Jesus Was Born on Passover: According to the biblical calendar, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830. It was Passover that year! ". . . being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh . . ." (Doctrine & Covenants 20:1) The Deliverer was born at the season celebrating the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and celebrating an expectation of an even greater deliverance. The two deliverances are linked by a journey of time through two millennia.

Elijah Expected: "The Sabbath before Passover is known as Shabbat ha-Gadol . . . a special haftarah, (reading from the Prophets) taken from the Book of Malachi and referring to the day on which Elijah the Prophet will reappear as forerunner of the great day of the Lord, is read." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) At the Passover meal, a door is opened for Elijah, a seat is reserved for him and songs are sung in expectation of Elijah. During Passover, on April 3, 1836, while millions of Jews were going through the festive ritual of anticipating Elijah, he came to Joseph Smith the prophet in Kirtland, Ohio. "After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said . . . the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors." (Doctrine & Covenants 110:13-16)

Plague Parallels: The Passover story includes plagues brought on the Egyptians. The first plague parallels the first miracle of the Savior. His changing of water into new wine (better than the old) is opposite of the Egyptian’s water turning to undrinkable "blood." The ten ancient plagues can be compared to modern plagues. "1. BLOOD The river Nile, the main source of water for ancient Egypt, turned to blood. Its pollution was disastrous: the river stank, fish died, and the Egyptians searched desperately for fresh water. 2. FROGS They covered the land, and found their way into the people's homes, clothing and food. 3. LICE "As thick as the dust of the earth," they attacked both man and beast. 4. SWARMS OF FLIES which "ruined all the land of Egypt." 5. PESTILENCE The livestock of the Egyptians perished from virulent diseases. 6. BOILS They afflicted men and animals causing much discomfort. 7. HAIL AND FIRE of such intensity that they destroyed not only plant life, but also beasts and men. 8. LOCUSTS so numerous that they "darkened the land," and ate every growing thing that had survived the hail. 9. DARKNESS a pitch darkness that lasted for three days and nights. It was so thick that the lamps lit by the Egyptians could not penetrate it. 10. DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN the last and most terrible of the plagues. Every firstborn child of man and beast perished in one night at midnight." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Wine and Bread Followed by Bread and Wine: During the Passover meal, the master of the house will pour and bless wine (it should be "new Wine") three different times. He sips first, and then everyone else may sip. After each occurrence of wine there is a breaking and blessing of bread (unleavened) three different times. Again, each time the master blesses and eats a broken piece, then everyone else eats a piece. The remarkable exception is that at the beginning of the meal the middle of the three bread pieces is broken in two and a broken piece (largest of the two) is hidden for the children to find later in the Seder service. When it is found, that piece (fourth time bread is used) is blessed, broken, and the master eats the first part, then everyone follows his example. The fourth cup of wine is then poured full (more than the previous three "sips") and the master instructs everyone to "drink all of it."