One of my favourite stories in scripture is of Esther and the deliverance of the people of Israel because of her bravery. What adds to my interest in the telling of the story in the Book of Esther is the place of the Lord in the story. In contrast to every other book in the Bible and stories that we read ‘the miracle of [the deliverance of the Jews] was disguised in natural events … Only after the fact, when one looks at the entire story, does one realize the great miracle that transpired’ (Zaklikowski, 2025). Indeed, the name of the Lord is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, but he is undoubtedly there guiding events towards their resolution, and there is no doubt in Esther’s uncle Mordecai’s mind that a solution would be provided. 

This reminds me of another story told by David Foster Wallace:

There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What . . . is water?”

Surely the Lord is our water—not only should we notice Him, but He should be part of the fabric of our lives. Why do I share these two stories? It is linked with the command to live a Christlike life, and to become like the Lord.

As I read the scriptures and the histories of the world, one thing is noticeable. It is that the voice of women has to be searched for, or that they are so rare that they are very noticeable when they are there. One of the “interesting” questions I often share with my students is: “How many people were fed in the feeding of the 5,000?” The answer given is usually 5000, but when we read the account in John’s Gospel, we read that it was 5000 men besides women and children. The scriptures and historical events are of their time, and this isn’t to criticise them, but to highlight that there may be a sub-text similar to the Book of Esther, or to the story of the fish in water that can often pass unnoticed. This is the idea that the scriptures, and life more widely, are thoroughly imbued with the influence of women. Sometimes it pokes out and attention is drawn to it, but most often it passes in the background and isn’t drawn out. My suggestion is that we need to draw out the example of experiences of women from the scriptures and from our history. Yes, I’m speaking about this on Mother’s Day, but this should not be the only day of the year where we do this.

As I have studied Come Follow Me over the past couple of months the faith of women has been front and centre. Some of the stories might appear to be troubling, but the faith of these women shines like a beacon. I think about Hagar who ran away from the harsh treatment she was receiving and was commanded by an angel to return. I’m not sure that we have the full extent of the conversation, but I don’t think I would have been quite so willing to go back. However, we read of Hagar’s faith in the Lord when she says:

And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Genesis 16:13).

The Lord is the ‘God who sees me’; that description of our relationship with the Lord, to be seen of Him and know that He is there and knows me is my heart’s desire. In her trials she never lost sight of the God who saw her.

The example of Tamar from this week’s reading is a challenge to read, but as one of the only female ancestors of the Saviour mentioned in his genealogy, she has an important part to play. My friend Ben Spackman suggests:

Judah acknowledges [her righteousness] in verse 26 once her identity becomes known to him (King James Version “she hath been more righteous than I,” or my translation, “she has acted more rightly than I have”). Genesis records neither taint of illicitness in their offspring nor criticism of Tamar. Her actions were unusual but, once clearly understood, not immoral by “the laws and commandments and circumstances of [her] day.”

Her seeking of justice for herself can serve as an inspiration for us all, just as long as we are mindful of what the laws and commandments of our day are. We can use such examples as springboards for our faith and discipleship. It is not just enough to seek justice for ourselves, we must be similarly mindful of seeking justice for all. The call to discipleship is a call to service, and far more than Tamar-like service, but Christlike service. Christ taught us all to love our enemies, and He showed how much he loved even those who nailed Him to the cross, as he died for them and prayed for their forgiveness. His teachings highlight the need for feelings of love and compassion, rather than judgement and division. As I reflect on my service and the expressions of my love, I can see that it is easier to show love to those closest to me. If I think about my circles of influence, the closest circle to me is my family, then my friends, other people I know, and then people in the world who may currently be strangers. It is perhaps easier for me to show love to those closer to me, and that the Christlike love I should have is reduced as I work outward. The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that just as Christ showed his love to all, we should be willing to do the same. 

I can look at the example of people such as my wife and daughters who seek to emulate that love in their lives. I know my discipleship has been strengthened and enhanced through their example of charity. Again, returning to the underpinning influence of women in the scriptures and in our lives, I am mindful that people will see the outward expressions of my discipleship or my learning, and not see the influence of Ruth, my children, my mum and others. I am mindful of a line from a song: “I am everything I am because you loved me.” Although I often quote this in relation to the Saviour, it is just as easily applied to Ruth, my mum, my children and my granddaughter.

Returning to scriptural examples, Martha would never forgive me if I didn’t mention Mary, the mother of Christ. We first read of her faith at the annunciation and her response to Gabriel’s announcement that she would be the mother of the Son of God. She responded:

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38).

In this simple statement she submits her will to God, she is willing to do whatsoever the Lord commands. As such this faith will underpin both her own, and the Saviour’s life. We do not read much more about her in the Gospels, but her faith and influence are evident in these events. 

Following the birth of Jesus she presented him in the Temple, she was then obedient to the Lord and took Jesus into Egypt to protect him; next we read of her and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple when he was twelve- this was not an isolated incident, rather the scriptures record that “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.” Obedience and submission to the Lord were just a natural part of Jesus’ upbringing. Her experiences were not loud nor brash, rather she worked quietly to provide all that the Saviour needed. Indeed, we read that throughout her life “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” One of the songs that always makes me smile is ‘Mary, Did you Know?’ The lyrics ask the questions:

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Is the Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know

That your baby boy

Was heaven’s perfect Lamb?

And the sleeping Child you’re holdin’

Is the Great I Am!

The answer to each of these questions is a resounding ‘Yes!’ Mary knew who the Saviour was and enabled him to prepare, and once he was prepared, she enabled him to show who he was. When we read the first recorded miracle at the wedding at Cana it says:

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:1-5).

Mary was the impetus behind the Saviour revealing himself. She knew that his time had come, and that he needed to come out of the shadows and begin his ministry. I think of all of our mothers who know us so well, who stand behind us as our biggest cheerleaders encouraging us to be our very best, no matter the personal cost to themselves. As I read of Mary’s great faith and the strength that she must have had, it reminds me of my mum and Ruth. The day after my eighteenth birthday, I left the house to serve a mission full of excitement and without a second thought. It wasn’t until 25 years later when Eleanor left to serve her mission that I realised the faith and strength it takes to see someone leave and continue in becoming who they are meant to be, without you to guide them. Ruth and I had each other to work through the heartache; until that moment I hadn’t realised the impact my leaving would have had on my mum. Our greatest hope is that our children will be so much better than we are; we don’t quite realise that in giving them wings to fly, we might wish sometimes that they were still in the nest. I see the love and devotion Ruth has for each of our children, and the desires for them to be what they have been created to be. It is then I realise the great blessing it is to have a mum who loves, cares and is our biggest cheerleader.

When we read of the Saviour’s crucifixion we see:

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

Mary showed up, even when her heart was breaking, she was there to give the Saviour strength. To know that he was not alone. We know that when he was on the cross he cried ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’- without exploring the deep meaning and theology of this, suffice it for my purpose to highlight that at no point from cradle to grave did his mother forsake hi, She supported him every step of the way, as he developed ‘grace for grace’ (see D&C 93).

No Mother’s Day would be complete without reference to the stripling warriors who are described in the Book of Mormon:

And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

But how and why could they be described as such? We read:

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

The faith of our mothers has such a deep and lasting impact upon each of us. But let me take a step back a moment. A woman’s value and importance are not relational to the men in her life. A woman is an individual whose most important identities are as a child of Heavenly Parents, a disciple of Christ, and as a child of covenant. The impact they have on others is phenomenal, but they are women who stand independent and strongly in every aspect of their lives. I think about the women to whom I am closest in my life, my wife, my daughters, my granddaughter, my mum and others and I love them for all that they are and all that they mean to, and for me, but I love them first and foremost for the amazing people they are, for the Christlike qualities they teach me. Through each of them I can see my Saviour in greater clarity- whether that is in Ruth’s faith, Eleanor’s obedience to the Lord, Abi’s charity, Natasha’s ability to care for others, Martha’s confidence, and Edith’s joy in the world around her. 

I never take their love for granted, but sometimes I might not notice the influence they have in my life and on who I am. They are the water that enable me to swim. On this Mother’s Day, a week after International Women’s Day we celebrate the influence of women and mothers in our lives, for who they are and who they enable us to be.

A woman’s voice may not be the loudest in the room, unless you’ve met Martha, but undoubtedly they are the firmest and they are an inspiration. Let us be thankful for each woman in our lives, not in some tokenistic way, but in a way that celebrates their identity as daughters of Heavenly Parents whom we love, because they loved us first.

In this way, they are mirrors of the Saviour Jesus Christ who we love in the same way, and who loves us similarly. He is my Saviour.

Of these things I bear witness 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen