A HUMAN STORY

 

I watched a short video yesterday on the Church website about the birth of Jesus called “Light the World”. What I saw sent me into an emotional appreciation for two humans, a young girl and a man who stood by her side, enabling the Creator of the Universe and the Saviour of all mankind to enter the world of mortality.

It reminded me of the Jews who spat His birth into the Saviour’s face by calling Him ‘a child of fornication’ (John 8:41). What an incredible insult to the purity of a woman who put everything on the line of her reputation to enable the salvation of the very people who would crucify the fruit of her womb!

Christ’s condescension and His willingness to implement the Plan of Salvation at such a high cost has me in awe. However, the credit to the success of that plan rests not only on His shoulders but on the shoulders of many of us who have covenanted before the world began that we would be yoked with Him to uphold His work.

Girls in the meridian of time married young so historians claim that according to the traditions of the day, Mary was a young girl of 15 when she gave birth to Jesus. To take on such a responsibility of raising the child of so much importance would make many of us retreat. But Mary accepted long ago and she saw it through.

We don’t know much about Joseph, but we know this. He was a just man (Matthew 1:19). He was also an obedient son of God who took Mary for his wife under instruction from God, not fearing any man (Matthew 1:24).

To say that Joseph took his responsibility as Jesus’ guardian seriously would be an understatement. He followed every instruction he received, fearing nothing. When instructed to protect Jesus from Herod’s edict, he took the family to Egypt (Matthew 2:12-15).

The third time an angel appeared to Joseph, he advised him that Herod was dead and that he should take Jesus back to Israel. Joseph was not only obedient but over-cautious in protecting his charge, and instead of Judea, he took his family to Galilee (Matthew 2:21-23).

The Pearl of Great Price tells us that after much planning God created all things spiritually before they were created physically. Abraham points out that the hosts of heaven were involved in sustaining His plans. Many noble and great ones were chosen to be rulers (Abraham 3:22,23).

Abraham was chosen to be the father of the faithful and the keeper of the covenant, Moses was chosen to be the law giver of Israel, Mary was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God; Joseph, His protector. Joseph Smith, the restorer of the Church…..and so on.

We, likewise, have been chosen, if for nothing else but to be the pegs that hold up the tent of Christ’s church throughout the world. It goes without saying that God’s Plan of Salvation for his children, could not succeed without His children.

We are mere humans but of the highest importance. We stand in our place in this world to ensure the success of a story of all stories. Each righteous soul shining forth to light the world……

As miraculous and amazing as was that baby in the stable, Mary and Joseph were second to Him.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: On To Egypt by Rose Datoc Dall)