Matthew 1
As Mary was pregnant, instead of being vindictive, Joseph -
"...being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." (New Testament | Matthew 1:19)
In my mind, these words suggest Joseph to be a loving and forgiving person. Knowing Mary was pregnant must have very hard on Joseph. All of Joseph's actions were before he learned of the truth of the matter for -
"...while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (New Testament | Matthew 1:20 - 23)
What great faith Joseph must have had for upon awakening, he -
"...did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." (New Testament | Matthew 1:24 - 25)
Again a great example of love, patience, and obedience. I understand that they ended up having three sons and three daughters together. A great doctrine is taught by James E. Talmage as he 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 Sire-ship, 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).
I believe that few really understand that.
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