Overview
Hebrew Name: פּוּרִים (Purim, “Lots”)
When: 14th of Adar (typically February or March)
Biblical Basis: Book of Esther; Esther 9:20-32
Key Themes: Hidden providence, covenant faithfulness, reversal of fate, joy in deliverance
The Story in Brief
Purim commemorates the events of the Book of Esther. During the Persian exile, Haman — a high official in King Ahasuerus’s court — cast purim (lots) to determine a date for destroying the Jewish people. Through the courage of Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, the plot was overturned: Haman was executed on the very gallows he had built for Mordechai, and the Jewish community was saved.
What makes the Book of Esther unique in all of scripture is that God’s name never appears in the text. Yet His hand is visible in every “coincidence” — Esther’s placement in the palace, Mordechai’s discovery of the assassination plot, the king’s sleepless night, the precise timing of revelations. Purim celebrates a God who works behind the scenes, through ordinary people making faithful choices.
How Purim Is Observed
Jewish communities celebrate Purim with distinctive traditions:
The Megillah Reading: The entire Book of Esther (the Megillah) is read aloud in synagogue — twice, once on the evening of Purim and once the following morning. When Haman’s name is read, the congregation drowns it out with noisemakers (groggers), stamping feet, and shouts. Children and adults come in costume.
Mishloach Manot: Gifts of food are exchanged between friends and neighbors — at least two ready-to-eat foods sent to at least one person. This strengthens community bonds.
Matanot la-Evyonim: Gifts to the poor — at least two gifts to two different people in need. Purim emphasizes that deliverance is meant to be shared.
The Purim Seudah: A festive meal with family and friends, often the most joyful gathering of the Jewish year. The Talmud famously states that one should celebrate until they cannot distinguish between “blessed is Mordechai” and “cursed is Haman.”
Costumes and Masks: The tradition of dressing in costume reflects the theme of hiddenness — hidden identities, hidden providence, hidden purposes that are revealed in God’s timing.
Why Purim Matters for Latter-day Saints
Several themes in Purim resonate deeply with LDS theology:
Hidden Providence: We believe God works through natural means, through “small and simple things” (Alma 37:6). Purim celebrates exactly this kind of divine action — no parting of seas, no pillar of fire, just a series of events that only make sense when viewed together.
“For Such a Time as This”: Mordechai’s famous words to Esther (Esther 4:14) echo the LDS belief that we were placed in our specific circumstances for a reason. We each have a role in God’s plan, even when that plan is not yet visible.
Covenant Identity: Esther initially hid her Jewish identity but ultimately chose to embrace it at great personal risk. The tension between blending in and standing as a covenant witness is one that Latter-day Saints understand.
Reversal and Redemption: The dramatic reversal in Esther — where destruction becomes deliverance, where the villain falls into his own trap — reflects a pattern found throughout scripture and Restoration theology: God turns intended evil into ultimate good.
For an in-depth exploration of Purim’s connections to Psalm 22, the cross, and covenant theology, see Purim: Hidden Providence, Unlikely Deliverance in the Study Library.
Related: The Savior’s Sermon From the Cross explores how Esther’s prayer connects to Jesus’ words on the cross.