[caption align="aligncenter"]Israel Conquests[/caption] CONQUESTS The land of Israel is really quite small. The biblical borders of the "Jordan River to the Mediterranean" and "Dan to Beersheba" are about 65-miles wide and about 200-miles long, with virtually no natural resources, (there is no gold or silver or metal deposits). Even Golda Meir, former Prime Minister of Israel, humorously chided Moses when she said, "He travelled the wilderness for forty years and…

[caption align="aligncenter"]The Nativity Church In Bethlehem[/caption] THE NATIVITY CHURCH The traditionally accepted birthplace of Jesus is in a grotto located under the Church of Nativity. This is not inconceivable, in the sense that stables were usually on the ground floor or underneath the inn rooms. The tradition, however, only begins 175 years after the birth of Jesus. Three Christian churches, Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic, hold separate services here and…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Garden Tomb Israel[/caption] Similarly, at the Mount of Beatitudes, (Daniel) took us to a place below the church built on the top of the mount. There at the side of the mountain, looking down upon the Sea of Galilee . . . at the top of an untouched meadow . . . I felt strongly that the Savior had been there and had taught there. . . The experience…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Happy Family[/caption] The first thing he thought about, was: where can he and his family travel to in the next two weeks? He thought about travel first, not because of what he does professionally, but because of the power it has, to open a family's eyes to the beauty all around. Like Mark, I often think of the beauty of a loving family, the calming effects of a warm…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Mormon Travel To Capernaum[/caption] At Capernaum, there are two doorways in and out of the synagogue. After the temple was destroyed, all synagogue entrances (coming from Jerusalem) were closed and a back door was opened. The symbolism may mean that we are now coming from the Diaspora into the place of worship and must return to the Diaspora. Jews' synagogue prayers used to end with the hopeful words, "Next…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Sabbath Wine & Bread[/caption] To the Jews who commemorate the first two reasons for the Sabbath, a sip of wine is partaken, followed by bread. The prayers recited include a recollection of the past, with an eye to the future where an even greater deliverance is anticipated. In this sense, it is a chiasmus that focuses on the atonement in the center. The Savior’s atonement began with suffering and…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Desert in Israel[/caption] On the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, an old inn has been restored to represent a New Testament parable Jesus told. Modern Christians call it the "Good Samaritan Inn." The truth is that Jesus never used the term "good" Samaritan. Let’s take a closer look . . . A lawyer, challenged Jesus, the Lawgiver: "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25) Jesus, who…

[caption align="aligncenter"]The Sea of Galilee is Calling![/caption] Israel is a good land, where Jews, Moslems and Christians raise their families. A feeling of peace and youthful growth exists even though its history is almost as old as civilization. The country itself is about 65 miles wide and 200 miles long. There's no gold or silver here to make the land worth conquering. Even the late Golda Meir chided Moses, "He…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Jewish Menorah[/caption] Jesus and the Dedication "And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came . . . Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the…