Caesar Augustus, the ruler of all the area; he made the decree that everyone should be taxed. We also are under decrees to one point or another that we are to be taxed. We may not like it, and we may never know the feelings of Mary and Joseph, but if I were to speculate, I'm sure they would also not like it.And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (Luke 2:1-5)
But like it or not, they "all went to be taxed, every one into his own city". The part where it says "into his own city" is interesting, as Mary and Joseph had to travel to their city, Judaea, otherwise known as Bethlehem.
Here is a characteristic that we learn - that Mary and Josseph ( as well as many of the others) were obedient to the laws of the land. It was not just a walk over here to your local government center, but an 80 mile trek. The roads were well known, but it doesn't make them easier to traverse - especially when one that you are traveling with is "great with child". This was no small feat. Yet, they traversersed those 80 miles to be obedient to their ruler.
What can we learn from this and apply to our daily lives? We know that obedience is the first law and all others are predicated upon it. We know that our articles of faith state that we:
We may not like what our elected officials have done, or are doing. We may not like the taxes, or added upon mandatory health care that we are decreed to have. We can voice our opinions, yet we still must exercise obedience to the laws. We must be good citizens even when those political roads wind through valleys of uncertainty and doubt.We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. (Articles of Faith:12)
We can and should be examples of righteousness. Lights unto the world. And obedient to the laws of the land as well as our prophets and apostles. Many times the roads of this mortality may seem long and futile. We grumble about circumstances that we have little or no control over. Our travels will contain some treacherous spots, that will tax our faith. Yet, the path of mortality is well known and well worn. If we follow that road in the footsteps of Him, who has marked the path for all of us to follow, even the footsteps of our Saviour, Jesus Christ - if we exercise obedience to His will, our path though long and still containing many treacheries, will seem easier. Because we walk the path that He bids us to follow.
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