Feast of Trumpets

Most of us know and recognize that the early harvest which occurs in the springtime along with Passover represents the Lord’s first coming, his death, crucifixion and resurrection. But a good friend of mine this week pointed out something significant about the fall harvest to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ancient Israel and those of the Jewish faith today celebrate three holy days or “holidays” in the fall, the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Together they are called by Jews the “High Holy Days.” These holy days have an important relationship to the Lord’s spiritual gathering in the latter days. “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not” (D&C 4:4).

Many Jewish scholars believe that the final spiritual gathering of Israel would begin with the Feast of Trumpets also known as the Day of Remembrance. The Lord commanded Israel to blow trumpets on this day so Israel would remember that their God delivered them out of bondage from Egypt, and ultimately that their God the Great Jehovah would deliver them from the bondage of sin and for God to remember his ancient covenants with Israel. The sound of the “shofar, ”or ram’s horn calls for Israel to repent and prepare for the King’s coming, for new revelation and for the beginning of Israel’s final harvest.

It is not by coincidence that the golden plates were delivered to Joseph Smith early in the morning of 22 September 1827 the same day as the Jewish people celebrated The Feast of Trumpets. Israel’s trumpets sounded throughout the world with prayers pleading for God to remember his people, a call for new revelation and the beginning of the gathering of Israel.

“Unknown to Judah, all that those horns represented was now to be fulfilled. For on that day, God remembered His people and set in motion His plan to regather them. On that day, God’s final harvest began. On that day, new revelation was granted which would bring a return to renewed covenants. From that day onward, Israel would be called to repentance in preparation for Christ’s return and reign. The Book of Mormon exists to serve these ends. Today, Moroni’s image trumpets from temple spires around the world a final call to awaken, repent, and prepare. For Latter-day Saints, knowing this is the final harvest with an ever-shortening time to labor should further motivate us to thrust in our sickles with our might. In that spirit, as we feel joy in that harvest we should make known the marvelous work that the Lord has brought forth in these latter days (see D&C 65:4).” Lenet Hadley Read, “The Golden Plates and the Feast of Trumpets,” Ensign, Jan 2000, 25
(picture of angel moroni on dallas temple)

Just another reason to love the fall!! here are some other reasons why the follett's love the fall!

Blessings of a Fall Harvest

1. A busy house becomes quiet for at least a few hours of the day while the children are at school

2. Watching jackson play soccer!

3. Reaping the blessing of your daughter studying the scriptures every morning at seminary.

4. Emma's Enormous Energy being channeled into reading, writing, and math!

5. Nicholas' excitment over playing football

6. Kenny having the time to play on a softball league (emma did ask, "I thought softball was for
girls?")

7. General Conference

8. snuggle naps with lily, she loves to lay next to me and rub my arm! nothing sweeter!

9. A little chill in the air after a long hot summer!

10. the pumpkin patch

11. MLB games that are so fun we forget about bedtime!

12. the leaves changing color, we look for that every day!

13. BYU Football Games (Go Cougars)

14. Beef Stew and Cornbread