In my fifth book, A Mormon’s Guide to Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Religion and Culture for Latter-day Saints, I list the essential similarities and differences between the two religions. Understand that these are really two sides of the same coin. In Genesis 49:8-2 we find that Judah is the son to whom the role of national leadership falls. His name means, “He for whom Yahweh is praised”.
The people of Israel will praise the LORD God for what He shall bring about through the tribe of Judah. In this prophecy Judah will receive praise from his brothers for supremacy in Israel. From the line of Judah came King David, the greatest of all kings, and of course David was of the line of Judah, as is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When God made the covenant with Abraham he gave the promise in Genesis 17:6 that “Kings shall come out of thee.” The Jews of today are of a royal family, the Scepter tribe, protector of the faith and the holy temples of God.
Brother Ephraim received the blessing of the Birthright – the privilege and responsibility of bringing the message of the restoration of the Gospel to the world and to gather scattered Israel. But there is a problem here. The Scepter tribe of Judah is today a sword of undirected energy. Jews do not know their Savior. They do not have the restored priesthood and again, they have no saving ordinances. They are unaware their temples have been restored. They do not know the true nature of Heavenly Father. They do not want to mix Judaism with anything Christian. But they are increasingly and continually under threat of death and destruction, from the Inquisitions and Holocaust of the past to today’s headlines. The day is coming that the Savior will visit Israel and fulfill the prophecies in the book of Revelation and the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Jewish people will finally turn to Christ for their salvation.
In the following list the reader can see that what is needed is for these families, these separate but similar societies and religions, to be reunited, and the differences will be done away peacefully with thankfulness and praise to God. Great threats and increasing anti-Semitism are upon them at this time and they are under siege. Help the Jewish people to come home to their Savior.Learn about the brotherhood of Christians and Jews and do what you can in their behalf.
Similarities between Judaism and LDS
Jews and Mormons are members of the twelve families of Israel
Both are under the Abrahamic Covenant,
Both called Covenant Israel because the blood of Israel is in their veins
Both worship the same Heavenly Father
Both believe in the Ten Commandments as given to Moses
Both believe in a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
Both are holders of holy ancient priesthoods
Both believe in angels, holy and unholy visitations
Both believe in the idea and reality of a Messianic figure
Both believe in sacrifice as atonement for sin
Both believe in Old Testament (Torah) prophets, revelations from God
Both believe the Mashiach will be a descendant of Davidic line
Both believe in temples. The synagogue is a type of temple
Both believe in prayer, sacred religious rituals and consecrated behaviors
Both practice a form of baptism, anointing, laying on of hands
Both believe in giving aid, monetary assistance and other charity to those in need
Both believe in a pre-mortal life and an afterlife
LDS believe Elijah has returned. Jews believe he will return on the Passover
Neither religion sees death as tragedy
Both believe in the eventual redemption of the dead
Both believe in eventual resurrection of the dead
Both believe in the End Days theories that will bring peace and joy
Both congregations are led by appointed representatives
Both believe in living basic Mosaic law of chastity,
honesty, charity, Sabbath observance
Both: crosses not used as symbols in either church or synagogue
Both religions acknowledge Jesus as a teacher of righteousness
Both religions have strict dietary laws
Both Jews and Mormons wear sacred garments under clothes, outer vestments
Both have general knowledge or interest in scripture learning, reading, quoting
Members encouraged to study, learn and achieve in both religions
Both cultures believe in marrying inside their religion and culture
Both believe in an Adversary and his evil influences,
Both believe that good overcomes evil
Both – acknowledgement of mysteries of creation beyond human knowledge
Both societies have undergone religious persecution, exodus, re-settlement for believers
Both religions believe that God will personally reign upon the earth (Jews: Elohim) (LDS: Christ)
Connections
1. Former and latter-day prophets have used the Urim and Thummim
2. The Jewish Tanakh scriptures have parallels and similarities to the LDS “quad” in subject matter, wisdom, purpose
3. LDS temple ordinances, symbols are based upon sacred Israelite rites and practices
4. Belief in revelation and prophecy available to anyone (Jews: rabbis exert powerful but limited influence)
5. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints based upon Mosaic Law as given to Moses
6. Jews know their Messiah will come. He will be a Jew. LDS know that the Savior has come and is Jesus Christ
7. Messianic Jews already know that Jesus is the Christ. They call him Yeshua
8. Book of Mormon prophets are descendents of Hebrew prophets, although the Jewish people are as yet unaware of it
9. Mormon prophets as well as Hebrew prophets have received revelations about the gathering in these last days of the 10 lost tribes and their eventual return to Israel
10. Circumcision practiced. Jews: a covenant with God and the mark of their identity
11. LDS: having a broken heart and a contrite spirit
12. Mormon prophets pray for the redemption of Israel and the gathering of Israel to the lands of their inheritance.
13. Jews pray for peace and redemption of Israel to Jerusalem
Doctrinal Truths Restored by Jesus Christ
•Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, changed from cleansings only
•Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost
•The true nature of the Godhead
•Literal resurrection of Jesus through his atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane
•Continuous revelation
•Temple ordinances and covenants available for living and dead
•Restoration of the Hebrew priesthood and tribal affiliations and blessings
Find Marlena’s other sites through www.jewishconvert-lds.com