Scripture Snippet - Matthew 1:18-25

Scripture Snippet - Matthew 1:18-25

This Scripture snippet speaks of Joseph, Mary's soon to be husband, and how he handled finding out that Mary was pregnant. To read the Chapter click here. To learn more about the Book of Mormon go to Mormon.org.

My thoughts and feelings:

• These eight verses tell us so much about Joseph and what a good and faithful man he was.
• In verses 18-19 Mary is found to be pregnant and Joseph knows he isn't the Father as this happens 'before they came together'.  He could have publicly humiliated her or even had her put to death by the customs and laws of the day and yet, for her sake, 'was minded to put her away privily', or in other words handle the affair privately.
• In verses 10-21 Joseph is visited in a dream by an angel who explains Mary's pregnancy.  Complete faith and worthiness is necessary for the visit of such a holy figure to appear.
• In verses 24-25, following the visit from the angel, Joseph marries Mary and she remains a virgin until after Jesus' birth.  Joseph followed the directions of the angel.

What we can learn from this passage:

• From Joseph we can learn to be good and kind despite what appears to be injustice to us.  We can remember to be less interested in how we appear to others and more intent on doing the right thing. 
• We can also always work to be worthy to receive the guidance of Heavenly Father and to accept and follow that guidance when it is given.

Joseph teaching Jesus the art of carpentry