Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...

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Smith and Brigham Young, as previously noted. Thus, Glanz appropriately remarks thatwithin the Mormon church, known throughout much of the world for its aggressivemissionary efforts, a mission to the Jews is non-existent. 33 This appears to be at least inpart a reflection of the notion that the Jews would not be converted to a belief in JesusChrist as the Messiah until His second coming. Yet it also is consistent with Churchpolicy that it will not proselytize in countries in which missionary efforts areunwelcome. 34Mormon Relations with the Jewish PeopleAs has been indicated, Mormon perceptions of the Jews and their imminentgathering are unique and ever-present in Mormon experience. This singular perspective,combined with the family ties that Mormons feel with Jews, have led to a somewhatdistinctive relationship between the two peoples.Indeed, all of the scholars on the Mormon-Jewish relationship seem to arrive atsimilar conclusions. “Mormons share with Jews the practice of distinguishing themselvesfrom the 'other nations' or 'gentiles,'” notes one scholar. 35Others, have noted the senseof fellowship Mormons feel toward Jews, with whom they feel a sense of camaraderie insuffering Christian rejection. 36 To be sure, the relationship has not always been entirelyrosy or brotherly, especially on the part of orthodox Jews (which will be discussed later),and even among some Latter-day Saints, but overall the sentiment seems to be one ofappreciation and concern for the welfare of the Jewish people.33343536Glanz, Jew and Mormon, 94.In order to ease tensions regarding the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center being built on Mt.Scopus, Church leaders also signed a special contract with Israeli leaders in 1985 in which theypromised that no student at the center would proselytize in Israel until the leaders formally allowed theChurch to do so.Seth Ward, Covenant and Chosenness, 12.Glanz, Jew and Mormon, 107.14
Again, within the history of this relationship, a few figures and places stand outfor their distinction and import within Mormon lore. This may attributed in part to theviews of Mormon leadership, begun by Joseph Smith and carried forward by BrighamYoung and the rest of the presidents of the Church. But it is also found in one of theLatter-day Saint books of scripture, The Book of Mormon. Various passages remark onthe Jews and their future affliction at the hands of Christians because of their rejection ofthe Messiah. One particular passage condemns the “gentile” treatment of the Jews, andreiterates their status as covenant people.Oh ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenantpeople? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and havenot sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these thingsupon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people. 37Another passage counsels the reader to cease from “spurning” the Jews, and remembertheir covenant with the Lord.Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of theJews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lordremembereth his covenant unto them, and he will do unto them accordingto that which he hath sworn. Therefore ye need not suppose that ye canturn the right hand of the Lord unto the left, that he may not executejudgment unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto thehouse of Israel. 38Clearly much of Mormon understanding of the place of the Jewish people in fulfillmentof prophecy lies firmly in their sacred scripture, as well as the continual teachings of theirleaders.We find this understanding reflected in the accounts of Mormons and theirdealings with the Jewish people. During the 1873 mission to Palestine led by George A.3738Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 29:5.Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 29:8-915
Page 2 and 3: AcknowledgementsI am indebted to Pr
Page 4 and 5: Table of ContentsIntroduction - 1Ch
Page 6 and 7: elationship in any depth.In researc
Page 8 and 9: friendships with various Israeli le
Page 10 and 11: Joseph Smith taught that Latter-day
Page 12 and 13: Gentiles, and it will be again inha
Page 14 and 15: for their long suffering. Yet, he,
Page 16 and 17: focus on both the fulfillment of pr
Page 20 and 21: Smith, the members of the group “
Page 22 and 23: Jews.'” 46Benjamin further descri
Page 24 and 25: Chapter 2: Benson's Religious Leade
Page 26 and 27: audiences. The first, called, “Je
Page 28 and 29: Benson's sense of kinship for the J
Page 30 and 31: eturn of the Jews to the land of Pa
Page 32 and 33: general mention of his efforts at s
Page 34 and 35: Or perhaps it did not aid in his ap
Page 36 and 37: about Jews and Israel, throughout t
Page 38 and 39: and Peter Grose describe the frustr
Page 40 and 41: Israel's victory in the Six Day War
Page 42 and 43: the Messiah. Indeed, both Benson an
Page 44 and 45: those visits, as opposed to those o
Page 46 and 47: U.S. agricultural products on credi
Page 48 and 49: The American public, though divided
Page 50 and 51: States.” 133Indeed, a Gallup poll
Page 52 and 53: with Britain and France, for their
Page 54 and 55: many Americans that Israel was now,
Page 56 and 57: those experiences to give validity
Page 58 and 59: Benson, “I want you to pray to Go
Page 60 and 61: gathering. Some of those themes inc
Page 62 and 63: Ben Gurion and Levi Eshkol, both of
Page 64 and 65: sending “two Mormon Books,” and
Page 66 and 67: Yet Ben Gurion's next letter, dated
Page 68 and 69:
on this occasion with Shimon Peres
Page 70 and 71:
cultivate land for crops in the 194
Page 72 and 73:
attitude in the Synagogue Light art
Page 74 and 75:
United States, his views on Israel
Page 76 and 77:
eminded the host that he had not be
Page 78 and 79:
Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
Page 80 and 81:
"Though Thy servant is now far from
Page 82 and 83:
BibliographyAlteras, Isaac. Eisenho
Page 84 and 85:
Madsen, Truman G. “Mormon Attitud
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