B'nai Shalom (Children of Peace) Social Media (Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Forum)

The ancient Hebrews did not believe that the temple concept originated in the time of Moses. Rather, they taught that temple rituals and doctrines originated with Adam and were handed down among the biblical patriarchs. This is precisely what the Prophet Joseph Smith tried to teach the world during the 1800s, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal and has been on the earth since the beginning.

by LeGrand L. Baker (Author) This book is divided into 19 specific characteristics that the Book of Mormon has in comparison to the Ancient Israelite Temple

This is the third volume of the Temple on Mount Zion series published by The Interpreter Foundation and Eborn Books. The purpose of the series is to increase understanding and appreciation of temple rituals and doctrines, and to encourage participation in the redeeming work of family history and temple worship. Includes "What Did Joseph Smith Know about Modern Temple Ordinances by 1836?" by Jeffrey Bradshaw. It also has articles by Daniel L. Belnap, Carli J. Andersen, David M. Calabro, Stephen O. Smoot and Quentin Barney, David J. Larsen, Matthew L. Bowen, John W. Welch, John S. Thompson, Shon D. Hopkin, and Daniel C. Petersen.

https://rsc.byu.edu/recent-books/ascending-mountain-lord-temple-praise-and-worship-old-testament

PDF: http://www.legrandlbaker.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Who-Shall-Ascend-into-the-Hill-of-the-Lord-reduced.pdf. Authors BYU Professors LeGrande Baker and Stephen D. Ricks. Huge, 770 pages, zillions of footnotes, references, biblio which makes it doubly interesting. By the author: The more I studied the Book of Mormon, the more I realized that it is an ancient Israelite temple text. ... every sermon in the book is founded upon the Nephite temple experience and on the Psalms that were much of the ceremonial foundation of Nephite theology. The focal point of their most important annual ceremony was Psalm 2. That Psalm was sung as part of the ancient coronation ceremony, when the earthly king was adopted as son and heir of Jehovah and was anointed priest and king. In conjunction with the king’s anointing, every man in the congregation was symbolically adopted as a child of God and anointed as a sacral king and priest. As such, each was symbolically invited to come into the Holy of Holies where God was.

by Leslie Pearson Rees The subject of the "Lost Tribes" of Israel has been of interest for generations. Especially is this true for members of The LDS Church because of the many references to them in the Book of Mormon & D&C, in addition to the pronouncement of their fate in the 10th Article of Faith. Incredible myths have abounded, and sometimes been promoted in the religious classroom. None of the "hollow earth" or "on a star" legends, however, are as exciting or interesting as the truths concerning them set out in the scriptures. This book is the result of almost 40 years of study, and lays out the scriptural record of the House of Israel from its beginning through its history of captivity, journey to the "promised land," division into two kingdoms, subsequent defeat and captivity. It's a great study, selecting scriptures you would never have noticed on your own, and dealing with language, word, and physical evidences. " The second half of the book is a collection of fascinating histories, traditions, and legends held by people from many countries of the earth tracing their family lines back to those northern Israelites we call the Lost Tribes. They are found in China, Japan, Africa, the countries of the former U.S.S.R., the Middle East, North and South America, and many other places.

By Brad Kramer. To have more of a study and learning than just a "read", Brad applies the deeper study methods of rabbis to the Book of Mormon. [I put this in the context of "Holy Envy".] Too often readers approach the Book of Mormon simply as a collection of quotations, an inspired anthology to be scanned quickly and routinely recited. Bradley J. Kramer encourages his readers to slow down, to step back, and to contemplate the literary qualities of the Book of Mormon using interpretive techniques developed by Talmudic and post-Talmudic rabbis. Specifically, Kramer shows how to read the Book of Mormon closely, in levels, paying attention to the details of its expression as well as to its overall connection to the Hebrew Scriptures - to better appreciate the beauty of the Book of Mormon and its limitless capacity to convey divine meaning. [He is active LDS in No Carolina, arranges area interfaith things there, has worked a lot with the rabbis and Jewish interfaith. He spoke in B'nai Shalom (Mormons and Jews) in SLC in 2015.]

by Alonzo L. Gaskill. Various ancient and modern rituals which are illustrative of symbols and practices Latter-day Saints may recognize. The ordinances of the Gospel are both the vehicle by which we make covenants and also a means by which God seeks to teach us. This book will guide you to a richer understanding of, and appreciation for, what you hold sacred. Gaskill presents divers ancient and modern rituals which are illustrative of symbols and practices Latter-day Saints may recognize. The ordinances of the Gospel are both the vehicle by which we make covenants and also a means by which God seeks to teach us. This truly unique book will guide you to a richer understanding of, and appreciation for, what you hold sacred.

From reviews: This book is an interesting account of temples and temple symbolism throughout all of history. It provides a greater insight into the temple on a more spiritual level - it becomes more meaningful once one is familiar with the modern ordinances of the temple. Recommended for those who want a profound, scholarly approach to their temple studies, and those who would enjoy a faith-building reading experience. Only ancient practices and symbols are discussed.

The Book of Mormon presents itself first and foremost as a Jewish narrative. Beholding the Tree of Life pays serious attention to its Jewish literary precedents and ways of reading scripture. Enrich LDS understanding of the scriptures and build bridges to a potential Jewish readership.

Supplemental study guides (BOM, OT, NT, D&C, etc.) with Holy Land insight.

Days of Awe reminds us of our close connection with ancient Israel and teaches about the nature of the various Jewish festivals and feasts.

The Holocaust by Bullets: A Priest's Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews

Review of E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien, Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible

the Book of Mormon is the keystone standard work of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants the capstone, the Old Testament is the foundation stone. All of the other standard works, the New Testament included, are built upon the spiritual history and tradition recorded in the Old Testament. This fact alone merits its study.

Link is deseret. Much cheaper ($15.49) as Amazon Kindle

$0.00 List Price Deseret bookself ebook. In March of 1833 Joseph Smith was working on his inspired translation of the Bible. The Bible he was using included the Apocrypha.

Discover the origins of the books of the Old Testament and learn how these teachings have been shared and preserved. Explore the role of prophets, prophecy, and politics, and examine scriptural issues that have been debated by scholars throughout the ages.

What the New Testament writers knew about Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, and Solomon. Examine an in-depth history of Herod and his infamous family. Josephus left us the earliest independent accounts of the lives of Jesus, John the Baptist, and James the brother of Jesus. Much of what we know about the beliefs of the Sadducees and Pharisees comes from Josephus.

Periodically, some great insights about what we are getting in Sunday School

add witness to Judah/Joseph brotherhood w/articles

of Jews and Mormons - posts re both cultures, religions by Marlena

Posts of all kinds re Jewish/Mormon

LDS/Jewish articles