Mormons and The State of Israel
The LDS Church is officially neutral when it comes to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Mormons, as well as many Jews, are also in favor of peaceful coexistence between Jewish and non-Jewish (Muslim and/or Christian) Arabs in the Holy Land. The LDS Church considers non-Jewish Arabs to be children of Abraham. The LDS Church does not take sides in the Arab-Palestinian conflict, and BYU's Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic majors are known for avid pro-Palestinian activism.
The LDS church has two congregations in Israel: the Galilee Branch in Tiberias and the Jerusalem Branch in Jerusalem. Latter-day Saints in Israel hold their worship services on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.
Mormons do not proselytize in the area and are discouraged from proselytizing, as proselytizing in Israel is illegal.
Brigham Young University has a study center in Jerusalem that is active in research and cultural activities (e.g. classical music concerts). Its creation was initially protested by Haredi Jewish groups which claimed, despite Mormon reassurances, that it would be a center of proselytizeing activities. Brigham Young University was allowed to open an extension in Jerusalem only after promising the mayor that no proselytizing would take place and that all students would be foreigners. The courses at the center, attracting students from BYU and other institutions of higher learning in the US who wanted to do credit coursework in Israel, were temporarily suspended due to security concerns.
The BYU building is located on Mount Scopus with a dramatic view of the old city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. It is considered prime Jerusalem real estate, a prestigious location, and a high-profile symbol of the friendship between the LDS Church and the Jewish State.
Read more about this topic: Mormonism And Judaism
Famous quotes containing the words mormons, state and/or israel:
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“The state is not “abolished,” it withers away.”
—Friedrich Engels (1820–1895)
“Who is the LORD, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 5:2.
Pharaoh.