Scripture Study

The following is excerpted from LDS Living. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

As Primary music leader for my ward, I was recently preparing the Primary children to sing a song called “I Will Be What I Believe.” At the end of the song, the singing splits into two parts—with one group singing the chorus and the other group simultaneously singing the beloved “Army of Helaman” song by Janice Kapp Perry.

The Primary kids wanted to split into the two groups based on gender. I agreed to their request, then on principle I told them that the girls would be singing the “Armies of Helaman” part. Every single boy (and even a few girls) in the room balked at that suggestion—why on earth would you have girls sing the part about armies? It’s so clearly for boys!

To be fair, the stripling warriors mentioned in the song were boys, so that played into the kids’ expectations. And historically, aside from anomalies like Joan of Arc, males have been the soldiers. They’ve been the protectors, the conquerors, the heroes. But I don’t think that means men are the only warriors.

And the author of Proverbs seems to agree.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies,” the King James Version of the Bible says (Proverbs 31:10).

This verse has a wonderful message. As it does for many, this oft-quoted verse inspires me to think more deeply about women and virtue—and, more importantly, about myself and the ways I can influence the world as a covenant-keeping daughter of God.

But if we only understand the superficial meaning of these words, I believe we miss the deeper and much more inspiring message. Reading the verse in its original Hebrew is illuminating—a different translation of the words completely changes the meaning of “virtuous woman.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.