Mormon Beliefs: The Birth of Christ
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes erroneously called the Mormon Church, celebrate Christmas in the countries where they live, according to their cultural traditions. At church for Christmas Sunday worship, Mormon congregational choirs sing religious Christmas hymns, and narrations tell about the birth of the Savior.
Mormon temples have nativity and Christmas light displays, and often Christmas cultural events. The most elaborate are at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
What Do Mormons Believe About the Birth of Christ?
The account of the birth of Christ in the Book of Mormon upholds the nativity account in the Holy Bible. Nephi, a prophet who was a young man in 600 B.C., was shown a vision of the birth of Christ to come:
- And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired....
- And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?
- And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
- And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! (1 Nephi 11:6; 13-21).
The prophets among Nephi's descendents preached of Christ to come. They told the people that there would be signs of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.
- And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
- Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
- And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life (Helaman 14:3-8).
- But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain (3 Nephi 1:8).
- And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given. And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word (3 Nephi 1:19-21).
Thus, we have a second witness that the account of Christ's birth in the Holy Bible is true. Mormons join with Christians all over the world in celebrating the most joyous occasion ever to occur on earth.
