Mormons, Jesus, and Christmas

Jesus at Christmas time

In this time of Christmas, I'm always curious to see what and if The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints writes specifically about Him.

I found two such articles. One current and the other old.

Ensign - 2010 - December
Jesus Christ Is the Only Begotten Son of God

at http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=ead744f86d57c210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRDtiny url = http://preview.tinyurl.com/2g358ot

The online version in the Gospel Library - Magazines section is slightly different from the
version seen at http://lds.org/ensign?lang=eng. The pdf version here contains imbedded
pictures.

"Jesus was the only person to be born of a mortal mother, Mary, and an immortal father,
God the Father. That is why Jesus is called the Only Begotten Son of God. From His Father,
He inherited divine powers (see John 10:17–18). From His mother, He inherited mortality
and became subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death."

"For more information, see Gospel Principles (2009), 52–53; True to the Faith (2004), 87–
89; and Richard C. Edgley, “The Condescension of God,” Ensign, Dec. 2001, 16–21."

What is mentioned above is found in the 2009 version of Gospel Principles, but something
extra and interesting is seen when you view the 2001 article below.

Ensign - 2001 - December
The Condescension of God

at http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=f50d8c6a47e0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
tiny url = http://preview.tinyurl.com/2awct2w

"As the angel taught Nephi, he may have been speaking of two condescensions—one of
God the Father and one of the Son, Jesus Christ. Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles elaborates, “ ‘The condescension of God,’ of which
the scriptures speak, means that the Immortal Father—the glorified, exalted, enthroned
ruler of the universe—came down from his station of dominion and power to become
the Father of a Son who would be born of Mary, ‘after the manner of the flesh.’ ” God
the Father also condescended by sending His Only Begotten Son to suffer the sins of the
world. The Savior is God’s gift to us."

"While God the Father’s condescension reflects His great love for all mankind by permitting
His Only Begotten to be sacrificed for even the humblest and lowliest of His children, Christ’s
condescension was more personal and visible—for He was the sacrifice. His condescension was
manifest by who He was and the way He lived. His condescension can be seen in almost every
recorded act of His 33 years of mortality. In this article we will focus on the condescension
of the Savior of the world as the Creator/Redeemer and Exemplar." (local copy)

This seems to strongly imply (if not in fact teach) that the LDS version of Heavenly Father
needed to come down from heaven to earth so that Jesus could be born to Mary as other
children are born to their fathers. The Religion 430-431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Student
Manual refers to this as a "celestial Sireship." See chapter 4 -
http://institute.lds.org/manuals/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/index.asp

Did you know that 3 LDS Presidents and one member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
in the LDS Church have taught Jesus was born on April 6?

In April 1973, then President Harold Lee said, "This is the annual conference of the Church.
April 6, 1973, is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary
of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation, but
also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith
wrote this, preceding a revelation given at that same date: The rise of the Church of Christ in
these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable
to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on
the sixth day of the month which is called April (D&C 20:1)" (Strengthen the Stakes of Zion,
Ensign, July 1973, local copy).

In April 1980, then President Kimball said, "My brothers and sisters, today we not only
celebrate the Sesquicentennial of the organization of the Church, but also the greatest
event in human history since the birth of Christ on this day 1,980 years ago. Today is
Easter Sunday" (Remarks and Dedication of the Fayette, New York, Buildings, Ensign, May
1980, local copy).

This is repeated yet again in the April 1997 General Conference by Richard G. Scott (of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles). He said, "It is April 6th. Modern scripture records that Jesus
Christ was born on this day." This particular scripture is a revelation supposed given to Joseph
Smith - Doctrine and Covenants 20:1 - "The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days,
being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws
of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth
day of the month which is called April" (Jesus Christ Our Redeemer, Ensign, April 1997,
local copy).

But I never see any Christmas-like celebrations in April in the Mormon Church. Do you?