How Learning about the Savior’s Youth Increased My Son’s Testimony

By Anne Maxson

During a recent school break, we went on vacation to Arizona. While there, my 12-year-old son wanted to go to one of the local temples. While there, one of the temple workers asked if he had been there previously. He said that he had not and the worker responded that a member of the temple presidency would like to visit with him. 

He had the opportunity to visit for a few minutes with a member of the temple presidency. The member of the temple presidency shared that we don’t know much about Jesus during this youth but we do know some of what he was doing when he was the same age as my son. 

In Luke 2:40-52 it says, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

I think it is worth noting that it discusses that Joseph and Mary, “went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.” As parents, what can my husband and I do to demonstrate our dedication to the work of the Lord? Is there consistency in our yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily habits and routines that illustrate our focus on things of eternal worth? 

My son gained a greater understanding and testimony of the importance of being in the temple, prioritizing the work of Heavenly Father, and focusing on eternal things. I am grateful to the temple presidency member and the temple worker for ministering to my son in the temple and acting as another witness to the importance of these things.