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 ...
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
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year). Ben Gurion's response in October, 1964, reveals that he is “delighted to have[<strong>Benson</strong>'s] letter,” <strong>and</strong> requests <strong>Benson</strong> to visit him <strong>and</strong> his wife in <strong>the</strong>ir “desert.” <strong>Benson</strong>writes again to confirm his December 1-4 visit, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n again on December 8 to thankBen Gurion for his cordial reception. He states, “It is always an inspiration to visit withyou <strong>and</strong> your good wife.” This was apparently <strong>the</strong> visit in which Ben Gurion requested acopy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Orson Hyde dedication (mentioned in chapter two <strong>and</strong> again earlier in thischapter), because <strong>Benson</strong> attached that copy with this letter. He explains:I will also try to enclose with <strong>the</strong> shipment <strong>the</strong> account <strong>of</strong> Orson Hyde'svisit to Palistine [sic] in 1841 under <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet JosephSmith when he dedicated that l<strong>and</strong> for <strong>the</strong> return <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jews <strong>and</strong> utteredprophecies regarding <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jewish people which are nowbeing fulfilled.”Unabashedly he again returns to <strong>the</strong> same <strong>the</strong>me <strong>of</strong> fulfilled Mormon prophecy, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>nends <strong>the</strong> letter with “prayerful good wishes to you <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Ben Gurion.” In <strong>the</strong> nextletter, dated just one day later (December 9, 1964), <strong>Benson</strong> details two o<strong>the</strong>r items he issending Ben Gurion. The first is entitled, “Judah Remembered,” a section from AComprehensive History <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church (presumably <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ <strong>of</strong> LatterdaySaints); <strong>the</strong> second is A Documentary History <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church, Period I. He <strong>the</strong>nmentions ano<strong>the</strong>r interesting aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hyde story: <strong>the</strong> fact that Elder Hyde was,according to his own record, “<strong>of</strong> Jewish extraction.” <strong>Benson</strong> ends with a hope that “<strong>the</strong>God <strong>of</strong> Heaven [may] continue to sustain <strong>and</strong> inspire you in your importantresponsibilities.” Ben Gurion's response is a short but grateful statement <strong>of</strong> appreciationfor <strong>the</strong> manuscript.61
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