. In Luke 1:38, she said “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Faith overpowered logic and reason in her child-like answer showing total willingness to believe! Like Mary, we too must develop a sure knowledge of God’s perfect love for us, and be willing to do whatever he requires of us so we can achieve true joy in this life. We must not doubt, but be believing as true disciples of Christ.
GLORIFY GOD
After the annunciation, Mary went to live with her aged cousin Elisabeth for about 3 months. No doubt these were stressful times for Mary as Joseph knew she was expecting a child he himself did not father and was deciding whether to continue or sever their engagement. Though distressed by thoughts of uncertainty regarding her relationship with Joseph, Mary did not have a pity party. She understood all things were in Heavenly Father’s hands and she glorified the Lord, saying:
“… My soul doth magnify the Lord,
“And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
“He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
“As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:46–49, 54–55.)
We know Joseph was blessed with divine guidance and understandings through a dream to comprehend Mary’s situation, but even when faced with potential public humiliation and embarrassment at being pregnant outside of wedlock Mary retained a positive attitude, glorified God, and understood her role in helping create a mortal tabernacle for the Savior of the world.
DISCOVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR US
We all have a special mission to perform in this life. Mary’s mission was to help raise the mortal messiah. Although tutored by angels and other heavenly messengers, He was also taught at the knee of His mother as He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Like all other mortals, a veil was drawn over his mind at birth, temporarily obscuring memory of his premortal existence and status. The Doctrine and Covenants indicates that in the flesh he received “not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace.” (D&C 93:12. See also Acts 8:33.) For sure, Mary played a great role in helping Jesus understand who he was and what he was to do. Mary’s influence on her son was great as she taught him with a tenderness that can only be known between a mother and child.
Likewise, we have been born into families and given certain life situations not randomly or haphazardly, but for a specific purpose and reason. We have family members, friends, and acquaintances that we can touch in a way that no others can. When we discover God’s desire for us, we become aware of our divine destiny and how our relationships and interactions with others help us achieve our full potential in this life. We change the way we view other people, gain empathy for the sinner, and acquire a renewed conviction to do what is right.
ACCEPT AFFLICTIONS AND PATIENTLY PERSIST
Mary also knew the depths of despair. Having the confirmation that Jesus was the Son of the Eternal Father, it must have been very difficult for her to understand why he was despised and rejected during his ministry.
Many questions must have plagued her: Why did Herod want to kill him? Why did her neighbors reject him—those who had known him from childhood? Why did the nation he was sent to save try to kill him because he claimed to be what she knew him to be—the Messiah and Redeemer of all mankind? He previously had escaped attempts on his life because he had the power within himself to stay death until he knew his work was finished and he himself consented to allow his spirit to depart his mortal body. Perhaps when Mary stood at the foot of the cross she wondered if this would happen again.
No doubt as she stood at the foot of the cross on Calvary, one of a few devout disciples to stand unembarrassed and undeterred at the feet of her Savior, her mind reflected on the prophecy of Simeon, a “just and devout” man Mary and Joseph had met in the temple at Passover time shortly after the Savior’s birth. The Holy Ghost revealed to Simeon that this young child was to be the long-foretold Christ, and he prophesied this knowledge to Mary, saying, “Yea, a spear shall pierce through him to the wounding of thine own soul also.” (JST, Luke 2:35.) for he knew her suffering would be great.
Looking down in mercy from the cruel cross, and no doubt trying to shield her from the pain he knew she was enduring, he compassionately commends his beloved disciple, John, to her as he says, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then he spoke to John, “Behold thy mother!” [John 19:26–27] Shortly thereafter, John took Mary away from the scene of agony as her firstborn son successfully finished the mission he had undertaken for all mankind.
Mary, through her life of righteousness and example of motherly affection, has taught us many things. She has taught we must BUILD A FOUNDATION OF FAITH, GLORIFY GOD. DISCOVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR US, and ACCEPT AFFLICTIONS AND PATIENTLY PERSIST.
Mary was an elect daughter of God who taught us we be doers of the word and not just hearers only—our actions must align with our beliefs. We should not just talk the talk, we must walk the walk as well.
Along these lines, I would like to share a poem with you before I close:
“I love you, Mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
And left her the water and wood to bring.
“I love you, Mother,” said rosy Nell—
“I love you better than tongue can tell”;
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.
“I love you, Mother,” said little Fan;
“Today I’ll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”
So she rocked the babe till it fell asleep.
Then, stepping softly, she fetched the broom,
And swept the floor and tidied the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and happy as a child could be.
“I love you, Mother,” again they said,
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that Mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?
Like the children in this poem, we show our love for our Father in Heaven when we do what He asks of us. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” We show through our words, thoughts, and actions where our hearts lie. If we are true disciples, we will do as the Lord requires. At first it may be tough, but as we persist His will becomes our will and we find ourselves doing the right things not because we know we should, but because we want to.
posted by dyejo at 6:56 AM
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