The Mormon Church and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli and Palestinian conflict is a very hot topic. Many usually have a biased opinion before they even bother to look at the other side because that's what they've been taught. In United States we see much pro-Israeli media and financial support (something like 10+ billion a year) probably for what is called Zionism.

As a Latter-day Saint growing up I often heard from Sunday School and Seminary teachers that we need to support the Jews because they will be on the right side. What side were they talking about? Now that I have been studying the Middle East and its modern and past issues for the last 4 years at Brigham Young University, I have seen that much of those teachings were only the teachers' opinions, not actual church doctrine. Official church doctrine and opinione are two very BIG differences because one is concrete and we should follow, the other is just commentary that we just don't know if it is true or not (and nor does it make a difference in our eternal progression here on earth). 

Below is a portion of an address given by my professor James Toronto and his wife at a BYU Women's Conference in 2001:

" My third and final example of how a skewed understanding of doctrine can lead to unkind attitudes and behavior is close to my heart and personal experience. For the past 25 years in my work in the Middle East, I have read and heard expressed many times the view that LDS teachings about the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion imply that the Church supports the Jews in their struggle with the Palestinians and other Arabs in the Holy Land. There is not time today to discuss adequately why this is an inaccurate interpretation of LDS doctrine and a misrepresentation of the Church’s stance on this extremely complex international political issue. Suffice it to say for now that LDS authors, speakers, teachers, and celebrities who advocate and perpetuate these views are not official spokespersons for the church, even though they are often perceived and cited as such. Many times over the years I have had conversations with Arabs and Muslims, including many students at BYU, who are friends of the Church but, having read this popular LDS literature about the Middle East conflict, are deeply troubled by what appears to be strong bias in favor of Israel. Some of these unofficial and inflammatory LDS writings have even appeared in Arab newspapers in the Middle East purporting to represent the Mormon view on this issue. This problem is especially painful for members of the Church who are Arab (and they are numerous, active, committed, many having served missions and been endowed in the temple) who love the Gospel but are greatly perplexed and saddened when they encounter attitudes among fellow members that reflect a pro-Israeli, anti-Arab prejudice.

            Those who do speak officially for the Church–the First Presidency and the Twelve– have never expressed support for one side over another. On the contrary, they have exhibited scrupulous impartiality in all their utterances and actions dealing with the Middle East crisis, and have sought tirelessly to build strong relations with both Jews and Arabs in an effort to bring about greater peace and stability in the region. Elder Howard W. Hunter, who had in-depth understanding of Middle Eastern issues, once addressed this concern in a talk at BYU:

As members of the Lord’s church, we need to lift our vision beyond personal prejudices. We need to discover the supreme truth that indeed our Father is no respecter of persons. Sometimes we unduly offend brothers and sisters of other nations by assigning exclusiveness to one nationality of people over another. Let me cite, as an example of exclusiveness, the present problem in the Middle East–the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews. . . . Both the Jews and the Arabs are children of our Father. They are both children of promise, and as a church we do not take sides. We have love for and an interest in each.^{[i] "}

Toronto, James and Diane. “No More Strangers and Foreigners.” In Ye Shall Bear Record of Me: Talks from the 2001 BYU Women’s Conference. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 2002.

 I believe with what President Hunter stated, "we have love for and an interest in each" because guess what? We have a love and interest in everyone on that lives on this earth, no matter what religion or ethnicity. I read an article given to me by a friend who studied at the BYU Jerusalem Center written by a member of the LDS church in a Hebrew/English newspaper. He stated in this newspaper that any Mormon that supports Palestine does not understand what it means to be a good standing member of the church. I commented on his article stating that his facts with the conflict were correct but that his statement of not being a good standing member of the church was incorrect.

Let it be clear that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not condemn one over the other because of their religious affiliation (there are many Christians in Palestine that have been there since the time of Christ). The church does not support any such opinion that one is more righteous than the other, that we need to choose which side to be on, or that Judaism will be the victor over the Muslims. These opinions are simply just those, opinions.

My opinion?
Both are at fault when it comes to the conflict. Both need to learn to love each other. And my Sunday School and Seminary teachers were ignorant in this area for teaching false church doctrine.

Do I support one side over the other?
No, I believe the oppressed deserve to have an equal voice.

Do I feel my testimony has been shaken because of these opinions that I've been taught? Absolutely not. There are no hard feelings towards them and my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is even more firm through experience and prayer.

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[i]. Howard W. Hunter, “All Are Alike Unto God,” BYU Speeches of the Year, 1979, pp. 35-36.

Lessons Learned in 2011 - What Is Really Important?

The year 2011 was an amazing year. I turned a quarter century, began BYU's second year of Arabic, gained everything that life had to offer for me at the time. It was full of scary, sad, and happy moments. I learned more of myself and how others feel and work. It seems the more I learn the more I realize how much I do not know and how everything is in God's hands. I met many great new people and built better relations with those I already knew. I hopefully didn't harm friendships and if I did, I am sorry for anything I have done wrong. I thought I'd put out a list of things I learned this year.

1. Buying a used laptop on eBay can be cheaper money wise but so is your experience with the item.

2. When I am home and the whole family gathers together in my parent's home, it is so loud! I now have 5 nephews and 2 nieces under the age of 7. I think my parent's need a bigger house. 

3. I learned how to appreciate the great weather of San Diego just a little bit more. It was sure warm this Christmas break and my few trips during the summer were great. 

4. I learned how much I appreciate my brothers and family. Click here

5. Money isn't everything and we must be wise about it. We get sucked up into how much money we are going to make and pleasing others that we forget have faith that all will be okay after we do all that we can. I also learned that I can be more frugal with my money and make better choices on what I do with it. 

6. I learned how hard Arabic really is. It is a beast and I will conquer this beast.

7. I learned what it would be like in graduate school and that I will survive it. I had an upper level class with the topics on contemporary Islamic issues (I will post my findings on here someday). There were only two of us in the class and as me and the other student turned in our final paper on the very last day of finals week, I couldn't be more proud of how we worked together so well and learned in a setting that I loved. Our professor was very happy with our efforts. It was a great a great boost after a time of lack of confidence in myself. Probably my happiest moment in my academic life. It told me I can do it, I can accomplish my academic goals. 

8. I never loved anyone more than I have than this last year. I never felt so high on life and the gospel. I learned a new level of being closer to my Father in Heaven. I learned how happy and confident I could be in life. I was the best man I had ever felt like I had ever been, even better then how I felt on my mission (which says a lot). I felt indefinitely in debt to her and the Lord because of how she made me feel. For the first time, I felt I had a purpose with another individual that I had been yearning for. What a miraculous feeling! I learned more than ever what a best friend meant and how happy a relationship could be. To me, no one was more of a princess than she was. 

9. In contrast, I learned what depression and heartache was. I felt more lonely than ever before. I felt a strong sense of loss of confidence and happiness. It taught me what others may feel, those that didn't have friends or something missing in their life that stopped them from doing their best. It was really helpful to have these feelings because I now can see a little better the life of those who struggle with sadness and depression. It is not a fun experience and I hope to be a better support for those that are struggling.

10. I learned that even though things may seem lost, we can still pick up and do better than what we think we can do. I can do anything and I will accomplish more than what others think I ever will.

Those are just a few, there are many many more lessons I have learned that I do not want to bore you with. But I'd like to share one last one that I learned more of this year and that is the reliance upon the atonement of Jesus Christ. I am nothing and He is everything. Heavenly Father loves me so much that he would give up His only Begotten Son for everyone that has and will live here in this beautiful world. I learned a little more what the power of prayer can be. I learned a little more of what it means to serve those around you. I learned a little more of how precious others are to God. My testimony is stronger, my ability to discern right from wrong is clearer, the spirit speaks a bit more sharper, and my love for my Savior has reached a new level. I got to do what I am commanded to do. I must keep breathing. I must keep myself clean from the stains of the world. I must keep the commandments. I must give more of myself into the hands of the Lord and trust that will all work out.