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

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sending “two Mormon Books,” and responds that he is interested in Mormonism, as he isin all religion. The next letter comes in July, 1960, and is again a thank you to Bensonfor another book (clearly at least one note is missing in between, presumably includedwith Benson's sending of the book). Both letters revolve around religious topics, asBenson apparently sent books expounding Mormon doctrine. In both instances, BenGurion gratefully receives the books, and counters with his own views on religion. Thediscussion was evidently openly religious, while remaining warm and cordial. In fact, theletters become increasingly personal and friendly throughout the years. In the July, 1960letter from Ben Gurion, he adds at the end, “The brochure is all the more welcome whenit is accompanied by such sincere words of friendship.” Two months later, in September,1960, following Benson's second visit to Israel, he sent a letter to the Prime Ministerthanking him for “a most enjoyable and, from our standpoint, profitable trip.” He thencommends Ben Gurion on Israel's progress since 1957 (Benson's consistent praise forIsrael's agricultural and economic achievements will be discussed later in this chapter),and ends by expressing “appreciation for [his] friendship, and kindest personal regards.”The next letter does not appear until August, 1964, but displays many of the samethemes, yet in a more personal and direct way. Benson is writing to Ben Gurion, thistime a much more lengthy letter than any of the previous three. In it he explains that heread Ben Gurion's recent book, Israel, Years of Challenge, and exclaims that he “thrilledwith it.” He continues, “You know of my interest in Israel and your people, and mydesire to be helpful in any way possible.” He then explains that he is again working as aleader of the Church in several European countries, and as such hopes to find anopportunity to visit with his old friend in the near future (a hope he would fulfill later that60
year). Ben Gurion's response in October, 1964, reveals that he is “delighted to have[Benson's] letter,” and requests Benson to visit him and his wife in their “desert.” Bensonwrites again to confirm his December 1-4 visit, and then again on December 8 to thankBen Gurion for his cordial reception. He states, “It is always an inspiration to visit withyou and your good wife.” This was apparently the visit in which Ben Gurion requested acopy of the Orson Hyde dedication (mentioned in chapter two and again earlier in thischapter), because Benson attached that copy with this letter. He explains:I will also try to enclose with the shipment the account of Orson Hyde'svisit to Palistine [sic] in 1841 under the direction of the Prophet JosephSmith when he dedicated that land for the return of the Jews and utteredprophecies regarding the future of the Jewish people which are nowbeing fulfilled.”Unabashedly he again returns to the same theme of fulfilled Mormon prophecy, and thenends the letter with “prayerful good wishes to you and Mrs. Ben Gurion.” In the nextletter, dated just one day later (December 9, 1964), Benson details two other items he issending Ben Gurion. The first is entitled, “Judah Remembered,” a section from AComprehensive History of the Church (presumably the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterdaySaints); the second is A Documentary History of the Church, Period I. He thenmentions another interesting aspect of the Hyde story: the fact that Elder Hyde was,according to his own record, “of Jewish extraction.” Benson ends with a hope that “theGod of Heaven [may] continue to sustain and inspire you in your importantresponsibilities.” Ben Gurion's response is a short but grateful statement of appreciationfor the manuscript.61
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 18 and 19: Smith and Brigham Young, as previou
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 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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