Last Jewish Prophets Testified of Restoration: "Zechariah continued in the same task as Haggai; he too encouraged the Jews to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah reminded Israel that before God returned to the Temple the people must return to God through righteousness, justice, and mercy . . . Zechariah prophesied of the Golden Age of the Messiah when God's Kingdom would be established on earth." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Precise Day Elijah…

Zion Building, Then and Now: Joseph Smith, the Prophet, was given the vision of settling a Zion, building a society and establishing communities that would bless and renew the land. He carried out this heaven-inspired yearning wherever he went or was forced to go. This is a pattern reflected in Jewish history. "Ever since the time of the first Babylonian exile over 2,000 years ago, Jews of the world have…

"Sinking to New Heights:" A phrase comes to mind that may help explain the apparent helplessness of many of God's choicest leaders, it is "sinking to new heights." The Savior's exquisite atonement for us has been somewhat foreshadowed or mirrored in the depths to which Job, Jonah, Nephi, Alma, Peter, Joseph Smith and many others, sank. How Does God Allow This? "If God is all-powerful and good, as Judaism claims…

Scattering and Gathering, Being Tempered and Taught: The early saints paralleled the experiences of the Children of Israel in Biblical times. It is also part of a pattern teaching us the plan of life where we leave Father's presence, come to this earth to by tried, tempered and taught and then have the opportunity to return to Father's presence. Joseph Smith's Role Is Summarized in Parable: After the destruction of…

The Word of the Lord Is for All People: Jews feel there are different laws for Gentiles and Jews. "Seven laws which were supposed by the rabbis to have been binding on all mankind even before the revelation at Sinai. They are referred to as 'Noachide' . . . since the whole human race . . . descended from the three sons of Noah, who alone survived the flood." (Encyclopedia…

Covenant, a Name of the Lord: The restored priesthoods are covenants between God and man. One of the many names that describe the Lord is "covenant." He is the Messenger ". . . the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant . . . " (Malachi 3:1) Attempts to Return to Original Organization: The Dead Sea Scrolls describe the Essenes organization…

[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…

Building a Security Wall: My Father's example taught me, "Never let what you cannot do, get in the way of what you can do." I'll add, "Never let what you do not know get in the way of what you do know." Hold fast to the truths that have already built part of a solid wall of security, without excuses! Dealing with a Gap in the Wall: In building terrace…

Key to Learning: The preface to these lesson supplements includes the first two verses of the Book of Mormon. Nephi gave the key to understanding the scriptures, the "learning of the Jews" along with the "knowledge of the mysteries of God." World of Words: The Old Testament only has about 8,900 different words (English has more tha 1,000,000), yet the illustrative capacity of the prophets is expressed through the images…

The First Word of Wisdom: In the Garden of Eden, there was a law of health, things you should and should not eat. The Lord gave the Children of Israel a law of health. The Jews call it the correct way, Kashrut or being kosher. The Kashrut has been modified throughout the ages, yet basics still remain from Mount Sinai. What is Kosher: Some Jews will not eat meat because…

[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…

Jewish Rituals Look Forward to the "Great Day:" Religious Jews still practice many forms of ancient rites and rituals whose meanings have become distorted or lost over many years. With the restoration of priesthood, we are privileged to comprehend how the "New Covenant" restores the true doctrine. Old rituals contain signs of the "Great Day of the Lord to Come." Remembrance and Looking Forward: Although "wine and bread" are partaken…

"Heaven and Hell:" Even though there is little discussion of after life among the Jews, heaven and hell appear in much Jewish commentary. "The souls of the righteous enter paradise . . . 'there is no eating or drinking . . . no envy, hatred or competition . . . the souls of the wicked enter hell . . . where they undergo purification before they too can enter paradise…

True Nature of God Diminished: By the time the Crusaders approached the Holy Land, a prominent Jewish philosopher, Moses Maimonides, began collecting writings and interpretations of other Jewish sages to codify and centralize them. He included 'Thirteen Articles of Faith.' The first three declared that God cannot be explained, thus eliminating reference to the anthropomorphic nature of God. Meaning Lost on Resurrection/Death: The Jewish interpretation that God has no .…

Entire Encampment of Israel Was a "City Temple:" (Apparently it will be that way again when the Lord returns to Jerusalem): "In pre-Temple times . . . anyone who was tameh (unclean) was forced to go outside the marked boundaries and was forbidden to return until he had completed the purification ritual." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Washing and Temples: The call to go to the temple includes, "He that hath clean…

GOD'S MATH IS DIFFERENT THAN MAN'S: The Law of Tithing was given as a part of the plan to teach, by means of serving each other, how to develop a total commitment to serving Him. God's instruction is to bring the tithes, 10%, to him so that the remaining 90% will go farther than the 100% ever could. JEWISH VIEW OF TITHING: There is still some biblical meaning, yet Jews…

SABBATH, IDENTIFIES PEOPLE OF COVENANT. SABBATH, A COMMANDMENT EQUAL TO ALL THE REST. SABBATH, FOR ANIMALS. SABBATH, A DAY OF JOY. SABBATH, A DAY OF LIGHT. SABBATH, A DAY OF RITUAL. SABBATH, A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. SABBATH, COMPLETION OF THE CREATION. Want More Doctrine and Covenants Gospel Doctrine Supplements?Download Our Doctrine and Covenants Gospel Doctrine Supplements Click for the full Doctrine and Covenants Supplement story Click for a summary of…

KEY TO RECOGNIZING THE MESSIAH: The true meaning of the Messiah's life and those who testified of Him is the SPIRIT. The word for spirit in Hebrew is Ruach Elohim, the breath, the wind of God. "And Moses said . . . Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29) A GIFT: As previously stated, there are…

FIRST MODERN KIBBUTZ: The significant difference between the "United Order" and the "Law of Consecration," is that the "United Order" is like the modern version of the Jewish Kibbutz, reflecting similar "legislated" cooperative efforts as was done anciently. "In 1909, on land purchased by the Jewish National Fund, the first kibbutz, Deganyah, was established. By 1914, the yishuv . . . the Jewish community . . . numbered some 85,000."…

[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…

UNIQUE DOCTRINES TODAY REFLECT THE PAST: Doctrines that seem unique among the Latter-day Saints, provide, on closer examination of Jewish traditions and, Biblical texts, a verification of the principle of restoration. The following paragraphs show apparent links to the past. ". . . God is represented by the two names of God–Elohim and YHWH. The former stands for justice and the latter for mercy. Though they may seem contradictory, one…

JEWISH VIEW OF A LATTER-DAY JOSEPH: When the Chief Rabbi, Avraham HaKohen Kook was appointed in Palestine in the 1920's, Jews asked if they 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…

KEEP IT IN MIND: Jews have traditional symbols which “keep God’s word in front of them” at all times by binding leather phylacteries (Tfillin) on the arm and forehead as well as a Mezuzah on all Jewish doorposts. The words in the ‘Mezuzah’ and in the ‘Tfillin’ are summarized in Deuteronomy 6:4-17. RETURNING AND PROSELYTIZING: Returning to the Land of Israel is like returning to the Lord. Those are as…

A VOICE OF CHEER: Just about every time the heavens open, those with the Lord’s spirit are brought up to greater “cheer.” To those, the Lord’s voice is comforting. “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand . . . if ye will hear his voice . . .” (Psalm 95:7) GATHERING AND REMEMBERING: On one hand, the Jews,…

[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…

GOD CHOOSES THE DAY: To better understand the miracle of the restoration and the day that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized, let us go back to Biblical times. Isaac, a miracle child, was born of barren Sarah who was ninety-years old. “According to the Aggadah, Isaac was born to Sarah on the first day of Passover.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) RESTORATION ON JESUS’ BIRTHDAY, PASSOVER:…

[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…

ANCIENT JOSEPH GIVEN AUTHORITY: Ancient Joseph was authorized by his father when Jacob laid hands on Joseph’s head. “. . . parents place their hands on the heads of their children when they bless them. (. . . in the Bible, Jacob blessed his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by placing his hands on their heads.) Placing the hands on another person is symbolic not only of transferring blessing but also…

AS VIEWED BY JUDAISM, FAITH (AND WORKS): “Belief in God's existence . . . is taken for granted and is the basis of the Bible. The biblical word emunah (and its other forms) which is often translated as ‘belief’ means ‘trust’ or ‘confidence,’ which is something quite different. “Judaism insists on belief, faith and good deeds (which are also called mitzvot); but by themselves they are not enough.” (Encyclopedia Judaica…

CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HOLY GHOST: The Hebrew word for breath and wind (ruach) is closely related to the word spirit. Ezekiel spoke of breath bringing life into dead bones (etzemot). As the sticks (ETZ-emot) of the body are clothed again with flesh and come alive again, so shall the stick (ETZ) of Judah, the dead skeleton of a once true and living religion, come together with the stick of…

WITHOUT ACCEPTING REVELATION, WE FORGET: In modern Jewish thinking, “looking to God” and “revelation” are almost figurative and have become unexplainable. “. . . various phrases are used when describing appearances of the Divine, for example kavod (‘glory’) or shekhinah (. . . ‘Divine Presence’) or davar (‘word’ of God).” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) PAST REVELATION, A GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE: “The same Prophets who have contemplated and described the .…

PATTERN OF PREPARATION: The preparation that Joseph Smith went through is part of a pattern identified throughout the scriptures and also evident in Jewish tradition. Many of the Jewish holidays have extensive preparations that are as important as the holy day itself. “The Sabbath before Passover is known as Shabbat ha-Gadol . . . a . . . [reading from the Prophets] referring to the day on which Elijah the…

HEAVENLY VISIONS THROUGHOUT TIME: Whether it was Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Ezekiel or any of the prophets of old, the people’s reaction to vision was either very negative or supportive. Some of those visions happened outside of Israel (Ezekiel) and even came to what Jews call a “Gentile Prophet,” (Baalam). Many of those visions foresaw the time of the restoration. EZEKIEL’S VISIONS EQUATE RESTORATION AND RESURRECTION: “Ezekiel prophecy starts on a…

THE MESSIAH: Looking at the sacred event that redeemed us from the sins of life, bruises of experience, captivity of conscience, blindness of bigotry, hurt of hearts broken, poverty of stinginess and the imprisonment of self pity, we are drawn to the Mount of Olives. Two thousand years ago, He sank below all things, experiencing deeper depths than we would ever reach so that we would never have to. Bleeding…

Gospel Doctrine Summary Supplement Lesson 4: "Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon"

[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…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Christmas in Israel?[/caption] Most people in Israel, do not celebrate Christmas. The Jewish population is busy at about the same time of year celebrating Hanukkah, instead. Both are festivals-of-lights, with gift giving. One day of gifts at Christmas, and eight days of gifts at Hanukkah. My five Jewish-Mormon children wanted to celebrate both! Expensive! About 8-million people live in Israel, 6-million Jews and about 2-million Arabs. Close to 10%…

[caption align="aligncenter"]Where were the Wise Men on Christmas?[/caption] Middle Eastern Christians have a tradition of three wise men or Magi that come from the East bearing gifts for a newborn King. Even scriptures tell us of Herod the Great receiving those visitors, seeking the child "King of The Jews." Conniving Herod told them to let him know when they found him, so he could reverence the "child-to-be-king." When they did…

Here’s a delightful play on the words, not and knot. It could help see things as they were and as they are. Let’s go back about two-thousand years and look in on the Apostle Peter, living in Jaffa, along the Mediterranean, who saw a vision that he described in detail. He saw heaven opened, and a certain sheet knit at the four corners, descending. Wherein were all manner of beasts…

"Give me a hand," or "Hand it to me," are some daily expressions we use almost without thinking. The Book of Mormon has another one, "Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" (Mormon 5:23) The hand is a powerful metaphor in Judaic tradition. Modern Judaism, however, attempts to pull away from the literal imagery of God’s hand. Yet, when reading the Torah scroll, often a pointer…

More than 10-million people visit the Western (Wailing) Wall every year stuffing a million little pieces of paper, scribbled prayers of wishes and wants, into the cracks and seams of the ancient blocks holding the two-thousand-year-old Temple Square. So, I thought, does that mean Gentiles have a "wishing well," and Jews have a "wishing wall?" The late Rabbi Yehuda Goetz, overseeing the Wall for 26-years, revealed that the more religious…