The Christmas Story on Two Nations



A nice way to end a Christmas family home evening is with this choral reading that juxtaposes scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon. Each family member who is old enough to read is given a copy and the group is divided in half. One group reads the Bible scriptures and other reads the Book of Mormon scriptures. A narrator reads the bold, italicized headings. (Citations are not read.)
The Christmas Story on Two Nations
A Star
From the Book of Mormon: There shall a new star arise such an one as ye never have beheld (Hel. 14:5).
From the Bible: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy (Matthew 2:9-10).
MaryFrom the Book of Mormon: The Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary (Alma 7:9-10).
From the Bible: The angel Gabriel was sent from God … to a virgin… whose… name was Mary (Luke 1:26-27).
His NameFrom the Bible: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS (Matthew 1:21).
From the Book of Mormon: According to the words of the prophets… his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God (2 Nephi 25:19).
Angels Bring Tidings of JoyFrom the Bible: And the angel said unto them… I bring you good tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10).
From the Book of Mormon: Angels did appear unto men… and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy (Helaman 16:14).
Wise MenFrom the Bible: Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1).
From the Book of Mormon: And angels did appear unto… wise men (Helaman 16:14).
Jesus’ BirthFrom the Book of Mormon: There were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass…. Now it came to pass that when Nephi… saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. And… he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. (3 Nephi 1:5; 9-13).
From the Bible: And Joseph also went up from Galilee… unto… Bethlehem… to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And… the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son…. And there were in the same country shepherds… keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them…. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord…. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:7, 9-14).
Testimony of Two Nations
From the Book of Mormon: Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another… For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the seas, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them (2 Nephi 29:8).
From the Bible: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Prophet's Example of Surviving Severe Adversity

A couple of months ago, I wrote about   how the prophet Moroni worked through depression . His firsthand account, documented in the Book of Mormon, is a template for survivorship. The prophet Alma, son of Alma, was also well acquainted with adversity and grief. Like Moroni, Alma recorded his emotional low points, tribulations, and patterns of healing in the Book of Mormon. A study of Alma’s trials shows the extent of his suffering. •      He experienced psychological abuse.  He and his mission companion, Amulek, were brought out of prison “to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire” (Alma 14:9). Believing women and children, perhaps including Amulek’s wife and children, were “cast into the fire” (Alma 14:8). Can you imagine the sights, smells, and sounds, let alone the excruciating reality? The persecutors also burned personal records and scriptures. Insult to injury. (Destroying personal histories wiped away all tangible memor
Read more

Who Should Celebrate the Fourth of July?

I have been planning family activities for the Fourth of July, one of my favorite holidays, and thinking about who should celebrate the day and why. I am a patriotic American who enjoys parades, John Philip Sousa marches, picnics, fireworks, and studying the lives of the Founding Fathers. The blood in my veins runs red, white, and blue. Because I am an American by birth, I am thankful July 4, 1776 separated the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain. Because I am English and Irish by DNA, I am thankful Richard and I had opportunity to live in England for almost three years. We traveled it from top to bottom, side to side. We enjoyed the people, history, culture, castles, cathedrals, museums, beauty, holidays, and pomp. We named our daughter who was born there after the queen.  One day we went to Epsom Downs because we knew Queen Elizabeth was coming to open the horse races. When we walked in, there she was about fifteen feet in front of us. She looked right at me and waved. Real
Read more

Personal Revelation—Some Assembly Required

             Heavenly Father communicates uniquely with each of His children, one-by-one and one-on-one. He knows needs and understands hearts. He speaks every language, including love languages and unspoken emotional longings. Your personal connection with Him is yours alone. I believe each of us has a distinct frequency through which we individually communicate with Him via prayer and sacred pondering. When I pray for Sarah, He knows which Sarah I am referring to. His communications come through a secure channel. A revelation for you never comes to me. He connects reciprocally and exclusively on your wavelength to answer your prayers, show His love in tender mercies, supply needed inspiration, and grant miracles—all forms of personal revelation.  This direct link to Heavenly Father comes through the Holy Ghost. Speaking of Joseph Smith, President Henry B. Eyring said: “ Not only was he then called of God to establish the true Church of Jesus Christ, but with it was restored the
Read more