Question
Gramps,
I am wondering if you know of anywhere that states what day of the week Christ was born? I thought I had heard a quote that He was born on a Sunday, resurrected on a Sunday and that He would come again on a Sunday. But I can’t seem to find it.
Jeff
Answer
Dear Jeff,
I don’t personally recall such a quote and have not been able to find one. There’s another that I’ve heard: that these events happened and will happen on April 6th. Either way, the short answer is, we simply don’t know enough to say with certainty the date or day of week of the Savior’s birth, and as scripture tells us, the day of the Second Coming will not be revealed to mankind before it happens.
I think most people don’t realize just how hard it is to try to figure out dates from the distant past. It is so difficult that even scholars cannot agree. If you wish to study some scholarship surrounding these dates, there’s a good 2-part article from the Ensign magazine in 1985 with many references and details: “The Restoration of Priesthood Keys on Easter 1836, Part 1: Dating the First Easter” and “The Restoration of Priesthood Keys on Easter 1836, Part 2: Symbolism of Passover and of Elijah’s Return“. Also, more recently, there was a news article regarding speculation that Christ’s birth may actually have been close to our modern Christmas. Among the reasons for scholarly uncertainty are lack of documentation, and the shifting of calendars over the centuries – just search for information about the history of calendars and you’ll find enough to leave you cursing the Roman emperors, and entirely uncertain as to whether today really is today!
In my experience, those who try to match or guess at these dates are either simply curious, or are looking for a way to predict when the Second Coming will be. However, we are told no one knows – only the Father (Matt 24:36 and D&C 49:7). We are also told that Christ will come when we think not (Matt 24:44), like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). Because of this, we are told to be prepared (e.g. Matt 24 & 25) and watch always (Matt 24:42). Modern prophets have also counseled us not to allow expectation of the Second Coming to keep us from planning and preparing to live full and responsible lives.
Fortunately, we can prepare for the Second Coming without knowing how soon that will be. In fact, continual preparation is really the only way to prepare – we cannot wait until the last minute and expect to instantly change our hearts or natures (see Alma 34:34). So, if you’re just curious about that quote, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help you. If you’re curious about correlation, history, or symbolism regarding these dates, I recommend you start with the articles linked above. Whatever your interest, I recommend to you and all of us, that we continue to do our best to follow the example and teachings of our Savior, so that whenever he comes again, we will be ready and anxious to continue following him.
Gramps
