Thoughts on Womanhood & Mary.

In the last week, I've managed to end up at temple square three times--a treat I've never experienced so frequently during the Christmas season. Each time I visited, I was reminded of the nativity story and of Jesus Christ.

I mean, how could you not be touched by this display? 

As I've gone through my stressful, crazy last week of classes, I've pondered some about the powerful influence of Mary on her son, the beliefs of Christianity, and on the entire world. Of all the mothers and women in this world, I think Mary is one of the most powerful.

Bruce R. McConkie said:
"In my judgement, Mary is one of the greatest women who has ever lived on earth; the spirit daughter of God our Father, she was chosen to provide a body for his son, who was to be born after the manner of the flesh...I think we see Mary as a pattern of piety and submission to the will of the Lord which is the perfect example for all our women." (see here)

Isn't that powerful? And if that weren't enough, today during church, I came across this scripture:

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." 

(Luke 2:19) 

I love this scripture. It's probably one of my favorite verses in the nativity story--and maybe even in all of scripture. Mary, bearer and mother of the Lord, gave up everything she had to submit to the Lord's will. And not only that, but as she raised Christ, the Savior of the world. As she watched Him grow, she observed his wondrous qualities and pondered them in her heart. I see this quality as being very admirable: the ability to see amazing and wondrous things in her child, and to ponder them in her heart. She didn't shout from the rooftops about how she was raising the Savior of the world. She didn't try to brag about her son. She simply taught and observed Him, and knew that he was meant for great things. 

Even though I'm not a mother yet, and I likely won't be for quite awhile, I look to Mary as an example of pure love, dedication, obedience, kindness, and submission. I think of all the influential mothers and women I know, and I think Mary must have been a lot like them. When I become a mother, I hope and pray that I can be even just a little bit like her. 

 Sister Julie B. Beck said: 

"Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. Righteous motherhood will always stretch every reserve they have to meet the needs of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord's plan." 

I know a lot of girls who think women are suppressed within this church. But as I look at the example of Mary and read the words of Sister Beck, I can't help but think about how much power and influence we do have. Like she said, we carry the female half of the Lord's plan and he's counting on us to do our part. 

So on this December Sabbath day, I'm thankful for Mary and for inspired church leaders. I'm thankful for the ability to ponder on her example and their words. And most of all, I'm thankful for Jesus Christ and for the role that I know I play in His church. 

Merry Christmas, everyone.