Judaism and Mormonism

This article on Mormonism and Judaism describes the views of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, with respect to Jews and Judaism. Latter-day Saints believe themselves to be either direct descendants of the Israelites, or adopted into the House of Israel, and as such, Judaism is mentioned in Mormonism; Jews are considered to be "Kin Blood" and are respected in the Mormon faith system. LDS assert peaceful coexistence with the Jewish people, whom they recognize as Israelites who simply never lost the knowledge that they are Israelites. The Church is consequently very philo-Semitic by doctrine, and the Jewish people are generally held in high esteem; they are looked upon as a covenant people of God.

Mormon beliefs with regard to membership in the House of Israel are generally not accepted by the Jewish community, and in Judaism there is no belief or mention of a connection to Mormons or Mormonism. The Mormons' claim to membership in the House of Israel has led to some complex relationships with Judaism. The concept of non-Jews claiming membership in the House of Israel produces various cultural and interfaith problems. It should be noted that, although interactions between Jews and Mormons, at times, can be very tense, it seldom if ever rises to the level of Anti-Semitism against the Jews or Anti-Mormonism against the Mormon people, and Mormonism is a comparatively philo-Semitic religion.

Background

Mormonism is a Christian religion in which Jesus is the son of God. Differences between Mormonism and other Christian groups are in a large part based on Mormon belief in the Godhead rather than the Trinity. Other Christian religions generally do not accept the Mormon interpretation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and their belief in additional scripture, i.e. the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.

Scriptural teaching about Jews and the House of Israel

The Book of Mormon, which Latter-day Saints treat as scripture along with the Bible, calls for the Jews to repent and accept Jesus Christ. However, it also emphasizes that the Jews remain the Lord's chosen people with whom he has made a covenant.

The title page to the Book of Mormon states that its purpose is "the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST."

The Book of Mormon contains a specific condemnation of Anti-Semitism. "Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor of any remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lord remembereth his covenant unto them, and he will do unto them according to that which he hath sworn." 3 Nephi 29:8.

The Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of canonized prophecies of Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders, contains prophecies regarding the return of the Jews to the land of Israel:

"And the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father." Doctrine and Covenants 109:64 (recorded in 1836).

"Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion. And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord’s house." Doctrine and Covenants 133:12-13 (recorded in 1831).

Mormon claims of House of Israel descent

Mormons consider themselves to be the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also known as "Israel") or adoptees into the House of Israel. Mormons use both "House of Israel" and "House of Joseph" to refer to themselves in the present day. Mormon doctrine states that the Book of Mormon tells of two groups of ancient peoples that migrated to the Americas (exactly where is unknown) that were descendants of the House of Joseph, to include both tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh These tribes are two of the Ten Lost Tribes. According to Mormon doctrine, this migration fulfilled the prophecy of Jacob on his son, Joseph: "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: (Old Testament | Genesis 49:22)

LDS Standard Works The official position of Latter-day Saints is that those who have accepted Mormonism or are a part of the Latter-day Saint movement are primarily from the House of Joseph. Adherents believe they are members of one of the tribes of Israel, either by blood lineage or by adoption, when the recipient is not a literal descendant of Jacob, also known as Israel. Latter-day Saints believe that all of the tribes exist within their numbers, though not every tribe in every country. Ephraim and Manasseh are by far the two largest tribes in the LDS Church. Some Latter-day Saint patriarchs believe the one country to have the most confirmed coexisting tribes is Mongolia, missing only the Tribe of Zebulun. ^[1].

Tribal affiliation is not usually discussed in every day LDS life, and all members, regardless of tribal affiliation, worship together. The knowledge of ones tribal affiliation is usually only shared with their immediate family.

In modern Jewish culture, by contrast, it is generally accepted that knowledge of individual tribal affiliation has been lost to antiquity (despite Mormon claims to the contrary), except in the case of Levites and Cohens, where such knowledge is relevant to religious practice. Some Jewish families, however, hold family traditions of descent from certain tribes. The Sephardi Chief Rabbinate of Israel has recognized the Beta Israel of Ethiopia as the Tribe of Dan, and the Bene Menashe of India as the Tribe of Menasseh. The Bene Israel of India and the Lemba tribe of Africa claim descent from Kohenim - these claims are supported by DNA analysis.[21]

The position of Jews with regard to Mormons is similar to Jewish feelings about other Christian groups— while peaceful coexistence is strongly desired, attempts at conversion are considered inappropriate and unwanted.^[2] Jews do not, in general, accept Mormon claims with regard to Mormon descent from, or membership in, the tribes of ancient Israel.

Jewish symbolism in Mormonism

Joseph Smith marshalling the Nauvoo Legion

The LDS Church includes among its traditional symbols the Star of David, which has been in use among Jews since at least the 13th century. For the LDS Church, it represents among other things the divine Israelite covenant, Israelite regathering, and affinity with the Jews, and is prominently depicted in a stained glass window in the landmark Salt Lake Assembly Hall.

Calendar

While not a central part of Mormon belief, Mormon scholars have pointed out that several major events in early Mormon history fall on Jewish holidays, either by divine design or coincidence. (It should be noted that Jewish holidays can last from two to eight days, and that "Erev" signifies the day before the holiday begins). The following date correlations have been provided by members of the Mormon church:

December 23, 1805 (Hanukkah: 8th Day) - Joseph Smith Jr. Born (Founder of LDS Faith)
September 21, 1823 (Sukkot I) - Joseph prays and is visited three times during the night by an angel named Moroni. Moroni tells him about a hidden book and quotes scriptures from the books of Acts, Joel, Isaiah, and Malachi.
September 22, 1823 (Sukkot II) - Joseph goes to the place where the gold plates are concealed, but is instructed by the angel Moroni not to retrieve them.
September 22, 1827 (Erev Rosh Hashana) - Joseph receives the gold plates.
July 1, 1829 (Rosh Chodesh Tamuz (the first day of the month of Tamuz)) - According to David Whitmer, the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed July 1, 1829.
April 6, 1830 (Rosh Chodesh Nisan (the first day of the month of Nisan)) - The "Church of Jesus Christ" is officially organized in the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., in Fayette, NY.
March 24, 1832 (Shabbat Parah) - Joseph Smith is tarred by a mob.
April 3, 1836 (Pesach I) - Mormons believe that during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (on Pesach I/Easter Sunday, April 3, 1836), Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and Elias appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring specific "keys," or blessings, powers and authority as held in previous dispensations of divinely revealed truth. They committed to Joseph and Oliver the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, the leading of the ten tribal families from the north, the administering of the keys of the Abrahamic dispensation, and the keys of sealing powers (compare with the apostolic binding power that Jesus bestowed on Peter). (D&C 110:3–4, 7).
July 24, 1847 (Shabbat Nachamu) - Mormon settlers first arrive at what becomes Salt Lake City and the home the LDS Church. Brigham Young predicts only 10 years of peace.
September 9, 1850 (Rosh Hashana II) - The Great Compromise of 1850 is signed into law, creating the Utah Territory and appointing Mormon Prophet Brigham Young governor.
July 23, 1857 (Rosh Chodesh Av (the first day of the month of Av)) - June 29, 1857: U.S. President James Buchanan declares Utah in rebellion of the U.S. government. Buchanan appoints Alfred Cumming as governor of Utah. Cumming is to be escorted by a regiment of the U.S. army, initially led by Col. Edmund Alexander.
July 18, 1857: Two Mormons, Porter Rockwell and Abraham Owen Smoot, learn of Buchanan's declaration in Kansas City while on a mail run. The same day, Col. Alexander and troops begin the journey to Utah.
July 23, 1857: Rockwell and Smoot arrive in Salt Lake City and inform Brigham Young of the government's plans to overthrow Utah. 10 Years of predicted peace comes to an end.
September 18, 1857 (Erev Rosh Hashana (the day before Rosh Hashana)) - United States Army starts marching towards Utah to take control of Territory. Col. Johnston and troops leave Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
October 5, 1857 (Sukkot II) - Nauvoo Legion engages United States Army in first armed conflict of Utah War. Fight for freedom begins.
April 12, 1858 (Erev Rosh Chodesh Iyyar (the day before the first day of the month of Iyyar)) - The U.S. Army and Cumming arrive in Salt Lake City. Mormons surrender Salt Lake City. United States gains control of Utah. Alfred Cumming assumes govenership.

Mormons and Jews

LDS assert peaceful coexistence with the Jewish people, whom they recognize as Israelites who simply never lost the knowledge that they are Israelites. The Church is consequently very philo-Semitic by doctrine, and the Jewish people are generally held in high esteem; they are looked upon as a covenant people of God.

Latter-day Saint places of worship are frequently offered to Jews for their use in religious observances or celebrations.

Jews in Utah

The first Jewish cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah, was on land donated by the LDS church, and the first Reform temple in Salt Lake was funded by the LDS Church.

The fourth Governor of Utah was Simon Bamberger, a Jew, who noted that the only place a Jew was a Gentile was in Utah. He won the respect of antagonistic Norwegian Mormon immigrants after observing that fact, and later of Mormons throughout the state. Anti-Semitic publications denouncing Bamberger and exaggerating his nose were denounced by leaders of the community and Church at that time. B. H. Roberts, a Mormon politician and church leader, supported Bamberger's campaign wholeheartedly.

Baptism for the Dead

A longtime practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been to vicariously baptize their ancestors, both direct lineal ancestors and related lines. This stems from the LDS belief that all individuals must receive all saving ordinances to achieve exaltation. To receive the ordinances of baptism and other temple ordinances does not make an individual a Mormon, but rather allows them the option of accepting said ordinances performed on their behalf. From time to time zealous Latter-day Saint genealogists have submitted the names of other prominent individuals, including at one point the Holocaust's Jewish victims and others. Official Church policy states that Church members submit the names of their own relatives for these type of ordinances, and requires that a surviving family member's permission be obtained for any Baptism that is to be performed of deceased individuals that have died within a certain time period (usually 50–75 years).

However, some Baptisms were done for Holocaust victims, without proper approval or permission. When this information became public, it generated vocal criticism of the LDS Church from Jewish groups, who found this ritual to be insulting and insensitive (attempting to contact the dead is forbidden under Jewish law, as one of the 613 basic commandments). Partly as a result of public pressure, Church leaders in 1995 promised to put into place new policies that would help stop the practice, unless specifically requested or approved by relatives of the victims.

In late 2002, information surfaced that members of the Church had not stopped this practice despite directives from the Church leadership to its members, and criticism from Jewish groups began again. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, Los Angeles, is on record as opposing the vicarious baptism of Holocaust victims. Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Center said: "If these people did not contact the Mormons themselves, the adage should be: Don't call me, I'll call you. With the greatest of respect to them, we do not think they are the exclusive arbitrators of who is saved." Recently Church leaders have agreed to meet with leaders of the World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors.

In December 2002, independent researcher Helen Radkey published a report showing that the Church's 1995 promise to remove Jewish Nazi victims from its International Genealogical Index was not sufficient; her research of the Church's database uncovered the names of about 19,000 who had a 40 to 50 percent chance of having "the potential to be Holocaust victims...in Russia, Poland, France, and Austria."

Genealogist Bernard Kouchel conducted a search of the International Genealogical Index, and discovered that many well-known Jews have been vicariously baptized, including Rashi, Maimonides, Albert Einstein, Menachem Begin, Irving Berlin, Marc Chagall, and Gilda Radner. Some permissions may have been obtained, but there is currently no system in place to verify that these permissions were obtained, which has angered many in various religious and cultural communities.

In 2004, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, Jewish genealogy columnist for The Jerusalem Post, noted that Jews, even those with no Mormon descendants, are being rebaptized after being removed from the rolls. In an interview, D. Todd Christofferson, a church official, told The New York Times that it was not feasible for the church to continuously monitor the archives to ensure that no new Jewish names appear. The agreement referred to above did not place this type of responsibility on the centralized Church leadership.

On April 11, 2005, Jewish and Mormon officials met and created a joint Jewish/Mormon committee with the goal of preventing future issues. The committee will attempt to determine how the names kept getting on the list, and how the problem can be solved. Jews will have their names removed from the vast LDS genealogy database, and any new names of deceased Jews will require approval from both Jewish and Mormon members of the committee.

It should be acknowledged here that many, if not all, of the proxy baptisms since 2002 for Jews without Latter-day Saint descendants may have been performed against church policy at the whim of individual members, because there is no notification to nor indication within the temple of the race or the religion of the deceased individual being served.

Jewish Mormons

If a member of the LDS church has an established Jewish heritage, and a lineage within Judah, Benjamin or Levi, then they are considered by the Mormons to be Jewish Members within the Church. Members of tribes other than that of Judah, Benjamin, Levi, or gentile converts consider themselves to be Israelite members within the church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bible Dictionary defines Jew, as the name indicated, first of all a man of the kingdom of Judah, as distinguished from persons belonging to the northern kingdom of Israel. Its first chronological occurrence in the Bible is in 2 Kings 16:6, about 740 BC. (See Who is a Jew? for the Jewish definition). It has become customary to use the word Jew to refer to all the descendants of Jacob, but according to Mormons, this is a mistake. It would be limited to those of the kingdom of Judah or, more especially today, those of the tribe of Judah and his associates. Thus, according to Mormon belief, all Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews, because there are descendants of the other tribes of Israel also upon the earth. (Cf. 2 Ne. 33:8.)

When interfacing between the Jews and Mormons, the LDS generally refer to the members of the Church as Joseph, and the Jewish as Judah, thus reenforcing the tribal connection. Holidays celebrated by many "LDS Jews" include Christmas, Easter, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah. (There are sometimes minor variations, allowing for modern prophecy.)

The Children of Israel (B'nai Shalom) is a website for "Jewish Mormons".

Mormons and Israel

Mormons, as a whole, are largely pro-Israel. Mormons, as well as many Jews, are also in favor of peaceful coexistence between Jews and non-Jewish (Muslim and/or Christian) Arabs in the Holy Land. The LDS people consider non-Jewish Arabs to be children of Abraham.

Mormons in Israel

The LDS church has two congregations in Israel. These are the Galilee Branch in Tiberias and the Jerusalem Branch in Jerusalem ^[3].

Mormons do not proselytize in the area and do not encourage any of their members to proselytize. There are legal restrictions in Israel concerning this issue.

Descendants of Israelites who can verify a claim to that descent (genetically or religiously, including in some cases relatives of Jews who are not themselves Jewish) are allowed by the Israeli government to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. Mormon theological claims of descent are not considered a sufficient basis for immigration under the Law of Return. (See Operation Moses, Lemba, and Daniel Rona.)

Brigham Young University has a study center in Jerusalem that is active in research and cultural activities (e.g. classical music concerts). Its creation was initially accompanied by protests of ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups which claimed, despite Mormon reassurances, that it would be a center of proselytizeing activities - but these soon died down. The courses at the center, attracting students from BYU in the US who wanted to do credit coursework in Israel, were (at least temporarily) suspended due to the security situation.[22]

Comparison between Mormonism and Judaism

Nature of God

Although monotheism is a fundamental tenet of Judaism, the Jewish religion arose and was codified during a time when polytheism and idolatry was the norm. In polytheistic religions, gods are typically ascribed human or human/animal bodies (including gender and even race), family relationships, and human failings (including intra-familial struggles, jealousy, revenge, and a whole host of negative human traits). It was the break from this mindset that marked Abraham's founding of the Jewish religion. A basic belief of Judiasm, as reiterated in the daily prayer Shema Yisrael, is that God is one. In addition, Judaism does not assume the deity has a human form - God never was, nor will be, a human being.^[4]

LDS theology maintains that God the Father (Heavenly Father), Jesus Christ (His Son), and the Holy Ghost are three separate and distinct personages who together comprise the Godhead, unified in purpose and heart (John 17:21-23). God the Father and Jesus Christ have tangible, perfected bodies of flesh and bone. The Community of Christ (a breakaway sect of early Mormonism) has rejected this doctrine and that of the Godhead in favor of Trinitarian theology. Humans are literal children of a Father in Heaven, and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ they can return to Him and be joint-heirs with Christ of all that the Father has (Romans 8:17).

Jesus

Jesus of Nazarath is not mentioned in Jewish records of the time, and no Jewish religious practice acknowledges or recognizes Jesus as a divine figure. Jewish responsa to Jesus in the modern day takes two paths, addressing the issue of divinity and the issue of Moshiach (the Jewish word for Messiah). With regard to the divinity of Jesus, a basic tenet of Judaism is that God is one; a trinity, even of divine persons, can have no place in the Jewish belief system. Jews also do not believe that God has a physical body or gender; the idea that God might have physical, "begotten" children is therefore absurd to them. In addition, Jews believe that God must be approached directly, without any intermediary (forgetting for the moment that it is necessary for the High Priest to intercede on their behalf before the Lord). To do otherwise is considered heretical. ^[5]. With regard to the question of Jesus as the Messiah, there have been many claimants to the title in Jewish history, and none are regarded as having fulfilled the requirements of that role. Jesus, if such a person ever existed, is not considered differently from any of the others. What individual Jews think of Jesus ranges from "never existed," to "irrelevant," to "actually Mithras," to "Jesus never claimed to be a messiah or a prophet." In any case, however, the Jewish Messiah was never expected to be, or described as, anything but an ordinary person. ^[6], ^[7].

According to Mormon beliefs, Jesus Christ was the Only Begotten Son of God the Father. Latter-day Saints identify Jesus with the Old Testament Jehovah (not with God the Father), implying that the Jews' covenant with Jehovah was actually with Jesus. Because of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, all mankind is saved from death and will rise again and receive a perfected physical body. Furthermore, the Atonement satisfies the demands of justice; grace, forgiveness, and mercy (i.e. salvation) are extended to all who accept Christ as their personal Savior and become His life-long disciples. A disciple of Christ follows His teachings in humility, with faith, hope, love, charity, and gratitude.

It is worth noting here that in Latter-day Saint beliefs, the atonement goes so far as to cover everyone who is doing his best to be good (including Jews, Buddhists, etc.), eventually even rescuing the spirits of the wicked from hell. The type of reward they receive, however, depends on the level of their acceptance and obedience.

Idols

Judaism expressly forbids idolatry in any form, considering it to be a violation of the first commandment. Among observant Jews, this extends to a prohibition on any representation of the human body, particularly in a religious context.

Similar to Judaism, Latter-day Saints do not prescribe to or generally own crucifixes or idols, and do not allow idols or statues at their meeting houses (local wards). An exception is made for statues of an angel blowing a trumpet, commonly identified as Moroni, which are placed on the tallest spire of many of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, facing eastward. Mormon belief holds that on the night of September 21, 1823, Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr., who would later become the founder of Mormonism, and told him about the Golden Plates buried in the hill, which was a few miles from Smith's home. A profile of this same statue (Moroni) appears on the cover of some editions of the Book of Mormon. These usages are because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints identifies Moroni as the angel spoken of in the Book of Revelation 14:6, "having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The image of Angel Moroni or a Star of David, worn on an individual, are also considered acceptable. Necklaces, neck ties, pins and charms are available from Deseret Book, an LDS church-owned bookstore. In addition, some church-owned buildings not used for worship also display statues of Jesus.

The Community of Christ, based out of Missouri numbering about 275,000 members, has adopted the use of crucifixes.

Prophecy and the Messiahs

Judaism holds that prophecy temporarily ceased after the destruction of the Solomon's Temple, and will be restored with the Messianic Age, whereas Mormons believe that Joseph Smith restored prophecy to the earth from an age of apostasy. Thus they believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet.

According to Judaism the Messiah is a regular person from the House of David, who will rebuild the Jewish Temple and bring about a long period of peace, increased moral behavior and prosperity for all nations. This period would lead to the resurrection of the dead in the "end of days".

Mormons believe that during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (on Pesach I/Easter Sunday, April 3, 1836), Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and Elias appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the Gospel. They committed to Joseph and Oliver the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, the leading of the ten tribal families from the north, the administering of the keys of the Abrahamic dispensation, and the keys of sealing powers. (D&C 110:3–4, 7).

Temples

The Salt Lake Temple contains a "Holy of Holies."

Solomon's Temple held the Ark of the Covenant in a room of the temple referred to as the Holy of Holies. The presiding high priest would enter into this room, said to contain the Shekhina (the presence of God), once a year on the Yom Kippur.

The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains a Holy of Holies wherein the church's President—acting as the "Presiding High Priest"—enters to fulfill the relationship between himself and God. This is done in accordance with LDS interpretation of the Book of Exodus.^[8]

Although the LDS church operates over 100 temples, only the Salt Lake temple has this feature. During the construction of the Salt Lake City temple from 1853-1893, the LDS temple in Manti, Utah housed a "Holy of Holies," though it is no longer used as outlined above.

Priesthood and clergy

Judaism

Mormonism

See also Aaronic Priesthood, Melchizedek Priesthood, and Patriarchal Priesthood.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives legal right of Kohanim to constitute the Presiding Bishopric, when so directed by the First Presidency.^[13] When LDS Kohanim are not available, Melchizedek priesthood holders substitute. To date, all men who have served as the Presiding Bishop have been Melchizedek Priesthood holders, and none have been publicly identified as Kohenim.

The orders of the priesthood are the Aaronic or Levitical (Kohanim) priesthoods, which are modeled after the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants (Kohen), and the Melchizedek priesthood, which is modeled after the authority of the Prophet Melchizedek. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not recognize a Patriarchal order of priesthood separate from the Melchizedek priesthood, and considers that both the Patriarchal and Aaronic priesthoods are subsets of the Melchizedek.

Members of the Tribe of Levi are said to have held the Levitical priesthood by right of birth before Jesus, whereas after Jesus, holders of the Aaronic priesthood have received it "by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands".^[14] It is now typically given at the age of twelve. ^[15]

Just as the Priests and the High Priest's line were subsets of the tribe of Levi, Latter-day Saints distinguish between levels of authority within the offices of their Aaronic priesthood: deacons, corresponding to Levites; teachers, corresponding to Kohathites; priests, corresponding to the priestly line; and bishops, corresponding to the Aaronic High Priest's descendants (not to be confused with the High Priesthood of Melchizedek).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which constitutes about 97% of the over all total adherents in the Mormon faith, believes in an all male priesthood. Worthy LDS males are usually ordained to be priests the Sunday after their sixteenth birthday. By age 18, worthy priests are usually ordained Elders in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Depending on the needs of a church, an Elder maybe ordained a High Priest.

Males of African descent (not all "blacks" as some say) were prohibited from receiving the priesthood due to their heritage until 1978, at which time the LDS church announced a new revelation accepting all worthy males to the LDS priesthood. Some fundamentalist sects reject this revelation.

Some smaller less-known sects of a few thousand people, to include the Community of Christ (245,000 members), have adopted the use of women in clerical roles.

Diet

Both Judaism and Mormonism have strict dietary requirements. Adherence to these rules varies depending on religious sect and personal faith.

Judaism

The laws of kashrut ("keeping kosher") are the Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with Jewish law is termed kosher, and food not in accord with Jewish law is termed treifah or treif. Kosher laws address what kinds of animals can be eaten, and requires separation of milk and meat, that vegetables be thoroughly inspected for insects, that animals be slaughtered painlessly, and by certified persons, and that many food products will be produced under rabbinical supervision. Produce of the Land of Israel has further restrictions.

While the drinking of alcohol is prohibited by LDS, Jews are expected or required to drink wine on certain occasions. Wine is typically consumed at the Sabbath evening meal, after a special blessing. In addition, the drinking of wine is an important part of the observation of two major Jewish holidays—Passover (although for this holiday grape juice can be substituted) and Purim.

Mormonism

Mormons believe the Word of Wisdom to be modern revelation that supersedes, or replaces, the laws of kashrut. The revelation, which is found in LDS D&C 89, contains three parts: (1) a list of substances such as wine, strong drink, and tobacco that should not be used (verses 1–9), (2) a list of foods that should be used, sometimes with certain limitations (verses 10–17), and (3) a promise to those who follow the guidelines (verses 18–21).

Among the substances which the revelation indicates should not be used, the first is "wine or strong drink", which the revelation says should not be drunk except as part of the Sacrament (like Communion). The revelation gives the further precaution that if wine is used, it should be pure and made in Mormon wineries. The revelation also advises against the use of tobacco and "hot drinks" (which was immediately interpreted by Joseph Smith and his associates as meaning coffee and tea).

The list of foods and substances which the revelation encourages includes wholesome herbs, fruit, and meat; however, meat is to be eaten sparingly, if at all, and ideally only in winter, famine, or "excess hunger". In other references, ^[16] and ^[17] expand on meat and flesh. The revelation also encourages the use of grains, particularly wheat. Barley is also encouraged for use in making "mild drinks" such as barley water.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has done away with wine altogether. Water replaces the wine in the Sacrament, and members are encouraged not to drink any alcoholic beverages.

Sabbath

Shabbat

Shabbat, lasting from sunset Friday night to the appearance of three stars on Saturday night, celebrates God's creation with a day of rest that commemorates God's day of rest upon the completion of creation. It plays an important role in Jewish practice and is the subject of a large body of religious law. Some consider it the most important Jewish holiday.

The most notable law with regard to observation of the Jewish Sabbath is the requirement to abstain from creative work of any kind, and specifically from kindling a fire. Observant Jews will prepare food ahead of time to avoid having to cook on the Sabbath, and observant Orthodox Jews will avoid turning on electric lights or driving.

While almost all work is forbidden on the Sabbath, acts of leisure and pleasure are appropriate, as long as they do not violate any proscription with regard to doing work. A special meal is eaten (including wine and meat, if possible, even if the household cannot afford these luxuries the rest of the week). Married couples are encouraged to engage in sexual relations ^[18].

LDS Sabbath

In most jurisdictions the Latter-day Saint Sabbath is Sunday. This is explained within the LDS Bible Dictionary as

"After the ascension of Christ, the members of the Church, whether Jews or gentiles, kept holy the first day of the week (the Lord’s day) as a weekly commemoration of our Lord’s resurrection (Acts 20: 7; 1 Cor. 16: 2; Rev. 1: 10); and by degrees the observance of the seventh day was discontinued." (Excerpt taken from the LDS Bible Dictionary)

There are some notable exceptions, such as Israel and the United Arab Emirates, where Latter-day Saints celebrate the sabbath from Friday night until Saturday night. Other sects within Mormonism adhere strictly to either a Saturday or Sunday Sabbath. ^[19]

Latter-day Saints are encouraged not to buy anything on the Sabbath, unless an emergency demands otherwise. Members are also encouraged to fast the first Sabbath of the month, from Saturday (Friday) night to Sunday (Saturday) night. Members are encouraged to use this time to fast and pray and reflect on their own relationship with God. The money that would have been spent on the two missed meals is usually donated as a fast offering to the church. These fast offerings are used to feed the poor and the needy.

Holy books

Judaism

File:241530 7953 torah.jpg

A Sefer Torah opened for liturgical use in a synagogue service

Judaism's most holy book is the Torah. Each Jewish congregation owns at least one 'sefer Torah' (copy of the Torah, hand-calligraphed on parchment) of which a portion is read aloud every week. The Torah and two other books, the Nevi'im and Ketuvim, make up the Tanach (known to Christians as the Old Testament).

The Tanach is explained and supplemented by the Talmud, which is made up of two parts - the Mishnah (originally oral law, now written down), and the Gemara (rabbinic commentaries and analysis). More recent work explaining Jewish law includes the Shulkhan Arukh, which was written in the 16th century.

Jews believe that the Torah was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, to be passed on to the Jewish people. Torahs are hand copied from another torah, by a specially trained scribe. An elaborate system of checking and cross-checking is used to ensure that no errors are introduced in the process of copying, and ancient copies or fragments of Torah that have been found (the most famous of which is the Dead Sea Scrolls) show a remarkable consistency with modern copies. ^[20] ^[21].

Mormonism

Joseph Smith Jr. said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." Thus, the study of The Book of Mormon is emphasized by LDS leaders and teachers, but they also encourage the study of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and believe in literal fulfillment of Biblical prophecies and covenants, including the Abrahamic covenant. The eighth Article of Faith states, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." In addition to these two books, in keeping with the meaning of the ninth Article of Faith, the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price are also considered canonical scripture.

According to Mormon doctrine, the Book of Mormon was originally written in "Reformed Egyptian" by a group of the House of Israel who had migrated from the area of Jerusalem. The book was translated by Joseph Smith. Book of Mormon versions in use today are in a language that closely resembles King James English (the language of the King James version of the Bible). There are, however, some variations in grammar, particularly with regard to verb tenses.

Afterlife

Judaism

Jewish beliefs with regard to an afterlife are highly variable.

Physical resurrection of the dead at the time of the Mashiach is a traditional belief (with some European Jews being buried facing Jerusalem, so they would be ready on that day). Other Jewish sages promoted the idea of a purely spiritual resurrection. Adherents of Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism are more likely to believe in a general Messianic Age than in a physical Moshiach, with or without resurrection (this should in no way be confused with Messianic Judaism). There is also the possibility of reincarnation, in some cases. (See also Jewish eschatology, ^[22]).

In general, religious Jews believe that the soul undergoes a period of reflection and penance after death, before moving on to whatever comes next. This period does not exceed 12 months, and Jewish mourners will say special prayers for the dead during this time, to ease the departed soul's passage. (See Kaddish). Attempting to contact the dead, at any time, is forbidden under Jewish law.

There is no Jewish equivalent of Heaven and Hell as they are understood in Christian theology. Jews do not believe that reward in the afterlife, whatever its form, is exclusive to Jews.

Mormonism

Mormonism teaches of a physical resurrection at the time of the second coming of Christ. It also is held by the Mormon church that between the time of an individual's death and the second coming (when the individual will be resurrected), the individual inhabits an intermediary afterlife in the Spirit world. The nature of this afterlife depends on the individual. Deceased persons who lived good lives and repented during their life of any major sins they had committed are said to inhabit "spirit paradise." However, spirits inhabiting spirit paradise may also receive an assignment to do "missionary work" to other souls in paradise or to the souls in "spirit prison," the condition in which Mormons believe the spirits of the "rebellious and ungodly" reside. The term "spirit prison" is sometimes used to describe the condition of any spirit who is awaiting being taught the gospel or having the opportunity to accept ordinances that allow them to progress in gaining further knowledge during their time in the spirit world. Mormons hold that missionary work in the spirit world was started by Christ during the days between his death and resurrection. (1 Peter 3:18-20) As Smith's personal writings as well as the Prophets indicate, is is also possible that if one follows the commandments exceptionally well (authorized baptism, temple marriage to be bound forever, and etc...), then one may be worthy of becoming like Heavenly Father. A man of this sort will be given the right to rule his own planet by the law with spirit children his own. "We remember the numerous scriptures which, concentrated in a single line, were said by a former prophet, Lorenzo Snow: "As man is, God once was; and as God is, man may become." This is a power available to us as we reach perfection and receive the experience and power to create, to organize, to control native elements. How limited we are now! We have no power to force the grass to grow, the plants to emerge, the seeds to develop." - Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, General Conference, April 1977

Mormonism also teaches the existence of three "levels" of heaven (or "kingdoms of glory"), as well as outer darkness, a "kingdom of no glory". Outer darkness is considered to be the second spiritual death, for those few souls who know a fulness of truth and openly rebel and fight against God. The other levels have been labeled the Telestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, and the Celestial Kingdom, which itself consists of "three heavens or degrees." (See Doctrine and Covenants 131, which says the "celestial glory" consists of "three heavens or degrees"; some hold that the term "celestial glory" used in this section refers to all the "kingdoms of glory", not specifically the celestial kingdom, but the traditional interpretation is that it refers specifically to the celestial kingdom.) This afterlife is what Mormons believe comes after the second coming of Christ and his reign on Earth for one thousand years (referred to as the Millennium).

The LDS faith believes that all three kingdoms, Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial are all kingdoms of heaven. They are all places of glory suitable to the individuals that will reside in them, based on the desires of their hearts.

Mormonism teaches that baptism and other covenantal ordinances performed by proper authority are required to enter the Celestial Kingdom, because of the sacred nature of that kingdom of glory.

Conversion and proselytization

Judaism

As a general rule, Jews refrain from active proselytizing, and some denominations discourage conversion. Becoming a "Jew by choice" is a serious matter. If a person truly wishes to convert, they will seek out a community and rabbi they feel comfortable with and begin the process there.

Conversion to Judaism involves extensive instruction in Jewish law (sometimes lasting for years), renouncing of other religious affiliations, immersion in a mikveh, and, for males, circumcision. (If the potential convert is already circumcised, a procedure known as hatafat dam brit is performed, in which blood is drawn from the circumcision scar.) Orthodox Judaism also requires Acceptance of the entire code of Jewish Law.

In many Jewish religious ceremonies (weddings, for example), the parents and lineage (Kohen, Levite, or Israel) of the participating person are named. Converts are considered to be the children of Abraham and Sarah, and of the lineage Israel (i.e., having no priestly ancestry).

Mormonism

Mormons vigorously proselytize, and are perhaps best known to non-Mormons for this activity.

All individuals age nine and older considering membership in the LDS church will be given a minimum of six classes. Prior to baptism, an investigator will interview with a local ward missionary. In certain situations, an interview with the area mission president may be necessary before the church agrees to baptize an individual. Baptism carries with it not only membership in the church, but also, according to Mormon belief, membership into the House of Israel. Individuals must be living by the Word of Wisdom: not consuming alcohol, tobacco, coffee, or tea, living the Law of Chastity, committing to attend church, committing to pay tithes, and declaring that they have repented of any outstanding sins. Individuals found worthy are baptized by immersion through the Aaronic Priesthood. After the baptism, there is a separate blessing where holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood confer the Holy Ghost to the individual by the laying on of hands. After joining the church, a separate Patriarchal Blessing will name the tribe of Israel the individual is descended from or adopted into. Individuals under the age of eight, and individuals who are not responsible for their actions (such as mental disability), are not required to be baptized and are granted Celestial Glory through Christ's Atonement.

In concert with the rest of the Christian world, Latter-day Saints deny the further necessity of circumcision as a covenant or token of covenant.^[23]

Water purification

Mikveh

To achieve a state of ritual purification, observant Jews immerse in a Mikveh. Certain kinds of utensils and other objects are also immersed (this practice should not be confused with the physical cleaning required for kashrut).

The most common use of the Mikveh is the practice of immersion after menstruation, miscarriage, or childbirth. This immersion marks the end of a period of sexual separation, and the woman's rejoining with her husband. It is also required that a woman immerse before her wedding. Some men use the Mikvah regularly, either daily, weekly, or before Yom Kippur. This is especially true in Hasidic circles. It is also required for Conversion into Orthodox Judaism for both sexes.

Jewish laws with regard to Mikveh are extensive. The most notable aspect of these laws is that a Mikveh must be filled with "living water," namely, water that has come directly from the earth in the form of caught rainwater or spring water (water flowing in a river or stream is also acceptable in some cases). Once water has been carried in a vessel or run through a pipe, it is no longer considered "living." Additionally, immersion must be complete (including the head and hair), and there can be nothing between the water and the person immersing—not only clothing, but also makeup and jewelry are removed. The common practice is to wash thoroughly before immersion (to remove any dirt or dead skin on the body), and to enter the Mikveh while still wet (to avoid any air bubbles that might be trapped on the skin or in the hair).

Unlike baptism, immersion is a private event—unless a physical handicap makes it impossible, the person undergoing immersion enters the Mikveh alone, and says any appropriate prayers themselves. When performed as part of Conversion to Orthodox Judaism, the act of immersion needs to be witnessed by a Beth-din of three Rabbis; however, the person immerses his/herself.

"Symbolic" immersions, where only drops of water are applied, where "carried" water is used, or where the immerser wears any kind of clothing or underclothing, are not considered valid immersions under Jewish law. Jews do not practice or recognize any kind of "Proxy" immersion, where one person immerses in the place of another person (living or dead).

Baptism

See Latter Day Saint baptism for main article.

Baptism is a water purification ritual where one is immersed in water. The practice of purification via immersion exists in many cultures. The word baptize derives from the Greek word βάπτειν (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st person singular present active indicative βαπτίζω), which loosely means "to dip, bathe, or wash").

The Christian ritual of baptism traces back to the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, who the Bible says baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Latter-day Saints assert that Jesus was baptized in 29 CE, on or around the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. This is posted in a church history timetable on the wall of the LDS Joseph Smith Memorial in South Royalton, Vermont. It should be noted that Mormons do not believe the Jesus instituted baptism, but merely commanded it of his followers. Mormon belief holds that the first baptism occurred when God baptized Adam. ^[24] Today, baptism is a required ordinance and ritual cleansing process when joining the LDS church, and is considered to be a purification process in one's conversion to becoming an Israelite. In the event of one's excommuniction or adoption of another faith, individuals are required to be rebaptized when returning to the church. ^[25]

The one being baptized as well as the one performing the baptism are dressed in white clothing symbolizing the purification of the baptism. Mormons believe that a member of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood holding the office of priest or holding the higher order of the Melchizedek priesthood must perform the baptism. Mormon children are baptized when eight years old, which is considered to be the age of accountability. All members within the LDS faith, whether they are considered by the Mormons to be a Jew, Israelite or Gentile convert, are baptized.

Washing and anointing

In Mormonism, washing and anointing (also called the Initiatory) is an ordinance (ritual) that symbolizes ritual cleansing and anointing to be a king or queen in heaven. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the ritual is performed in temples. The ordinance of washing and anointing symbolizes the ritual cleansing of priests that took place at Israel's Tabernacle, the temple of Solomon, and later temples in Jerusalem (see Exod. 28:40–42, 29:4–9, 29:20–21, 29:29–30, 30:18–21). As the name suggests, this ordinance has two parts, washing then anointing.

Polygamy

Judaism

The Tanach (Hebrew Bible) recounts several cases of polygamy among the ancient Hebrews. One source of polygamy was the practice of levirate marriage, wherein a man was required to marry and support his brother's widow (the source of the - much misunderstood - sin of Onan).

Ashkenazi Jewry has not practiced polygamy since Rabbenu Gershom's ban in the 11th century. (See: Role of women in Judaism in the Middle Ages, ^[26].)

Some Sephardi and Mizrahi groups, in particular those from Yemen and Iran (where polygamy is the cultural norm), only discontinued polygamy much more recently, for non-religious reasons. When these groups immigrated to the State of Israel after its 1948 creation, existing polygamous families were "grandfathered" in. Polygamous marriage is banned in the State of Israel, however, and no new polygamous marriages are permitted among those groups. ^[27]

Mormonism

See main articles: Plural marriage, Joseph Smith, Jr. and Polygamy, Polygamous Mormon fundamentalists.

Early in its history The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practiced polygamy in the United States and referred to it as "plural marriage". It was publicly announced by the Church in 1852, and the marriage ceremony (as conducted by an authorized priesthood leader) was believed to be a sacred, eternal ordinance. Only some members of the Church practiced polygamy. The practice was introduced by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Church's founder.

The practice of polygamy quickly led to persecution of the Church and the enacting of anti-polygamy laws. (The U.S. Congress made the practice illegal in U.S. Territories in 1862.) Many members of the Church fled to Canada in an attempt to set up communities free from prosecution; for example, Cyril Ogston founded Seven Persons, Alberta. Although Latter-day Saints believed that their religiously based practice of plural marriage was protected by the United States Constitution, opponents used it to delay Utah statehood until 1896. Increasingly harsh anti-polygamy legislation stripped Church members of their rights as citizens, disincorporated the Church, and permitted the seizure of Church property until the Church ordered the discontinuance of the practice in 1890.

National attention in the United States again focused on potential polygamy among the Church in the early 20th century during the House hearings on Representative-elect B. H. Roberts and Senate hearings on Senator-elect Reed Smoot (the Smoot Hearings). This caused Church president Joseph F. Smith to issue his "Second Manifesto" against polygamy in 1904. Since that time, it has been Church policy to excommunicate any member either practicing or openly advocating the practice of polygamy.

The ban on polygamy resulted in a schism within the Church, with various splinter groups leaving the Church to continue the practice of polygamy. Polygamy among these groups persists today in Utah and neighboring states, as well as among isolated individuals with no organized church affiliation. Polygamists of this kind are sometimes called "Mormon fundamentalists", despite their lack of affiliation with the mainstream Church. According to one source there are as many as 37,000 Fundamentalist Mormons, with less than half of them living in polygamous households ^[28]. Most of the polygamy is believed to be restricted to about a dozen extended groups of polygamous Mormon fundamentalists.

Plurality within the religions

In the United States, Judaism is divided into Orthodox Judaism, Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Humanistic Judaism, and Conservative Judaism. Similarly, Mormonism is divided into Orthodox Mormonism or LDS, Reform Mormonism, Reconstructionist Mormonism or RLDS, and Conservative Mormonism.

The vast majority of all Mormons are members of LDS Church, which comprises about 97% of the total Mormon faith. The second largest group, the Community of Christ has no official ties to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Further, it no longer claims the label Mormon to apply to themselves. Their doctrine has changed markedly since their founding by Joseph Smith III. Two major changes have been the acceptance of the Trinitarian concept of God and ordaining women to the priesthood. It should be noted that members of the Community of Christ (RLDS) do not refer to themselves as Mormons, although they do continue to use the Book of Mormon as scripture.

Demographics

Jewish

Numbers are estiated based on population studies and surveys between late 2004-2005. For more exact numbers see Jews by country

Worldwide: 14,596,017
U.S.: 5,914,682
Israel: 5,300,000
Europe: < 2,000,000
South America: 380,000
Canada: 371,000
South Africa: 106,000
Australia: 100,000
Mexico: 50,000
Asia: 50,000

Mormon

^[29]

Worldwide: 12,275,822
U.S. (approximate): 5,599,177
Canada: 169,633
Mexico: 1,013,071
Caribbean: 138,511
Central America: 527,511
South America: 2,904,085
Europe: 440,945
Asia: 865,987
Africa: 220,798
South Pacific: 396,104
Female: 53 percent
Male: 47 percent

Number of Church units worldwide (congregations): 26,670

Other similar works

Covenant and Chosenness in Judaism and Mormonism, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, November 2001, ISBN 0-8386-3927-5
Spiritual Vision: Hebrew Cryptograms -- The Key to Unlocking Parallels Between Mormonism and Judaism, David B. Cohen and Irving Cohen, Deseret Books, SKU: 4702961
Mormons and Jews: Early Mormon Theologies of Israel, Signature Books, January 1993, ISBN 1-56085-006-X
My Burning Bush, The Spiritual Journey of Nancy Goldberg Hilton, An Autobiography. Hilton, Nancy Goldberg, ISBN 0-9776403-0-2, Library of Congress Registration Number TX 6-288-494 [23]
A Mormon's Guide to Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Religion and Culture for Latter-day Saints. Marlena Tanya Muchnick and Daniel Baier, ISBN 1-932280-58-8. Granite Publishing. [24]
Notes of a Jewish Convert to the LDS Chuch: Conversion of a Soul. Muchnick, Marlena Tanya, ISBN 0-89716-803-8 Dist by Granite Publishing [25]
Days of Awe: Jewish Holy Days, Symbols and Prophesies for Latter-day Saints by Gale Boyd, published by Millenial Press [26]

Books on LDS observance for Israelite Feasts

Celebrating Passover: A Guide to Understanding the Jewish Passover for Latter-day Saints, Deseret Books, SKU: 4906193 information & Reviews
Passover for Latter Day Saints, David and Jennifer Asay, Books

Footnotes

^ [1]
^ [2]
^ [3]
^ [4]
^ [5]
^ [6]
^ [7]
^ Exodus 25:22
^ [8]
^ [9]
^ [10]
^ [11]
^ The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 68
^ Articles of Faith 5
^ See Bible Dictionary for a detailed history and comparison between the Leviticial and Aaronic Priesthood
^ 1 Timotyh 4:1-4
^ Covenant 49:18-19, 21
^ [12]
^ [13]
^ [14]
^ [15]
^ [16]
^ [17]
^ Moses 6:64
^ The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 22
^ [18]
^ [19]
^ [20]
^ The Church of Latter-day Saints web site reports (As of December 31, 2004)

References

This list is comprised of Original Source Information

The Book of Mormon, Church of Jesus Christ of, July 1981, ISBN 0-9676865-6-3
Pearl of Great Price, January 2003, ISBN 0-7661-3653-1
Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Missionary edition, 1979, ASIN B00070RJYS
Hebrew-English Tanakh, Jewish Publication Society of America; Student edition, December 2000, ISBN 0-8276-0697-4
The Holy Bible, King James Version, National Publishing Company, January 2000, ISBN 0-8340-0346-5

The following references are based on previous Wikipedia research, and are also found in the supporting articles, where much of the information for producing this article was obtained.

Women and Jewish Law: An Exploration of Women's Issue's in Halakhic Sources, Rachel Biale, Shocken Books, 1984
On Women and Judaism: A View from Tradition Blu Greenberg, Jewish Publication Society
Rereading the Rabbis: A Woman's Voice Judith Hauptman, Westview Press, 1998
Women Who Would Be Rabbis Pamela S. Nadell, 1999 Beacon Press
Women and Prayer: An Attempt to Dispel Some Fallacies, Judith Hauptman, Judaism 42 (1993): 94-103.
Edward M. Cook, Solving the Mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls: New Light on the Bible, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994
Frank Moore Cross, The Ancient Library of Qumran, 3rd ed., Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995. ISBN 0-8006-2807-1
Norman Golb, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Search for the Secret of Qumran, New York: Scribner, 1995
E. Qimron, The Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Harvard Semitic Studies, 1986. (This is a serious discussion of the Hebrew language of the scrolls.)
Barbara Thiering, Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ISBN 0-06-067782-1), New York: Harper Collins, 1992
Geza Vermes, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English, London: Penguin, 1998. ISBN 0-14-024501-4 (good translation, but complete only in the sense that he includes translations of complete texts, but neglects fragmentary scrolls and more especially does not include biblical texts.)
Chaim Stern, ed., Central Conference of American Rabbis. Gates of Prayer - for Shabbat and Weekdays. A Gender-Sensitive Prayerbook 1994 ISBN 0-88123-063-4 LoC: BM674.34.C46 DDC: 296.4-dc20
Central Conference of American Rabbis, New York, and Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues, London. Gates of Prayer - The New Union Prayerbook for Shabbat, Weekdays and Festivals. Services and Prayers for Synagogue and Home. 1975 ISBN 0-916694-01-1 LC: 75-13752
Meyer, Michael A. Response to Modernity: A History of the Reform Movement in Judaism. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995.
Kaplan, Dana Evan, American Reform Judaism: An Introduction. New Brunswick, New Jersey:Rutgers University Press, 2005.
Platform on Reconstructionism, FRCH Newsletter, Sept. 1986, pages D, E
Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach, Rebecca T. Alpert and Jacob J. Staub, The Reconstructionist Press, 1988
David Griffin's article in Jewish Theology and Process Thought, Ed. Sandra B. Lubarsky and David Ray Griffin, State University of New York Press, 1996
Louis Jacobs God, Torah, Israel: Traditionalism Without Fundamentalism Hebrew Union College Press, Cincinnati, 1990;
Judaism As a Civilization Mordecai Kaplan, The Jewish Publications Society, 1994
Mordecai Kaplan "The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion", 1962
Judaism Beyond God: A Radical New Way to Be Jewish, Sherwin T. Wine, KTAV Publishing House and Society for Humanistic Judaism, 1996.
God-Optional Judaism: Alternatives for Cultural Jews Who Love Their History, Heritage, and Community, Judith Seid, Citadel Press, 2001.
Judaism In A Secular Age - An Anthology of Secular Humanistic Jewish Thought, Edited by: Renee Kogel and Zev Katz, KTAV Publishing House and International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, 1995.
Conservative Judaism: Our Ancestors To Our Descendants (Revised Edition), Elliot N. Dorff, United Synagogue New York, 1996
The Conservative Movement in Judaism: Dilemmas and Opportunities, Daniel J. Elazar, Rela Mintz Geffen, SUNY Press, 2000
Conservative Judaism: The New Century, Neil Gillman, Behrman House 1993
Halakha For Our Time: A Conservative Approach To Jewish Law, David Golinkin, United Synagogue, 1991
A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice Isaac Klein, JTS Press, New York, 1992
Conservative Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook Pamela S. Nadell, Greenwood Press, NY 1988
Emet Ve-Emunah: Statement of Principles of Conservative Judaism, Ed. Robert Gordis, JTS, New York, 1988
Etz Hayim: A Torah Commentary, Ed. David Lieber, Chaim Potok and Harold Kushner, The Jewish Publication Society, NY, 2001
Richard P. Howard, The Church Through the Years, Herald House: 1992.
Andrew Bolton and Jane Gardner, "The Sacraments: Symbol, Meaning and Discipleship," Herald House, 2005.
Jerry Nieft, ed., "Walking with Jesus: A Member's Guide in the Community of Christ," Herlad House, 2004.
Roger D. Launius, Joseph III: Pragmatic Prophet, University of Illinois Press: 1995.
Inez Smith Davis, The Story of the Church: A History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and of Its Legal Successor, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 12th edition, Herald House: 1981.
Quinn, D. Michael, "Plural Marriage and Mormon Fundamentalism", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Summer, 1998, p. 1-68.
Yitzchak Blau "Body and Soul: Tehiyyat ha-Metim and Gilgulim in Medieval and Modern Philosophy", The Torah U-Madda Journal, Volume 10, 2001

External links

The Official Website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Children of Israel (B'nai Shalom) - A Website for Jewish members within the LDS Church and friends
Lynn and Nancy Goldberg Hilton - Nancy Goldberg Hilton is a Jewish convert-LDS. Free eBook: My Burning Bush
Marlena Tanya Muchnick Fireside talks and books
Jews for Judaism Mormonism section - Arguments in response to Mormon missionaries from a Jewish perspective
Review of Covenant and Chosenness in Judaism and Mormonism - By the Association for Mormon Letters

[1] [1]

[2] [2]

[3] [3]

[4] [4]

[5] [5]

[6] [6]

[7] [7]

[8] Exodus 25:22

[9] [8]

[10] [9]

[11] [10]

[12] [11]

[13] The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 68

[14] Articles of Faith 5

[15] See Bible Dictionary for a detailed history and comparison between the Leviticial and Aaronic Priesthood

[16] 1 Timotyh 4:1-4

[17] Covenant 49:18-19, 21

[18] [12]

[19] [13]

[20] [14]

[21] [15]

[22] [16]

[23] [17]

[24] Moses 6:64

[25] The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 22

[26] [18]

[27] [19]

[28] [20]

[29] The Church of Latter-day Saints web site reports (As of December 31, 2004)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]