Post Date: 28th Dec, 2010 - 12:54am / Post ID:
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Mormon View Christ's Birth Studies Doctrine Mormon
I don't get it, I didn't know there was a debate within the Church on the date of Jesus's birth, I thought it was a given you know what am I saying? After all several church leaders have talked about April 6th as "Revelation". Let me quote...
First Presidency, 1998:
QUOTE "In a few days comes the promise that spring will come again and summer will return, as it has through all the millennia that men have been upon the earth. It is no wonder that in ancient times Christmas, commemorating the birth of the Christ child, was celebrated at this solstice season. Men had no knowledge of the time of His birth, and so they came to bond the celebration of Christmas with the celebration of the return of the sun. While we now know through revelation the time of the Savior's birth [April 6], we observe the 25th of December with the rest of the Christian world."
Source 7President Spencer W. Kimball:
QUOTE "My brothers and sisters, today we not only celebrate the Sesquicentennial of the organization of the Church, but also the greatest event in human history since the birth of Christ on this day 1,980 years ago. Today is Easter Sunday."
Elder N. Eldon Tanner:
QUOTE "April is truly a historic month in which we commemorate two of the most important events in the history of mankind: the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reestablishment of his church and kingdom here upon the earth in these, the latter days. Members of the Church also believe that Christ was born on April 6 in the year 1 b.c. (See D&C 20:1.)"
(N. Eldon Tanner, "Resurrection and Restoration," Ensign, Apr 1971, 2)
Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Manual:
QUOTE "Doctrine and Covenants 20:1-Why the Sixth of April? The Lord gave 6 April 1830 as the day to formerly organize His Church. President Harold B. Lee spoke of the significance of this date: "April 6, 1973 is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 4; or Ensign, July 1973, 2).(Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Seminary Student Study Guide, Page 32)
I have more...
However folks what is the most interesting thing about for me is the fact that when a statement or discovery is made and isn't according to present belief, we say leaders are just sharing their opinion. Heck, when is this madness going to stop? Please read:
John P. Pratt:
QUOTE
"Since the organization of the Church on 6 April 1830, many members have believed that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c. This belief is based on a revelation stating that the Church was organized "one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April." (D&C 20:1.)
"The wording used does not make it clear whether this verse was intended to mean that the day 6 April 1830 was precisely 1,830 years since the birth of Jesus, or whether it was simply a formal way of stating that the year was called 1830. Some Church leaders have argued for the literal interpretation that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c. 37 They often note that the Lord pointed out 'the precise day "¦ to organize His Church." (D&C 20, section heading.) Other Church leaders have not felt bound to accept Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 as accurate to the very day because 'the Church has made no official declaration on the matter." 38 (D&C 20:1)
"Recently, two Presidents of the Church affirmed their belief that this verse does imply that April 6 (on our calendar) is the anniversary of the Lord's birth. On 6 April 1973, President Harold B. Lee noted that that day was 'the anniversary of the birth of the Savior" and then quoted Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 as a reference. (Ensign, July 1973, p. 2.) Then on 6 April 1980, President Spencer W. Kimball stated that Jesus was born on 'this day 1,980 years ago." (Ensign, May 1980, p. 54.)
"While these statements may not have been intended as declarations of doctrine, they do add to the impression that the literal interpretation of Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 is generally accepted in the Church, favoring the acceptance of 6 April 1 b.c. As the Savior's birthdate, consistent with Option C above.
(John P. Pratt, "The Restoration of Priesthood Keys on Easter 1836, Part 1: Dating the First Easter," Ensign, Jun 1985, 59)
Source 9Don't take me wrong...I am not bother by the date at all you know what I am saying? However when a prophet stands up in a pulpit and makes a declaration such as this are we supposed to just brush it off? This is getting weirder and weirder by the minute.