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Columbus Day, Observed

On my wall calendar, it says that October 8, 2007 is "Columbus Day (observed)." Unfortunately, I haven't noticed it being observed much in the past 20 years or so. In fact, Christopher Columbus frequently gets bad press, especially in high school and college textbooks. It is admittedly difficult to know exactly what Columbus' motives were, but there are wide discrepancies between his journal, the writings of ancient and modern day prophets, and modern textbooks. I hope this week you will take the opportunity to observe the holiday by sharing with your families the inspirational story of Christopher Columbus as told in the words of prophets and the original words of Columbus himself (excerpts from his original journals are easily found online).

Two of the most inspirational aspects of the account are the choice of transatlantic routes and the timing of the landing.

Off the coast of Spain are two groups of islands. Almost directly west are the Azores. Prior to 1492, several unsuccessful attempts had been made by mariners to sail west from there. Not as far west and further south are the Canary Islands. Although no one had done so before, Columbus decided to begin his journey there. The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria sailed due west for 28 days with the wind pushing them forward the entire way. The crew worried that even if they found land, they would not be able to return to Spain since they assumed they would be fighting that same west wind all the way back.

At that point, Columbus saw a group of migrating birds going west-southwest and decided to change his course slightly. Had they continued west, the ships would have landed on another island about a day later. That doesn't seem like an important detail until we remember that the crew had decided to mutiny if they didn't find land by October 12. At 2:00 a.m. that day land was confirmed. Had they not altered course, Columbus would have been thrown overboard and who knows what the crew would have done without him.

Some historians have attributed Columbus' discovery to good fortune or remarkable skills, but Columbus himself claimed that angels and the spirit of God led his transatlantic journey. He had dreams, and on at least one occasion said he felt a hand directing him. Early church apostle Orson Hyde said, "This same angel [Moroni] was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. ... [Moroni] helped him- was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven" (Journal of Discourses 6:368).

Columbus and his crew, dressed in their finest outfits, walked onto the shore where a group of people were amazed to see them approaching. The natives called them "men from heaven." With tears streaming down his face, Christopher Columbus knelt down and kissed the ground. He christened the land San Salvador, meaning Holy Savior. He wrote that he felt it was his destiny to be a "Christ-bearer" (the meaning of Christopher) and used symbols denoting that as his signature.

The return trip was also led by inspiration. Instead of heading back into the west winds, Columbus sailed a bit northward and discovered the ocean currents and wind that blew them eastward the entire way back to Europe.

Later in life, Christopher Columbus kept a journal of prophecies from the Bible, which he felt he had fulfilled. Many are well known among Latter-day Saints. Among his very favorites was the following: "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also must I bring. And they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepherd" (John 10:6). As I observe Columbus Day, I like to imagine Moroni whispering that verse in the Admiral's ears.  

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Christopher Columbus, Inspired Seaman By Wendy Seal Manzanares
Christopher Columbus By Robert A. Peterson
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God’s Hand in the Founding of AmericaBy L. Tom Perry
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Columbus and the Hand of God By De Lamar Jensen
The Mission and Faith of Christopher Columbus
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Christopher Columbus: Man of Vision and Faith By Shirley R. Heater
Extracts of the Journal of Christopher Columbus
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