Why Latter-day Saints Honor Eve And Mary

This International Women’s Day, I can’t help but think of two of the most important women in history, Mother Eve and the Virgin Mary. These two amazing women were vital to the success of God’s plan of salvation. I honor both of them. The single greatest difference between our church and others is our view of Mother Eve. 

Mother Eve is a hero who made a very courageous choice.

We know Eve is the mother of all humans on this earth. She is the original mother. And she made a very difficult decision in Eden to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so that we could exist. Some believe that without the fall, we would still be in the Garden of Eden. But that is not true. 

Without having eaten the fruit, Adam and Eve would never have had children. They would have stayed in the Garden forever, and we would never have existed. I think of the years I longed to be a mother, and how I couldn’t get pregnant. We did everything in our power, but ultimately it was up to God when we had our son.

And I imagine Eve in the Garden, living with Adam, keeping the commandments, and wanting to be a mother, as I did. I think of her wondering how she could keep the commandment to multiply and replenish the Earth. I am sure a lot of thought went into her choice to eat the fruit. And I applaud her for her bravery and foresight. 

Because without the Fall, without having mortal bodies, they could not be the parents of mortal children. And I don’t know about you, but the idea of being in a fallen world forever is beyond depressing. Which reminds me of how quickly God moved to stop them from eating from the Tree of Life after they ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. He didn’t want them trapped here either.

Some think Eve was weak and easily fooled, but she deserves our praise.

Through time, many have thrown Eve under the bus. They blame her for the Fall and have, in turn, used her choice in Eden as an excuse to subjugate women. They claim women are the weaker sex. 

I have a different view of things. I see women as incredibly strong. No woman is weak in the moments when she gives birth. I dare any man to endure that kind of pain voluntarily to bring life into the world. I say that, knowing women are built with extra grit in the pain-tolerance department. Men have bigger muscles, but women have more endurance.

And there is a reason many mothers are called “Momma Bears.” We are fierce defenders of our loved ones. And there is no better advocate for a special needs child than their mother. I know we get that trait from our beloved mother Eve.

I also imagine how hard it must have been to be the first woman. To not have anyone else to guide you as a new mom, to reassure you that morning sickness wouldn’t kill you. And help you through labor and delivery. I think of how hard it would be not to have someone else to commiserate with about the differences between men and women. And all the things we take for granted in our highly populated world.

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was an amazing woman.

The second amazing woman I want to highlight today is Mary, the mother of Jesus. She grew up hearing about the prophecies of the coming Messiah. I can only imagine the awe and shock she must have felt when the angel appeared and pronounced her blessed among women.

I recently heard a talk that pointed out Jesus was born with the veil over his eyes, just as we were. That gives me even greater respect for Mary because it means she truly prepared Him for His holy and vital mission. Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, taught us how to live, and was the perfect example. And Mary helped prepare him for that important work. 

Mary inspired Jesus to perform His first miracle.

The bond Jesus and Mary shared is highlighted for me in the first miracle Jesus performed at the wedding, in turning water into wine. If you remember the story, Mary is the one who pointed out to Jesus that the wine had run out at the wedding feast. 

She was the catalyst for his first great miracle. And I wonder how much her encouragement helped him fulfill his mission. I am sure her faith was a guide and inspiration to Jesus as He grew up and grew closer to God the Father. Because I was influenced by my own mother’s faith as mine was forming.

Mary was with Jesus at the cross, supporting Him in His divine mission.

As a mother, one of the hardest things I have faced is witnessing my child in pain. My son has had many kidney stones. When he was 10, he had one a month till we started homeschooling him and got him some specialty medical care. That time was excruciating for us. Watching your child suffer and not being able to do anything about it is torture for any parent.

I imagine Mary as she witnessed the crucifixion and how truly bone-deep her heartache must have been. It must have been so hard for her. I honor and praise Mary for her vital role as mother, guide, support, and witness of the Savior’s life. And I revere and reverence her for the irreplaceable role she played in the preparation and support of Jesus’s mission as Savior of the world.

We may be called on to be like Mary or like Eve, will we be ready?

These are the last days of the world before the Savior returns to the Earth in glory. Eve and Mary’s unparalleled examples show us the power of womanhood. We have each been given divine roles in our families and in our spheres of influence. As the winding-up scenes of the Earth play out, I wonder what we will be called on to do.

I know we have each been given a unique mission from our Heavenly Father. Some of us are in visible positions of great influence. And some of us are in smaller roles. But no role is unimportant. 

I remember a quote I heard when my child was small that pierced my heart. It says, “to the world you may be only one person, but to one person you are the world.” It reminds me that no matter how visible or invisible I may feel, my family feels my influence. My teenager may roll his eyes when I try to lavish praise on him for his accomplishments. But I know he hears me, and it lifts him up, even though he may try not to show it.

Sisters, together we form a force that can do incredible good in the world. What we do and say matters. Will we seek to be peacemakers, bringing our families and the world closer to Jesus Christ? Or will we contribute to the chaos and carnage that seems to be ever-increasing? I have confidence in our abilities to have a positive impact on those around us. 

Let us follow the examples of Mother Eve and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and leave a positive and lasting mark on the world. Let us lift up those in our sphere of influence. And let’s make this year’s International Women’s Day the beginning of a new age of peace and joy in the world. Our mothers before us left a legacy. Let’s make sure our legacy ushers in a better world for our children and grandchildren.