A Mormon Perspective on the Modern State of Israel and United States Foreign Policy
In the spirit of promoting truth, regardless of popularity, Defending Utah focusing on principles (not politics) has a really good historical track record when the dust settles on controversial issues.
Is the war in Israel a distraction? What is the agenda of the men who “Combine” in “secret” in our land ? Is Israel more a people or a place? Does it make sense that these combinations with their creation of The United Nations which seeks to “overthrow the freedom of all lands“, fulfilled prophecy by creating a country called Israel?
28 And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives. 29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land
(A full reading of D&C 38 gives greater perspective)
Since the fake pandemic we haven’t heard much about terrorism or war in the middle east. All that focus on the alleged germ threat made everyone forget about what the elite told us we used to be scared of. But now the recent actions in the middle east has renewed global propaganda dividing people into camps, forcing us to choose a side for something virtually nobody understands. The modern, never-ending, Israel vs. Palestine debate.
Let’s not forget the lessons that we’ve learned over the past two decades. All wars are lies. Everything is war propaganda. Many things we hear about are 100% fabrications of the media and the elite (wars and rumors of wars). (rumors = propaganda)
This historical article is not to address this debate head on (although we could do that in another article), but to review historical LDS sources that our Utah LDS audience ought to consider. It was originally written in 2011 by latterdayconservative.com. We are bringing this timeless and important literary work back to life in 2023. It has been modified and updated slightly in this posting with editors comments.
Additionally, a documentary is provided at the bottom, covering the perspective of Christians that have lived in Palestine during the implementation of the marxist United Nation’s creation: the modern nation state of Israel.
Other Resource: We are a War Like People – President Kimball
A Common belief among conservatives, especially mainstream Republicans, is that the United States has a responsibility to support and defend Israel (1) (2) (3). [A decade ago, there was a lot of hype over] the Glenn Beck “Restoring Courage” rally being held in Israel on 8/24/11. According to glennbeck.com, “Restoring Courage is an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that Israel does not stand alone.”
Is this the proper stance to take? Should we stand for Israel, no matter what? Are we not alienating other nations? Just because something is popular, and everyone is doing it, or thinking it, doesn’t make it right. As with all issues we should base our support on correct principles. In this article we will examine teachings from the scriptures and words of modern Church leaders to see if there is any justification for U.S. support and defense of the modern State of Israel.
In the past Israel – also called Palestine – was the “promised land” given to Abraham and his descendants, through Isaac and Jacob (later named Israel). The House of Israel was a covenant and blessed people, but their promises from the Lord were conditional – based on their obedience to God’s law [covenants among themselves and a requirement to proclaim liberty for others in their land]. Eventually the Israelites, being ripe in iniquity, were swept off the land of their inheritance.
Today many Jews, a part of the House of Israel, are returning to Israel. However, as Bruce R. McConkie said,
“Let there be no misunderstanding in any discerning mind on this point. This gathering of the Jews to their homeland and their organization into a nation and a kingdom is not the gathering promised by the prophets. It does not fulfill the ancient promises”
– The Millennial Messiah, p. 229
The prophet Joseph Smith explained that the gathering of the tribe of Judah would not yet be to Jerusalem,
We had a letter from Elder Hyde, a few days ago, who is in New Jersey, and is expecting to leave for England as soon as Elder Page reaches him. He requested to know if converted Jews are to go to Jerusalem or to come to Zion. I therefore wish you to inform him that converted Jews must come here.
– Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 180
Part of the conflict in Israel today is that the Arab Muslims (also descendants of Abraham) have a claim upon that land, and had occupied the land for two thousand years prior to the return of the Jews. In fact, it wasn’t until after World War I that hundreds of thousands of Jews began moving into Palestine. Eventually the Arabs were forced to give up a large portion of their land to the Jews (for more info see: “Arab-Israeli Conflict”).
President Howard W. Hunter has reminded us that,
…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. The purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to bring about love, unity, and brotherhood of the highest order
– “All Are Alike Unto God,” Brigham Young University Fireside, February 4, 1979.
Many Latter-day Saints today strongly support defending the State of Israel, even in going to war against the Palestinians. Spencer W. Kimball lamented:
We are a warlike people, easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and steel – ships, planes, missiles, fortifications – and depend on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we become anti-enemy instead of pro-Kingdom of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan’s counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Savior’s teaching:
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you… (Matt. 5:44–45.) (“The False God’s We Worship”, Ensign, June 1976, 3).
What then should be the foreign policy of the United States of America?
Ezra Taft Benson taught that we should “observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it?” (“United States Foreign Policy“, Preston, Idaho, June 21, 1968)
Quoting further from Ezra Taft Benson with regard to United States Foreign Policy:
“Ever since World War I, when we sent American boys to Europe supposedly to ‘make the world safe for democracy’, our leaders in Washington have been acting as though the American people elected them to office for the primary purpose of leading the entire planet toward international peace, prosperity and one-world government.
“…We mistake the object of our Government… Conquest or superiority among other powers is not or ought not ever to be the object of republican systems. If they are sufficiently active & energetic to rescue us from contempt & preserve our domestic happiness & security, it is all we can expect from them… (The Records of the Federal Convention [Max Farrand, Editor], 1: 402)
“There is one and only one legitimate goal of United States foreign policy. It is a narrow goal, a nationalistic goal: the preservation of our national independence. Nothing in the Constitution grants that the President shall have the privilege of offering himself as a world leader.
“Nothing in the Constitution nor in logic grants to the President of the United States or to Congress the power to influence the political life of other countries, to ‘uplift’ their cultures, to bolster their economies, to feed their peoples or even to defend them against their enemies.
“The proper function of government must be limited to a defensive role.” (Ezra Taft Benson, “United States Foreign Policy”, Preston, Idaho, June 21, 1968)
As has already been pointed out, the modern State of Israel is not the same as the promised return of the House of Israel; these modern Jews are not God’s chosen people. Considering the common conservative support of defending Israel and the promoting of wars against the Arab nations, let us turn to the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants regarding those matters.
“Behold, this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers, Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles. And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them.” (D&C 98: 32-33)
“Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands. But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands.” (3 Nephi 3: 18–21)
“And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them. But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed.” (Mormon 4: 4-5)
Stand with Israel?
I can find no scriptural basis or modern Church teachings that could be interpreted to mean that we must support Israel no matter what, and no matter what the cost (we can’t afford it anyways). There is no basis at all for such meddling in the affairs of other nations, whether to prop one up or pull another down. As Thomas Jefferson said: “Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations – entangling alliances with none. . .” (March 4, 1801; Works 8:4)
Now is the time to stand and restore courage. I invite those who value freedom, honor and faith to stand with others in your respective communities and churches as disciples of Christ. Let us strive to be beacons of freedom and liberty, and an example of righteousness to all nations. Sadly this nation (USA) is becoming ripe for destruction (as prophesied in the Book of Mormon). Fortunately, as individuals, there is still hope; we can be such examples within our families and communities and let that influence spread from there.
Further reading:
- A Latter-day Saint View of the Conflict in the Holy Land
- Arab-Israeli Conflict
- Of the House of Israel
- We are a War Like People – President Kimball
- Film: The Stones Cry Out – What happened to the Christians in Palestine
Born in Palestine to a humble beginning, Christianity took root in Egypt, Syria and Iraq. Did Christians in Palestine ever try to fight for “No Taxation Without Representation” and lose? Find out.
This amazing documentary was taken down from our channel by YouTube.
But you can watch it by the copyright holder here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thestonescryout
22 Responses
Upon studying Jewish history, I find that the Jewish elite have a great influence over the world. We see where the world is going. If you want to begin to understand the Jewish question one might want to become a student of the Bolshevik revolution; what led up to it and what was the result. That revolution happened just over a hundred years ago, yet that history is not taught. There is a reason it is not taught.
Thank you for this valuable perspective and factual report. I agree. How can I not, when you have cited the Lord and His scriptures and his prophets?
I have one question: As I see it, there is a difference between Hamas and those terrorists, and the people of palestine. My question is, isn’t Israel justified in waging defensive war against terroristic aggression? I know there are a lot of nuances in this conflict, especially the intermingling of the terrorists and the regular people of Palestine, but isn’t Israel justified in trying to stop the purposeful slaughter of innocents, as well as waging war against all jews?
Anyone is always justified in self defense. This is a law of nature.
In history, every aggressor has always claimed to be acting in self defense. So how can one know what’s going on?
The issue in war is that everything we hear about is always a lie. Politicians lie, media manipulates video, every war is started with a lie (false flag), this is documented history. Nobody attacks a country without first convincing their people that they are acting in self defense. It’s impossible to gain support from a majority of your people if they don’t believe they’ve been attacked first. The initial attack can be completely fabricated, partly fabricated, or the aggressor directly attacks themselves while wearing the flag of their enemy (Hitler attacked himself in the Reichstag fire, gulf war children in incubators was a made up story, vietnam gulf of tonkin was made up, spanish american war lusitania sinking was a false flag, etc.)
All Wars are Bankers Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrKf9nYeXT0
Truth is the first casualty of every war. I recommend watching the documentary we’ve included for a good portion of that truth on Palestine that is lesser known. Could the devil convince the Christian world to assist him in eradicating their own foundation?
https://youtu.be/sl5QidXyYNY
Israel allowed there border to be breeched. Why did the Israeli government allow 1300 of there citizens to be slaughtered? Alternative media tells you what happened. Global media tells you the narrative they want you to believe.
What Israel has a right to do is not our question. The issue from the above author seems to be “What does the US have a right or responsibility to do?”
Good comment. Foreign entanglements in our military has been warned against by many wise statesmen over the year. Especially George Washington himself.
Darn, I took down my LGQTZ flag for the Ukrainian flag now I have to hoist the Israeli flag.
I cannot believe this article, which suggests neutrality in the matter of Hamas versus the “non-Chosen” Jews.
“For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle: and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled , and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city; Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations . . . .” Zechariah 14:2,3
It is easy now to see why this is happening and will soon come to full fruition.
Hamas vs Israel, is nothing more than communist leaders vs. communist leaders (and they’re actually working together), while families suffer on both sides. America arms Hamas, we left weapons in Afghanistan for them. It’s all scripted. You are blinded by the propaganda and willing to justify genocide. The people, families and children are victims while you sit thousands of miles away drooling over your righteous indignation for more death and destruction. This is not about Hamas, this about the communists (secret combinations) fooling the world, wiping out Christianity’s roots (see the documentary) and about fooling the entire Christian world into worshiping a false Israel and strengthening the New World Order. Jesus warned about this false Israel, just as these older LDS leaders have warned.
Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie”
Revelation 2:9 “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
Responding to this comment:
“It is easy now to see why this is happening and will soon come to full fruition.”
People have been saying we’re “months away” or “it’s right around the corner” because of fighting in the middle east for as long as I can remember. I remember born again pamphlets in the 80s and 90s, claiming this exact same thing. The devil’s game never changes. The devil just knows how to make a big show using his treasures of the earth, and his mouthpiece the mainstream media, while God’s plan is happening in a very different way.
Israel is much more of a people than a place. And where there is a place (land for their inheritance) those people will not oppress their neighbors but will embrace liberty for all.
Eventually the place will be the entire world (1000 years of peace, Christ reigns on earth).
If not these Jews, what Jews? If not this Jerusalem, what Jerusalem?
Not a good argument: “If not this plastic fruit, then what fruit? I’ll eat this plastic fruit because I don’t know about any other real fruit, because I haven’t ever explored the forest to find it”
If you want to know “what jerusalem” or “what Israel”, there’s tons of teachings of the prophets of the past on this subject. Your laziness in understanding it is your burden.
Plenty of Jews today who recognize the nation-state of Israel is an apostate beast, that has nothing to do with their faith.
If Satan wrote put the name “Israel” on a box full of garbage, and told you to worship it…. would you be misled? We’re already there, this is not hypothetical.
Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie”
Revelation 2:9 “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
well, you shot me down good and hard!
Still, it seems to me the Jews will be apostate until Christ returns as they will not accept him until they see the wounds in His hands and feet. I have never been crazy about the politics of the State of Israel so I don’t expect much better of them before the 2d coming. So where are the Jews who Christ will someday find to be worth saving?
Interesting conversation! There are the Jews that are found all over Europe… Poland, Prussia, Russia, Europe and the US , Ect. And the Church of Jesus Christ whom are adopted into the tribes of Manassas, and the tribe of Ephriam.
Nobody should support any of the governments committed to the UN and WEF agenda, which includes the USA and Israel. Depopulation and enslavement is not something that should be supported.
Israel was probably the most covid-19 vaxxed country in the world. It is likely the damage done from the vaxxes has done far greater damage than Hamas. The Jews in Israel voluntarily got in line to receive these experimental injections. Since rollout of the vaxxes, birthrates in many countries have plummeted. In the USA, the number of persons living on disability has increased dramatically. The effects of the vaxxes, though suppressed, have likely exceeded the deaths from the Holocaust (now a worldwide holocaust, no longer primarily aimed at the Jews).
I have written in these pages my belief, as we have seen America, (and sadly, the LDS Church), support and enforce lockdowns, masking, forced injections, injections of children who have virtually no risk from covid, suppression of freedom, including religious freedom, that we are only one more “plandemic” away from extinction of religious freedom and the only way religion will be spared will be Christ’s return, to save not only the Jews, but rather the entire world , from an atheist worldwide tyranny. It is clear the “elders of the Church” will be just as complicit in this tyranny as the rest of the previously free world. Go ahead and get your year’s supply, but don’t for a minute think that’s going to save you or that you are going to triumphantly march back to Missouri and be saved from the tyranny to come. The Saints were never successful in establishing Zion and there is no reason they will succeed this time as the world descends into control of the atheist totalitarians.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2023/10/lew-rockwell/a-book-you-need-to-read/
Consider the two most prominent LDS US senators, Harry Reid and Mitt Romney. Do we need any further evidence of the failures of the elders of Zion?
I still say, if not these Jews, what Jews and if not this Jerusalem, what Jerusalem? Christ comes like a thief in the night, and I suspect when even the elect and learned are caught off guard.
Parents of the baby boomers, the WW II generation, thought they might live to see the 2d coming of Christ, but I find the baby boomers have given up. We want all the ducks lined up.
Christ will not come until he has a people and a place to come to. That is the true doctrine taught in the early history of the church. And that place is NOT where the people oppress their neighbors and do not honor freedom for everyone. The nation of Israel is communist, and is the opposite of the calling of the children of Israel. So what jews? what jerusalem? Clearly not the one created by the United Nations. Also, the Jews are only one tribe of the children of Israel. Your view is very short sighted still. The principles of Israel (liberty and charity) are more important than the exact people or place. Christ will come to where there is liberty and charity throughout the land and the people as a whole. Seems like currently, there’s no place on earth for Christ to come. We better start getting to work.
The fact that there is no place of liberty and charity, and getting worse, is exactly why Christ will need to come. Without his second advent, freedom of religion will be lost. The powers of darkness are in ascendance and will be defeated only by Christ’s return, not by some hoped for worldwide revival or by the LDS Church, which is losing ground in the battle.
You’ve got it backwards. You don’t understand the doctrine. What you are preaching is the satanic doctrine of the rapture cult. Christians throughout history have always had a responsibility to be the ones that build a better world. Jesus told us to be the salt of the earth (he didn’t say, “don’t worry you can be judgmental of your neighbors and lazy, I’ll come salt the earth later”). We’ve got a video about that false doctrine on our youtube channel. Christ will NOT come, until he has “a people and a place to come to”, and that place will be full of liberty and charity. This is the true doctrine. People believing the rapture cult is the reason why we can’t have nice things. We will be in darkness and it will keep getting worse (even for hundreds of years) until we start taking responsibility individually, and not waiting for somebody else to fix things, whether that be Jesus, Trump, “the church”, or anybody else, other than ourselves individually. All the tools to study and defend liberty and create a free society are available on this website and through related resources, I’ve dedicated a decade of my life to organize them and vet them. When people stop being couch potatoes to the unfolding events and start learning and taking action in their local communities, we’ll be on a better path. Isaiah chapter 1, condemns us for allowing corruption in our land. It’s nobody’s fault but our own.