In light of the fact that March is women’s history month, I felt it would be appropriate to have the next installment of “lists of ten” feature ten women in the Book of Mormon. It’s no secret that religious texts tend to have male centric themes, are often set in the framework of patriarchal lineages, and at times can be downright misogynistic. Women are often written off as mere footnotes, or else are ignored completely. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich articulated this when she noted that “well-behaved women rarely make history.”

In examining the Book of Mormon narrative, we learn of several women, some well behaved, and some not, who had a great deal of influence on those around them and had pivotal roles in the sequence of events in which they found themselves.

1. Sariah
   The opening words of the 1 Nephi narrative mention Sariah where Nephi speaks of his “goodly parents.” Sariah had a brief lapse of faith when she complained against Lehi, but she soon came around, and in Lehi’s dream, she was among those who partook of the fruit of the tree. She gave birth to Jacob and Joseph in the Arabian Desert, and despite the anguish she suffered because of the behavior of Laman and Lemuel, she makes it to the Promised Land where she spends the remainder of her life as the colony’s matriarch.
2. Isabel
   Little is known of this mysterious woman, but she did have a strong impact on the missionary work in Antionum. Alma’s son Corianton was included in the team of missionaries that went to preach to the Zoramites. Corianton got distracted, and went to what appears to be the neighboring land of Siron, where he solicited services from Isabel, a local prostitute. Word seems to have gone out, and as a result, the other missionaries suffered image and credibility issues with the people.
3. Abish
   Abish was a member of King Lamoni’s court. We learn that prior to Ammon’s visit, she had personally been converted years earlier, reportedly due to a vision that her father had. When Lamoni and his household is converted and falls to the ground, incapacitated, Abish is the one who calls the townspeople to come and see. After some commotion as the people react to the scene of all the people lying lifeless on the ground, Abish goes up to the queen and raises her up. From that moment on, the process of widespread Lamanites conversion begins in the land.
4. Morianton’s Maid
   As the unsung heroine of the Book of Mormon, Morianton’s maid averted disaster in the land northward. Morianton, the leader of his city, after a border dispute with the land of Lehi, planed to conquer the entire land northward. He would have gone forward with his plan, but he beat his maid prior to executing his plan. His maid escaped, and alerted Teancum, who rounded up his troops, intercepted Morianton, and after a battle, successfully stopped him.
5. Isaiah’s Prophetess
   In Nephi’s quotation of Isaiah we read of a prophetess. This is generally understood to be a reference to Isaiah’s wife; she bears Isaiah’s child, and names him “Maher-shalal-hash-baz.” Beyond this, it is unclear what her role was, or why she was referred to as a prophetess. Some believe that she was called a prophetess simply because she was the prophet’s wife, but others believe that she may have had a more active role in the prophetic and revelatory process.
6. Jared’s Daughter
   In the Jaredite era, we read of a man named Jared (not the original Jared) who gained and subsequently lost his father Omer’s kingdom. He had a daughter who wanted to help him regain his throne. In order to do this, she planed to seduce a hit man, Akish, and have him kill Omer. She executed her plan, and danced for Akish. Akish asked to marry Jared’s daughter, at which point she set forth her terms. Meanwhile, Omer abandons his kingdom, and Akish and Jared are able to obtain the throne without a fight.
7. Lamoni’s Wife
   Along with Abish, Lamoni’s wife (the Queen) had an important part in the conversion of Lamoni’s household. When she hears that Lamoni had died, she suspects he is still alive, and summons Ammon to go see Lamoni. Ammon confirms that Lamoni is not dead, but only sleeps. The Queen admits that she has only Ammon’s word to rely on, but believes none the less. Ammon commends her, saying “there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.”
8. Amalickiah’s Wife
   Amalickiah was a renegade Nephite who rose to power among the Lamanites. After gaining control of the Lamanite army, he makes his way to the Lamanites royal palace, and manages to have the Lamanite king killed. Upon hearing about the King’s death, the Queen calls for Amalickiah, who convincingly blames the crime on some innocent servants. Eventually, the Lamanite Queen marries Amalickiah, hence making her the means of Amalickiah’s ultimate ascension to the highest rung of Lamanite hierarchy.
9. Nephi’s Wife
   After obtaining the brass plates, Lehi’s sons are once again instructed to go back to the Jerusalem—this time to find some women. They persuade Ishmael’s family to come with them. Ishmael had a number of daughters, one of whom eventually marries Nephi. We infer that she also bore Nephi’s children in the wilderness when we learn that she and the children pleaded and wept that Nephi might be released when he was tied up on the boat. However, despite her best efforts, Laman and Lemuel’s hearts were not softened—at least not immediately.
10. Mary
    Mary, the mother of Jesus, is mentioned several times in the Book of Mormon. First, Nephi sees her in his vision, and notes that she is “most beautiful and fair.” Later, King Benjamin related what an angel told him, and identifies her by name. Lastly, Alma, while preaching in Gideon, prophesies of the coming of the Messiah and notes that she is a “precious and a chosen vessel,” and would “bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.”