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His message delivered, Gabriel departed, leaving the…

“His message delivered, Gabriel departed, leaving the chosen Virgin of Nazareth to ponder over her wondrous experience. Mary's promised Son was to be "The Only Begotten" of the Father in the flesh; so it had been both positively and abundantly predicted. True, the event was unprecedented; true also…” quote by James E. Talmage
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““His message delivered, Gabriel departed, leaving the chosen Virgin of Nazareth to ponder over her wondrous experience. Mary's promised Son was to be "The Only Begotten" of the Father in the flesh; so it had been both positively and abundantly predicted. True, the event was unprecedented; true also it has never been paralleled; but that the virgin birth would be unique was as truly essential to the fulfilment of prophecy as that it should occur at all. That Child to be born of Mary was begotten of Elohim, the Eternal Father, not in violation of natural law but in accordance with a higher manifestation thereof; and, the offspring from that association of supreme sanctity, celestial Sireship, and pure though mortal maternity, was of right to be called the "Son of the Highest." In His nature would be combined the powers of Godhood with the capacity and possibilities of mortality; and this through the ordinary operation of the fundamental law of heredity, declared of God, demonstrated by science, and admitted by philosophy, that living beings shall propagate—after their kind. The Child Jesus was to inherit the physical, mental, and spiritual traits, tendencies, and powers that characterized His parents—one immortal and glorified—God, the other human—woman.””

James E. Talmage

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The virgin birth of Jesus is presented as a divine mystery that fulfills prophecy, merging divine and human nature, and is supported by theological and philosophical reasoning.

In simple terms: Jesus' birth combines divine and human aspects, fulfilling prophecy.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the significance of divine-human union in faith.

Themes

theology prophecy divine-human miracle

Mood

reverent inquisitive hopeful

Type

doctrinal inspirational

When to use this quote

  • religious study
  • faith formation
  • ethical reflection
  • interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

Christology philosophy of religion heredity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this belief shape moral conduct?
  • What evidence supports this doctrine?
A Different Perspective

Interpretations vary, and some view it as metaphorical rather than literal.

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