Articles for L.D.S. Christians

Divine Calendars: Astronomical Witnesses of Sacred Events
25 of Dr. Pratt's articles on religious chronology are now available in one volume.

Click here for a complete bibliography of all of Dr. Pratt's articles.

Science & Religion

"Millennial Science," [45 K]
Charting a New Millennium, ed. Proctor, Maurine & Scot, (Salt Lake City: Aspen Books, 1998), pp. 367-85.
Speculations about what science might be like during the Millennium.

"What Every Mormon Should Know About Astronomy," Meridian Magazine (12 Feb 1999).
Summary of some uses of astronomy in religion. Published in the first issue of Meridian Magazine. This first article was an excerpt. The full article was published on 12 May 2000.

"Did the Fish Die in the Flood?," Meridian Magazine (26 Mar 1999).
Some scientific questions about religion have their answers right in the scriptures.

"Did God Write the Laws of Physics?," Meridian Magazine (16 Apr 1999).
A look at three scientific questions from the point of view of LDS scripture.

"Spectacular Meteor Shower Might Repeat," Meridian Magazine (15 Oct 1999).
The annual meteor shower which caused the "Night the Stars Fell" recorded in L.D.S. Church History, has the potential of again being a splendid display before dawn on Nov. 18, 1999.

"Devouring Fire: Volcanoes and Scripture," Meridian Magazine (17 Dec 1999).
Volcanoes, plentiful in the U.S., may play a role in fulfilling latter-day prophecies.

"Astronomical Event of the Century," Meridian Magazine (14 Jan 2000).
Most astronomers agree that the impact of Comet Levy-Shumaker was the Astronomical Event of the last century.

"The Lord's Science in the New Millennium," Meridian Magazine (18 Feb 2000).
A comparison of predictions of scientists and prophets for the next 50 years.

"Worlds Without End," Meridian Magazine (17 Mar 2000).
Science news periodicals are now reporting strong new confirmation of the existence of planets around other suns.

"What Fiery Flying Serpent Symbolized Christ?," Ronald P. Millett and John P. Pratt, Meridian Magazine (9 Jun 2000).

"Hidden Treasures in the Scriptures," Meridian Magazine (13 Jul 2000).

"Jacob's Seventieth Descendant," Meridian Magazine (18 Aug 2000).

"Scientists and Belief in God," Meridian Magazine (25 Oct 2000).
There are as many scientists who believe in God today as there were a century ago.

"Strengths and Weaknesses of Science," Meridian Magazine (28 Dec 2000).
Science has some wonderful strengths like the scientific method, but it also has weaknesses of which we should be aware.

"The Sahara: An Act of God?," Meridian Magazine (22 Jan 2001).
The Sahara Desert used to be a fertile savanna during recorded history. Was it the Valley of Shum seen by Enoch in vision which would be cursed for the wickedness of its people?

"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?

"Protecting our Families with the Lord's Security Methods," Meridian Magazine (7 Feb 2002).
We can learn a lot about the Lord's security methods from the scriptures and from nature.

"What is Creation?," Meridian Magazine (6 Mar 2002).
A comparison of modern creation methods such as CAD/CAM to the scriptural creation.

"Hard-Wired for God?," Meridian Magazine (12 Nov 2002).
Brain scans taken during certain religious experiences indicate a detachment from the physical world. What are the implications?

"Science and Religion Turf Wars," Meridian Magazine (11 Dec 2002).
If science is restricted to studying the physical world, should religion be content to discuss only spiritual and moral issues?

"Antioxidants and Isaiah," Meridian Magazine (11 Feb 2003).
Isaiah prophesied that in the Millennium men will live to be a century old and science is now finding that antioxidants may be the key to longevity.

"Parallel Universes and Warning Revelations," Meridian Magazine (8 May 2003).
Modern physics may help explain visions warning of future disasters which could be prevented.

"Geological Evidence for the British Throne of David?" Meridian Magazine (2 June 2003).
Could the tradition that the British monarchy is the kingly line of David, crowned on the Stone of Jacob, be subjected to scientific scrutiny?

"Is God Speaking in Natural Disasters?" Meridian Magazine (9 Dec 2003).
Anciently, people saw the hand of God everywhere in nature and even performed experiments to verify that he was causing natural disasters. Today many fail to recognize the hand of God anywhere. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere between these extremes.

"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.

"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.

"Synchronicity as a Sign" Meridian Magazine (12 May 2004).
Have you ever had an unusual event occur precisely at a meaningful time and wondered if it was an answer to prayer?

"Petrified Wood: Days or Millions of Years?" Meridian Magazine (16 Mar 2005).
The recent scientific discovery of how to petrify wood in a few days has again raised the question of just how long the process takes in nature.

"Miraculous Printing of the Book of Mormon?" Meridian Magazine (14 Apr 2005).
Were miracles required to print the first edition of the Book of Mormon? This article reviews evidence from an "old-time" printer who claims exactly that.

"Prairie Dog Language?" Meridian Magazine (19 May 2005).
Prairie dogs use a sophisticated vocabulary in their warning barks, which again raises the question of whether mankind alone communicates by audible language.

"Has Satan Hijacked Science?" Meridian Magazine (16 Nov 2005).
Has Satan perverted the wonderful tool of science for his own purposes?

"Science and Religion Q & A" Meridian Magazine (20 Dec 2005).
Does God have a place in science? How should science and religion interact?

"Bible Codes: A New Approach" Meridian Magazine (25 Jan 2006).
Tarnished "Bible codes" may yet shine under new light.

"Science and the Light of Christ" Meridian Magazine (22 Mar 2006).
The sea of energy known in quantum physics sounds a lot like the Light of Christ, the very light we should follow.

"Education in Science and Religion" Meridian Magazine (26 Apr 2006).
Perhaps we should teach both what we know and what we don't know in all subjects, including science and religion.

"Enoch's Constellations Testify of Christ" Meridian Magazine (23 Aug 2006).
The 48 constellation figures from Enoch depict the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"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.

"Mormon's Map Puzzle Solved?" Meridian Magazine (12 Dec 2006).
A detailed map for the Book of Mormon has been produced by archaeologist Garth Norman which may solve a long-standing puzzle.

"How Can We Know Truth?" Meridian Magazine (1 Mar 2007).
Overwhelmed in this modern information explosion, how can we know the truth?

"Blindness Conditioning" Meridian Magazine (19 Apr 2007).
Have we been so conditioned to believe lies that we cannot see truth?

"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.

"Comet Holmes: "Once in a Lifetime"" Meridian Magazine (7 Nov 2007).
This week you can see an amazing, bright comet which baffles astronomers.

"New Proposed Location for Solomon's Temple" Meridian Magazine (15 Aug 2008).
Newly discovered evidence indicates possible original location of Solomon's temple.

"A Zion or Babylon Quiz" (11 Jan 2009).
Take this quiz to find out if you are leaning more toward Zion or Babylon.

"The Scapegoat Dilemma" Meridian Magazine (19 Jan 2009).
In the law of Moses, the scapegoat bore the burden of the sins of the people. Did the goat represent Christ or Satan?

"Fleeing the Comforts of Eden" Meridian Magazine (13 Jan 2010).
Many of us live today in more comfort than Adam had in the Garden of Eden. Do we have the sense to leave it voluntarily, or do we too have to be forced out?

Religious Chronology

Summary of Sacred Calendar Dates

"Religious Chronology Summary,"
A summary of the all dates published so far, on all seven sacred calendars, with links to the articles which discuss those dates.

"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, and 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 non L.D.S. readers.

"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 "Dating the First Easter" mentioned above.

"Book of Mormon Chronology,"
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., (N.Y.: Macmillan, 1992), vol. 1, pp. 169-171.
An overview of Book of Mormon chronology in an encyclopedia designed for both LDS and non-LDS readers.

"How did it come to be that our largely non-Christian world reckons years from the birth of Christ?" [5K]
Ensign 23, 4 (April, 1993), p. 55.
This was a response to "I Have a Question."

"Passover: Was it Symbolic of His Coming?" [Unillustrated, 35 K]
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.

"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 articles suggests that if Jewish reckoning is used from the date of the first captives, that it lasted exactly 70 years.

"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.

"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.

"April 6 Celebration of the Planets," Meridian Magazine (6 Apr 2000).
A conjunction of the Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon appear to celebrate the Savior's 2000th birthday.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Celestial Witnesses of Christ Breaking the Bands of Death," Meridian Magazine (26 Apr 2001). [190 K]
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.

Enoch, Constellations, and the Four Royal Stars

The following 4 articles are a series which should be read in order for best understanding.

"Enoch Calendar Testifies of Christ," Meridian Magazine (11 Sep 2001). [80 K]
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."

"The Constellations Testify of Christ," Meridian Magazine (9 Oct 2001). [61 K]
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."

"The Lion and Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part I: The Cornerstone Constellations," Meridian Magazine (8 Nov 2001). [110 K]
The four cornerstone constellations correspond to the four faces of the cherubim and the four principal tribes of Israel, and each testifies of Christ.

"The Lion and Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part II: The Four Royal Stars," Meridian Magazine (5 Dec 2001). [100 K]
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.

"From Martyrdom to Celebration!," Meridian Magazine (6 Jun 2002). [50 K]
The significance of the Martyrdom date and Nauvoo temple dedication date on the Hebrew Calendar.

The Enoch Feast of Trumpets

The following 3 articles are a series which should be read in order for best understanding.

"Celestial Witnesses of the Meridian of Time," Meridian Magazine (10 Jul 2002). [50 K]
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.

"Enoch Calendar: Another Witness of the Restoration," Meridian Magazine (5 Aug 2002). [50 K]
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.

"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?

"Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning: Sun 26 Mar 1820?," Meridian Magazine (9 Oct 2002).
Article by John Lefgren presenting corroborating evidence of the date for the First Vision proposed by Pratt in the above article "Enoch Calendar: Another Witness of the Restoration."

"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 longstanding enigma of when the priestly temple courses served.

"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.

Genesis-Exodus Chronology

The following five articles are a series

"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.

"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.

"Sacred Calendars Q/A," Meridian Magazine (29 Aug 2003).
Question and Answers about the previous two articles.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Tsunami on the Feast of Trumpets" Not published inMeridian Magazine (12 Jan 2005).
Could the timing of the recent devastating tsunami imply that God is warning the world of coming judgments?

"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.

"Twelve Sons, Twelve Constellations," Meridian Magazine (13 Jul 2005).
Relating the twelve tribes of Israel to the twelve zodiac constellations helps unravel the mystery of the Lord's sacred calendars.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Joshua's Seventieth Jubilee," Meridian Magazine (18 May 2006).
Soon we can celebrate seventy jubilees since Joshua crossed the River Jordan.

"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.

"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.

"The Prophetic Dream that Saved Martin Luther" Meridian Magazine (14 Jul 2010).
As the early reformer John Huss was about to be burned at the stake, he prophesied of Martin Luther. Both the date of that prophecy and of Luther's birth appear to be significant.