“There Shall a New Star Arise”

Our Lord’s birth into mortality was accompanied by the appearance of “a new star” in the heavens. It is apparent that another prophet, or perhaps even a number of prophets in the Old World, had also prophesied of this sign, for when the wise men arrived in Jerusalem seeking the “Messiah of the Jews” they said, “We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him” (JST, Matthew 3:2). The statement seems to assume that the Jews of Jerusalem were aware that a new star would bear record of the holy birth, as at least the leaders were that the birth itself would take place in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). After the wise men had been questioned by Herod, “the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matthew 2:9-10.)

“A New Star Arise”

There is no Old Testament prophecy on this aspect of the Savior’s birth that is comparable to that of Samuel the Lamanite. The nearest allusion is found in the prophecy of Balaam, who, speaking of the Messiah himself, said: “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). This prophecy obviously refers to the first coming of Christ but does not announce itself as indicating a sign of his birth.

The only other related passage is in the book of Revelation, where Christ refers to himself as “the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16). The appearance of a star, or of a phenomenon of light accompanying the birth of one destined to a significant role in history, is a common motif in the literature of the ancient Near East. Such legends are but the dim reflection of the lost prophecy of the star that was to announce the Messiah’s birth.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

References