Posted by Dinah on October 9, 2013, at 13:47:56
In reply to Lou's response-owebhulschd, posted by Lou Pilder on October 9, 2013, at 12:42:08
Much of the information in that post refers to sections of the Mormon scripture that echo New Testament terminology.
I always marvelled at the used of "the Jews" in the New Testament, given that Jesus and his followers were Jewish. However, it is there, and the Mormon scriptures use it as well.
However, Joseph Smith was philo-semitic. Early Mormons were Zionists. Jews were welcomed in Utah under Brigham Young.
"The Hebrew Benevolent Society was formed in 1864 and was the first instance of organized Judaism. Religious services were held in the rented Masonic Hall in the spring of 1866. This same year saw the first cemetery, on land deeded to the Jewish community by Brigham Young. High Holyday (Rosh Hashonah [New Year] and Yom Kippur) services in 1867 were observed in the Seventies Hall at the invitation of Brigham Young."
Latter-day Saints believe themselves to be either direct descendants of the House of Israel, or adopted into it. As such, Judaism is foundational to the history of Mormonism; Jews are looked upon as a Covenant people of God, held in high esteem, and are respected in the Mormon faith system. The LDS church is consequently very Philo-Semitic in its doctrine
http://www.jewishmag.com/136mag/mormons/mormons.htm
You are looking at one small part of a much larger history of Mormons and Jews. And one, moreover, where the Mormon scriptures were heavily influenced by similar passages in the New Testament. There are antisemitic Mormon individuals, no doubt. But the Mormon church *is* philosemitic, and everything in my personal experience with the Mormon church supports that position.
poster:Dinah
thread:1050116
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20130903/msgs/1051907.html