Esther and Abish: The Influence of Father Figures

Two women — one in the Old Testament and one in the Book of Mormon — who had previously been discreet about their identity acted with courage when speaking out became necessary. Esther became queen of Persia without telling anyone that she was a Jew. Abish served the queen of Ishmael without telling anyone that she worshipped the God of the Nephites, their enemies. In both cases, a father figure — Abish’s father and Esther’s guardian — played a pivotal role.

Esther (whose Jewish name was Hadassah) was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, because she was an orphan (Esther 2:5-7). When Esther entered the king’s palace as a candidate to become queen, she kept her Jewish identity secret, “for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it” (Esther 2:10). Although she was no longer under his supervision, she “did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him” (Esther 2:20).

Esther was savvy and knew how to influence the king. Still, she received advice from Mordecai during her time in the palace. When she needed to act boldly, he sent a stern message:

Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:13-14

Those words spurred Esther to action, and she took the courageous steps that saved her people.

We know less about Abish’s father and his influence. All we get is this brief description:

…one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father —
Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known…

Alma 19:16-17

Notice what this passage does not tell us. It doesn’t tell us whether Abish’s father was alive or dead. It doesn’t tell us how she found out about his vision. It doesn’t really explain what it means to be “converted to the Lord,” and how extensive her knowledge of the gospel was. It doesn’t explain why she kept her conversion secret. All it tells us is that (1) her father had a remarkable vision, (2) she was converted because of it, and (3) she didn’t tell anyone about it.

At the moment of crisis, her father was not there to spur her to action, but his influence was felt. Because of her conversion, which was prompted by his vision, when the king, the queen, and the missionary Ammon fell to the earth, along with all of the other servants, Abish recognized what was happening. “She knew that it was the power of God” (Alma 19:17), and she saw an opportunity to help her neighbors begin to believe in God.

Esther and Abish were both remarkable women who contributed substantially to their people’s welfare. In both cases, they were taught and motivated by a father figure. Even though those men were not present as their daughters took their courageous steps, both of them had contributed to their daughters’ faith.

Today I will remember that my influence may be felt for many years to come. The encouragement I provide and the testimony I bear to my children and others may help them in their moment of crisis, when they need to draw upon spiritual reserves which I have helped them to cultivate.