By: Laura in Georgia

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) Our scriptural sisters give us examples to lead ourselves to Christ , and let the Lord be our Light.

These sisters, in their "empathy during agony" exhibited what Neal A Maxwell refers to as "a portion of divinity." They comforted others, even when their own needs were greater than those they were helping.

I am Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I said to the angel who told me of my divine role as mother to the Christ Child, "Behold thy handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1:38). I remained true to those words even though the Lord’s will took me to a stable in Bethlehem to deliver my precious son, and then later when we had to flee to Egypt when I had to relinquish my son to be about my Father in Heaven’s business, and then when I saw him crucified.

I am Abraham’s wife Sarah. I came to know that nothing is "too hard for the Lord" (Genesis 18:14). Through faith I also received strength to be able to conceive a child, even though I am past the age of bearing children. I was faithful of He who made the promise.

I am Rebekah. When we had to leave home to serve the Lord it was hard, but the Lord had called us forth. When I Rebekah, was asked to go with Abraham’s servant, to marry Isaac, I knew the servant carried a message from my Heavenly Father, so my answer was easy. "I will go" (Genesis 24:58) Later my faith was tested again when I produced no children, and then finally I conceived. I went and asked the Lord for answers to my questions.

I am Rachel. It was years later when Jacob was instructed to return to the land of Canaan, we had to leave everything. We worked for so many years for our accomplishments, but I knew Jacob had been instructed by the Lord. When he called Leah and I from the fields, my answer was simply "Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do." (Genesis 31:16)

I am the Widow at Zarephath. Years ago I was gathering wood to prepare the last of my meal and oil, and a man named Elijah came to Zarephath and approached me and asked me for food. I had prepared to "eat it and die" (1Kings 17:10-16), but this man promised me abundance if I would but share my meager meal. I did as he asked, and never again have I hungered.

I am Dorcas of Joppa. I am a seamstress. I make many coats and garments for all who need them.. I have always tried to do my best when it came to good works, helping another when they were in need. It was Peter, after hearing of me, raised me from the dead and "presented me alive". (Acts 9:36).

I am Ruth. After my mother-in-law Naomi, suffered the loss of her husband and both of her sons, I could not allow her to return to her country alone. I gave up my family, my country and my religion so that I might serve her. After a time many began to call me a "virtuous woman". (Ruth 3:11)

I am the Woman at the well. I was at the well drawing water when a man approached me. I was quite surprised that he would talk to me. I was after all a Samaritan. He talked to me in length and told me about something called "living water". He told me to get my husband and when I told him I had no spouse, he was quiet, and then told me about my own life. I knew then he was a prophet. I told him of my family’s worship, and he said "I that speak unto thee, am he." I knew then that he was Christ. He taught us and I drank in the living water.

There are many other women we’d like for you to meet, Such as Hannah, who gave her son to the Lord that he might be a great prophet (1 Samuel 1 27-28). Lois and Eunice were models of faith for their grandson and son Timothy. (Timothy 1:5) Elizabeth was chosen to be the mother of John the Baptist, as she recognized her cousin Mary as the mother of Christ.

Mary and Martha, both servants. Mary who taught us to choose "the good part" and study the words of Christ, and Martha who expressed powerful testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:42) Deborah was a prophetess and judge in Israel who led her people in righteousness. (Judges 4:4, 14) Esther risked her life to save her people. (Esther 4:3-17) In the Book of Mormon, we have Sariah, Lehi’s wife, who came to know "of a surety" that the Lord was leading her family through the wilderness (1 Nephi 5:8, 8:14-16) All of these sisters and many more give us a path to follow bathed in the light of Christ.

We have great examples of women here in our own time who also lead us by example. Emma Smith had a long lasting impact in her support, faith and endurance with her husband Joseph. She was the first Relief Society President of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, and set the standard for us today. 158 years later, our organization is the largest women’s society in the world. We are unique.

From these women we learn courage, faith, testimony, obedience, and willingness to submit ourselves to the Lord. Their lives can inspire us to develop these same qualities and know The Lord is Our Light.

Video: Pictures of Christ set to "I heard him come