"Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."
I think I was drawn to this story because yesterday I went to a Stake Fireside, "An Evening with the Holdmans". The original art studio was started up the street from me. His studio has now produced stained glass for 90 temples around the world. It was amazing to hear his stories. One slide showed how some stained glass in the Rome Italy Temple Visitor Center has other elements in it. Like an actual coin from the time period that would have been found inside the fish's mouth in Christ's day.
What I reflected on is how Christ paid his taxes. How even today he commands us to do the same. I learned the 12th Article of Faith as a little child. "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the laws."
For someone that actually created the whole world Jesus did not need to pay taxes to anyone. You could say he had the ultimate sovereignty. Yet, he did. Even the conditions around his birth involved Joseph needing to pay his taxes.
There is a message here. First, we must obey the law and not bring offense. Peter had to use skills from his occupation to obtain this miraculous money. After faithfully doing his part of fishing the Lord provided the miracle. It is reminding me of self-reliance and how we will be blessed as we work and serve the Lord and are wise stewards of what has been given us.
So, what would be the penalty for not paying taxes? I would imagine there is no protection for us. We are left to ourselves and could land in jail. This would be the adversary's way of frustrating the Lord's work. I wouldn't want to be found guilty of that.
Day 1521
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