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HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #12
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
PDA version click HERE

<< THE GATHERING OF MY PEOPLE >>

(1.) JEWISH VIEW OF A LATTER-DAY JOSEPH: When the Chief Rabbi, Avraham HaKohen Kook was appointed in Palestine in the 1920's, he was asked if the Jews could now build the Temple (destroyed since year 70 A.D.). He said that priestly rights were gone and referring to the great 12th century rabbi Moses Maimonides, said, in effect, “We are waiting for a Messiah Ben-Joseph, to him will be given the keys of the gathering of Israel, he will restore Temple worship.”

(2.) MORMONS IDENTIFIED AS ISRAEL TRIBES? In Tel Aviv, the Diaspora Museum displays the travels and dispersion of Israel. The museum curators also identify “Mormons” as those claiming to be part of the lost tribes, for the most part as Ephraimites from the Israelite tribe of Joseph.

(3.) GATHERING HERALDS MESSIAH’S COMING: “The Talmud teaches that the ingathering of the exiled kingdoms will be part of the coming of the Messiah.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) The State of Israel has special emissaries assigned throughout the world to assist the Jews in gathering to Israel. This is a frustrating thing to some religious Jews. They feel that the State of Israel should only be established by the Lord through a Messiah, (Messiah ben Joseph).

(4.) JOSEPH SMITH: The keys of the gathering of Israel were restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. during Passover week in 1846. Special emissaries are assigned throughout the world to find and assist the “Blood of Israel” to gather to the Lord. On one hand, the Jews, without knowing the Lord, are making an exodus from the far-flung reaches of the world and are being gathered home. On the other hand, throughout the world, Latter-day Saints are making an exodus from not knowing the Lord and are being gathered to an eternal home.

(5.) BALFOUR DECLARATION: “The meetings with Weizmann eventually led to the Balfour Declaration, which he signed in 1917. This was England's declaration of approval that ‘a national home for the Jewish people’ be built in Palestine.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) At the same time, Anti-Semitism raised its ugly head. As in ancient times, when enemies of the Jews prevented them from building or settling their ancient country, even Orthodox Jews maintain that the State of Israel is not legitimate because the Messiah did not restore it! Yet it prospers.

(6.) ANTI-MISSIONARY MOVEMENT: A similar example of dissent and subsequent success is when Israel’s government approved the building of the “Mormon” center where the BYU Study program is currently located. The building was well under way when an Orthodox Jewish group (dedicated to crushing Christian activities) started a twofold campaign. Their first objective was to discredit the government (which they did not support anyway) for allowing the BYU facilities to continue. Second, striking a chord of antisemitism, they called the center a “missionary activity.” (There are three kinds of antisemitism to the Jews; 1. kill the Jews, 2. let someone else kill the Jews, and 3. convert the Jews.) This same group attempted to pass a law against proselytizing in Israel and failed. There is NO Israeli law prohibiting missionary activity. However, missionaries are deemed highly insensitive and antisemitic.

(7.) ISRAELI LAW: They did manage to pass a law prohibiting any bribe or payment inducing Jews to change religion. (Mormons don’t pay, they charge!) BYU did sign a statement announcing they had no intention of missionary activity. President Howard W. Hunter also signed a similar statement adding the clause, “. . . so long as such activity is prohibited by the government of Israel.” The reason Latter-day Saints are not proselytizing in Israel is because it is the Lord’s will. “. . .the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” (1 Nephi 13:42) Israeli government leaders kept their commitment to allow the building. The anti missionary group did not manage to convince the government to stop the BYU project. No legal precedent was established that might affect the Latter-day Saints nor, for that matter, any other church.

Daniel Rona, born in Israel and living in Jerusalem has authored Old & New Testament and Book of Mormon Supplement Study Materials to be used in conjunction with the weekly LDS Gospel Doctrine Lesson study. NOTE: Three versions of the supplemental study materials are available FREE at www.HolyLandsRevealed.com . (Just click "LDS SUPPLEMENTS")

(1) a short e-mailed WEEKLY REMINDER(2) a 1-page 2-sided SUMMARY HANDOUT (plus a "PDF" version for printing)
(3) the COMPLETE SUPPLEMENTAL MANUAL LESSONS.
All are available FREE at www.HolyLandsRevealed.com

You may copy and print the information from any of the website versions to distribute to your class members and friends.

Holy Lands Revealed tours provides all inclusive travel experiences revealing a bridge from the Holy Lands to the Promised Lands. Daniel Rona opens your understanding to the LDS/Jewish insights in the Holy Lands of the Book of Mormon, New Testament Turkey, Israel, Egypt and the Nile.

Reach for the spirit as you follow the Savior's Footprints . . . by exploring the newly uncovered sites and by providing humanitarian service to modern day Nephites, Lamanites and other Children of Israel! You are entitled to FREE touring and location insights by calling 1-800-272-RONA (7662) or visiting HolyLandsRevealed.com. Request your FREE "Holy Lands Revealed" touring packet and a Book of Mormon fireside cassette.