Smithmas Revealed

[Gadianton]

A certain blog / discussion board out there on the Internet has affirmed the celebration of Smithmas.

(If it weren't for Dr. Shades and his birthday thread for Perfume singer, Kashiyuka, where he mentions Joseph Smith's birthday, I would have forgotten all about Smithmas. Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Shades!)

The author of this blog entry above takes the critics to task over Smithmas, saying:

As happens at this time each year, certain critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are rolling out their annual lie that the Saints celebrate “Smithmas,” Joseph’s birthday, with more enthusiasm and vigor than members of the Church give to the mainstream Christian holiday of Christmas.

I hereby issue a big CFR. I'd like to see the proof that any critic has ever said that Joseph Smith's birthday is celebrated with more vigor than church members give to the "mainstream" holiday of Christmas. The trouble is the author misunderstands Smithmas, claiming that "Joseph's birthday" is Smithmas. This just isn't true. Smithmas is the blending of the two great events. The way the author describes it would be like suggesting that those who eat a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup are eating peanut butter with more enthusiasm than they eat chocolate. It makes no sense.

Regarding the two underlying ingredients, and which tastes better than the other, I think it's fair to say that this is a subjective call. My guess is that most like chocolate better, but some may like peanut butter the best. Well, the author says this:

As it is, like a celestial object that’s positioned adjacent to the sun in the daytime sky, any thoughts of Joseph’s birth that might arise among members of the Restored Church are overwhelmed by the festival of Christ’s birth and the celebrations (and, let’s face it, by the frenzy of commercialism) that precede and accompany it.

There may be an implication here that the "mainstream" holiday that celebrates Christ's birth is bombastic and loud, and that some members may prefer the quiet and less commercialized celebration of Joseph Smith's birthday more than Christ's. But that has nothing to do with Smithmas, per se, as Smithmas is the celebration of the two events together.

I'd have no problem answering a CFR about Smithmas if one were issued me, as the author, who says critics are "rolling out their annual lie that the Saints celebrate Smithmas" provides direct proof of Smithmas in the very same post he denies it.

Back in the day when my wife and I used to host a little “birthday party” for Joseph Smith on 23 December, we would maybe tell a story or two about the Prophet—or invite somebody else to do so. (One year, for example, the late historian Scott Faulring participated in our small event.) Maybe we would express some appreciation for Joseph. Then we would enjoy potluck refreshments and sing Christmas carols.

And there it is! A perfect example of Smithmas celebration in all its glory. If I have to spell it out: "birthday party for Joseph" = peanut butter, "sing Christmas carols" = chocolate. The synergy of the two celebrated together = "Smithmas".

Now friends, there's nothing to be ashamed of here. I'm merely a scholar pointing out a sociological fact. If Dr. Shades were to sing Christmas carols on Kashiyuka's birthday, and I were to wish him a "Merry Kashimas" I doubt he'd take offense. What could be better than celebrating at the same time, the birth of the ruler of the universe, and the birth of the man who went into a grove of trees and through his great humility, forced the ruler of the universe to reveal himself?

In fact, in the spirit of inclusivity, I'd like to wish all of our readers a merry Christmas, a merry Smithmas, and a merry Kashimas!

[Shulem]

Hold everything. I have an important question and perhaps, a new observation into the mystery of Mormonism. In the spirit of Smithmas -- glory of Joseph Smith & Jesus Christ combined -- Godhead type people, I have a single question:

Which of the two has more wives sealed to them, whereby, chicks be on their shoulders?

How many wives does Jesus and Joseph have?

[ ? ] Jesus has X many wives
[ ? ] Joseph has X many wives

Who has the most wives? Who is the horniest of the two, Jesus or Joseph?

Horny Joseph??

Merry Smithmas!



PS. You'll note that I did not ask which of the two has a bigger you-know-what. I'm thinking Joseph's is bigger.

[Dr. Shades]

Now friends, there's nothing to be ashamed of here. I'm merely a scholar pointing out a sociological fact. If Dr. Shades were to sing Christmas carols on Kashiyuka's birthday, and I were to wish him a "Merry Kashimas" I doubt he'd take offense.

Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact!

What could be better than celebrating at the same time, the birth of the ruler of the universe, and the birth of the man who went into a grove of trees and through his great humility, forced the ruler of the universe to reveal himself?

And the birth of one of three women who have provided millions of fans around the globe with much entertainment through the medium of song, music, dance, and visual effects?

In fact, in the spirit of inclusivity, I'd like to wish all of our readers a merry Christmas, a merry Smithmas, and a merry Kashimas!

Merry Kashimas to you, Dean Robbers, and to all the world!

[Dr Moore]

Ah yes, building of the Smithmas Strawman, a truly beloved holiday pastime. Only a tinsel’s weight less anticipated than the destruction thereof with freshly sharpened scythes, or so I’ve heard.

[Gadianton]

And the birth of one of three women who have provided millions of fans around the globe with much entertainment through the medium of song, music, dance, and visual effects?

I think it's time to update that manger scene and have 3 j-pop women. I'm not sure what's considered cool in Japanese pop-culture though for gifts to bear.

[malkie]

And the birth of one of three women who have provided millions of fans around the globe with much entertainment through the medium of song, music, dance, and visual effects?

I think it's time to update that manger scene and have 3 j-pop women. I'm not sure what's considered cool in Japanese pop-culture though for gifts to bear.

I hear that chocolate is really appreciated:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

Note: This is not Perfume!

[Doctor Scratch]

A brilliant and timely post, Dean Robbers. It's always been interesting to me that the Mopologists have actually celebrated Smithmas many times. And this line is a true classic: "Maybe we would express some appreciation for Joseph." Yeah, you know: since he is basically this innocuous wisp of a person who has no real meaning to true Latter-day Saints. And yet, as you sort of point out, that isn't the real point of the Mopologists' celebration of Smithmas, and this is where I believe I differ from your interpretation. Whereas you see this as a blend of enthusiasm for Christmas paired with a love for the Prophet Joseph, I see this is adoration of the Prophet plus a kind of "flipping the bird" at Church critics. Never underestimate the Mopologists' thirst for revenge. Even their invented holidays are based on that basic principle.

Also: Happy Festivus!

[Gadianton]

Never underestimate the Mopologists' thirst for revenge. Even their invented holidays are based on that basic principle.

Well, I'm not sure the various interpretations of scholars over the years are entirely mutually exclusive. For sure though, the explanation offered on the blog linked to does not represent any theory by a critic I've ever seen.

Your explanation brings to mind the Freudian mode of discourse, and consider this. For most, the Smithmas tradition just sort of "happens". The jar of peanut butter is open and "damn" the stick of chocolate falls in. Think of the Deseret book employee who suddenly has a quirky idea to put Joseph in the manger scene and her boss is tickled -- isn't that clever! Or in my case, at the family Christmas party one year and an aunt had decided Joseph deserved a mention. Even if it's in a motab special, or sacrament meeting talk showing the similarities between Joseph and Jesus, there's a lack of self-awareness going on.

But when I read the account of apologists celebrating Smithmas, their descriptions reveal a premeditated celebration. People are called in to execute specific functions in a conspicuously "low key" ceremony, that when described a certain way, gives plausible deniability. And so, yes, in the hands of certain communities, the amalgam of the traditions can certainly be actively undertaken in order to "send a message" to people they don't like.

[Ramus_Stein]

Smithmas is an absolutely brilliant idea. The Restoration has been sadly sparse in its yearly commemorations. The fact that Pioneer Day is essentially a celebration born in the aftermath of the Restoration after the mobs of Illinois murdered the two prophets, Joseph and Hyrum, in Brigham Young's church of the apostolic coup, as Radio Free Mormon has revealed, leaves Restoration practitioners with precious little to commemorate that Restoration with. We should celebrate Plates Day on the autumnal equinox. A friend of mine calls it Moroni Nox, although I would prefer to call it the Final Annunciation of Gabriel. Smithmas would be a wonderful addition. Or we might call it the Final Incarnation of Raphael, since this was Joseph Smith's likely angelic identity. As Michael was Adam, and Gabriel was Noah, Elias, John the Baptist, and Moroni, Raphael was probably Enoch, the Jaredite Gazelem, Joseph, Nephi, and Joseph Smith. Could be. I know this sounds way out there, but perhaps you can forgive me for being "out there" when the topic is Smithmas.

Honestly, I don't know what the problem is, why Dr. Peterson would feel the need to be so careful and "apologetic" about a worthy holiday and remembrance. It must be the shackles of mainstream LDSism weighing down on the membership. So much of what made Mormonism interesting has been leeched out of the LDS Church by bureaucrats, lawyers, pencil-pushers, and salespeople. The Final Incarnation of Raphael as Joseph Smith was a monumental event, in that one of the gods came down in human form and brought his priesthood to restore what had been lost so many generations. There were only bishops for nearly two millennia because there were no longer priests to be found. No real priests and no temples. Raphael brought this back with the help of his peers Michael and Gabriel (the archangelic First Presidency), being the great healing messenger-deity that he was and is. This is something magnificent to celebrate, but we hear instead about Joseph being the moon or some such. Not the moon, dear Dr. Gabriel watches over the sphere of the moon. Raphael watches over the sphere of Mercury, a planet fitting of his fleet mind, piercings of the veils, and closeness to the Sun/Son.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

Smithmas is an absolutely brilliant idea. The Restoration has been sadly sparse in its yearly commemorations. The fact that Pioneer Day is essentially a celebration born in the aftermath of the Restoration after the mobs of Illinois murdered the two prophets, Joseph and Hyrum, in Brigham Young's church of the apostolic coup, as Radio Free Mormon has revealed, leaves Restoration practitioners with precious little to commemorate that Restoration with. We should celebrate Plates Day on the autumnal equinox. A friend of mine calls it Moroni Nox, although I would prefer to call it the Final Annunciation of Gabriel. Smithmas would be a wonderful addition. Or we might call it the Final Incarnation of Raphael, since this was Joseph Smith's likely angelic identity. As Michael was Adam, and Gabriel was Noah, Elias, John the Baptist, and Moroni, Raphael was probably Enoch, the Jaredite Gazelem, Joseph, Nephi, and Joseph Smith. Could be. I know this sounds way out there, but perhaps you can forgive me for being "out there" when the topic is Smithmas.

Honestly, I don't know what the problem is, why Dr. Peterson would feel the need to be so careful and "apologetic" about a worthy holiday and remembrance. It must be the shackles of mainstream LDSism weighing down on the membership. So much of what made Mormonism interesting has been leeched out of the LDS Church by bureaucrats, lawyers, pencil-pushers, and salespeople. The Final Incarnation of Raphael as Joseph Smith was a monumental event, in that one of the gods came down in human form and brought his priesthood to restore what had been lost so many generations. There were only bishops for nearly two millennia because there were no longer priests to be found. No real priests and no temples. Raphael brought this back with the help of his peers Michael and Gabriel (the archangelic First Presidency), being the great healing messenger-deity that he was and is. This is something magnificent to celebrate, but we hear instead about Joseph being the moon or some such. Not the moon, dear Dr. Gabriel watches over the sphere of the moon. Raphael watches over the sphere of Mercury, a planet fitting of his fleet mind, piercings of the veils, and closeness to the Sun/Son.

Write more.

- Doc