Comments on: Astrology in the Christmas Story – Part 1 http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/ Stuff they don't talk about in Sunday School Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:23:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Mormon Heretic » Stories about Jesus’ Childhood http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8663 Mormon Heretic » Stories about Jesus’ Childhood Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:34:59 +0000 http://www.mormonheretic.org/?p=136#comment-8663 [...] came from the East to Jerusalem, according to the prophecy of Zoradascht [footnote says Zoroaster—I blogged about Zoroastrianism a few years ago] and brought with them offerings; namely gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and worshipped him, and [...] [...] came from the East to Jerusalem, according to the prophecy of Zoradascht [footnote says Zoroaster—I blogged about Zoroastrianism a few years ago] and brought with them offerings; namely gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and worshipped him, and [...]

]]> By: The Difference Between Persians and Arabs at Mormon Matters http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1749 The Difference Between Persians and Arabs at Mormon Matters Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:01:06 +0000 http://www.mormonheretic.org/?p=136#comment-1749 [...] Men from the East.  Some scholars believe that the Wise Men believed in Zoroastrianism.  (I did a post on this at Christmas.)  Ann was surprised to hear this.  I also know that there is a mountain in Saudi Arabia called [...] [...] Men from the East.  Some scholars believe that the Wise Men believed in Zoroastrianism.  (I did a post on this at Christmas.)  Ann was surprised to hear this.  I also know that there is a mountain in Saudi Arabia called [...]

]]> By: The 3 Kings - Part 2 — Mormon Heretic http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1105 The 3 Kings - Part 2 — Mormon Heretic Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:00:08 +0000 http://www.mormonheretic.org/?p=136#comment-1105 [...] talked previously about the Wise Men and their part in the Christmas Story.  Not much is known about them, but there are quite a few interesting legends.  For example, we [...] [...] talked previously about the Wise Men and their part in the Christmas Story.  Not much is known about them, but there are quite a few interesting legends.  For example, we [...]

]]> By: Mormon Heretic http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1103 Mormon Heretic Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:53:53 +0000 http://www.mormonheretic.org/?p=136#comment-1103 Dirthead, Thanks for commenting. I did include the gifts portion of this topic in a Sunday School lesson a couple of years ago. (I added it on my own--it mystifies me as to why the church manual never seems to care about when Easter and Christmas are--I would think that when these holidays approach, we should have some lessons geared towards them, instead of just slogging through the scriptures in order....) It is quite interesting to me that the Magi, or Wise men, were not Jews. How would we feel if a psychic like Jeanne Dixon, proclaimed Thomas S Monson as a true prophet? My guess is that we (as a church) would be uncomfortable with it. Would we want to include this kind of recommendation in the D&C, or P of GP? To me, this is analogous to the Magi's recommendation in the New Testament. Frankly, I think most Christians take the Wise Men story at face value, but it isn't quite so simple as that. It kind of reminds me of the story of Balaam--was he a prophet or not? He was not a jew, so didn't have the priesthood, and he never claimed to worship the Jewish God.... (That's quite an unusual story as well.) Dirthead,

Thanks for commenting. I did include the gifts portion of this topic in a Sunday School lesson a couple of years ago. (I added it on my own–it mystifies me as to why the church manual never seems to care about when Easter and Christmas are–I would think that when these holidays approach, we should have some lessons geared towards them, instead of just slogging through the scriptures in order….)

It is quite interesting to me that the Magi, or Wise men, were not Jews. How would we feel if a psychic like Jeanne Dixon, proclaimed Thomas S Monson as a true prophet? My guess is that we (as a church) would be uncomfortable with it. Would we want to include this kind of recommendation in the D&C, or P of GP? To me, this is analogous to the Magi’s recommendation in the New Testament. Frankly, I think most Christians take the Wise Men story at face value, but it isn’t quite so simple as that.

It kind of reminds me of the story of Balaam–was he a prophet or not? He was not a jew, so didn’t have the priesthood, and he never claimed to worship the Jewish God…. (That’s quite an unusual story as well.)

]]> By: dirthead http://www.mormonheretic.org/2008/12/13/christmas-story-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1061 dirthead Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:04:54 +0000 http://www.mormonheretic.org/?p=136#comment-1061 As far as thinking any less of the "wise men" I don't at all. It actually makes sense since the 3 did not travel just the one night, but for several weeks to get there. I did not however know the meanings behind the gifts! Good info to have. Even better for a Christmas EQ or SS lesson! As far as thinking any less of the “wise men” I don’t at all. It actually makes sense since the 3 did not travel just the one night, but for several weeks to get there. I did not however know the meanings behind the gifts! Good info to have. Even better for a Christmas EQ or SS lesson!

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