Women I Admire

Mary, the mother of Jesus

On Mother's Day, I thought about mothers who have inspired me over the years.

I was especially impressed with Mary, the mother of our Savior.

I chose several verses from the Book of Luke that show her character and who she is as a mother.

Luke 1: 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

2:19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Mary was chosen for who she was and probably for how she had lived her life up to that point, she willingly submitted to a calling that was probably at first frightening to her, and then, as a mother, she pondered sacred truths in her heart and she taught them to her family even as "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and [had] the grace of God upon him" (Luke 2:40).

I love the light in Mary's eyes and glow in her face in this picture.

I also love this picture of Mary holding Jesus as a toddler.

Anne Frank

I have just finished reading Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl and now have immense respect and admiration for Anne Frank. While forced to go into hiding for two years because she was a Jew (in cramped quarters with frequently disagreeable people), she continued to be incredibly optimistic and strong. I love her cheerful disposition that you can just see in her eyes.

 

I am especially impressed with her wisdom that went beyond her years.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from her diary.

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery!" Tuesday, 7 March, 1944

"I have been given a lot, a happy nature, a great deal of cheerfulness and strength."

Wednesday, 3 May, 1944

"I know my own faults and shortcomings better than anyone, but the difference is that I also know that I want to improve, shall improve, and have already improved a great deal."

Wednesday, 14 June, 1944

"Quite honestly, I can't imagine how anyone can say: "I'm weak," and then remain so. After all, if you know it, why not fight against it, why not try to train your character?"

Thursday, 6 July, 1944

Even when life in the "Secret Annex" was filled with rotten food, arguments, and suffocating air, Anne still found ways to be happy and work towards who she wanted to become.

These are a couple quotes from her diary that break my heart since I know that she was betrayed and sent to a camp where she fell ill and died.

"And I [do] so want to grow into a real young woman!"

Saturday, 15 January, 1944

"I want to go on living even after my death!"

Tuesday, 4 April, 1944

Anne has touched more lives with her diary than she could have ever dreamed. And I believe that her personal journey is continuing in another place and that she is accomplishing her goals.

Read more about her life on her official website.

Emma Hale Smith

I have been thinking about who I would do for my first spotlight on a woman, and it seemed fitting to do it on a pioneer woman that I have revered since I was young. Through losing children, being driven from her home, protecting those she loved, and ultimately losing her husband, Emma Hale Smith stayed strong in her values and was a beacon of strength for her husband, children, and friends. That is the kind of woman that I want to be in my own hardships.

Her mother-in-law, Luck Mack Smith, said of Emma, “I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure … she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.” (History of Joseph Smith, pp. 190–91.)

Here are some impressions of Emma that especially touch me and speak to me.

I also love this song and video tribute to Emma.

Read more about Emma in a biography here. And read a special revelation given to Emma here.

I hope that I am like her when I grow up.