mary at the temple

Last year i was asked to play the part of “Mary at the temple” for our young women activity, we were going to do a 4 part piece on the life of Jesus, through Mary’s eyes. And  i was asked to write and perform a narrative on these scripture verses (luke 2: 40-52) and what i learned from them. Unfortunately due to illness the activity was canceled and i never got to share my thoughts but as i was listening to mary’s lullaby i was reminded of this bit of writing that i had worked on and felt like maybe i would share it…

Mary at the temple

by Alina Lyman

Not much is written, about the years i spent raising and mothering Jesus, which was probably a blessing now that i think about it.  You can’t imagine the pressure it was like to raise the literal son of god. The savior of the world!  To hold such an incredible responsibility in my hands, knowing for whatever reason GOD trusted me to raise and teach his choice spirit. It Was so humbling. So i continually pondered and i prayed and i  kept  all of those precious moments i got to spend raising Jesus deep within my heart. For i knew one day, and all too soon, i would have to surrender him to the world.

You all may have heard this story before, but when my son was 12 years old, he gave me a little taste of what losing him would feel like.

We traveled to Jerusalem, as was tradition in our family, for the feast of the Passover.  We were all so excited! it's a wonderful time to be with  family and friends, as we remember the great exodus, and the miracles that the Lord blessed his people with preceding the freeing of the Jews from Egypt.  We had a good size group that year! And everything went so well! When the festivities had ended we started for home, we walked for a day, supposing that Jesus was with his cousins, but when we went to go and fetch him we realized he was not in the company!!  

Have you ever lost something precious to you? Something that was placed in your care?  I don't know if there are words to describe the feeling… panic, fear,shock,disbelief, just to name a few.  My heart, was racing and breaking and hoping all at the same time, for 3 days my heart was sorrowing, how could i have let this happen, how could i not have checked to make sure he was with us! Where could he be? Is he alright? We searched every where and we asked everyone! Until finally we came to the temple…

And there sitting with the doctors and priests,was my lost boy, talking with and teaching  these learned men, astounding them with his grasp of knowledge and understanding…

But when i saw him all i could do was hug him and ask, why would you do this to us! your father and i have been searching for you sorrowing! ….Sorrowing!!!

And he just looked at me with those  knowing eyes of his, and said, how come you were looking for me, know you not that i must be about my father's business?

I didn't understand at the time what he was trying to say to us, so we gathered him up and started for home again. and he was subject to us.. Let me tell you!  But i kept what he said in my heart,  and the memory of that day has taught me a great lesson….a lesson i would like to share with you tonight...

When you are lost… go to the temple. If you have lost someone or something dear to you….go to the temple,  If you feel broken, Go to the temple, for in the temple you will find your answers, you will find your peace, you will find the love of our savior waiting to carry those burdens with you and make them light. In the temple the veil is so thin and we can feel the spirits of those we love and have lost ,the temple  is where broken links are made and mended for time and all eternity!

The temple and the sacred ordinances within their walls  are what my son came to this earth to establish, that link between you and Heavenly Father. I didn't know then but i understand now, that his life was forever seeking and doing the will of his father. I didn't always understand my son,  but i am grateful for the tender moments in which he taught me the lessons, he knew i would ponder in my heart.

Just as i hope you will take the lessons and examples of Jesus and ponder them in your heart, until the day it burns as a strong testimony of him and his love for you! His life was for you! This temple and all its blessings are for you!  And i hope one day you will all be able to enjoy the fullness of the temple as well!