Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate Mary for several reasons. In seeking to be more like Mary, the mother of Jesus, we can turn to the scriptures for insights. Mary is revered for her humility, faith, and willingness to submit to God’s will. To emulate her, we can focus on various aspects provided in the scriptures.
The example set by Mary in the Gospel of Luke is an important illustration of humility and submission to God’s will. In Luke 1:38, Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel reveals a deep and unwavering faith in God’s plan. Her words, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word,” shows us the humble acceptance of her role in the divine plan of salvation.
Mary’s humility is noteworthy for several reasons. Firstly, she refers to herself as the “handmaid of the Lord,” acknowledging her subordinate position to God. This choice of language indicates her recognition of God’s sovereignty and her willingness to serve Him obediently. Secondly, Mary’s readiness to embrace God’s will, even when it involves an unprecedented event like the virgin birth, demonstrates her trust and faith in God. Her response stands as a model for us, encouraging us to submit to God’s plans with humility and trust, even when our path is challenging or unconventional.
In following Mary’s example, we can cultivate humility by acknowledging our dependence on God and embracing His will for our lives. This includes a surrender of personal desires and ambitions so that we can walk according to God’s purposes. The teachings of Jesus consistently emphasize the importance of humility, meekness, and obedience to God.
Mary’s humility echoes the teachings of Jesus himself. In Matthew 18:4 we read where Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This parallels Mary’s humble acceptance of her role as the handmaid of the Lord. We can find additional insights into humility and submission in the Book of Mormon. For example, in Mosiah 3:19, it is written, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.”
Mary’s unwavering faith concerning the miraculous conception is a testimony to her genuine trust in God’s promises and her submission to His divine plan. Her acceptance of the angel’s message, despite the apparent impossibility of the situation, shows us just how deep her faith was. We can draw inspiration from Mary’s example and apply it to our own lives. In doing so, we may strengthen our faith through various means, as outlined in the scriptures.
Seeking a deeper understanding of the scriptures is a key aspect of nurturing faith. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, along with the Bible, is regarded as a fundamental source of divine guidance. Studying these sacred texts with sincerity and humility can provide insights that fortify our faith. The Book of Mormon, in particular, contains teachings about faith, repentance, and the atonement of Jesus Christ that can deepen our understanding of God’s plan.
Engaging in prayer is another vital component of strengthening faith. Just as Mary communed with God through prayer, we are encouraged to communicate with Heavenly Father regularly. Through prayer, we can express gratitude, seek guidance, and make sure our will is in accord with God’s. The Book of Mormon teaches the importance of praying with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, and relying on His grace (see 2 Nephi 32:8-9).
Trusting, or having faith in God’s plan, even during difficult times in our lives, is a central theme in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we should “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This counsel aligns with the teachings found in the Book of Mormon, emphasizing the need to trust in God and rely on His wisdom and timing. The teachings of Jesus in the Gospels consistently tell us of the power of faith. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus declares, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” This taught about the potential of even a small but sincere faith.
Mary’s own faith serves as a compelling example for us. By seeking a deeper understanding of the scriptures, engaging in heartfelt prayer, and trusting in God’s plan, we can emulate Mary’s unwavering faith and strengthen our own connection with Heavenly Father.
Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus reveals her nurturing and compassionate nature, and the account of the wedding in Cana, as recorded in the Gospel of John (2:1-11), provides a moving example of her concern for others. In the account at Cana, when the wine ran out during the wedding feast, Mary demonstrated both her awareness of the situation and her compassion for those in need. Instead of simply observing the predicament, she took it upon herself to bring the matter to Jesus’ attention, saying, “They have no wine.” (John 2:3) This act reveals Mary’s compassionate heart, her attentiveness to the needs of others, and her trust in Jesus to address the situation. As followers of the teachings of Jesus we can draw valuable lessons from Mary’s example. Emulating her involves expressing love and compassion towards others, especially during times of need. The teachings of Jesus consistently focus on the importance of love, compassion, and selfless service to others. One of the central teachings in this regard is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus articulates the greatest commandments. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus states, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Mary’s actions at the wedding in Cana perfectly match up with this principle, as she expressed concern for the well-being of others and sought a solution to their need.
The Book of Mormon also places emphasis on the importance of charity, which encompasses the pure love of Christ. In Moroni 7:47, it is taught, “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Emulating Mary’s nurturing and compassionate nature involves actively seeking opportunities to serve and uplift those around us. Acts of kindness, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others reflect the teachings of Jesus and contribute to building a community of love and support.
The Gospel of Luke provides a profound insight into Mary’s character when it states that she “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). This reflective and contemplative practice of Mary serves as a great example for Christ’s disciples, encouraging us to engage in regular reflection on Godly principles, the scriptures, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s act of pondering demonstrates a deep and thoughtful consideration of the significant events and teachings she experienced. Similarly, we can follow her example by incorporating a reflective practice into our own spiritual lives. This involves taking time to meditate on the teachings of Jesus, the scriptures, and personal experiences with the Holy Spirit. The teachings of Jesus often focus on the importance of reflection and understanding. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages his followers to reflect on the parables and teachings, saying, “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:52) From this we can see the importance of a continuous process of learning, reflecting, and gaining wisdom from the teachings of Christ.
The Book of Mormon similarly focuses on the value of pondering and seeking understanding. In Alma 37:37, it is written, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.” This counsel encourages a reflective and prayerful approach to life.
Incorporating regular reflection into our lives allows for a deeper understanding of Godly principles, personal growth, and a stronger connection with the teachings of Jesus. It involves not only reading the scriptures but also contemplating their meanings and how they apply to our own lives.
Mary’s enduring strength in the face of serious challenges, particularly witnessing the suffering and crucifixion of her son, is a powerful testament to her faith and spiritual strength. We can find inspiration in Mary’s example and draw on our faith to endure challenges, always bearing witness of Christ’s teachings in our lives. The Gospel of John provides a powerful scene at the crucifixion where Jesus, from the cross, entrusts the care of his mother to the disciple whom he loved, likely the Apostle John (John 19:26-27). This moment demonstrates the deep connection between Jesus and his mother and shows us Mary’s endurance in the face of unimaginable sorrow. Her presence at the foot of the cross is a strong symbol of her unwavering commitment to her son and to the divine mission he fulfilled. Similarly, we can face our own trials and tribulations with strength by drawing on the principles of faith taught by Jesus. The teachings of Jesus in the Gospels consistently point to the importance of faith, trust in God, and the promise of divine comfort in our darkest hours. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to him, promising rest and solace for their souls.
The Book of Mormon also provides guidance on enduring trials with faith. In Alma 36:3, Alma the Younger reflects on his own experiences and testifies, “And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”
The importance of enduring to the end is strongly emphasized in the teachings of the Church. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus encourages his followers to “endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God.” (2 Nephi 31:16)
In applying these principles, we can draw on our faith to face challenges with spiritual strength, understanding that we are not alone. Just as Mary bore witness of Jesus’ mission even in her dark hour, we can bear witness of Christ’s teachings by living them in our own lives. This involves a consistent effort to emulate the qualities of love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility exemplified by both Jesus and Mary.
