In 2016, as we were wrapping up our first year of publications, Book of Mormon Central published a compilation book of our Christmas-themed KnoWhys entitled, “Because There Was No Darkness” – The Birth of Christ: A Book of Mormon Perspective. Now, as 2020 draws to a close, we are excited to publish a second edition of that book, containing the original KnoWhys, as well as several additional ones published since that time. For all who would like to read it, this book is freely available on the Book of Mormon Central Archive.

From the book’s introduction, we read:

“Each year during Christmastime, neighborhoods are illuminated by hundreds of little lights, filling all with a sense of wonder. These decorations awaken within us a sense of joy and hope as we remember the lights—a new star and glorious angels (Matthew 2:2; Luke 2:9–14)—which illuminated the night that first Christmas in Judea some 2000 years ago.

But we should not forget the lights that shone upon the Nephites that first Christmas. They also saw the new star (3 Nephi 1:21) as well as an entire night without any darkness (3 Nephi 1:15, 19). For the believing Nephites, that light was lifesaving—because there was no darkness, their lives were spared. Since that night, vast numbers of disciples of Christ have been filled with the Savior’s light.

However, the Book of Mormon’s testimony of the birth of Christ does not begin on that night. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of those signs five years earlier (Helaman 14:2–8), and various Book of Mormon prophets going back to Lehi had spoken in great anticipation of coming birth of Christ…

May there be no darkness for you this Christmas season, and may the light and life of Christ fill your hearts this Christmas season, and always.”

Merry Christmas!

Read and Download the Free EBook on the BMC Archive