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FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS Susan Bednar Women's Week Message March 16, 2001 ©2001 by Ricks College. All rights reserved I feel blessed to be here. Seeing mothers and daughters and sons together is such a thrill. Some of you may have noticed that your students weren't telling tall tales about the weather in Rexburg. Until today I'm sure you thought they were just exaggerating. I've heard it said that Rexburg is a place where you can wear all of your favorite clothes all in one day, all at one time! Before the moms come to campus, I always visit with students to ask them questions about your visit to campus. I learn a lot about the students from the questions I ask. I asked one young man, "Are you letting your cupboard get really bare before your mother comes?" He said, "Oh, I'd be so embarrassed if my mom had to buy me food. It would make me feel so guilty." I thought, "Where did you come from? You need to be my son." I went to parents' weekend at Brigham Young University this past fall, and my pocketbook was empty when I came home. I visited with another young woman I met at the grocery store and asked, "Why are you buying food before your mom comes?" She said, "I just thought my mom would like something for breakfast." I looked down on the conveyor belt. Mom, I sure hope you like Lucky Charms with Marshmallow Pies for breakfast! I would like to express thanks to Sister Kris Fillmore and all the young women who have served to make this weekend possible. Would you please stand so we can acknowledge you? Thank you for all you have done. These young women and many more besides have spent weeks and months planning and preparing for this weekend. We hope you mothers are lifted up and spiritually filled while you are here at Ricks College. I've been asked to introduce the theme for Women's Week, For Such a Time as This, taken from the story of Esther. This story is filled with intrigue and twists of irony that capture one's interest. Though I have time to recount only a brief synopsis, I hope you will make an effort to read the entire account in the book of Esther. I pray for the Spirit of the Holy Ghost to be with us today and for help to present my thoughts and feelings. Let me refresh your memory about Esther. Esther was a beautiful young woman whose parents had passed away when she was a little girl. She was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, who treated her as if she was his own daughter. Mordecai learned that King Ahasueras was searching among the beautiful maidens of his kingdom for a new queen. Mordecai took Esther to the king's palace for the king's consideration and advised her not to reveal her Jewish nationality. Eventually Esther found favor with the king and was crowned as his new queen. Mordecai walked daily outside the gates of the palace so he could see how Esther was doing and what had become of her. According to the king's commandment, everyone was to bow down to Haman, the king's powerful prince, whenever he entered the palace gates. Because Mordecai refused to bow before Haman, Haman was angry. In his vengeance Haman deceitfully persuaded the king to send out an edict that all Jews in the kingdom should be killed. When Mordecai learned of this plot, he sent word to Esther requesting that she go before the king, reveal her Jewish identity, and beg the king to spare the lives of her people. But Esther faced a major problem. She was not allowed to approach the king unless he called for her. To go into his courtyard without an invitation meant instant death, unless the king held out his golden scepter to her signaling she could come to him. Esther debated with Mordecai about this dilemma. She realized her responsibility as the only person who could save her people. Mordecai's question concerning her destiny resounded in her ears: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Esther solicited the help of Mordecai, her chambermaids, and the Jews of the city. She asked them to join her in a fast for three days. Then Esther beautified and prepared herself to approach the king. Her courageous parting words were, ". . . I will go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). We know that Esther was successful in her attempt to save her people. Her story is one of courage, faith, and understanding. As I have read, studied, and pondered this powerful biblical story, I have asked myself this question, "What can we learn from this heroine of the scriptures?" May I share three important points I have gleaned from this account and illustrate their application in our day and time with some personal examples? Point #1: Like Esther, we need courage to reveal our true identity and stand tall as women of God. While serving as a Lambda Delta Sigma sorority adviser, I became better acquainted with a young woman whom I had known for many, many years. Katie was a student majoring in kinesiology. Her course work for her master's degree consisted of four years of class work followed by a one-year, unpaid internship in the public schools. During the final semester of her internship, a paid position in the school district where she was interning became available. Katie's supervising professor thought highly of Katie's abilities and talents and was grooming her for this job. He called her into his office and primed her for the questions that would be asked in the selection process. This professor knew Katie's hopes and dreams for the future but informed her that in order to get the job she must profess that having a career was her main ambition, teaching was her primary focus, and marriage and family were not in her plans for a while. Well, Katie went to the interview. The questions were posed. But when Katie was asked what she pictured herself doing in five years, she expressed her true feelings. She said, "I hope to be married, have a baby, and be a stay-at-home mother." I saw Katie the evening after she was interviewed. She felt she had blown her chances to be hired by her candid and honest answers, but she took solace in the fact that she had remained true to her heartfelt desires. The next week Katie was shocked by being offered the position. It's been five years now since Katie had that interview. I received a Christmas card from her a few months ago. She was married in the Saint Louis Temple about four years ago and is now the proud mother of a little boy. Like Esther, Katie was not afraid of revealing her true identity. She is a courageous young daughter of God and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is committed to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places--no matter what the consequences. Point #2: Esther had faith in the power of fasting. We, too, can find spiritual strength and seek for blessings through this gospel principle. Years ago, I was taught a powerful example about the importance of fasting from a small child. I was a newly married and inexperienced first grade teacher. Our class had been studying a unit on the five senses, and the day we were discussing the sense of taste was going to be a fun day! Each child was assigned to bring something to school for our "tasting party." We were planning to sample foods that were salty, foods that were bitter, foods that were sour, foods that were sweet, etc. During our activity I noticed that six-year-old Chad wasn't eating any of the food. When I asked if he was feeling well, he responded that he was fine. He just didn't want to eat. I kept encouraging him to get involved. Finally he said, "Mrs. Bednar, I'm fasting." With tears welling up in his eyes he said, "My grandpa is having surgery today and our family is fasting for him." Well, you can imagine how bad I felt playing the devil's advocate. What self-mastery and faith this young child exhibited. Unique and good-tasting food surrounded him, and his classmates were having a great time. Yet he abstained from it all. I've never forgotten this experience with Chad. I always wanted to meet his mother. She must have been an amazing woman to instill in her son such a testimony of fasting. Both she and Chad knew the spiritual strength that comes from the fast. Point #3: Like Esther, life's seemingly insignificant experiences and circumstances prepare us for our "such a time as this." Two years ago during Women's Week President Bednar and I received a sad, sad phone call. A former neighbor and dear friend's husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack while they were on a business and pleasure trip in mainland China. We flew back to our previous home for the funeral. As I tenderly watched my friend and her family during the funeral services, I felt impressed that her life had been a preparation "for such a time as this." To me, it wasn't coincidence that she and her husband had joined the Church early in their married life. They always commented how gospel covenants had blessed their marriage and their family. It wasn't coincidence that while her husband's Army Reserve unit had been called to serve for more than six months in the Gulf War, she was left to care for her family alone. It wasn't coincidence that he was called again to serve overseas for almost a year during the Bosnian conflict. Each time he was away, I watched her deal with difficult problems and challenges. But she faced them with faith and gained confidence in her ability to manage the affairs of her family. Her youngest son was serving a mission at the time of his father's death. I don't believe it was coincidence that this father had a consulting trip that took him to South America where his son was serving. With permission from the mission president, this father and son were able to spend their last day together doing missionary work. The hand of the Lord had been involved in the lives of these friends for many years, and they were prepared, as was Esther, "for such a time as this." We, too, have been prepared for our day and our time. A statement from President Gordon B. Hinckley reinforces this idea: My brethren and sisters, do you realize what we have? Do you recognize our place in the great drama of human history? This is the focal point of all that has gone before. This is the season of restitution. These are the days of restoration. This is the time when men from over the earth come to the mountain of the Lord's house to seek and learn of His ways and to walk in His paths. This is the summation of all of the centuries of time since the birth of Christ to this present and wonderful day. . . . For some reason unknown to us, but in the wisdom of God, we have been privileged to come to earth in this glorious age. . . . (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, November 1999, p. 74) And may I add, "For such a time as this." |