Mormonism Minute: Mormonism: the Childhood of Christ

Mormonism: the Childhood of Christ

Mormonism encompasses more about Jesus Christ than any other source. Mormonism uses the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other latter-day scripture given through a line of modern-day prophets.

Mormonism speaks of Christ, writes of Christ, thus testifying of Christ and rejoicing in Christ more than any other religion. Because of the additional references of Jesus Christ and His teachings recorded in addition to the Bible, we Mormons have more to study and focus on. It's the same with any area of study, the more resources one has, the more in-depth in learning and wisdom a person can become. With the multiple original sources of Jesus' teachings and commandments, many people are studying them, praying about them, and talking and writing about them... giving us even more resources to learn about Jesus Christ.

Still, the mortal life of Christ is only available to us in the New Testament -- the lands and time He lived upon the earth. At Christmas time Christians focus on Christ's humble birth in an animal stable. I imagine that it was filled with various animal manure, insects, maybe even mice. It probably stank. I wonder if care was taken to clean it up as much as possible -- we don't have those details. Was it open or closed-in somehow? Was it within the town with buildings all around it (not private), or was it outside of Bethlehem? Those of us who believe in Christ want to know as much as we possibly can -- we want to do all we can to know of Him and know Him.

Jesus Christ the baby and child most likely grew and developed as any other child of his time. He probably learned to help both his mother and father with their daily tasks. Despite these earthly basics, we must also recognize that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, the Father!

In Luke 2:40 it is recorded that "...the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." In addition to loving parents of Mary and Joseph, we can be certain that Jesus' Heavenly Father was also blessing Him. Wouldn't it be great if all of us, and our children, could be so characterized?!

Every year Jesus' family went to Jerusalem for the feast of the passover. When Jesus was 12 years old the trip ended differently... Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without telling his earthly parents. They didn't discover Jesus' absence until evening and returned back to Jerusalem to look for him. Joseph and Mary searched three days for Jesus before finding him in the temple. The account in Luke tells us he was sitting among doctors asking questions, listening, and answering questions. Mary asked Jesus why he dealt with them the way he did and that they were searching with much sorrow for him. We are familiar with Jesus' response: "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49) So, Jesus had to make choices as a youth and apparently obeyed His Heavenly Father's will before His earthly parents when needed.

From this point, Jesus went with his parents to Nazareth and submitted unto them (I assume as his parents). "And, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) I think this means that Jesus was polite, respectful, helpful, and even personable.

The next New Testament account of Jesus is of His baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus' age is not specified, although artists interpret Jesus as an adult when He was baptized. I wonder if the reasons behind Jesus' age when He was baptized was originally part of the holy record.