As we celebrate, with rich abundance, Christmas and Jesus Christ’s birth, sometimes we forget an additional aspect of the holiday season: the birthday of the father of our own dispensation, The Prophet, Joseph Smith.

Born on December 23^rd, 1805, Joseph Smith was born under “forgettable circumstances,” according to his mother.  He grew up pretty ordinary too. Yet there was no mistake when he very simply yearned for a particular answer and received a profound one that would end up changing the world.

We have just a few documented Christmases that Joseph experienced. There was the Christmas he fell in love with Emma while working with the Stowells. The two would later elope in January of 1827.

On Christmas Day of 1832, Joseph received a revelation (D&C 87) where he was told that the world would experience war, beginning in South Carolina. This was a prophecy stating that the world would get very ugly before the Second Coming of the Lord; the Civil War would be just the beginning. So, why such a frightening message on Christmas? Two days later, on Dec. 27^th, he received peace through Sec. 88 which is often referred to as the “Olive Leaf.” Jesus Christ proceeds to explain to Joseph that when He comes, He will bring Peace to the world. The revelation includes how we are to prepare the world for His Coming.

Joseph was in Liberty Jail over the Christmas of 1838. The freezing cold dungeon was a nightmare for the six men imprisoned together. The men were fed gruel, human flesh, and poison. They huddled together for warmth, shivering so much that some of the men would suffer from the effects the rest of their lives. Emma, and some of the other wives were able to visit their husbands, but the visits were short and mostly unpleasant. Yet, the families were grateful for these brief sweet moments.

The Christmas of 1842 must have been one full of joy and anticipation until the next day when Emma delivered a stillborn baby, the sixth child she buried.

Joseph’s last Christmas was a picture perfect celebration spent in the newly finished Mansion House in Nauvoo. The household was awakened in the middle of the night by carolers who everyone was sure had just come from

heaven. During the day, fifty guests arrived to enjoy a sumptuous meal and all the festivities of the day. In the middle of the party, a ruffian burst through the door. Joseph’s bodyguards immediately held the stranger back, forcing him back outside. Joseph didn’t realize at first, but something seemed vaguely familiar about this ragged man. He recognized his childhood friend, Orrin Porter Rockwell. Porter had just broken out of jail. He was dirty with long, scraggly, greasy hair.  As soon as Joseph realized who it was, he embraced him and welcomed him into the warm home. It was here that Joseph told Porter that if he never cut his hair, a bullet would never kill him.

This would be Joseph’s last Christmas. Joseph’s mission was to prepare a world for Jesus Christ’s Coming. How wonderful that we can honor both of them at the same time of year. Yet, how appropriate to honor them throughout the entire year.

As John Taylor said, “Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it…He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people” (D&C 135:3).