by John P. Pratt
The following article numbers are used in some of my writings to refer to the articles by the numbers listed here. The article numbers are assigned in chronological order of publication. The references may contain periods or hyphens. Periods refer to section numbers and hyphens to endnote numbers. For example, the reference 3.4.2 refers to article 3 below ("Yet Another Eclipse for Herod"), section 4.2 within that article. On the other hand, the reference 3-38 refers to endnote 38 of that same article. As with these example links, most have actual links to the section or endnote for easy navigation to the reference. I am the author unless otherwise stated. The first 25 articles were published in the volume Divine Calendars: Astronomical Witnesses of Sacred Events.
Article 1. "The Restoration of Priesthood
Keys on Easter 1836, Part 1:Dating the First
Easter," Ensign 15, No. 6 (June, 1985), pp. 59-68.
A summary of the evidence used to date the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,
proposing that Sunday, 3 April A.D. 33 (Greg.) is the most likely date.
Most of the evidence is from the Bible; with only a few references to L.D.S.
scriptures, so it should be almost totally understandable to other
readers.
Article 2. "The Restoration of Priesthood Keys on Easter 1836, Part 2:
Symbolism of Passover and of Elijah's
Return," Ensign 15, No. 7 (July, 1985), pp. 55-64.
A summary of the reasons Passover was symbolic of the sacrifice and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, followed by a discussion of the calendrical significance of the
return of the Prophet Elijah to the Kirtland Temple on Easter Sunday, 3 April
1836. It is Part II of Article 1.
Article 3. "Yet Another Eclipse for
Herod," The Planetarian* vol. 19, no. 4, Dec. 1990, pp. 8-14.
The date of the birth of Christ is usually estimated from the date
of the death of King Herod, generally believed to have been in 4 B.C.
Herod's death date is tied to a lunar eclipse, usually thought
to be the one that occurred in March of that year. This article
is the first to propose that the correct eclipse occurred in December
of 1 B.C. and that Christ was born around Passover of 1 B.C.
Article 4. "Newton's Date for the Crucifixion,"
Quarterly Journal of Royal Astronomical Society 32, (Sept. 1991),
301-304.
This article is the republication of a hitherto almost unknown
calculation by Sir Isaac Newton of the date of the Crucifixion of Christ. It
includes a commentary noting that it is the same method of reconstructing the
Judean calendar still used today, but he
predated the first to do it in modern times by nearly two centuries.
Article 5. "How did it come to be that our
largely non-Christian world reckons years from the birth of Christ?"
Ensign 23, 4 (April, 1993), p. 55.
This was a response to "I Have a Question."
Article 6. "Passover: Was it
Symbolic of His Coming?" The Ensign 24, 1 (Jan, 1994), pp
38-45.
It is widely believed among Christians that the Jewish Passover was
symbolic of the death of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:7). This is the first article
that proposes that Passover also symbolized the birth of Jesus Christ.
Article 7. "When Was Judah's 70-Year Babylonian
Captivity?," Ensign 28, No. 10 (Oct, 1998), pp. 64-65.
Jeremiah prophesied that the captivity of Israel in Babylon would last
70 years. Many commentaries state that the captivity only lasted less
than 60 years. This article suggests that if Jewish reckoning is used
from the date of the first captives, then it lasted exactly 70 years.
Article 8. "Hebrew Calendar
Testifies of Latter-day Events,"
Meridian Magazine (17 Sep 1999).
Some events of the restoration appear to have been timed according to the Hebrew
calendar.
Article 9. "Mapping Time,"
American Mathematical Monthly, 106 (Jan 2000), pp. 92-99.
This book review of Mapping Time proposes a 5-star calendar rating
system.
Article 10. "Lehi's 600-Year
Prophecy of the Birth of Christ," Meridian Magazine (31 Mar 2000).
It is proposed the angel's prophecy that Christ would come 600 years after
Lehi's departure was fulfilled to the very day.
Article 11. "What Every Mormon
Should Know About Astronony," Meridian Magazine (12 May 2000).
Including the Big Dipper, the Bright and Morning Star, and the Constellations.
This is the full text of an earlier shortened version from 12 Feb 1999.
Article 12. "The Star of
Bethlehem's Forerunner," Meridian Magazine (28 Nov 2000).
The splendid Jupiter/Venus conjunction of Jun 2 B.C. was most likely the sign of
the conception of Jesus Christ.
Article 13. "Venus Resurrects This
Easter Sunday," Meridian Magazine (27 Feb 2001).
Introduction to the Venus Calendar, noting that the coming Easter Sunday, 15 Apr
2001, would have Venus "resurrecting" as a morning star as it did at the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Article 14. "A Native American
Easter: How the Ancient American Calendar Testifies of Christ,"
Meridian Magazine (28 Mar 2001).
Introduction to the Sacred Round and how the key dates in the life of Christ are
significant on the calendar, indicating that the Feathered Serpent of the Native
Americans was indeed Jesus Christ.
Article 15. "Coordinates for the
Constellations,"(25 April 2001).
The constellations have proven to be an enduring map, but have never had a
coordinate system fit to them. Sidereal coordinates are proposed, measuring
longitude along the ecliptic from the star Pi Vir. A Uniform Vernal Equinox is
also defined.
Article 16. "Celestial Witnesses
of Christ Breaking the Bands of Death,"
Meridian Magazine (26 Apr 2001).
The morning stars Venus and Mercury appeared to cut one of the Bands of Death
constellation while the slowest hand on the great clock in the sky cut the
other.
Article 17. "Enoch Calendar
Testifies of Christ," Meridian Magazine (11 Sep 2001).
The Book of Enoch, a "lost book" of the Bible which has been found, describes a
364-day calendar on which key dates in the life of Christ appear to fall on "holy
days."
Article 18. "The
Constellations Testify of Christ," Meridian Magazine (9 Oct 2001).
The Book of Enoch claims that an angel revealed the constellations to the
ancient Prophet Enoch, and that appears to be true because they testify of Jesus
Christ."
Article 19. "The Lion and
Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part I: The Cornerstone Constellations,"
Meridian Magazine (8 Nov 2001).
The four cornerstone constellations correspond to the four faces of the cherubim
and the four principal tribes of Israel, and each testifies of Christ.
Article 20. "The Lion and Unicorn
Testify of Christ, Part II: The Four Royal Stars,"
Meridian Magazine (5 Dec 2001).
The four royal stars are the bright stars in the cornerstone constellations.
The Book of Enoch explains that they represent faithful servants of Christ and we
have enough information to identify them.
Article 21. "How Did the Book of
Jasher Know?," Meridian Magazine (7 Jan 2002).
The Book of Jasher contains detailed correct information about antediluvian
patriarchs. How did the author know about them?
Article 22. "From Martyrdom to
Celebration!," Meridian Magazine (6 Jun 2002).
The significance of the Martyrdom date and Nauvoo temple dedication date on the
Hebrew Calendar.
Article 23. "Celestial
Witnesses of the Meridian of Time,"
Meridian Magazine (10 Jul 2002).
The year of the birth of Christ is clearly marked as the Meridian of Time both
in the Enoch Calendar and also right in the lunar orbital data.
Article 24. "Enoch Calendar:
Another Witness of the Restoration,"
Meridian Magazine (5 Aug 2002).
The Enoch Calendar is a second witness with the Hebrew Calendar that several key
dates of the restoration of the LDS Church occurred on holy days.
Article 25. "Seven
Trumpets," Meridian Magazine (27 Aug 2002).
Research indicates that this is the year for the millennial Feast of Trumpets on
the Enoch Calendar. What is the significance of that feast, and who are the
angels who sound the seven trumpets?
Article 26. "Dead Sea Scrolls May
Solve Mystery," Meridian Magazine (12 Mar 2003).
Using the moon to determine Qumran calendar dates in the Dead Sea Scrolls sheds
light on the long-standing enigma of when the priestly temple courses served.
Article 27. "Seven Sacred
Calendars Testify of Christ,"
Meridian Magazine (9 Apr 2003).
The priest cycle appears to be a seventh sacred calendar which testifies of the
exact holy days on which key events in the life of Christ occurred.
Article 28. "Venus and the
Beginning of Mortality," Meridian Magazine (9 July 2003).
The Venus Calendar may provide a scientific method of precisely determining the
chronology in the Book of Genesis, beginning with the expulsion from the Garden
of Eden.
Article 29. "Astronomical
Witnesses of the Great Flood," Meridian Magazine (13 Aug 2003).
A precise date for Noah's Deluge is indicated by sacred astronomical calendars
and confirmed by witnesses of Enoch, his father Jared, and even the Savior.
Article 30. "Sacred Calendars
Q/A," Meridian Magazine (29 Aug 2003).
Question and Answers about the previous two articles.
Article 31. "Divine Calendars
Testify of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,"
Meridian Magazine (11 Sep 2003).
Divine calendars indicate precise birth dates for Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
Rebekah, and Jacob, as well as for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,
resolving the long-standing question of whether or not Noah and Abraham were
contemporaries.
Article 32. "Exodus Date
Testifies of Christ," Meridian Magazine (7 Oct 2003).
The Exodus account includes detailed patterns which testify of its precise date
and that Jesus Christ was the Messiah whom Moses typified.
Article 33. "The Timing of David
and Solomon's Reigns, "Meridian Magazine (12 Nov 2003).
Sacred calendars provide precise dates for King David, his son Solomon, and the
dedication of Solomon's temple, completing the chain of interlocking dates from
Adam to Jesus, the son of David.
Article 34. "The Nephite
Calendar," Meridian Magazine (14 Jan 2004).
A precise Nephite calendar is proposed which provides exact dates from Lehi to
Christ. The dates for King Benjamin's speech and for the angel's visit to Amulek
witness that it may be correct.
Article 35. "Abraham's Three
Truths of Astronomy" Meridian Magazine (9 Mar 2004).
Abraham's great vision on astronomy revealed the design of the heavens and can
be summarized as three truths.
Article 36. "The Planets Testify
of the Creator" Meridian Magazine (14 Apr 2004).
The Book of Abraham claim about planetary "set times" leads to startling
evidence for design by a Creator. Planetary periods, and even some intervals
between conjunctions, are multiples of two sacred time units.
Article 37. "The Planet Uranus
Testifies of Christ" Meridian Magazine (18 Jun 2004).
The planet Uranus (Chronos) not only tracks the earth's millennia, but also
testifies of precise dates for Adam and Jesus Christ.
Article 38. "Review of Gospel in the
Stars" (10 Jul 2004).
The theory that the constellations may have been designed to symbolize religious
truths is reviewed.
Article 39. "Answering Objections to Gospel
in the Stars" (10 Jul 2004).
The theory that the constellations may have been designed to symbolize religious
truths is critiqued.
Article 40. "Lost Constellation
Testifies of Christ" Meridian Magazine (14 Jul 2004).
Ancient Egyptians and Persians provide enough clues to restore a lost
constellation, testifying of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
Article 41. "Sir Isaac Newton
Interprets Daniel's Prophecies" Meridian Magazine (11 Aug 2004).
Sir Isaac Newton, the author of classical physics and a devout Christian,
interpreted the Book of Daniel, providing insights which are still profound
today.
Article 42. "Daniel's Prophecy
Foretells Date of Crucifixion"
Meridian Magazine (15 Sep 2004).
Sir Isaac Newton provided a key to understanding how Daniel prophesied the
date of the Crucifixion to the very day.
Article 43. "Jubilee
Calendar Testifies of Christ" Meridian Magazine (17 Nov 2004).
The Jubilee Calendar is proposed as a
restoration of an ancient inspired version, with evidence that it is used by the
Lord for many sacred events.
Article 44. "Tsunami
on the Feast of Trumpets" Not published in Meridian Magazine (12
Jan 2005).
Could the timing of the recent devastating tsunami imply that
God is warning the world of coming judgments?
Article 45. "The
Zodiac Testifies of Christ," published as "The Constellations Tell of
Christ," Meridian Magazine (15 Jun 2005).
The zodiac constellation figures may
symbolize the twelve key roles of Jesus Christ.
Article 46. "Twelve
Sons, Twelve Constellations," MeridianMagazine (13 Jul 2005).
Relating the twelve tribes of Israel to
the twelve zodiac constellations helps unravel the mystery of the Lord's sacred
calendars.
Article 47. "Twelve
Sons, Twelve Stones," Meridian Magazine (3 Aug 2005).
The twelve stones in the breastplate of the
ancient Hebrew high priest can now be identified, with the corresponding tribes
of Israel.
Article 48. "A
Volcanic Highway for the Lost Tribes?," Meridian
Magazine (15 Sep 2005).
Israelites will return from the north on a
highway cast up in the midst of the great deep.
Article 49. "Limhi,
Alma, and Passover Patterns," Meridian
Magazine (12 Oct 2005).
The Book of Mormon and sacred calendars
provide keys to understand the patterns of the Biblical Exodus.
Article 50. "Joshua's Seventieth
Jubilee," Meridian Magazine (18 May 2006).
Soon we can celebrate seventy jubilees since Joshua crossed the River Jordan.
Article 51. "Decision Days Ahead?,"
Meridian Magazine (21 Jun 2006).
Each of us needs to choose, as in the times of Moses and Elijah, whether we will serve
false gods or the one true God.
Article 52. "Enoch's Constellations
Testify of Christ" Meridian Magazine (23 Aug 2006).
The 48 constellation figures from Enoch depict the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Article 53. "Constellations Testify
of Seven Angels" Meridian Magazine (28 Sep 2006).
Scripture, constellations and myth combine to tell the deeds of the seven chief
angels in heaven, earth and the underworld.
Article 54. "The Hebrew Calendar Testifies
of the Creator" Meridian Magazine (26 Oct 2007).
The precise lengths of the solar year and lunar month were apparently designed to fit the
day-year pattern of the Hebrew calendar.
Article 55. "Venus Testifies of Christ"
Meridian Magazine (10 Feb 2010).
The evening and morning star has eight key orbital places, and each corresponds to one
major event in the life of Jesus Christ.