Why does it even matter when the day starts and ends? It matters because it tells us when the Sabbath starts. One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath day holy/set apart.

This is only one piece of the puzzle of when the Sabbath is, please take the time to look at the other pieces of the puzzle of when the Sabbath is in the resource page I put together.

While I was searching the scriptures on another subject, Mosiah (LDS/OPV 24:16-20) (RLDS/RAV 11:65-69) caught my attention. This happened because I read verses before and after and sometimes even chapters to make sure I understand the context of the passages I’m studying. What stuck out to me with Mosiah (LDS/OPV 24:16-20) (RLDS/RAV 11:65-69) is how it is showing that the day starts in the morning and not in the evening.

Mosiah (LDS/OPV 24:16-20) (RLDS/RAV 11:65-69)
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the LORD came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the MORROW I WILL DELIVER you out of bondage. 17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage. 18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the NIGHT-TIME gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, EVEN ALL THE NIGHT TIME were they gathering their flocks together. 19 And in the MORNING the LORD CAUSED A DEEP SLEEP to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep. 20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness.

To paraphrase:

The voice of the Lord is telling Alma and the people with him that He will deliver them out of bondage on the morrow, the next day. All night long the people gathered their flocks and their grains to take with them when the Lord will deliver them on the morrow, the next day. In the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanite task-masters, such that Alma and the people could depart into the wilderness in the morning without having to worry about the Lamanites.

I see a chiasmus in these verses. With the first A talking about bondage and the Lord delivering them on the morrow, the next day. The first B gathering the flocks and grains during the night-time. The second B gathering the flocks the whole night. And lastly the second A stating that in the morning the Lord delivered them by having the Lamanites sleep.

An important part of chiasmus that distinguishes it from other A-B-B-A poetry is the “no repetition of words” – Corbett and Connors, 1999. p. 58-59, 74. Meaning that the parallel meanings, first A parallels second A and first B parallels second B, if they are saying the same thing willl state it in a different way, as we see with MORROW and MORNING in Mosiah (LDS 24:16-20) (RLDS 11:65-69).

Before you go off and say, “I knew it, this proves that the Book of Mormon is false because it is contradicting the Bible”, please take a look at these great resources that shows how this is a forgotten and supressed teaching in the Bible:

SUNRISE or SUNSET When Does a Day Begin? (My Highlights)
Three Days and Three Nights: Sign of Yonah Riddle Solved
Sabbath at Sunset? Absurd and Impossible!
When Does a Day Begin?

After I realized that Mosiah (LDS/OPV 24:16-20) (RLDS/RAV 11:65-69) demonstrates that the scriptural day starts in the morning, I intentionally started looking for other instances where the Book of Mormon teaches it. For one I wanted to make sure I was not deceiving myself with something I had hoped to be true. To my delight I found many confirming passages in the Book of Mormon which we will be looking at.

I was not surprised when I found Nephi illustrating that the scriptural day starts in the morning. For Nephi insfused the small plates with much wisdom and truth while testifying of Jesus the Messiah, for those who take the time to discover them. Lets take a look at what Nephi says in 1 Nephi (LDS/OPV 16:9-12) (RLDS/RAV 5:10-15):

1 Nephi (LDS/OPV 16:9-12) (RLDS/RAV 5:10-15)
9 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by NIGHT, and commanded him that on the MORROW he should take his journey into the WILDERNESS. 10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the MORNING, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the WILDERNESS. 11 And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the WILDERNESS, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us; and we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the WILDERNESS. 12 And it came to pass that we did take our tents and DEPART into the WILDERNESS, across the river Laman.

Take note that when the voice of the Lord spoke unto Lehi that it was in the NIGHT, stating that on the MORROW, the next day, that they should “journey into the wilderness”. The very next statement is about Lehi “[arising] in the morning”, then receiving the Liahona, gathering provisions and finally journeying into the wilderness. Showing that NIGHT is the last part of the day and that MORNING is the start of the next day. If the scriptural day started at night we would need another day in this account because they left in the morning and the voice of the Lord had commanded them to leave “on the morrow” during the night.

If you are not convinced that the scriptural day starts in the moring by now, just wait, Alma (LDS/OPV 51:32-52:1) (RLDS/RAV 23:38-24:1) is a very decisive passage.

But before we talk about the next passage, first I want to talk a little about The Book of Mormon The Earliest Text. There are many reasons this is my favorite edition of the Book of Mormon, one being the sense-lines another being taking the text back to the original as much as possible showing more of the Hebrew structure in the text. Ideally I would have a Book of Mormon combining elements from multiple Book of Mormon editions that are out there already. Including the Voices From The Dust an edition from Rob Kay in how he uses Hebrew terms for some concepts. Along with text being formated in a way that makes the poetic nature obvious to everyone as done in Poetic Parallelisms in the Book of Mormon The Complete Text Reformatted. The one specific thing I want to bring up about The Book of Mormon The Earliest Text is how it shows the chapter breaks from the Gold Plates. To quote Royal Skousen from the Editor’s Preface on page xl:

Chapter Breaks
The original text had sections that Joseph Smith decided to call “chapters”, even though the word chapter itself is extracanonical and is never used by any writer within the Book of Mormon. Apparently as part of the revelatory process, Joseph would from time to time perceive breaks within the text. At those points in his dictation he would tell the scribe to put the word chapter into the manuscript but without any numerical specification (the chapter numbers were added later, sometimes months later). The RLDS church (now known as the Community of Christ) has maintained these original chapters in their editions and has added versification. The LDS system, in comparison, has divided the original longer chapters into shorter ones so that no chapter ever reaches a hundred verses. Because the original chapter breaks seem to have been a non-verbal component of Joseph’s revelation, I have included them in The Earliest Text, but not as words. Instead, I have indicated their position with the symbol [stylized “~” (tilde)].

While we are looking at Alma (LDS/OPV 51:32-52:1) (RLDS/RAV 23:38-24:1) I will explain why chapter breaks from the Gold Plates are relevant.

Now that we have broaden our general knowledge of the Book of Mormon and the Gold Plates, lets explore a hidden mystery in Alma (LDS/OPV 51:32-52:1) (RLDS/RAV 23:38-24:1).

Alma (LDS/OPV 51:32-37) (RLDS/RAV 23:38-44)
32 And it came to pass that they did harass them, insomuch that they did slay them even UNTIL IT WAS DARK. And it came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the borders on the beach by the seashore, and after this manner were they driven. 33 And it came to pass that when the NIGHT HAD COME, Teancum and his servant stole forth and WENT OUT BY NIGHT, and went into the camp of Amalickiah; and behold, SLEEP HAD OVERPOWERED them because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and heat of the day. 34 And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the DEATH of the king immediately that he DID NOT AWAKE HIS SERVANTS. 35 And he returned again privily to his own camp, and behold, HIS MEN WERE ASLEEP, and HE AWOKE THEM and told them all the things that he had done. 36 And he caused that his armies should stand in readiness, lest the LAMANITES HAD AWAKENED and should come upon them. 37 And thus ENDETH the TWENTY AND FIFTH YEAR of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus endeth the days of Amalickiah.
~~~~~
Alma (LDS/OPV 52:1) (RLDS/RAV 24:1) And now, IT CAME TO PASS in the TWENTY AND SIXTH YEAR of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, behold, when the LAMANITES AWOKE on the FIRST MORNING of the FIRST MONTH, behold, they found Amalickiah was DEAD in his own tent; and they also saw that Teancum was ready to give them battle on that day.

In summary the armies of Teancum and Amalickiah fought “until it was dark”. After the “night had come”, “Teancum and his servant” “went out by night” and found “sleep had overpowered” Amalickiah and his army. Teancum “caused the death” of Amalickiah and “did not awake [Amalickiah] servants” while doing so. Teancum and his servant returned to their camp and found that “his men were asleep, and he awoke them and told them [that Amalickiah is dead]”. Teancum had his armies stand ready in case “the Lamanites [would awake]” and attack. And thus ended the 25th year. “On the first morning” of 26th year the “lamanites awoke” and “found [that] Alalickiah was dead”.

Did you notice that the part of the day when we sleep at night was part of the end of the 25th year? If that was not the case the death of Amalickiah should have been abridged after the end of the 25th year instead of before it. Did you also catch that it was in the morning that began the 26th year signified by “the Lamanites [awaking]” and “[finding that] Amalickiah was dead”? Amalickiah died during the last evening of the 25th year while his servants were sleeping. And the “Lamanites awoke on the first morning” of the 26th year and “found Amalickiah was dead”. Amalickiah died the last evening one year, and his body was discovered “on the first morning” of the next year. I see no other way to make this passage work except that the scriptural day starts in the morning.

This is what a better translation of Genesis 1:5 and is more clear what it is teaching.

Genesis 1:5 Elohim called the light Day, and the darkness He called night. And then followed (H1961) dusk (H6153), and then followed (H1961) dawn (H1242), the first day.

Adapted from SUNRISE or SUNSET When Does a Day Begin? (My Highlights) Question and Answer 14

To add additional credence to what we now see in Alma (LDS/OPV 51:32-52:1) (RLDS/RAV 23:38-24:1), there was a chapter break on the Gold Plates, what we just learned about, inbetween the two different years.

As you can see on page 464 of The Book of Mormon The Earliest Text (pdf) the chapter break on the Gold Plates is between the end of Alma (LDS/OPV 51) (RLDS/RAV 23) and the start of Alma (LDS/OPV 52) (RLDS/RAV 24). This holds more weight in my eyes than the fact that both the LDS and RLDS versifications have chapter breaks there. This is further demonstrating that the night was one day, and the following morning is the morrow, the next day.

The next verse I want to look at is Alma (LDS/OPV 56:41) (RLDS/RAV 26:50). Although initially it may not appear relevant to the subject at hand, I believe after we look at the imagery you will change your mind. Before we look at Alma (LDS/OPV 56:41) (RLDS/RAV 26:50) we should look at Genesis 1:14-18 so you know where I am coming from.

Genesis 1:14-18
14 And God said, Let there be LIGHTs in the firmament of the heaven to DIVIDE the DAY from the NIGHT; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give LIGHT upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to DIVIDE the LIGHT from the DARKNESS: and God saw that it was good.

What I want to bring out from these verses is that they state it is light, and not the dark, that is used to divide. If it is light, and not the dark, that we should divide with, leaving our preconcieved notions behind, what is the logical conclusion we would make about when the day starts? I believe we all would come to the same conclusion, if it were not for traditions, that it is the light of the morning that marks the beginning of the scriptural day.

Those familiar with the New Testament, also know as the Berit Hadashah or the [Re]New[ed] Covenant, know that Yeshua, who is more commonly known as Jesus, is the the Light. Below are three of my favorite Bible verses that teach this. Jesus was in the temple during the Feast of Dedication aka Hanukkah or the Feastival of Lights, see John 10:22-23. A lot of Christians will say “what would Jesus do”. I believe a better saying is “what DID Jesus do”. If we don’t know what Jesus actually did and the reasons behind why He did them, we won’t have any clue what Jesus would do in this or that situation. Nor do we really know Jesus or understand Him or His ways. For if we really know Jesus and understand His ways, we would conduct ourselves like He did while He was tabernacled here on earth and do the things He did. I believe that includes celebrating Feastival of Lights, see John 10:22-23, and the appointed times, moadim (H4150), commanded in Leviticus 23. I promise you will gain deeper insights from the scriptures, and thus the gospel, as you study about the Feasts of God for all mankind found in Leviticus 23 and celebrate them. (Something to consider is that the weekly Sabbath is mentioned in Leviticus 23:3 along with other appointed times in the chapter which are based off the phases of the moon, does that mean the weekly Sabbath is also based on the phases of the moon, personally I believe so and I give resources that support that precept in my Sabbath resource page.) Personally I believe that Jesus was conceived in the womb during the Feastival of Lights and was born during the Feast of Tabernacles aka Sukkot. The video When was Jesus (Yeshua) really born? lays out a case for this very well. For those who are familiar with the April 6th tradition in the LDS / Brighamite church please read The LDS April 6th Tradition (backup) which is the best explanation of the tradition that was started because of some words that were added to the LDS D&C 20 by a historian trying to clarify when it was given and not a statement from the Lord God by Val Brinkerhoff, who I consider a friend even though we believe differently on some subjects. Now onto those three verses from the Bible I brought up before getting sidetracked:

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that LIGHT is come into the world, and men loved DARKNESS rather than LIGHT, because their DEEDS were EVIL.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in DARKNESS, but shall have the LIGHT of life.

John 12:46 I am come a LIGHT into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide [continue] in DARKNESS.

These verses teach us that Jesus is the LIGHT of the world and that those that truly believe in Him will discontinue works of darkness their evil deeds and false traditions that make the Word of God null and void by giving people unjust reasons to not keep the word of God. Mark 7:9-13 is an example of this.

Mark 7:9-13
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye REJECT the COMMANDMENT of GOD, THAT YE MAY KEEP YOUR OWN TRADITION. 10 For Moses said, HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 BUT YE SAY, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And YE SUFFER HIM NO MORE TO DO OUGHT FOR HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER; 13 MAKING the WORD OF GOD of NONE EFFECT through YOUR TRADITION, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

As we search the scriptures more what God wants us to do becomes more clear. And thus it becomes easier to seperate, divide, truth from evil and the false traditions of men. God wants us to seperate ourselves from the darkness and the false traditions of men.

In Luke 12:51-53 Jesus tells us that he came to cause division. I understand this as an application of Genesis 1:14-18 we look at earlier and the fact that Jesus is the Light. It’s a natural consequence when people choose the Light and the Word of God to guide their actions instead of the false traditions we are all raised in. Those who love darkness over the light will want to remove you from their lives just as the evil Jews had Jesus killed. I have lost friends and have had relationships hindered because I have deliberately choose to keep the Word of God instead of the false traditions of men that would have us break the commandments of God which is sinning by definition see 1 John 3:4. When people leave us because of this be patient and loving with them for they might not understand what is going on see John 23:34.

Luke 12:51-53
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather DIVISION: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Now that you have that back ground, lets examine Alma (LDS/OPV 56:41) (RLDS/RAV 26:50):

Alma (LDS/OPV 56:41) (RLDS/RAV 26:50) And it came to pass that again, when the LIGHT of the MORNING came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.

I see that the Nephites fled from, removed or separated themselves from which is an act of dividing, from the Lamanites after the “light of the morning” came forth. In other words the light BROKE forth and a division occurred. I hope with the back ground and this explanation you also can see the beautiful imagery in Alma (LDS/OPV 56:41) (RLDS/RAV 26:50).

Alma (LDS/OPV 52:22) (RLDS/RAV 24:78) probably is self explanatory by now but just in case I’ll say a little. During the night “Moroni and his army” marched to be in position “on the morrow”, the next day, when the Lamanites discovered Teancum and his “small number”. If the morrow was not in the morning what need was there to march “by night” because there would have been plenty of time to march in the day time?

Alma (LDS/OPV 52:22) (RLDS/RAV 24:78) Therefore he caused that Teancum should take a small number of men and march down near the seashore; and Moroni and his army, BY NIGHT, marched in the wilderness, on the west of the city Mulek; and thus, on the MORROW, when the guards of the Lamanites had discovered Teancum, they ran and told it unto Jacob, their leader.

The next passage, Alma (LDS/OPV 58:26-27) (RLDS/RAV 26:151-152), is a simular situation as the last one Alma (LDS/OPV 52:22) (RLDS/RAV 24:78). The men are marching during the night instead of sleeping with no mention of doing anything during the day except their intended goal “on the morrow”, the next day.

Alma (LDS/OPV 58:26-27) (RLDS/RAV 26:151-152)
26 Now it came to pass that when it was NIGHT, I caused that my men SHOULD NOT SLEEP, but that they SHOULD MARCH forward by another way towards the land of Manti. 27 And BECAUSE of this our MARCH in the NIGHT-TIME, behold, on the MORROW we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them at the city of Manti.

In this next passage, Alma (LDS/OPV 62:35-38) (RLDS/RAV 29:39-47), Teancum did what he done has in the past except this time he was angry while doing it and was also killed. Teancum was killed after he killed the Lamanite king “in the night-time”. Lehi and Moroni were sorrowful that Teancum was dead. On the morrow, the next day, Moroni and his army marched forth. Unless you think both sides took a day off from the art of war for a day because both sides lost someone they both felt was important, which is not likely because the Lamanites would have wanted revenge and nothing of the sort is mentioned, morrow, the next day, was in the morning.

Alma (LDS/OPV 62:35-38) (RLDS/RAV 29:39-47)
35 And thus they did encamp for the NIGHT. For behold, the Nephites and the Lamanites also were weary because of the greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any stratagem in the NIGHT-TIME, save it were Teancum; for he was exceedingly angry with Ammoron, insomuch that he considered that Ammoron, and Amalickiah his brother, had been the cause of this great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much famine. 36 And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold, the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him. 37 Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold, he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceedingly sore afflictions. But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth. 38 Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the MORROW, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites.

3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 1:13) (RLDS/RAV 1:12-13) is an important verse. Not only does it help clarify when the day starts, but it was a prophecy, when it was given, that the sign of the Messiah’s birth, “one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night” Helaman (LDS/OPV 14:4) (RLDS/RAV 5:57-58), was going to happen that NIGHT, “and on the morrow” Yeshua, Jesus, the LIGHT of the world would be born. I find it impactful that with the morning there is light, and here they were told that “on the morrow”, the next day, the LIGHT of the world would be born.

3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 1:13) (RLDS/RAV 1:12-13) Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this NIGHT shall the sign be given, and on the MORROW come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Because the Nephites armies were preparing “in the night-time”, 3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 4:24-25) (RLDS/RAV 2:72-73) is another example of if you hold to the idea that the day starts at night you must believe that someone, in this case the robbers, took a day off from the art of war, without any mention of it in the abridgment, because it was “on the morrow”, the next day, after Gidgiddoni “[sent] out his armies in the night-time”, is “when the robbers began their march” and “were met by the armies of the Nephites”. Considering this was war time, I find it highly unlikely that the robbers took a day off. After all there is no rest for the wicked.

3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 4:24-25) (RLDS/RAV 2:72-73)
24 And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the NIGHT-TIME, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat. 25 And this did they do in the NIGHT-TIME, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the MORROW, when the robbers BEGAN their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in their rear.

This next group of scriptures is unique in that first morrow, the next day, mentioned is two chapters before in the LDS/OPV versification and one chapter before in the RLDS/RAV versification before the rest of the relevant verses. This happened because in 3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 17:5) (RLDS/RAV 8:5) Jesus was about to leave but He then preceived the people’s thoughts that “they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.” Jesus had compassion for them and “[tarried] a little longer with them”.

3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 17:3) (RLDS/RAV 8:3) Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the MORROW, and I come unto you again.

3 Nephi (LDS/OPV 19:1-4) (RLDS/RAV 9:1-5)
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did DISPERSE, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home. 2 And it was noised abroad among the people IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE it was yet DARK, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that HE WOULD ALSO SHOW HIMSELF on the MORROW unto the multitude. 3 Yea, and EVEN ALL THE NIGHT it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did LABOR EXCEEDINGLY ALL THE NIGHT, that they might be on the MORROW in the place where JESUS SHOULD SHOW HIMSELF unto the multitude. 4 And it came to pass that on the MORROW, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude.

Jesus had just spent the day with the people and had left. But before Jesus left He promises that He would “come unto [them] again” on the morrow, the next day. Keeping in mind that “an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all the night, that they might be on the morrow [the next day] in the place where Jesus should show Himself”, is a strong proof that the day starts in the morning and not the night. If that one did not do it for you, here is another astonishing portion from these passages: “it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark … that he would also show Himself on the morrow [the next day]”. Remembering that people “did labor exceedingly all the night” before the morrow, the next day, this is clear evidance to the astute observer that scriptural day starts in the morning. After this labor of love was performed by the people during the night, Jesus did show Himself “on the morrow”, the next day. I know it seems like I am saying the same thing over and over like a broken record but I am trying to make it clear how Jesus appeared unto them again “on the morrow”, the next day, after they had worked so hard during the night to get to the “place were Jesus should show Himself”. If I was alive at that time, I would have traveled all night long myself to see Jesus Christ the promised Messiah the next day also. It would be a wonderful life changing event for sure. In my mind these verses are some of the clearest verses that show the scriptural day begins in the morning and not in the evening, hands down.

It is very easy to see that the day begins in the morning with Ether (LDS/OPV 15:16-17) (RLDS/RAV 6:88-90). Assuredly it does not need an explanation but I’ll do a short summary anyways. In the night they retired to their camps and sorrowed for the loss of their people, “on the morrow”, the next day, “they did go again to battle”. Yet again we see something happening “when it was night” and something else happening “on the morrow”. The only way these puzzle pieces come together is that day begins in the morning not in the evening.

Ether (LDS/OPV 15:16-17) (RLDS/RAV 6:88-90)
16 And it came to pass that when it was NIGHT they were weary, and RETIERED to their camps; and after they had RETIRED to their camps they took up a howling and a lamentation for the loss of the slain of their people; and so great were their cries, their howlings and lamentations, that they did rend the air exceedingly. 17 And it came to pass that on the MORROW they did go again to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless, they conquered not, and when the night came again they did rend the air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of the slain of their people.

Ether (LDS/OPV 15:20-26) (RLDS/RAV 6:93-99) is a fitting passage to end with as it really hammers in the point that the MORROW, the next day, is in the morning after the people had slept.

Ether (LDS/OPV 15:20-26) (RLDS/RAV 6:93-99)
20 And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when the NIGHT came they SLEPT upon their swords. 21 And on the MORROW they fought even until the NIGHT came. 22 And when the NIGHT came they were drunken with anger, even as a man who is drunken with wine; and they SLEPT again upon their swords. 23 And on the MORROW they fought again; and when the NIGHT came they had all fallen by the sword save it were fifty and two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people of Shiz. 24 And it came to pass that they SLEPT upon their swords that NIGHT, and on the MORROW they fought again, and they contended in their might with their swords and with their shields, all that day. 25 And when the NIGHT came there were thirty and two of the people of Shiz, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumr. 26 And it came to pass that they ATE and SLEPT, and PREPARED for death on the MORROW. And they were large and mighty men as to the strength of men.

In Ether (LDS/OPV 15:20-26) (RLDS/RAV 6:93-99), we see four times that after the fighting ended at night, they would then sleep, and on the MORROW, the next day, which is in the morning, they would continue fighting. If the morrow, the next day, is after they slept, I don’t see how it is possible that the morrow, the next day, starts at night considering these verses. Unless you slept before it was dark at night. But I think we all know how ridiculous that sounds and not to mention these verses state that they slept after it was night. The majority of people sleep at night when it is dark. I’d say even more so in the ancient world. No I am not forgetting about the four watches at night, as I said the majority.

I searched the whole Book of Mormon for all instances of the words morning and morrow. I read through all of them, and did not find one that contradicted the precept that the day begins in the morning not in the night.

I hope and pray we all seek the Light and let go of false traditons. It may be hard at times, but I can attest that God will help you go through it, and it is well worth it in the end.

The Way Documentary is a very well put together documentary about people who believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that He is our perfect example of how to live our lives. In addition to just passively believing this, they are actively working towards living what the Messiah taught vocally and by His perfect example while He was in the flesh walking upon the earth. Even though I disagree some with those in the video, such as when the scriptural day starts, I have learned important truths I now keep from some of the interviewees. Surprisingly I have found quotes from early church leaders, of the church I grew up in, that also teach some of these forgotten and neglected truths, along with verses in modern scriptures. Please take a few moments to watch the trailer to see if you will be inspired to watch The Way Documentary in it’s entirety like I was. They also have additional videos on their YouTube channel that are worth watching.