"Blessed Art Thou Among Women"

It was most likely mid Summer in the city of Nazareth, in Galilee, when the angel Gabriel appeared to a young woman. She was indeed young, a virgin, and engaged to be wed. "Hail," he told her, "Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women," (Luke 1:28). This young woman was Mary, and Gabriel went on to tell her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the very Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior of the world. After careful consideration of this news, and assurance that though she was a virgin and yet to be married the conception would be possible, she replied, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word," (Luke 1:38). James Talmage notes in Jesus the Christ that Mary was not at all ignorant of the prophesies of the Messiah and the tribe from which he would be born, which was also hers: "Mary had doubtless contemplated, with holy joy and ecstasy, the coming of the Messiah through the royal line; she knew that some Jewish maiden was yet to become the mother of the Christ." With her simple statement "Behold the handmaid of the Lord," she officially accepted in her heart that such an opportunity and great responsibility would be hers. In wholehearted worship of the God that she would soon bring into the world in the flesh, she said:

"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," (Luke 1:46-49, italics added).

In this season set apart in united celebration of Jesus' birth, it is important to ponder on His earthly mother, and the example of pure character that she was, which allowed her to bear Him who would live and die for us. We can learn how to put ourselves in a position to bear greater responsibilities, and can gain a greater appreciation for the wonderful women in our own lives.

"Latter-day revelation confirms the biblical account and affirms that Mary was a pure and a chosen vessel, and the mother of the Son of God in the flesh," (Bible Dictionary, pg. 729). Nephi saw her in a vision: "What beholdest thou?" the Spirit asked. He said, "A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins," (see 1 Nephi 11:14-20). Alma had seen her day and testified, "[Jesus] shall be born of Mary...she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel," (Alma 7:10). When we think of a virtuous woman, she is one that immediately comes to mind. In truth there are few accounts of women in the scriptures, but there are those exceptional women like Mary who are given account. Luke in particular seemed to want to take note of the virtuous women in Jesus' earthly ministry, and it is he who wrote of Mary most. One important example comes from the end of chapter 2 of Luke, when the young Jesus was found teaching in the temple. Mary, in great distress, says to her son, "Why hast thou thus dealt with us?" The increasingly self-aware Jesus answers, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Her great humility and love is then described, as Luke narrates, "And [Jesus] went down with them...and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." She was one who was fully aware of what this boy would become. Indeed, the end of the chapter yields more insight: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man," (see Luke 2:48-52). The painting below by Simon Dewey is called "In Favor with God." What an image to coincide with the scripture; with it comes the insight that Mary was not only part of that increase of wisdom and favor with God, she was instrumental in it. 

There is a reason some believers of Christ also worship Mary as deity; these words used to describe her are some of the attributes that encapsulate an ideal disciple: pure, chosen, beautiful (kind), fair (virtuous), precious. These are the qualities that qualify us for continuous companionship of the Spirit, that empower us in preparation for trial and tribulation, that allow us to effectively act as instruments in the Lord's Holy Hand. Mary's pure character allowed her to bear and raise the Savior of this world. It was He "while in the very act of Atonement," (Jeffrey R Holland from this talk) who said, "Woman, behold thy son," (John 19:26), in humble recognition of her who had birthed and raised Him. We would do well to take note of, or to "behold" the ultimate example of purity and virtue outside of the Savior himself.

(Watch these Mormon Messages: "Mary, the Mother of Jesus" and "An Angel Foretells Christ's Birth to Mary")

Another important takeaway from a deep ponderance (that's not a word but I like it so I use it ;) ) of Mary, the mother of Christ, is a greater appreciation of those pure and virtuous women that play such an important part of our lives. Think of your own mother and your sister(s), maybe your wife or your girlfriend, or your "friends that are girls:" you will realize that if she (or they) was not in your life, you would struggle greatly to be the disciple of Christ you are today.

Modern revelation has confirmed this fact. Elder Quentin Cook said, "God placed within women divine qualities of strength, virtue, love, and the willingness to sacrifice to raise future generations of His spirit children," (see his full talk "LDS Women are Incredible!"). As I grew up, it didn't take me long to realize that women are naturally kinder, more loving, more sensitive to the feelings of others, and more willing to help those in need than men. I have come to the conclusion that men are asked to hold the priesthood, because if women did, us men would do nothing. Women truly are amazing; you are selfless, you know how to care for others, you know how to love others. You are Saviors. Nothing breaks my heart more nor makes me angrier than to see men take advantage of their physical superiority to abuse or demean beautiful and choice daughters of God. There's a special place in infierno for those men who do that, because our Father in Heaven holds a special place in His heart for His daughters. If ever you feel down, or unappreciated, or unloved, I pray that you can always remember that you have a Heavenly Father that is more than aware of you, that loves and appreciates you and what you do more than you can possibly imagine. I am grateful for you women, especially my own mother, my sisters, my grandmother, and all those who have made an impact on me; I look forward to making sure that my future wife and mother of my children never feels I don't appreciate all that she goes through on behalf of me and those choice souls who will be our children. 

I am by no means an angel, but for what it's worth I'd like to echo the words of Gabriel to Mary to you- yes, I'm talking to you (unless you're a guy, then I'm not):

"Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."