Mary and Elisabeth: Noble Daughters of God

by S. Kent Brown

“Of all the creations of the Almighty,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley, “there is none . . . more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so. . . .” From the Gospel of Luke, we get our first clear picture of the magnificence of Mary and Elisabeth, two noble daughters of God. Long before the reality of their mortal lives, Mary and Elisabeth were the subjects of divine prophecy. Appearing in revelations found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Mary, the mother of the Savior, was the subject of several prophetic visions, and Elisabeth’s revered role was identified through the prophecies concerning her son, John the Baptist.

Based on extensive research and careful study by respected gospel scholar S. Kent Brown, the sacred lives and missions of Mary and Elisabeth come to vivid life through keen insight into scripture, through relevant cultural and historical information, and through stunning paintings by master artists. Mary and Elisabeth: Noble Daughters of God is an inspiring and fascinating look into the setting, lives, and roles of these two remarkable women.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Spirituality

122 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

S. Kent Brown is a professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University and is the current director of Ancient Studies on campus. He served as the director of the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies from 1993 to 1996. His degrees include a B.A. in 1967 from the University of California at Berkeley in Classical Greek, with a minor in Near Eastern languages, and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Brown University in 1972, with an emphasis in New Testament and Early Christian Studies. He is married to the former Gayle Oblad; they are the parents of five children and the grandparents of sixteen grandchildren.

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book provided a good historical context for what life was like for Mary and Elizabeth, it seemed as though the same facts and conclusions were stated again and again. I think that what was once a presentation on these two formidable women, was encouraged to become a book, and to add length, information was repeated. Interesting enough, though.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, scholarly, yet readable book about these two women. It helped me to know them better as the author reports what is known and what is conjecture. He relates what life might have been like in that era of history. I did like this book and will probably check it out again.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nice but not really WOW! There were a couple of things that I did stop and think about, but for the most part, it wasn't anything really new.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look at Mary primarily and Elizabeth. Some parts better than others in writing

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

S. Kent Brown stretched everything we know about Mary and Elisabeth from the scriptures to 88 pages of text... and it was too much. I felt that he was trying so hard to make his content book-length, but there just wasn't enough to say without repeating himself and making broad surmises. A few things were new to me - Brown states that when Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem an official marriage ceremony had not yet taken place because the scriptures say they were "espoused." I had never taken it that way. When explaining Nephi's linkage in vision between the Virgin Mary and water, Brown writes, "Naturally, this water represents the water in the amniotic sac," which I found a bit strange.

Overall, though, a fairly average book that didn't add much to my understanding of Mary or Elisabeth.

[Tenille · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good book.... Just not the kind I'm used to reading. I did learn alot in it about Mary and her cousin Elisabeth and the cultures and how things were back in those days. I did learn some things that I will recall as I hear of these women in the future.

[Debra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some good historical information about women in the time of Christ, but the writing style was quite distracting. The author used a lot of dramatic language that was over-the-top.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive book about what we know of Mary and Elizabeth from the scriptures. It was nice to read about them and ponder their lives and missions, but I didn't learn anything new.

[Michellejeppesen]

Short book but interesting in-depth look on both of these women's lives from the scriptures. Made me respect and appreciate them even more.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I did enjoy getting more of a feel for the cultural background surrounding the time of Christ's birth, most of this book seemed like one, long extrapolation after another.

[Brandon Minster · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something wrong with this book, but I can't remember what it was.

[Shellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great reference guide.