"I believe it is safe to say that Passover is without equal in the Jewish calendar of celebrations," said President Howard W. Hunter at the April 1985 general conference.

"It is the oldest of the Jewish festivals, celebrating an event in advance of receiving the traditional Mosaic Law. It reminds every generation of the return of the children of Israel to the promised land and of the great travail in Egypt which preceded it. It commemorates the passage of a people from subjection and bondage to freedom and deliverance. It is the Old Testament festival of springtime when the world of nature awakens to life, growth, and fruition."Passover is linked with the Christian observance of Easter. . . . The Passover in the Old Testament and Easter in the New Testament testify of the great gift God has given and of the sacrifice that was involved in its bestowal. Both of these great religious commemorations declare that death would `pass over' us and could have no permanent power upon us, and that the grave would have no victory.

"In delivering the children of Israel out of Egypt, Jehovah Himself spoke to Moses out of the burning bush at Sinai saying:

" `I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. . . .

" `Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.' (Ex. 3:7, 10.)

"Because Pharoah was unyielding, many plagues were brought upon Egypt, but still `the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go.' (Ex. 9:35.)

"In response to that refusal by Pharaoh, the Lord said, `And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.' (Ex. 11:5.)

"As a protection against this last and most terrible punishment inflicted upon the Egyptians, the Lord instructed Moses to have the children of Israel take to them every man a lamb without blemish.

" `And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

" `And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. . . .

" `And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. . . .

" `And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

"That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt.' " (Ex. 12:7-8, 11, 26-27.)

After the Israelites had escaped from Pharaoh's grasp and death came to the firstborn of the Egyptians, the Israelites eventually crossed over Jordan. It is recorded that "the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho." (Josh. 5:10.) And so it was with Jewish families year after year thereafter, including the family of Joseph and Mary and the young boy, Jesus.