The base text for this reader's copy of the Nativity story follows the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament. It includes a few pronunciation helps and alternative translations in parentheses. Quote marks also have been added to distinguish quotations within the text.
The Christmas story is broken into three readings. The first is from the Book of Mormon, the second is from the Book of Luke in the New Testament, and the last is from the Book of Matthew in the New Testament.
A READING FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
3 NEPHI 1:9-21
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, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
And it came to pass that 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.
"Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son — of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given."
And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand.
And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth. For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day.
And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.
And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.
A READING FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING
LUKE 2:1-20 JST
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all his empire should be taxed (or registered). This same taxing was when Cyrenius (Sii-ree-nee-us) was governor of Syria.
And all went to be taxed, every one in his own city.And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, she being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was none to give room for them in the inns.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
But 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 Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way ye shall find the babe, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger."
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 to men."
And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us."
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All they who heard it wondered (or marveled) at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had heard and seen, as they were manifested unto them.
A READING FOR CHRISTMAS EVENING
MATTHEW 2:1-12 JST
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, "Where is the child that is born the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him."
When Herod the king had heard of the child, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, saying, "Where is the place that is written of by the prophets, in which Christ should be born?"
For he greatly feared, yet he believed not the prophets.
And they said unto him, "It is written by the prophets, that he should be born in Bethlehem of Judea: for thus have they said, 'The word of the Lord came unto us, saying, "And thou Bethlehem, which lieth in the land of Judea, in thee shall be born a prince, which art not the least among the princes of Judea: for out of thee shall come the Messiah, who shall save my people Israel."'"
Then Herod, when he had called the wise men privily, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found the child, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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