Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...
Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ... Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...
Jews.'” 46Benjamin further describes that a favorite theme of the prayers among theLatter-day Saints was “the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the restoration of Israel inconnection with it.” 47While Brigham Young and others made specific efforts at educating the Mormonpeople in Utah about “subjects of such deep and abiding interest to [them] all,” much ofthe Mormon-Jewish relationship developed more casually and locally, as Jews beganmigrating west and settling in Utah (and other western states), alongside Mormoncommunities. Benjamin briefly notes this in his travels, claiming that in Salt Lake City,there are “five Israelites here. Two of these have become Mormons. The other three aremerchants and are doing very well.” 48Juanita Brooks further describes some of theserelations and concludes that in Salt Lake City, the Mormon “capitol,” relations werefriendly. She reports that the 1870 visit of Rabbi Sneersohn “drew a good audience,” andexplains,While individual Jews might criticize or work against the Mormons, orgenerally vote against them, there was never any bitterness. On the otherhand, Mormon children heard the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,with emphasis on Joseph who was sold into Egypt as their own linealancestor. . . Hebrew customs persisted as Mormon customs. . . 49Interestingly, her description illustrates that Mormon customs and teachings emphasizedJewish themes, but, while the relationship remained “friendly,” Jews seemed far lessengaged in the welfare of their Mormon counterparts.Yet, the fact that the association remained friendly is remarkable and important, ina time when Jews suffered discrimination not only among their European neighbors, but46474849I.J. Benjamin, Three Years in America, Vol. 2, trans. Charles Reznikoff, (Philadelphia: The JewishPublication Society of America), 224.I.J. Benjamin, Three Years in America, 225.I.J. Benjamin, Three Years in America, 251.Juanita Brooks, The History of the Jews in Utah and Idaho, (Salt Lake City: Western Epics, 1973), 69.18
in much of America as well. Latter-day Saints, as in other respects, remained unique inthis way. “There simply was not anti-Jewish conflict in Utah.” 50 A quote by Heber J.Grant, seventh president of the Church, in 1921 is further evidence of the positiverelations.There should be no ill will, and I am sure there is none, in the heart ofany true Latter-day Saint, toward the Jewish people. . . And let no LatterdaySaint be guilty of taking any part in the crusade against these people.I believe in no other part of the world there is as good a feeling in thehearts of mankind toward the Jewish people as among the Latter-daySaints. 51From the Jewish perspective, a compelling testimony from Louis C. Zucker in 1981,might best summarize the goodwill between Mormons and Jews: “I have perceived nosign of anti-Semitism in any office, school or government, where I was known, andknown to be a Jew. . . This may safely be said: there is probably no Christian-Gentileculture which is less disposed to anti-Semitism than the Mormon culture here in Zion.” 52With this tradition behind him, Ezra Taft Benson, apostle of the Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints, and United States Secretary of Agriculture under PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961), became an ardent supporter of the State of Israel.His teachings and writings reflect his Mormon background, his visits to the Middle Eastmanifest his favor of the Jewish State, and his personal and lasting friendships withvarious Jewish and Israeli leaders illustrate his firm commitment to the Jewish people andwhat he saw as their rightful restoration to their ancient land.505152Glanz, Jew and Mormon, 66.Mauss, All Abraham's Children, 191.Mauss, All Abraham's Children, 191.19
- Page 2 and 3: AcknowledgementsI am indebted to Pr
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in much <strong>of</strong> America as well. Latter-day Saints, as in o<strong>the</strong>r respects, remained unique inthis way. “There simply was not anti-Jewish conflict in Utah.” 50 A quote by Heber J.Grant, seventh president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church, in 1921 is fur<strong>the</strong>r evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> positiverelations.There should be no ill will, <strong>and</strong> I am sure <strong>the</strong>re is none, in <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong>any true Latter-day Saint, toward <strong>the</strong> Jewish people. . . And let no LatterdaySaint be guilty <strong>of</strong> taking any part in <strong>the</strong> crusade against <strong>the</strong>se people.I believe in no o<strong>the</strong>r part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world <strong>the</strong>re is as good a feeling in <strong>the</strong>hearts <strong>of</strong> mankind toward <strong>the</strong> Jewish people as among <strong>the</strong> Latter-daySaints. 51From <strong>the</strong> Jewish perspective, a compelling testimony from Louis C. Zucker in 1981,might best summarize <strong>the</strong> goodwill between Mormons <strong>and</strong> Jews: “I have perceived nosign <strong>of</strong> anti-Semitism in any <strong>of</strong>fice, school or government, where I was known, <strong>and</strong>known to be a Jew. . . This may safely be said: <strong>the</strong>re is probably no Christian-Gentileculture which is less disposed to anti-Semitism than <strong>the</strong> Mormon culture here in Zion.” 52With this tradition behind him, <strong>Ezra</strong> <strong>Taft</strong> <strong>Benson</strong>, apostle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> JesusChrist <strong>of</strong> Latter-day Saints, <strong>and</strong> United <strong>State</strong>s Secretary <strong>of</strong> Agriculture under PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961), became an ardent supporter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Israel</strong>.His teachings <strong>and</strong> writings reflect his Mormon background, his visits to <strong>the</strong> Middle Eastmanifest his favor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jewish <strong>State</strong>, <strong>and</strong> his personal <strong>and</strong> lasting friendships withvarious Jewish <strong>and</strong> <strong>Israel</strong>i leaders illustrate his firm commitment to <strong>the</strong> Jewish people <strong>and</strong>what he saw as <strong>the</strong>ir rightful restoration to <strong>the</strong>ir ancient l<strong>and</strong>.505152Glanz, Jew <strong>and</strong> Mormon, 66.Mauss, All Abraham's Children, 191.Mauss, All Abraham's Children, 191.19
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