What does God expect of women in the world today? What does He expect of women in His Church? More critically, how do we, as women, learn what Christ would have us "be" and "do"?

A question along these lines was put to Sister Julie Beck, Relief Society General President, when she addressed members of the BYU faculty women's association recently. Her answer was simple and profound. She counseled: "Read the scriptures." But then she followed with, "Read about Moroni and think about his mother."

I love the scriptures. I love to read and study and ponder the timeless truths embedded within them. Each time I read I am reminded of the simplicity and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love the righteous women in the scriptures. Though many wonderful women grace the pages of the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, I have never explicitly pondered upon those that are manifest in more oblique ways — those not specifically mentioned but who acted in their roles as wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, mentors.

Of course we all know about the mothers of the stripling warriors who, I would suggest, not only taught their sons to have faith in Christ, but set examples of living faith for their children to observe. How could we imagine otherwise when not only do these young men tell Helaman their mothers taught them to have faith in God but also affirmed, "We do not doubt our mothers knew it" (Alma 56:48).

But what about the women who influenced Moroni? We are told nothing specifically about them. We cannot even give them names. We cannot suppose they were all perfectly righteous. We cannot even presume Moroni always had good examples before him. But I will go out on a limb and wager that someone, or some women close to him, had mother�s hearts and exerted an influence for good that transformed his life.

I believe this to be so from personal experience. I have a wonderful mother. I owe her so much. But I also have been blessed in my life by the example and influence of a second "mother," sisters, sisters-in-law, friends and mentors, some married, some single, who have "mother's hearts." They set powerful examples for me as they faced life's challenges with dignity and with implicit faith in Jesus Christ. Their examples gave me the confidence to "experiment upon their words, and exercise a particle of faith" (Alma32: 27). And as I did so, my faith grew.

As we read about Moroni, not only can we learn about this great and godly man, but we can discern the character of the women who influenced him for good. I believe that like Captain Moroni, and the description of him in Alma 48:11-13 and 17, these women were "strong and mighty" in bearing testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were women of great understanding, having a knowledge of the plan of salvation and their part in the plan. But they also found "joy in liberty and freedom," and recognized that there is sometimes a price to pay to remain free from bondage and slavery.