Mother Eve

My admiration for Eve rushed in when I went through the Temple for the first time back in 2015. I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude on a deeper level for her. Growing up, I had an understanding that Eve was duped into partaking of the fruit. The word "beguiled" seemed to give off that idea.

"Dr. Nehama Aschenasy, a Hebrew scholar, said that in Hebrew the word which is translated as beguiled in the Bible does not mean "tricked" or " deceived" as we commonly think. Rather, the Hebrew word is a rare verb that indicates an intense multilevel experience evoking great emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual trauma. As Aschenasy explained, it is likely that Eve's intense, multilevel experience, this " beguiling" by the serpent was the catalyst that caused Eve to ponder and evaluate what her role in tbe Garden really was." (The Gift of Giving Life: Re-discovering the Divine Nature of Pregnancy and Birth, pgs.2-3)

I believe that Eve pondered and understood with so much depth her role in God's plan of happiness. She is the Mother of All Living! She was foreordained to fill that role and she fulfilled it with grace!

"In his vision of the redemption of the dead, President Joseph F. Smith saw the prophets assembled in paradise: "Among the great and almighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, ...and our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages."

 I loved her role as Adams wife. She loved him deeply and covenanted that she would stand by his side. She was a strength to him. I can only imagine how deeply Adam loved and trusted her as he also chose to partake of the fruit. Together they covenanted with God and through the storms of life, they prevailed. This beautiful, woman of God fulfilled God's will for her and I wish to emulate her example. I just love her!

Divinity Within

I've been thinking a lot about being a woman means to me. I don't think I really took the time to realize just how beautiful it is to be a woman until this year. As I've been trying to do the Lord's will and prepare myself for His work, I've really had to come to know myself. I've been tearing down walls that I've built up over the years. I'm starting to see with more clarity who I am. I've really been diving deeper and deeper to see the divinity within me.

I am a daughter of God. 

I am a Queen.

I'm much more than just a woman. God has shown me and continues to show me how much more I am. We are much more than just being a mom, daughter, or grandmother. We are much more than being a feminist or a public figure. We're purely divine, because we are God's royal daughters. We have a Heavenly Mother who is ours! She paved the way of womanhood! She is the pure example of why being a woman is a beautiful thing. You don't hear much about her, because she's that wonderful. We have her divine qualities and they are desperately needed in this dark world!

Being a woman is such a privilege. We are gentle by nature. We have the power to show the world just how powerful we can be without degrading ourselves. We can be uplifting and firm, but with genuine kindness. We can show our beauty without explicitly exposing ourselves. We can raise strong children, even if we might have throw up on our shirts and peanut butter in our hair. We can do hard things, but with a gentle touch.

We women are Queens! Do we truly see how divine we are? The other day I looked in the mirror at my body. White hairs, a fresh new pimple, dark shadows under my eyes, and gosh, the extra fat literally everywhere on my body! You wouldn't want to hear the harsh lecture I had for myself. I became more and more frustrated for not taking care of myself. Then I leaned in and looked myself in mirror. I looked in my dark brown eyes as affirmations came to my mind.

I am a Queen!

I am a daughter of the Most Divine!

I am a beautiful woman!

I am a shining light!

A smile appeared on my face and I began to repair the negative thoughts with fresh love. I am grateful to be a woman. I am grateful for the ability to share my genuine kindness and love with those around me. In today's world, we need more women who love and are gentle! We need women who can raise up a righteous generation to stand against the evils of the world. We need women who can be a shining light to a dark world! We need women who can fight for good, but with much more grace. In a world full of men, we need women who can balance them out! (For real, tho!) All of us are beautiful REGARDLESS of what we have been through. We are beautiful, because we are Queens! We are daughters of a Heavenly Father and Mother. 

We all can and should enjoy the beauty that is womanhood! It truly is wonderful being a woman. So for you who love and cherish being a woman, keep going! Keep spreading that joy with your sisters! We're all in this together- it's not a competition! For you who may struggle to see or appreciate the woman inside you, have faith and let God show you just how beautiful you are! There will come a time when you will start to see the Queen inside you. You'll start to change and become a woman of such refinement! You'll become a  divinely stronger woman and you'll move mountains! We're in this together. I believe that if we could truly see who we really are, we would naturally act accordingly.