*Lesson taught by Becky
Burbidge and Jeanne Hall
SERVING AND LEARNING
In most discussions, Mary is
the spiritual sister and Martha is the practical one. Perhaps each of us at one
time has labeled ourselves as either a Mary or a Martha.
ARE YOU A MARY OR MARTHA?
We first encounter Mary and
Martha in Luke Chapter 10 –
Luke 10:38-42
38. Now it came to pass, as they went that he
entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received him
into her house.
We learn that Jesus was not
alone, but was accompanied by others – This was Martha’s house and she welcomed
them.
39. “And she had a sister
called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”
That also tells us volumes about
Martha. Mary was following her sister’s example and was also sitting at Christ’s
feet and learning His word—they learned together.
Just as Mary and Martha
learned together, we as sisters in the gospel learn and study together. Today
the focus for women is much more on learning the scriptures and the doctrine.
Elder James E. Talmage of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote, “The world’s greatest champion of
womanhood is Jesus Christ.”
Think about what he taught
Mary and Martha. In a book called “DAUGHTERS IN My Kingdom” it states, “Luke 10
contains an account of Martha opening her home to Jesus. She serves the Lord by
taking care of his temporal needs, and Mary sat at the Master’s feet and
absorbed his teachings.
“In an age when women were
generally expected to provide temporal service, the Savior taught Mary and
Martha that women could also participate spiritually in His work. He invited
them to become his disciples and partake of salvation. “That good part” would
never be taken from them.
Like Martha, sometimes we
make the mistake of thinking that the primary role of women is to offer
temporal service such as providing meals, sewing, and cleaning for others.
This service IS VALUABLE and a cherished sacrifice; however, even more than He needs sisters who can sew and cook, the Lord needs women of spiritual power whose faith, righteousness, and charity shine through in their lives.”
This service IS VALUABLE and a cherished sacrifice; however, even more than He needs sisters who can sew and cook, the Lord needs women of spiritual power whose faith, righteousness, and charity shine through in their lives.”
Jeanne: I had the opportunity
and blessing to work with Young Women for the past 7 years.
*The
Primary Goal is to convert them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
*Lessons
focused on: Doctrine=ACT=APPLY
*Encouraged
to TEACH
What better way to learn of
the Savior together as sisters?
The Young Women are also
asked to participate in Personal Progress. What an inspired program! If you
haven’t looked in a Personal Progress book, you should.
*Value experiences and
Projects using the values of:
Faith
Divine
Nature
Individual
worth
Knowledge
Choice
and Accountability
Good
Works
Integrity
Virtue
It states in the Personal
Progress book, “As you LEARN to accept and act upon the Young Women values in
your life, you will form personal habits of prayer, scripture study, obedience
to the commandments, and service to others.
In learning and establishing these personal habits, they will strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ.
In learning and establishing these personal habits, they will strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ.
They will also allow you to
recognize and develop your unique gifts.” As it states in the Young Womens
Theme, YOU (The Young women) WILL BE PREPARED!!
I witnessed several young
women start as young, awkward Beehives and develop into beautiful Laurels and
Young Women. They are learning and
preparing to be amazing wives, mothers, and disciples of Christ.
I am grateful that we as women have the opportunity and are encouraged at a young age, and every age after that, to be partakers “of the good part” and develop our spiritual strength.
I am grateful that we as women have the opportunity and are encouraged at a young age, and every age after that, to be partakers “of the good part” and develop our spiritual strength.
President Ballard said,
“There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing or as life-changing
as the influence of a righteous woman.”(Mothers and Daughters)
What are some suggestions on how we can continue our
learning and education of the SAVIOR?
40. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving…”
The Greek word translated
“cumbered” means being pulled in different directions, preoccupied, and
distracted. Likely, she wanted to listen
to the Lord, but her commitment to hospitality took her away from Jesus to
focus on her work.
How many of us have felt cumbered, pulled in different
directions, preoccupied and distracted?
I love the Lord’s instruction
for establishing a house – he gives us a pattern as we seek to establish
priorities in our own homes:
7 And
as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of
wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by
study and also by faith;
8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a
house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house
of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
To establish a House of God –
we have to be a little of both – a little Mary, a little Martha, and prepare
every needful thing. I also think it is important to remember – there is a time
and place and a time and season for service, but at all times, we must focus on
the Savior.
Becky: I was asked to
organize and prepare lunch for a missionary zone conference last December. The
numbers went from 35 to 85, and even though it seemed a simple task – I worried
too much about the menu and the details of the day. I failed to delegate as I
should’ve and was “cumbered, careful, and troubled about many things.”
The day came, and it was a
wonderful experience. As we were setting up to serve, dear Sister Shawn Morgan
shared with me that it was “Feed the Hungry” day from the Light the World
Calendar.
My heart rejoiced as I remembered: “Jesus fed the hungry and so can you.” It was a great privilege to feed the sweet and appreciative missionaries. I felt so much happiness and an outpouring of love – I truly was the one fed when I focused on the Savior and the reason for our service.
I was grateful for Shawn, my sister in the gospel, who helped me see our service through spiritual eyes.
My heart rejoiced as I remembered: “Jesus fed the hungry and so can you.” It was a great privilege to feed the sweet and appreciative missionaries. I felt so much happiness and an outpouring of love – I truly was the one fed when I focused on the Savior and the reason for our service.
I was grateful for Shawn, my sister in the gospel, who helped me see our service through spiritual eyes.
How do you deal with stress and worry when you are
“cumbered about”?
I love Christ’s gentle
reproval:
41. “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things.” The footnote clarifies that careful means worried.
How do we listen for our personal revelation and take
the Savior’s counsel to improve and act?
Personal Revelation: DC 25: Thou shalt lay aside the things of
this world, and seek for the things of a better.
His Promise:
And if men come unto me I
will show unto them their weakness; I give unto men weakness that they may be
humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before
me, for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I
make weak things become strong unto them.
Ether 12:27
Perhaps Martha’s mistake was
not in her service, but in her complaint about her sister and her judgment of
her.
She complained to Jesus:
40. Lord, doest thou not care
that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”
Do we complain about our
service and wrongfully judge others?
We need each other - What a
wonderful gift is a sister!
We all have sisters – sisters
in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important to love and support one another.
Just as Mary and Martha had
distinct personalities, so are each of us individuals with our own strengths, weaknesses,
gifts, and talents. It is easy for us to judge others, even ourselves in unfair
light.
Becky: I am very grateful for
sisters. I am especially grateful for Jeanne, her faith and strength. During a
particularly difficult time in my life, I felt alone and fearful. I needed
spiritual strength to weather what seemed like an insurmountable trial – I heard
a knock at my door.
There was my sister to love and comfort me. I did not call her – she knew and she came. She did not judge but offered an outpouring of love, hope and understanding.
There was my sister to love and comfort me. I did not call her – she knew and she came. She did not judge but offered an outpouring of love, hope and understanding.
How have you been strengthened by sisters in your
life?
ONE NEEDFUL THING:
We love the Savior’s wise
counsel:
42. “One thing is needful,
Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
As I was preparing for this
lesson, I came across a talk given by Patricia T. Holland. She told a story
about when she was in the General Young Woman Presidency.
*Difficult
two years
*Children
in Elementary, High School, and Preparing for mission
*Her
Husband was President of BYU
*She
was a FULL-time Wife, Mother, Counselor in YW presidency
*She
was worried wasn’t good enough, or that she was doing enough
SOUND FAMILIAR TO ANYONE?
*Her
health suffered and she was released.
*She
then worried if she had done any good
*She
felt a loss of identity
*She
felt her tank was empty
President Holland said, “Come
on, you can recuperate in the Savior’s land of living water and bread of life.”
As weary as she was, she went.
She states, “On a pristinely
clear and beautifully bright day, I sat overlooking the Sea of Galilee and reread
the tenth chapter of Luke. But instead of the words on the page, I thought I
saw with my mind and heard with my heart these words: “Pat, Pat, Pat, thou art
careful and troubled about many things.”
Then the power of pure and personal revelation seized me as I read, “But one thing (only one thing) is (Truly) needful.”
Then the power of pure and personal revelation seized me as I read, “But one thing (only one thing) is (Truly) needful.”
The May sun in Israel is so
bright, you feel as if you are sitting on top of the world. I had just visited
the spot at Bethoron where the sun stood still for Joshua (Joshua 10:12) and indeed,
on that day, it seemed so for me as well.
As I sat pondering my
problems, I felt that same sun’s healing rays like warm liquid pouring into my
heart—relaxing, calming, and comforting my troubled soul.
Our loving Father in Heaven seemed
to be whispering to me, “You don’t have to worry over so many things. The one
thing that is needful—the only thing that is truly needful—is to keep your eyes
toward the sun—My SON.” Suddenly I had true peace.
I knew that my life had always been in his hands—from the very beginning. The sea lying peacefully before my eyes had been tempest-tossed and dangerous—many, many times. All I needed to do was to renew my faith, and get a firm grasp on his hand—and together we could walk on water.
I knew that my life had always been in his hands—from the very beginning. The sea lying peacefully before my eyes had been tempest-tossed and dangerous—many, many times. All I needed to do was to renew my faith, and get a firm grasp on his hand—and together we could walk on water.
We have all felt as Sister
Holland. We all have stresses and worries no matter what stage of life we are
in.
How do we (as women) go from
being “troubled and worried” to keeping our eyes and focus toward the Son, the “One Needful
thing”?
Jeanne: This past Christmas, Aaron surprised
my two daughters and I with a trip to New York. We were so excited. None of us
had been to New York before and our New York bucket list was LONG.
There were many things we
wanted to do in 3 and ½ days. We landed on a Wednesday afternoon and we were
off and running. We knew New York was
big, crowded, and noisy—we just didn’t realize how big, noisy and crowded!
I felt a lot of pressure to
keep us safe and happy. We stood in long lines, rode on the dirty-but-colorful
metro, went to two amazing shows, and saw as many sights as we could fit in.
On our last day, we wanted to go see Times Square because it was New Year’s Eve and they were setting up for the big celebration that night. We wanted to see the famous “ball.”
On our last day, we wanted to go see Times Square because it was New Year’s Eve and they were setting up for the big celebration that night. We wanted to see the famous “ball.”
As the girls and I made our way
to the center of Times Square, we looked around and then we looked up and were
amazed!! The biggest billboard in Times Square was The church’s “Light World”
logo of Mary and Baby Jesus—with the words Light The World.
How could this be? Right in
the middle of all of the other worldly advertisements, in the middle of a worldly
city, is the Savior. We were then even more amazed, because playing on one of
the jumbotrons was the “Light the World” video being played over and over.
We were humbled, speechless, and
we felt a sense of peace. As we were walking back to our hotel to go home, my
oldest daughter said through a few tears, “That was really a spiritual
experience. It is so hard to feel the spirit here, seeing that billboard and
the video, I really felt His spirit and peace.”
This story reminds me of what
the Savior was trying to teach Martha. We were “cumbered, worried and rushing”
about New York City, trying to fit everything in, worrying where to go next,
and keeping our eyes focused on what was directly in front of us.
It wasn’t until we looked up and saw THE SON, the Savior, did we feel peace.
It wasn’t until we looked up and saw THE SON, the Savior, did we feel peace.
New York is like our busy
lives. We are rushing around trying to fit everything in with our eyes, focused
only on where we are going next, cumbered by many of the mundane details. May
we, in our busy lives, take the time to “look up” and focus on that “One
Needful Thing.”
In the grand scope of life only one thing is needful—how
well did you love our Savior Jesus Christ?
"Raising of Lazarus" painting
*FAITH*
We next encounter Mary and
Martha at a time of crisis:
John 11:1 “Now a certain man
was sick named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
3. Therefore, his sisters sent unto him saying
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”
5. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and
Lazarus. They were His friends.”
Martha and Mary sent word to
Jesus that his friend and their brother, Lazarus, was sick, but they were
required to wait several days for a response. They had put all their trust and
faith in Christ.
As soon as their brother had fallen seriously ill, they sent for Jesus as their only hope to save their brother. They had perfect faith that if Jesus came, he would cure Lazarus. But Jesus delayed his coming – until after Lazarus died.
As soon as their brother had fallen seriously ill, they sent for Jesus as their only hope to save their brother. They had perfect faith that if Jesus came, he would cure Lazarus. But Jesus delayed his coming – until after Lazarus died.
Martha’s Powerful Testimony:
20. “Then Martha, as soon as
she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the
house.
21. Then said Martha unto
Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died.
22. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou
wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23. “Jesus saith unto her, Thou brother shall
rise again.
24. Martha saith unto him, I
know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection
and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
26. And whosover liveth and
believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this?”
27. She saith unto him, Yea
Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come
into the world.”
32. Then when Mary was come
where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord,
if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33. When Jesus therefore saw
her weeping…he groaned in the spirit and was troubled and said, where have ye
laid him?
35. Jesus wept.
36. Then said the Jews –
Behold how he loved him!
40. Said I not unto thee,
that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41. Jesus lifted up his eyes,
and said Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42. And I know that thou
hearest me always; but because of the people which stand by I said it, that
they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43. And when he thus had
spoken he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, COME FORTH.
President Monson:
“As He said to the dead
Lazarus, so he says today: “Come Forth.”
Come forth from the despair
of doubt. Come forth from the sorrow of sin. Come forth from the death of
disbelief. Come forth to a newness of life. COME FORTH.”
***Our brother Bill – His
picture – His faith – I am stronger because of You
Our wonderful brother,
William Eric Boren, suffered from a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and at the
age of 53, his condition was so worsened that doctors installed an experimental
and pioneering heart pump to help prolong his life. It was a long and difficult
recovery with many setbacks.
We fasted and prayed that
Bill would recover and enjoy many more years with us. Through it all, our dear
brother never questioned the Lord but trusted in His promises. Even though his
body was weak, his spirit was so strong. He knew and loved His Savior, Jesus
Christ.
We hoped and prayed for a
miracle, but Bill’s body was too weak to continue and our faithful brother
passed away. We know as did Martha that he will rise again. We know he will
“Come Forth” and his body will be made perfect.
We know he was welcomed home by our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ with honor and open arms. We wait for the day when we see his sweet smile and hear his happy laughter. We are grateful that families are forever – our connections eternal – made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
We know he was welcomed home by our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ with honor and open arms. We wait for the day when we see his sweet smile and hear his happy laughter. We are grateful that families are forever – our connections eternal – made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
I love the Lord’s promise:
But those who wait upon the
Lord,
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with
wings as eagles;
They shall run and not be
weary;
And they shall walk and not
faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Many blessings our hearts
hope and pray for are delayed, but I know that as we patiently wait upon the
Lord in time we will receive all that the Father has promised.
FAITH
Jeanne: 23 years ago I learned a
really good lesson on faith. We were living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
Aaron was in graduate school and I was teaching school. I became pregnant with
twins.
Unexpectedly, I delivered them at 24 weeks. We lost our oldest twin Austin within the first 12 hours. Our other son, Justin, was rushed to Baltimore where he was in the NICU for 4 months.
Unexpectedly, I delivered them at 24 weeks. We lost our oldest twin Austin within the first 12 hours. Our other son, Justin, was rushed to Baltimore where he was in the NICU for 4 months.
Baltimore was two hours from
our home, so I lived in a Ronald McDonald house while Aaron continued his
studies and came to Baltimore on the weekends. Just before Justin was ready to
go home, the doctors needed to evaluate his eyes.
Preemies tend to have a lot of problems with their eyes because of the lack of oxygen and dips in saturation levels—Justin was no exception. He had problems with his eyes.
The doctors explained that
even though they had made a lot of advances in the care of preemies’ eyes,
there were no guarantees—he could possibly be blind. Of course, I was
devastated and immediately called Aaron at school.
After a teary explanation and a long list of all the things he wouldn’t be able to do, and the feeling of, “If only I knew what the outcome would be, I could handle it.” My husband said to me, “Are you lacking faith?
After a teary explanation and a long list of all the things he wouldn’t be able to do, and the feeling of, “If only I knew what the outcome would be, I could handle it.” My husband said to me, “Are you lacking faith?
He then reminded me of the
numerous priesthood blessings that Justin had received, the thousands of
prayers that had been offered on his behalf, the dozens of times that his name
was added to the Temple prayer roll.
Just like Lazarus, Justin’s
future was in the hands of the Lord. The Savior loved and knew Justin, He was
well aware of Justin’s situation—all would be okay. All I needed to do was have
the Faith in the Savior that it would happen, just as Martha and Mary did.
Once realizing this and
exercising my faith, it allowed me to overcome my fears and doubts about
Justin’s future. I was then at peace and was able to say as Mary and Martha had: “Yea Lord I
believe.”
I was at peace and knew that no matter the outcome, all would be well, I could handle it. Exercising Faith allowed me to overcome my doubts and fears about Justin’s future.
I was at peace and knew that no matter the outcome, all would be well, I could handle it. Exercising Faith allowed me to overcome my doubts and fears about Justin’s future.
SACRIFICE
Scripture:
John 12:1-12
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard very costly, she anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with
her hair and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Mary anoints Jesus’ head and
feet – a year’s wages
Jesus the Christ quote: p 512
To anoint the head of a guest
with ordinary oil was to do him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show
unusual and signal regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard,
and in such abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to
kings. Mary’s act was an expression of adoration; it was the fragrant outwelling
of a heart overflowing with worship and affection.
In Ancient Israel, kings and
temple priests were anointed with perfumed oil. In the Old Testament there are
several accounts of prophets crowning kings by anointing them with oil on their
heads. This oil was used as a symbol of being endowed with power from God. The
word Messiah means “anointed one.” It is
significant that the only account we have of Christ being ceremoniously
anointed was by Mary.
What is our sacrifice for the Lord?
What do we do as women to sacrifice to show our love
for the Savior?
Our
time
Our
heart
Keeping
our covenants
Jeanne: Sometimes that
sacrifice can be as simple as one word.
Choosing a New Year’s Resolution
is sometimes hard for me. I make my lists too long and then after a few months,
I can’t keep up with my goals.
Last year, a friend told me
about a book she read called One Word
that will change your life. The gist of the book is that instead of creating
goals and resolutions, you find a single word that becomes your driving force
for the year. Just One Word!
You simply develop a one word
theme for the year. The authors state, “We’ve learned firsthand that the secret
to a simplified life is One Word. Words such as Serving, Purpose, Grace, Surrender,
Power, Discipline (I might add, prayer, faith, love, temple) have shaped and
molded us in amazing ways. By embracing, owning and living a single word for
365 days our lives changed.
“The authors also testify
that it stretches them in all six dimensions of life—Spiritual, physical,
mental, relational, emotional and financial. I decided to try it.
When you choose your word,
you are encouraged to do three things:
1. Prepare your heart by
looking in.
2. Discover your word by
looking up.
3. Live your word by looking
out.
I took the challenge last
year and it worked! As I tried to focus on my one word in every aspect of my
life, I made some changes in my life that I needed and they have stuck.
My word this year is LOVE---
As I was preparing my heart
and praying about my word for 2017, I had a few words in mind, and then I
received an email from the church. As soon as I opened it I knew what my one word
should be. The email said, “Focus first on love – love God and love one
another.”
When you focus first on love,
all other good things will fall into place. This is the word that I need to
focus on this year and apply it in every aspect of my life.
After studying and preparing
this lesson and thinking about the concept of one little word, I wondered what
would Martha’s one little word be? What would Mary’s one little word be? Is
Martha’s word faith, service, or obedience?
Would Mary’s word be honor, knowledge, or missionary?
What is your one little word
that will help you focus on “One Needful Thing”? The Savior this
year?
We challenge you to (over the next week or so):
First – look inside yourself
and think of some words that would help you improve, and then look up, pray
about your word.
Last – look and act outward
as you live your one little word.
Jeanne: I am grateful for
the opportunity that I have had to prepare this lesson with my sister Becky. I
have always wanted to be just like her in all that she does. She is a little
bit of Mary and Martha. I want her to know how much I love her.
Becky: I think that this lesson was
meant just for me. I have loved learning more about Mary and Martha. This past
year I have been cumbered, careful, and troubled about many things. Studying these two women has reminded me that
“only one thing is needful.” The Savior. I am grateful for the Savior and the
atonement. And if I focus on HIM—THE
ONLY NEEDFUL THING—he will make much more out of me than I could ever make of
myself.
