Mary & Martha

Today I wanted to discuss a famous section of scripture from the New Testament that we talked about in Relief Society this week. In Luke 10:38-42 it reads:

"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.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

I have heard this verse many times but I had never before tried to apply it to the structure of Relief Society. Here I will 1) explain what this verse means to me, 2) explain the principle in this passage, and 3) apply it to our own lives.

Why is this significant in my life? I currently am juggling many responsibilities and many possible selves. Do I want to be the scholar, the socialite, or the spiritual? While obviously it is important to cultivate all, it can be difficult to do so when there are so many things grabbing for your attention. This section of scripture is relevant to me today because it illustrates that there is a time for everything, and how to prioritize when such conflicts arise.

If we are looking at how this relates specifically to the lives of sisters in Relief Society, the principle here is that the Gospel is the most important thing. On an individual level, it is easy to prioritize getting chores done or attending a yoga class over scripture study. On a family level, it is easy to prioritize sporting events or vacations over family scripture habits and FHE. On the ward calling level, it is easy to make a beautiful presentation and give gorgeous handouts without actually praying about the content of the lesson or seeking the spirit to know what the class needs to hear.

How can this be applied? Mary and Martha are often used to represent opposite sides of a coin. One is cold and punctual and needs everything to follow her plan and the other is often portrayed as humble and warm and with a good heart. The truth is that both sisters are doing good. It is just that Mary is prioritizing what is "better" at this moment over what is "good" at this moment. When you are faced with a decision for what to prioritize, think: "What will make the most lasting impact, and what am I teaching my children through my priorities?" For those of us who are unmarried and not mothers, the same principle applies. "What is actually going to make a difference in the long run?" Pausing and asking yourself these simple questions can help you determine between the good, the better, and the best in any situation you face.