Summary Lesson 26: “Go Ye Into All The World And Preach My Gospel”

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 Judaica Jr.)
Noachide Laws for Gentiles: “Not To: 1) worship idols; 2) blaspheme the name of God; 3) kill; 4) commit adultery; 5) rob; 6) eat flesh that had been cut from a living animal. Must Do: 1) to establish courts of justice. These seven laws are binding on all non-Jews even today. Whoever observes them is considered to be among the ‘Righteous Gentiles’.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
The Messiah, for Whom? Jews consider the Messiah as coming to redeem them. The Book of Mormon teaches that the Messiah is for ALL people. “And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God;” (2 Nephi 26:12)

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First Shall be Last, Last Shall be First: “Taking the dispensation of the meridian of time as a starting point, the gospel was preached first to the Jews and thereafter to the Gentiles. Then dropping down to the dispensation of the fulness of times we find the gospel message going first to the Gentiles, with a promise that it will hereafter go to the Jews.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pg.721 ) (1 Nephi 13:42)
No Israeli Law Against Proselytizing: The State of Israel approved the building of the “Mormon” center on Mount Scopus where the BYU Study program is currently located. The building was well under way when a small Orthodox Jewish group (dedicated to crushing Christian activities) started a twofold campaign. First to discredit the government (which they did not support anyway) for allowing the BYU facilities. Secondly, 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 Orthodox group has attempted to pass laws against proselytizing in Israel and have failed. There is NO Israeli statute prohibiting missionary activity. Let it be known, however, missionary activity is deemed highly insensitive and frankly, antisemitic.
Real Reason for Not Proselytizing: The First Presidency did sign a statement that the Church would not proselytize with the statement added, “. . . so long as such activity is prohibited by the government of Israel.” The real reason Latter-day Saints are not proselytizing in Israel is because it is the Lord’s will. Israeli government leaders kept their commitment to allow the building. No legal precedent was established that might affect the Latter-day Saints or for that manner, any other church.