Ironies are expressions of one’s meaning by using language that signifies the opposite. Ironies are often used to provide emphasis on a particular concept. It is apparent that God uses ironies to get our attention and to help us on our path back to Him.
We have the Savior’s birth irony, that the King of kings and Lord of lords was born in a humble stable is an irony of majestic contrast. This babe in the manger saves the world. The heavens and the earth proclaim his birth in the humblest of circumstances. His death and resurrection resounded around the globe, as the heavens and earth witnessed—three days of darkness in the Western hemisphere—couldn’t light a fire. This darkness is in ironic contrast to Him, who is the Light of the world. As we explore these ironies, we can better understand Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of happiness.
The Divine Ratio
We often think of the Christmas star as a five-pointed star, we notice it contains the Divine ratio. If you will go to this link: http://www.allanstime.com/Spiritual/Hopewell_Civilization_Great_Octagon/divine_ratio_mystic_symbol_500.gif , you will observe the following ratios making the Divine ratio when solved:
For the five pointed star b/a = (a + b)/b = phi = (1 + square root of 5)/2 = 1.618… Phi is the Greek letter designation, and interestingly phi – 1 = 1/phi, which is unique. We find the Divine ratio is ubiquitous in nature and in the Lord’s arithmetic. While the five-pointed star may denote Christ’s birth, ironically, the five nails used in His crucifixion are displayed in the above link, and one sees this “Mystic symbol,” showing these five nails, have been found in thousands of places in North American Indian records, and it denotes their Creator: “Yod Hey Vau.” For the Hebrews it is YHVH, and for us it is Jehovah.
As one studies the “Mystic Symbol,” one can think of the left nail denoting Heavenly Father, who has given us His Son–the next nail. The next horizontal nail may denote the Holy Ghost revealing the gospel to Prophets (the 4th nail), to redeem fallen humankind denoted by the fifth leaning nail.
We see the Divine ratio in the 4 ½ square mile earthworks near Newark, Ohio, mapping out the plan of salvation, as constructed by the Jaredites and refined by the Nephites. We see it in the Giza Pyramid.
The Spirit whispered to me in answer to prayer that the Divine ratio, phi, was the ratio between the height and width of the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon printed in Palmyra, New York, in preparation for the restoration of the Lord’s Church. Dedicating my new book to God, I chose this ratio for its dimensions (8 ½” x 5 ¼”). Note, 8.5/5.25 = 1.62. As of yet, I have not found that ratio in any other books except in the original printing of the Book of Mormon and in Time & Eternity, the End-Times and Beyond Revealed.
Time & Eternity, the End-Times and Beyond Revealed
My new book is now available on Amazon, and you can see already what people are saying about it. They have it on sale for $20.95, and you can “look inside.” It is a game changer. It has been a fascinating book to research and to write. The irony of the book is it shares God’s love and hope and perfect plan in ironic contrast to what Satan and the world would have you believe.
” Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Prov. 29:18). We have every reason to be filled with faith, love, and hope. People are turning to social media and to science instead of to God. The Prophet Jacob says it well:
- O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
- But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (2 Nephi 9:28-29)
The major “cunning plan of the evil one” today is LGBTQ+. Satan is confusing massive millions with this identity crisis–especially young people. It is self-centered and narcissistic. Ironically the opposite to God’s Perfect Plan of happiness, which is come unto Christ and lose your life in unselfishly serving and loving others to help them know the TRUTH and be free of Satan’s selfish enticements (John 8:12, 32, 36).
Opposition In Order to Grow
One of the most difficult ironies most people have trouble with is that Heavenly Father’s Perfect Plan of happiness is made perfect by our mortal imperfections. Most people struggle with the concept that we need opposition in order to grow. The war in heaven resulted in the Lord casting Satan and his angels down to the earth. He could have cast them into outer darkness, but for that reason, we needed opposition here, they are very much here. One of Satan’s deceitful phrases is, “There is no devil!” Good and evil are totally ironic contrasts, but necessary for us to obtain eternal happiness. “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).
Many people—typically atheists—say if God is good, why does He allow all the evil and suffering in the world? I explain this grand irony in great detail in Chapter 2 of my first book, IIt’s About Time. Attitude determines altitude. If we ask the Lord what can we learn from our challenges and life’s difficulties, then we can learn and grow and be grateful for the learning experience. Ironically, some of the greatest people have suffered the most—Christ is the supreme and perfect example. His infinite atonement took Him from the deepest of possible human suffering to the greatest heights of ecstasy with His glorious resurrection.
Ironic Contrast Examples
The infinite atonement of our Savior is an incomprehensible ironic contrast. “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;” (D&C 88:6) Almost all Christians focus on His crucifixion and suffering, while missing the glorious capstone to the infinite atonement–the resurrection for all of Father’s children and totally overcoming the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve, which brought both spiritual and physical death into the world.
The LDS sacrament hymn, page 196, beautifully shares some ironic contrasts.
Jesus, once of humble birth – – – – – – – Now in glory comes to Earth
Once he suffered grief and pain – – – – Now he comes on earth to reign
Once a meek and lowly Lamb – – – – – -Now the Lord, the great I Am
Once on the cross, He Bowed – – – – – – Now His chariot is the Cloud
Once He groaned in blood and tears – – Now in glory, He Appears
Once rejected by His Own – – – – – – – – -Now their King he shall be know
Once forsaken, left alone – – – – – – – – – Now exalted to a throne
Once all things he meekly bore – – – – -But He now will bear no more
More Ironic Contrasts
As we think about it we find a large number of ironic contrasts.
God versus the devil – – – – – Good versus evil – – – – – Light versus dark – – – – -Heaven versus hell – – – – – Liberty versus slavery – – – – – Love versus hate – – – Cooperation versus Competition – – – – – The fall of Adam and Eve versus the theory of Organic Evolution for the origin of humankind, which has been proven false – – – – -God’s Creation versus the “Big bang theory, which has been proven false – – – – – The Heartland model for the Book of Mormon geography, which has been proven true versus the Mesoamerica model, which has been proven false – – – – -Zion versus Babylon the great, which shall fall – – – – – Eternal life verses outer darkness.
We could give you more examples but it would be a very long list. As we study these ironic contrasts, we see the grandeur of His perfect plan of happiness, and we marvel at his infinite wisdom. The infinite loving mind of God is manifest in every direction we turn. We marvel that we are the “offspring” of such a Being with the potential to be like our Heavenly Parents. “He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things” (D&C 93:28). AWESOME!
The Ironic Spirit of Christmas
Christmas brings the spirit of giving in ironic contrast to the selfishness we so commonly see in the world community. It is a kinder season that is too soon forgotten. May we continually not forget the magnificent and majestic ironies of our infinitely loving God.
Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a most wonderful new year, as you contemplate the birth of Christ, the God we worship. His perfect plan, in the midst of, ironically, all our imperfections in a world that is going awry, the Savior’s infinite atonement has overcome the world and has perfected Heavenly Father’s plan. As we look to the future, we need not fear as we exercise faith in Him. Ironically, Satan uses fear in ironic contrast to faith. The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide case in point, and you can expect a lot more, as Satan knows it is his last hour. Treasure up His word and you will not be deceived (JS-M 37).
David W. Allan
Photo: CC Public Domain Pictures