Have you ever wondered where the title, “Mother in Israel” comes from? I would like to share my interesting journey of discovery as I have come to understand our vital role in the kingdom of God.
We can find Mother in Israel used twice in the scriptures. Once, when Deborah the prophetess, calls herself a Mother in Israel as she leads the Israelites in victory (see Judges 5:7). Again, when a “wise woman” yells over the wall, during a siege, explaining she is peaceable and faithful in Israel, and then she delivers the evil that has entered their city (see 2 Samuel 20:19).
Those are two pretty impressive moments in history fulfilled by these amazing women.
In these latter days, we have heard this phrase used often and with very high regard. Joseph Fielding Smith spoke on the Mothers in Israel[i] and Russell M. Nelson has urged women to aspire to this title at least 5 times.[ii] The Relief Society Magazine spotlighted this illustrious title and I found some interesting stories attached to this honor given to all women.
Let me share with you what I’ve learned of this beloved title and its worthy subtitles.
Daughters of Zion
According to Pres. Nelson, “As a daughter of Zion matures, she brings forth ‘the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace … goodness, [and] faith’” (Gal. 5:22).[iii] We understand that these daughters are members of our church who have been taught the truths of the gospel. However, Isaiah preaches a very graphic warning to these daughters of Zion.
“Moreover the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes … Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion. … In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments” (Isaiah 3:16-18).
But, at the time of Jesus’ coming, He will call His people “to the house of the daughters of Zion” (D&C 124:11).
God praises His daughters, He warns them (parents chastise those they love most), and then He blesses them.
Daughters of God are cherished by their Heavenly Parents.
Elect Lady
An elect lady has been described as “A female member of the Church … who through obedience is qualified to receive, the fulness of gospel blessings. … She is one who has been elected or chosen by faithfulness as a daughter of God in this life, an heir of God, a member of his household”[iv]
We recognize this important title from Emma’s section in the Doctrine and Covenants. “Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called” (D&C 25:3). This is something we all hope to hear our Heavenly Father say to each one of us. And I believe this is absolutely possible with this important IF; if we are obedient and faithful to the end. But even still, some of us may think Emma didn’t endure to the end, but we shall see what mercy hath wrought …
Likely, the title Elect Lady directly refers to the Relief Society. It was given to Emma as a prequel to her calling as the first president of our Relief Society. Also, mentioned in the New Testament (2 John 1:1), Joseph Smith stated there has always been an organization for women,[v] and groups of faithful women always seemed to be at every disciple gathering during those early days of the church.
Elect Ladies are called to the work of building the Kingdom of God.
Mothers in Israel
Interesting to note: Zion is a feminine word and Israel is masculine. Can it be more obvious the important station of being a righteous mother to daughters and sons? God needs women to stand up against the adversary by teaching true doctrine.
Before we talk about the mothers in Israel, we have to include Eve, who is the mother of all living. She and Adam spoke to God together, they transgressed together and brought life to this earth together. If it weren’t for both of them, we wouldn’t be here.
Now, the scriptures teach us quite a bit about the mothers of Israel. They were the women of the covenant and prophetesses beside their prophet husbands: Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. What did these women have in common? They were all barren until they waited patiently for the Lord to answer their prayers. They remained faithful during this extreme testing. And they turned to the Lord in order to obey His will. These are exemplary women and rightfully called mothers in Israel.
Lucy Mack Smith cherished the idea that she was a mother in Israel. Once, when addressing the church at a General Conference, she related her great anxiety over the loss of her husband and sons. She asked the congregation if they thought of her as a mother in Israel. Brigham Young stood up and called for an affirmation vote and the crowd yelled out, “Yes!”[vi]
The Relief Society Magazine wrote a series entitled, Mothers in Israel, spotlighting many of the women who crossed the plains and overcame great hardships. They even had a short series of “Unusual Mothers,”[vii] mothers who bore 15 or more children. Those women definitely needed some recognition!
Eliza R. Snow was recognized in one of these articles as a “Mother of Mothers in Israel.”[viii] The term mother is eternal. Never assume you are not a mother if you have no children of your own. All women have been created to be mothers, teachers, and nurturers. And all women have the opportunity to fulfill their purpose for creation.
President Joseph Fielding Smith’s talk on Mothers in Israel is inspiring as it teaches us who we are as daughters of Zion, Elect Ladies, and Mothers in Israel.
“May I now say a few words to you about your high position and destiny as, ‘Mothers in Israel.’ Some of you may have received patriarchal blessings in which you were told in substance: ‘As a mother in Israel shalt thou stand.’ In any event, this promise is the assured inheritance of all the faithful sisters of the church, of all those who love and serve the Lord with all their power and who keep the commandments which he has given. To be a mother in Israel in the full gospel sense is the highest reward that can come into the life of a woman.”
Mothers in Israel yearn for their place in the Highest Glory of Heaven.
Heavenly Mother
There is no doctrinal record that states conclusively we have a mother in heaven; however, our leaders have said that logic dictates we must have one.[ix] We are taught of the importance of the sealing of eternal marriage and what that means in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom: that a man and woman literally become one, fully unified in perfect righteousness.
I would like to explore the idea of the term: Elohim. We understand the Hebrew word for God is El and Elohim is a plural form of that word. I venture to say that this plurality includes a man and woman, a God and Goddess, united together to set forth the plan for their worlds without end.
Because there is no doctrinal backing, I admit this is my own opinion, but the logic stands in our importance of eternal families and our understanding of their eternal future.
I hope we honor and aspire to be Mothers in Israel. The promises are real, the path is right before us, and the blessings are generously offered in our covenants made in the temple. May we receive these promises and eternal blessings in the way we live as mothers and as daughters of our Great Elohim.
[i] Joseph Fielding Smith, “Mothers in Israel,” Relief Society Magazine, December 1970.
[ii] Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from Eve,” October 1987.
Russell M. Nelson, “Woman—of Infinite Worth,” October 1989.
Russell M. Nelson, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” April 1999.
Russell M. Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters,” October 2015.
Russell M. Nelson, “Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” October 2018.
[iii] Russell M. Nelson, “Daughters of Zion,” New Era, November 1985.
[iv] Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:410.
[v] Eliza R Snow, “The Female Relief Society,” Woman’s Exponent, Jun. 1, 1872.
[vi] HC, 2:538-39
[vii] An example of “Unusual Mothers,” Relief Society Magazine, December 1917.
[viii] Relief Society Magazine, “The Mother of Mothers in Israel,” April 1916.
[ix] Church History Topics, “Mother in Heaven.”