THE SON OF THE ETERNAL FATHER

New Testament readings in Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2; John 1:1-18; 17:1-5.

Student report Choice 5: Luke 2:40–52; JST, Matthew 3:24–26.

The Childhood of Jesus Christ

Study Luke 2:40–52; Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24–26; Doctrine and Covenants 93:12–14; institute student manual Points to Ponder, “Jesus Had to Overcome the Veil” (pgs. 24–25) and “As a Child, Jesus Sought to Learn from His Father” (pgs. 25–26). Then write an essay about what you learned from the childhood of Jesus Christ that can help you in your personal growth and development.

The Son of the Eternal Father

The Bible contains 2 distinct books: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each book contains testaments, recorded testimonies of many witnesses that Jesus Christ was and is the son of God the Father. Many of them saw him and knew him personally. Who do you know personally? Is there someone you have seen born, and grow from a babe to an adult?

I have adult grandchildren. Sometimes they look a lot like their mother, and sometimes they look a lot like their dad. How is being the son of an eternal, omniscient being different from being the son of a mortal father? How is it the same? What characteristics might Jesus inherit from God, his immortal yet literal Father, and Mary, his mortal mother?

Scripture teaches us a few facts that detail attributes Christ inherited from both his parents. Studying accounts of such witnesses can help us gain many insights into the things they knew, and why they wanted to keep a record of the details they provide.

Luke records that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). I particularly noted the previous 2 verses, 50-51. Luke has recorded how Mary and Joseph didn’t understand their son at age 12. This is not uncommon among parents of youth age 12. Nevertheless, “he [Jesus] went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them” (Luke 2:50-51).

Even as a young child, “[Jesus] served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him (Matthew 2:23c - JST Matt 3:25 KJV LDS Bible Appendix). [Activity and videos from the Friend Magazine.]

Simon in the Temple

There were righteous people (like Simon and Anna) watching and waiting, pondering and studying scripture when Jesus was born. We can also peruse the witnesses about Christ. Do we grasp the implications of their accounts?

 Elder James E. Talmage wrote:

“That Child to be born of Mary was begotten of Elohim, the Eternal Father, not in violation of natural law but in accordance with a higher manifestation thereof; and, the offspring from that association of supreme sanctity, celestial Sireship, and pure though mortal maternity, was of right to be called the ‘Son of the Highest.’

In His nature would be combined the powers of Godhood with the capacity and possibilities of mortality; and this through the ordinary operation of the fundamental law of heredity declared of God, demonstrated by science, and admitted by philosophy, that living beings shall propagate—after their kind.

The Child Jesus was to inherit the physical, mental and spiritual traits, tendencies, and powers that characterized His parents—one immortal and glorified—God, the other human—woman.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 81.)

“Jesus, then, had the powers of life and the ability to die. He had greater power than any man” (The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, (1979), p.23).

Jesus was born and lived and died as a mortal being. This legacy he inherited from his mother. Then he overcame death and lived again. This power he inherited from his immortal Father.

What legacies have you inherited from your parents? My eyes are blue like my father’s, yet I look very much like my brown-eyed mother. I am also a child of God. How are we like God our Father? What power and promise have we inherited from him?

What must you do to acquire power and glory? The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: “You have got to learn . . . by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace … until you … are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.” (Teachings, pp. 346–47.)

The example of Jesus Christ shows us the way to become like our Father in Heaven. We too can grow from birth to exponential possibilities. Jesus has promised to come to earth again. Are we like Simon and Anna, studying the words of prophets? Are we watching and waiting for Him? Will we be ready to follow his lead?