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***<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today marks the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1805.\u00a0 Which, I suppose, explains why I was awakened this morning by the distant sound of braying donkeys.\u00a0 Some critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a> are rolling out their annual claim that Latter-day Saints celebrate \u201cSmithmas,\u201d the Prophet\u2019s birthday, with more enthusiasm and vigor than we celebrate the mainstream Christian holiday of Christmas.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For many such unfortunates, I think it\u2019s just a rather bitter and not particularly funny joke. \u00a0Some, though, seem to take the claim seriously \u2014 or, at least, to want others<\/em> to take it seriously.\u00a0 (It may simply be an irresistible opportunity for them to bear false witness.)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The truth, of course, is that most Latter-day Saints don\u2019t even know that 23 December\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the Prophet\u2019s birthday, let alone\u00a0celebrate<\/em>\u00a0it. \u00a0The charge that \u201cSmithmas\u201d is our most beloved and revered holy day rests on an obscure blend of ill-humored joking and, perhaps, flat dishonesty.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Just to put the truth on the record, though, for those who might otherwise be innocently taken in by the claim, here are some things that I\u2019ve written about it during previous years:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cProphet\u2019s birthday fits with season\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Twas the last Sunday before \u2018Smithmas\u2019\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cJoseph Smith would be 210 years old today\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The image of Joseph Smith\u2019s First Vision shown above will serve as clearly as anything, I suppose, to illustrate the actual believing Latter-day Saint view of his position. \u00a0It is clearly subordinate. \u00a0The Father and the Son initiated that visit. \u00a0He didn\u2019t. \u00a0He was the (surprised and eventually overwhelmed) petitioner. \u00a0The Father and the Son are instructing him, not the other way around. \u00a0He is kneeling before them. \u00a0They are not kneeling before him.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Latter-day Saints have no problem distinguishing a prophet of God from God himself, or telling Joseph Smith apart from the Lord.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Back in the days when my wife and I used to host a little \u201cbirthday party\u201d for Joseph Smith at our house on 23 December, we would maybe tell a story or two about the Prophet \u2014 or invite somebody else to do so. \u00a0(The late and much lamented historian Scott Faulring came one year, for example.) \u00a0Maybe we would express some appreciation for him. \u00a0Then we would enjoy potluck refreshments and sing Christmas carols. \u00a0Note: \u00a0Not \u201cSmithmas carols.\u201d \u00a0Christmas<\/em> carols. \u00a0It was an excuse to get together with some highly musical friends during the holiday season \u2014 close to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but not too<\/em> close \u2014 and to sing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There seems, by the way, to have been no mention at all of \u201cSmithmas\u201d in any of the following, even though they would seem to have been perfect opportunities to revel in our supposedly true understanding of the Season:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Light of Christmas: A Message from President Russell M. Nelson\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLight the World Themed Boat Wins \u2018Best Music\u2019 Award in 2021 Newport Beach Boat Parade\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cChurch Leaders Share Messages of Peace and Hope at 2021 First Presidency Christmas Devotional: President Henry B. Eyring says the spirit of Christmas is \u201cthe joy that comes in worshiping and loving the Lord Jesus Christ\u201d\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWatch the \u2018Witnesses of Christmas\u2019 Concert Originating from Rome and Copenhagen: The concert, available in 24 languages, can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook through January 6, 2022\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs a \u2018Present Witness,\u2019 President Oaks Testifies of Christ During \u2018Witnesses of Christmas\u2019 Concert in Europe\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Tabernacle Choir Records 2022 Christmas Concert: Singer\/actress Megan Hilty and actor Neal McDonough headline\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWatch 20 Years of Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir,<\/i> Narrated by Brian Stokes Mitchell: The two-hour retrospective includes past performances from Angela Lansbury, Kristin Chenoweth, Alfie Boe, and more Broadway favorites joining the famed choir at Temple Square.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nor can I find any mention of \u201cSmithmas\u201d from these two immediately prior presidents of the Church:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, \u2018Come, follow me.\u2019<\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n There is a magic in Christmas. Hearts are opened to a new measure of kindness. Love speaks with increased power. Tensions are eased\u2026<\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I think I\u2019ll close with yet another trio of ghastly horrors from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial \u201cHow Religion Poisons Everything\u201d File<\/em>\u00a9:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c\u201cLight the World with Love\u201d is Shared Globally: US Giving Machines donations approach four million dollars so far\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nAs we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others.\u00a0 (Thomas S. Monson)<\/span><\/p>\n
\nOf all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary\u2019s cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.<\/span>
\nAt this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.\u00a0 (Gordon B. Hinckley)<\/span><\/p>\n