From
Martyrdom to Celebration!
by John P. Pratt
The Nauvoo Temple will be dedicated this month at 5:00 p.m.
on Thu 27 Jun 2002, a time clearly chosen to commemorate the martyrdom
of the two testators of the restoration, Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
Both their death date and the date of this year's celebration are
significant on the Hebrew Calendar. In fact, Zechariah prophesied
that it would cease being a time to mourn and become a time to rejoice!
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The Nauvoo Temple: Darkness
Yields to Light
Photo courtesy of Scot Facer Proctor
The coming dedication
of the L.D.S. temple on Thu 27 Jun 2002 at Nauvoo, Illinois, will
be a time for reflection, not only on the restoration of the Church,
and restoration of the Nauvoo temple, but also on the importance
of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum.
They sealed their testimony of the restoration of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their blood just after 5:00
p.m. on Thu 27 Jun 1844. That event had been prophesied long before,
and most likely even symbolized in ordinances of the law of Moses.
Those ordinances were performed on dates specified on the calendar
revealed to Moses, which was very similar to the modern Hebrew Calendar.
Let us consider the calendrical importance of the death dates of
those two great men, and why it might be a time to rejoice. But
let us begin with the significance of their birth dates.
Who Was the
Prophet Joseph Smith?
It has been known for nearly two centuries that the Prophet Joseph
Smith is one of the greatest prophets of all time. He personally saw
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and was given the power and authority
to restore the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth by such illustrious
men as Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Peter, James, and John.
It has truly been said of him that he has done more for the salvation
of men in this world than any other man who has ever lived on earth,
except for Jesus Christ himself (D.&C. 135:3). That is an astounding
statement, which causes one to ask, "Just exactly what is the position
of Joseph Smith in the overall plan?" The Prophet himself made a point
of not telling anyone exactly what his role is.[1]
It has recently
been suggested that the star constellations, which were reportedly
revealed to the Prophet Enoch, testify of exactly what the place
of Joseph Smith in the Priesthood organization of this earth is.
While that conclusion took four detailed articles to derive,[2] let us briefly review the result.
There are four
"cornerstone" constellations which are each located at the corners
of a great square in the sky, and which also are included in the
circle of twelve constellations known as the zodiac. Those four
constellations each contain a bright star, and at the time of Enoch,
each was located near the position of the sun in the sky on the
first day of the four seasons. Moreover, an angel told Enoch that
each of those stars represents one of the faithful servants of the
Lord. From the four figures, the star names, and a variety of scriptural
clues, it was possible to deduce not only who those four men are,
but also their apparent priesthood positions and responsibilities.
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The Prophet Joseph Smith
The President of
the Priesthood over all dispensations of the gospel on the earth appears
to be Adam. One of his specific duties is to preside over all nations.
He reports directly to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, who
form the First Presidency of Heaven. Adam, who presides over the entire
earth, has two counselors. The first counselor, who apparently presides
over the entire Eastern Hemisphere, is Noah. The second counselor,
who presides over the Western Hemisphere, is Joseph Smith. Joseph
also has the specific responsibility of the hope and salvation of
all mankind. That is very similar to the responsibility of Jesus Christ
in the First Presidency of Heaven, and explains why Joseph Smith is
accredited with being second only to Jesus in that specific duty.
The secretary or clerk is Enoch, who was known anciently as "the Scribe."
The similarity
of the roles of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith for the salvation
of mankind was apparently emphasized in ceremonies of the law of
Moses. Every day two lambs were sacrificed, one at dawn and one
in the afternoon. It has been suggested that the first lamb sacrificed
at dawn, the meridian of their day which began at sunset, represented
Jesus Christ, known as the Messiah ben Judah, the anointed one from
the tribe of Judah. The second lamb sacrificed near the end of the
day, representing near the end of history, likely symbolized Joseph
Smith, known also as the Messiah ben Joseph, being from that tribe.
Thus, Joseph Smith was apparently of such stature to have been symbolized
by a daily sacrifice in the law of Moses.[3]
Thus, we see
that the position of Joseph Smith in priesthood authority is high
indeed, being above that of Abraham, Moses, and Peter. His prudence
in not revealing his true identity appears wise, for even more men
would have been tempted to rise up and slay him before his time,
as they did the Savior when he hinted at who he really was.
So what does
all of this have to do with the birth and death dates of Joseph
Smith? The main point is to understand that Joseph Smith is one
of four great men who preside over the earth, and that each of these
men was associated with the beginning of one of the four seasons.
Several articles have been published about the importance of the
dates of the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.[4] They have also emphasized
the importance of those dates on the Hebrew calendar. What about
the dates of the birth and death of Joseph Smith?
Joseph Smith's
birth: 1 Tebeth
The Prophet Joseph Smith was born on Mon 23 Dec 1805. That is
close to the winter solstice, which usually occurs on 21 December,
which has led to the suggestion that his birth symbolized the time
when darkness would begin to recede and that the light would return
to the earth.[5] But that date is about
two days off, according to our calendar. When we looked at the Savior's
birth and death dates, we saw that his birth was timed down to the
quarter-day period before the midnight which commenced Thu 6 Apr 1
B.C. Similarly, his resurrection must have been after midnight and
before dawn on the morning of Sun 3 Apr A.D. 33. If the Savior's birth
and death were timed so precisely, we might expect that of Joseph
Smith to have been also. At this point it might be well to remember
that the Lord tends to use the calendars which he has revealed, rather
than the one originating with Julius Caesar, which we currently employ.
On the Hebrew Calendar, the four seasonal markers are the first days
of the months Nisan (spring), Tammuz (summer), Tishri (autumn) and
Tebeth (winter).
What was the
day 23 Dec 1805 on the Hebrew Calendar? While the true Hebrew Calendar
is not yet perfectly understood, all indications are that the evening
of 23 Dec 1805 began the Hebrew day 1 Tebeth, the precise day of
the winter solstice on that calendar.[6] The identification of Joseph Smith as one of the four
angels associated with the four seasons suggests that his birth
date was carefully planned to coincide with one of the four seasonal
markers on a calendar which God has endorsed. On the Hebrew calendar,
the first day of every month is considered a holy day, so Joseph
Smith was not only born on a holy day, but apparently was the standard
bearer for the day of the winter solstice throughout all time.
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The Patriarch Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith's
birth: 15 Shebat
What about Hyrum Smith? While he was not of the spiritual stature
of his younger brother Joseph, still he was chosen to be one of the
two martyrs to seal their testimony of the restoration with their
blood. What was his birth date and was it significant also on the
Hebrew Calendar?
Hyrum Smith
was born on Sun 9 Feb 1800. The evening of that day began the day
15 Shebat on the Hebrew calendar, which is also a holy day on the
Hebrew calendar. It is often called the "New Year for Trees." So
what is its significance? Its true meaning has been lost to the
Hebrew people, and the only explanation of its importance is usually
given as the time when "the fruit of the trees begins to form."[7]
We may know more about it by and by, but at present it appears that
it may have priesthood significance. For example the choosing of
the Twelve Apostles in modern times occurred on Sat 14 Feb 1835,
15 Shebat. However, until a pattern of several such dates is found,
that one occurrence could be simply only a chance coincidence. More
research is required to really understand the meaning of 15 Shebat.
In any case, the day 15 Shebat is a holy day on the Hebrew calendar.
Martyrdom: 10 Tammuz
The two Testators
of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times died about 5 p.m. on
Thu 27 Jun 1844. Was that a date of significance on the Hebrew Calendar?
That date was 10 Tammuz. Is that a holy day on the Hebrew Calendar?
Yes and No.
The answer
is "No" because currently it is not a holy day, but the answer should
be "Yes" because it is tied to the fall of Jerusalem and fits the
pattern of four Days of Atonement. Let us consider each of these
aspects in more detail.
Currently on
the Hebrew calendar there is a period of 3 weeks during the summer,
often called simply "The Three Weeks." They begin with a fast day
on 17 Tammuz and end with a fast day on 9 Ab, three weeks later.
Those three weeks tend to begin in late June or early July, depending
on the moon's phase, which is the basis of beginning the Hebrew
month. Both of those days are associated with the fall and destruction
of Jerusalem, both by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. and also by Titus
in A.D. 70. The three weeks are observed as a "dark time", a time
to contemplate the fall of their holy city and temple. During those
three weeks, traditionally no weddings or other joyous celebrations
are observed, particularly those involving music.[8]
The fact is
that the actual day of burning of the temple both times is believed
to have occurred on the last day of the fast, 9 Ab. I have researched
this claim, and accept it as true. The temple was apparently burned
the first time on Sat 23 Jul 587 B.C., 9 Ab on the Hebrew Calendar.
It was destroyed again on Sat 2 Aug A.D. 70, which was also 9 Ab.[9]
Hence, there is strong reason to remember the day 9 Ab as a fast
day of mourning, and as the end of a period of sadness.
What about
the first day of the Three Weeks, being 17 Tammuz? It turns out
that it is only known to be associated with the fall of the second
temple, being the day on which the daily sacrifice was stopped.[10]
In a way, that was the beginning of the destruction of that temple.
Most scholars do not believe, however, that the date was associated
in any way with the first fall of Jerusalem. Instead they point
to the day 9 Tammuz when the city of Jerusalem fell (2 Kings 25:3,
Jer. 39:2, 52:6). Shortly after the fall, there was a fast held
in the fourth month (Tammuz) and most scholars feel it was held
on either the 9th or 10th of Tammuz at that time. If it was the
10th, then it would have coincided with Joseph and Hyrum's martyrdom
date on their calendar.
Tempting as
that might be, I don't think it was the case. I believe the ancient
fast of the fourth month was indeed held on 17 Tammuz, just as it
is today. There is reason to believe that it commemorated the day
on which Nebuchadnezzar first took captives from Jerusalem, including
Daniel, on Sat 18 Jun 605 B.C., 17 Tammuz, shortly after he won
the Battle of Carchemish in Syria.[11] The very day probably marked the official beginning
of the 70 years of captivity to Babylon according to the Lord's
reckoning on the Hebrew Calendar. That data point would have been
well known during the captivity, and would represent the beginning
of the days of mourning.
So if the Hebrew
fast days are correct, what about Joseph Smith's death date? It
turns out that it completes the pattern of Four Days of Atonement
on the Hebrew calendar. Currently there are three out of four possible
days, which are associated with the four seasons. The official "Day
of Atonement" is on the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishri,
in the fall. It is a fast day, and the holiest day of the year on
the Hebrew Calendar. It has a counterpart in the spring, which is
the tenth day of the first month, Nisan. That is the day on which
the lamb was to be chosen to be the Passover sacrifice. There is
also a corresponding fast day in the winter, being the tenth day
of the tenth month. That was the day on which Nebuchadnezzar began
his siege of Jerusalem, and the Lord commanded Ezekiel to write
it down to remember it (Ezek. 20:1, 2 Kings 25:1, Jer. 52:4). The
fourth such day to complete the set of one atonement day for each
season would be the tenth day of the fourth month, being 10 Tammuz,
the day on which the two witnesses were martyred.
Thus, even
as the birthday of the Prophet Joseph Smith marks one of the big
four season starters, so also does his death date mark one of the
big four days of atonement. Even as the holy days on the Hebrew
Calendar often were not recognized until the key event of that day
occurred, such as the siege of Nebuchadnezzar, so also has this
holy day not been recognized until after the martyrdom.
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Lucy Mack Smith
Lucy Mack Smith's
birth: 10 Tammuz
There is some evidence that there is often a link in birth dates
between parents and childre n. More statistical research is required to verify
the extent to which this is not just chance coincidence, but preliminary
evidence suggests that parents are sometimes born or die on the same
days on the Hebrew calendar as their children, more often than would
be expected by chance. Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of Joseph and Hyrum
Smith, was born on Sat 8 Jul 1775. That day was 10 Tammuz on the Hebrew
calendar, the same day as the death of two of her children. This coincidence,
while only circumstantial evidence, supports both the idea of a link
from parents to children, and also of the importance of the day 10
Tammuz as an important day. Moreover, the fact that this special date
was apparently reserved for the Prophet Joseph Smith also testifies
of God's foreknowledge of all things. We know that Jesus Christ was
a lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and that the date of
his death was foreshadowed by the slaying of the Passover lamb every
spring, on the very day on which Jesus would become the Great Sacrifice.
It should not be surprising that the second lamb which was sacrificed
daily according to the law of Moses, should also have a special day
reserved for his sacrifice also.
It is important
to note that none of this should be construed as an endorsement
of astrology, which claims that the stars control our destiny. Rather,
it is a testimony that God carefully plans out his work, using his
own calendars. Clearly he can plan a temple dedication to occur
on a special day, but what about the death date of Jesus Christ
and of the Prophet Joseph Smith? John emphasized that no one could
kill the Savior until his hour had come (John 7:30, 8:20, 12:23,
13:1). The Lord assured Joseph Smith that the same was true of him,
and that his life span was known to the day: "Thy days are known,
and thy years shall not be numbered less" (D.C. 122:9). Thus, the
Lord held off any would-be slayers until they could be unleashed
at the correct time. Jesus, Joseph and Hyrum would then go as lambs
to the slaughter.
Thus we have
several testimonies that the universe is not run by chance, and
God knows the end from the beginning. That knowledge truly gives
us cause to rejoice.
A Day to Rejoice!
As far as I know, this dedication of the Nauvoo Temple is the
first joyous occasion in Church history which was chosen to occur
on a date on which we would normally be more subdued, perhaps mourning
the loss of our great prophet. Interestingly enough, this turnabout
might be a fulfillment of prophecy.
The Lord made
a very unusual prediction through his prophet Zechariah:
And
the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying,
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast
of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth,
shall be in the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts;
therefore love the truth and peace.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall
come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
And
the inhabitants of one city shall go to another saying, Let us go
speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts:
I will go also.
Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts
in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. (Zechariah 8:18-22)
Here the Lord
states that some day the four mourning fasts will become occasions
for celebration in Jerusalem. It sounds like the change might be
associated with future temples there, because many will go there
to worship. The mourning is mostly related to their loss of temples,
so it is not impossible to believe that their rejoicing might come
from the restoration of their temple.
What does this
have to do with our celebration? It turns out that Thu, 27 Jun 2002,
at 5:00 p.m., is the day 17 Tammuz on the Hebrew Calendar,
the first fast day of the Three Weeks of mourning. That is the fast
day of the fourth month to which Zechariah was referring. So it
looks as if the celebration in Nauvoo is a herald of future events
in Jerusalem, which also will occur on days which are normally solemn
fast days.
How comforting
this knowledge of God's grand scheme is, and of his precision timing.
We know that God is in his heavens and his designs and purposes
are never frustrated. He knows the end from the beginning, and the
apparently tragic deaths of both the Savior and the martyrs Joseph
and Hyrum were all a part of an overall plan, calendared from the
foundation of the world. It is truly a time to rejoice!
Notes
- "You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history.
. . . When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed
in the balance, you will all know me then. I add no more. God
bless you all. Amen. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,
Section Six, 1843-44, p. 361, spoken on April 7, 1844.)
- See "Enoch Calendar Testifies of Christ," "The Constellations
Testify of Christ," and "The Lion and the Unicorn Testify of Christ,"
in the archives for Meridian Magazine.
- Pratt, J.P., "What Every
Mormon Should Know About Astronomy," Meridian Magazine, 12
May 2000.
- See articles by J.P.Pratt at http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/index.html.
- Proctor, Scot Facer, Witness of the Light, Deseret Book
Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, p. 22.
- Today's Hebrew calendar requires a few minor corrections, especially
in correcting the slow drift of the calendar through the seasons,
equivalent to the corrections leading to the adoption of our modern
Gregorian calendar which replaced the Julian Calendar. On the
Hebrew calendar in use in 1805, the day Sun 22 Dec 1805 was 1
Tebeth. On the Perpetual Hebrew Calendar, which appears to be
correct throughout all time, the day Tue 24 Dec 1805 was 1 Tebeth.
That day begins at 6 p.m. on the previous evening. Thus, if that
is correct, then in order to fulfill the apparently intended symbolism,
the prophet Joseph Smith must have been born after 6 p.m. on Mon
23 Dec 1805. I am not aware of any record of the exact time of
day of his birth, so I postulate that it was after 6 p.m.
- Strassfield, Michael, The Jewish Holidays: A Guide and Commentary,
Harper & Row, 1985, p. 179.
- Strassfield, p. 87.
- The scriptural account gives both 10 Ab (Jer. 52:12) and also
7 Ab (2 Kings 25:8). And the burning in A.D. 70 is also given
as 10 Ab (Josephus, Wars of the Jews VI.iv.5), but in both
cases 9 Ab appears to be historically correct. I give the dates
on the Gregorian calendar which we now use, rather than the Julian
which historians often prefer.
- Josephus, Wars of the Jews, VI.ii.1.
- For a discussion of the exact timing of the 70 year captivity,
see Pratt, J.P. "When Was Judah's 70-Year Babylonian
Captivity?" Ensign 28 (Oct 1998) pp. 64-65.
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