Queen of King Lamoni-
We are introduced to King Lamoni's queen after King Lamoni had laid as if dead for three days. Others around him wanted to bury him but his wife didn't think he was dead because to her he "doth not stink" (Alma 19:5). I always thought that was pretty funny. Others have said they thought it was very romantic. I still think it's funny . . . anyway . . . She had heard her servants talking about Ammon and had heard that he was a prophet and had "power to do many mighty works in his name" (Alma 19:4). Ammon told her that her husband was not dead and would rise the next day. He asked her if she believed him. I love her answer. She said, "I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said." In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn about different spiritual gifts. D&C 46:13-14 says, "13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. 14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." The queen of King Lamoni had absolutely no proof that what Ammon was saying was true. She had no reason to believe. Yet she did. Her gift was to believe on others words. Because of her gift both she and her husband were able to teach and testify to their people of the things they had learned and were able to lead so many others to Christ.
Eve-
There is a lot that I could say about Eve. She had many spiritual gifts that she used to bless her children and her husband. One gift that I think she had to have was the gift of discernment. Not a lot is known or talked about with Eve. We know she was given to Adam as a help meet. We know she ate the fruit which led to the fall which led to fulfilling the Lord's plan for all of us. Elder Russell M. Nelson gave a really good talk in a women's conference called Lessons From Eve. In talking about the creation of Eve he said, "I presume another bone could have been used, but the rib, coming as it does from the side, seems to denote partnership. The rib signifies neither dominion nor subservience, but a lateral relationship as partners, to work and to live, side by side." I love that. Later he talks about how Eve worked and labored side by side with Adam and how they both studied and prayed together, among other things. Adam and Eve are an excellent example of how a marriage relationship should work.
Deborah-
Deborah's story is in Judges 4-5. She was a judge and prophetess in Israel. On the blog Women in the Scriptures she notes that Deborah's title was political not spiritual. She also speculates that Deborah held this position because there weren't any worthy males to do so at that time. In the book Daughters of God by S. Michael Wilcox he talks about Deborah using her spiritual gifts to judge the people and how women today do the same thing. He talks about her using the gift of discernment to determine the people's needs and using gifts of compassion and wisdom to best serve them.
Deborah and Barak were not married but they worked together to accomplish the Lord's purpose. Barak trusted and relied on Deborah's guidance as he led his army to battle and Deborah relied on Barak's strength. Together they were able to get the job done. Their story is a good example of how men and women should work together and use their different gifts and attributes to work towards a common goal.
I love the stories and examples these three women teach. They are women of great faith and courage who used their spiritual gifts to accomplish the Lord's work.
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