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"They Found Him in the Temple," Luke 2:40-52

Luke 2:40-52

The video depiction of Christ in the temple as a young man has left me seriously considering the prophetic nature of this particular excerpt. That it was chosen to have the young Jesus quote from the end of Malachi (Malachi 4:5-6) illustrates the importance of temples and the work that is designated to take place there in.

What caught me off guard was the important connection between youth and the work that happens in the temples. Malachi prophesied of it. Jesus illustrated the example to follow in the fulfillment of this prophecy. Today the youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy as they enter into the temples to perform baptisms for the dead, extending the most basic covenants of the Church of Christ to their ancestors that had died and gone before.

The other part of this scripture that is remarkable about this account of the Savior's youth is that the scriptures say: "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." Consequently, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (vs. 51-52)

In other words, because of his obedience to his parents, he was blessed and grew spiritually at the same time that he grew physically. Such is the plan and order of God. Furthermore, everything in this video depiction gives evidence of one eternal truth: that the family is forever, consequently it is the most important organizational unit in time and all eternity.

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