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ISRAEL REVEALED Discovering Mormon & Jewish Insights in the Holy Land by Daniel Rona photography by Don O. Thorpe
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This book is written in response to requests from many who have toured with me, asking that I put in print some of the stories and insights that I have shared with them (and others), as we have learned together how Jewish, Moslem and Christian traditions, doctrines, and cultures relate to each other and interact with Latter-day Saints. It is a personal approach to the land of my birth and is intended to be instructional rather than a scholarly text. It is also intended to be much more than a picture book displaying the ancient wonders and modern beauty of Israel. It offers little known information with the credibility of time, place, and experience. It is my hope that as you read this book you will be filled with feelings for the Savior and the prophets, and their land. It is written for those who have wanted to go to the Holy Land but for one reason or another could not, for those who have gone and want to relive it, and for those who want to see Israel from the perspective of a Jew who is also a Latter-day Saint. In making that statement, many have wondered (some aloud to me) how it is that I could be both a Jew and a Mormon. To better understand, I must point out that with both these groups it is more than just religion we are talking about, it becomes a culture and a lifestyle. Being born a Jew is a fact, much like being born American, Italian, or some other ethnic origin. When one becomes a Latter-day Saint in any region of the world, they are not asked to forget their cultural roots. In fact, it is quite the opposite. For example, the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii has been established to share the various cultures of these peoples of the House of Israel with other Latter-day Saints as well as the rest of the world. I want to share my heritage with you. I especially want my new . Family of Joseph. to better understand their own roots and ties with my Family of Judah. Joseph Smith, Jr. was of the lineage Joseph and Judah. I am of the Tribe of Judah (a Jew ), who has recognized the Messiah. My heritage is something I cherish. I can count myself with Jews (like Peter, James, John, Paul and others) who accepted . Jehoshua from Nazareth. as their Savior. The fact that Jesus himself was a Jew, and that he taught and acted . after the manner of the Jews. of his day, is worthy of consideration. He was (and is) the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Lawgiver and the promised Deliverer. As millions of Jews have done, I felt impressed in 1974 to return to my homeland with my family. I have also been impressed to share my understanding of the Messiah with Latter-day Saints and others who desire to know about . the Galilean. . It is for this reason that I became a licensed tour guide. If people can. t journey to the land itself, then I. ll bring a part of Israel to them through speaking engagements, videos, audio cassettes and now in the form of this book. My deepest love is for the Lord and his Gospel. And from what I know about both, it causes me to have a love for all mankind. True and lasting peace comes from God. I sincerely hope to share the peace I have come to know and feel in the Holy Land with all who want to experience it. Daniel D. Rona
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