Albert Einstein once said that “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” Well there’s one “coincidence” regarding the life of Joseph Smith that I just can’t get over. When looked at in the context of what this prophet was supposed to do…it’s almost incomprehensible.
The day before Joseph Smith was born was the twenty second of December. That day is called the “Winter Solstice” otherwise known as the “shortest day” of the year. Out of 365 days, that day gives the least amount of light to the Northern Hemisphere making it the “darkest of days” in the part of the world that Joseph Smith was born. The dawning of the next day, which is December 23rd, marks the beginning of “brighter days!” That day is a symbol of new beginnings and greater light to be coming soon.
Now imagine that! Joseph Smith was born on the one corresponding day of the calendar year that brought brighter days on to the earth. Out of 365 days…what are the odds that this prophet of the last dispensation would be born on that day? For him and his mission…it is the only day that makes sense. His birth marked the day a prophet was born who would later be called to “bring the Church out of obscurity and out of darkness.” But how could anyone have known that or planned that except God Himself?
Have you ever wondered why the very first hymn in the LDS hymnbook is called “The Morning Breaks”? Skim the first verse real quick if you’re not familiar with it:
The morning breaks, the shadows flee; Lo, Zion’s standard is unfurled!
The dawning of a brighter day,
The dawning of a brighter day
Majestic rises on the world.
It is also interesting to consider that Joseph was born two days before the day in which we celebrate Christmas. The “greater light” of most importance that Joseph brought forth was the correct knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ. Who he was and is, and what his relationship is with the Father and with us. Joseph Smith had no greater mission than to come to this earth and become a “revealer of Christ.” He was raised up on the single most applicable day of the year to testify of Christ.
You can say I’m grasping at straws. You can say it’s just a coincidence. I choose to believe it’s a miracle. The timing is too significant for me to believe otherwise.
Thanks for pointing this out and I agree there is probably no coincidence here regarding his birthday, just a subtle way God chose to reveal another witness to the restoration of the gospel. I also know there is something about the date of his death that is beyond coincidences too, but I am not sure where that is found. But the single most powerful date to me regarding anything Joseph ever did was when the angel Moroni revealed to him the plates to translate the Book of Mormon: Sept 22, 1923. This is the exact day for the Feast of Trumpets for the Jews in heralding in a new Promise of the Covenant. This is most likely the reason Moroni is holding a Trumpet as it becomes a powerful symbol of what it all means.
Great insight Kelly!
I would be careful how I interpret information like this if I were you. It is starting to sound a little “astrological.” In Luciferian systems, it is Lucifer who is given honor for having brought “light” to mankind by waking him up from the chains of ignorance placed upon him by the creator god. There is only one “Light of the World,” and that is Jesus Christ. And there is only One who reveals Christ to us, and that is the Holy Spirit.
No, it’s not Luciferian at all. Genesis 1:14 says that God, not Satan, uses the sun and moon for signs, seasons, days and years. Nice try but no banana.
Whoa! I didn’t realise Joseph Smith was born on Festivus! That’s amazing!
Exactly! And Festivus traditions can remind us of him. The Feats of Strength remind us of the spiritual wrestling Smith went through, and the Airing of Grievances recalls all the unbelievers who criticized him and let him know just how they thought he’d offended them. Also, the Festivus pole can remind us of the iron rod, though it’d make more sense if it were displayed horizontally along the wall. (I started this reply as a lighthearted joke, but it makes a strange kind of sense! Of course I could probably find symbolism in just about anything if I tried hard enough.) 🙂
I am glad when anyone finds faith and confirmation. I too would urge caution here, because the coincidence only works for the half of the planet that we call the northern hemisphere. If Joseph was and is God’s prophet to the world, then how would this coincidence work for the “bottom” half of the globe, which is turning from maximum daylight to shorter days?
Well, Joseph was born in the northern hemisphere, so even those whose seasons are different can look at the coincidence in the context of where he was born.
John Pratt has researched & published lots about dates being important to the Lord. There is
no doubt that O.T. dates (like what is revealed in this comment by Kelly Smith), meaning eternal
dates, are significant. Bobbi Peterson