Ever since reading a talk by Elder Oaks about "Judge Not and Judging" I have had thoughts about Mary and Martha.   http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2548  Elder Oaks talks about Mary and Martha towards the end of his talk.  After hearing his talk, I went to the Devotional address that he mentions in his talk and that speaker gave some more insights.

One thing that has stuck in my mind is that Jesus' rebuke to Martha wasn't necessary about the work she was doing--it was because she was being negative about Mary.  Then later when Lazarus had died, it was Martha who had the faith to say to the Savior, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (John 11:22.)

“Duet, Mary & Martha” bronze sculpture by Annette Everett, artist

            “I was called as Red Cliffs Stake Relief Society president in 2006. I went to training in Salt Lake City, and as I sat taking notes, the picture came into my mind of the two women [Mary and Martha] back to back, one looking up with scriptures which is one way we sit at the feet of the Savior today, and the other focused down to this Earth and her chores. Both look content and happy. One focused on the Lord, one on serving family and friends, but tied together in movement and inseparable. How could we separate them? We cannot. We are both. I flipped my notebook to the back, drew the picture, and went back to training. It was a gift.

            “In my sculpture, Mary’s gaze is directed upward toward heaven, representing her spiritual and creative intent. One foot is elevated, ascending. Her hair is a crown. There is a feather etched into her skirts, meant to show her elevated attention. The book she holds represents her personal communication with her Father in heaven. Martha’s gaze is directed down, earthward, her arms full of chores that must be done, her offerings of nourishment to the people she cares about. There is a leaf etched into her skirts, showing her earthly intent. She has a pleasant look on her face because there is satisfaction and comfort in accomplishing our daily chores and seeing to the comfort of loved ones.

            “The sculpture is about the Mary and the Martha in each of us. Every woman is both Mary and Martha. Our life is a balance. Our dual concerns may demonstrate “an opposition” in all things, giving us the opportunity to make daily choices. If we neglect either part of ourselves, we are incomplete and unhappy. Both qualities are necessary and both are noble—caring for our loved ones, as well as our spiritual and creative selves. The two figures are tied together with their flowing skirts. Together they form a single whole, graceful and dancing. I hope that this piece will speak to everyone viewing it and that each person will come away with his or her own understanding. “ (Annette Everett, St. George, Utah.  Please follow this link to additional photos and more information about “Duet, Mary and Martha http://www.annette-everett.com/pages/duet.html )