Ezra Taft Benson and the State of Israel - Brandeis Institutional ...

Smith and Brigham Young, as previously noted. Thus, Glanz appropriately remarks thatwithin the Mormon church, known throughout much of the world for its aggressivemissionary efforts, a mission to the Jews is non-existent. 33 This appears to be at least inpart a reflection of the notion that the Jews would not be converted to a belief in JesusChrist as the Messiah until His second coming. Yet it also is consistent with Churchpolicy that it will not proselytize in countries in which missionary efforts areunwelcome. 34Mormon Relations with the Jewish PeopleAs has been indicated, Mormon perceptions of the Jews and their imminentgathering are unique and ever-present in Mormon experience. This singular perspective,combined with the family ties that Mormons feel with Jews, have led to a somewhatdistinctive relationship between the two peoples.Indeed, all of the scholars on the Mormon-Jewish relationship seem to arrive atsimilar conclusions. “Mormons share with Jews the practice of distinguishing themselvesfrom the 'other nations' or 'gentiles,'” notes one scholar. 35Others, have noted the senseof fellowship Mormons feel toward Jews, with whom they feel a sense of camaraderie insuffering Christian rejection. 36 To be sure, the relationship has not always been entirelyrosy or brotherly, especially on the part of orthodox Jews (which will be discussed later),and even among some Latter-day Saints, but overall the sentiment seems to be one ofappreciation and concern for the welfare of the Jewish people.33343536Glanz, Jew and Mormon, 94.In order to ease tensions regarding the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center being built on Mt.Scopus, Church leaders also signed a special contract with Israeli leaders in 1985 in which theypromised that no student at the center would proselytize in Israel until the leaders formally allowed theChurch to do so.Seth Ward, Covenant and Chosenness, 12.Glanz, Jew and Mormon, 107.14