New Church Pamphlet on Islam

[smac97]

Here:

Quote

Official new pamphlet aims to help Latter-day Saints understand, treat Muslims better

Elder David A. Bednar repudiates stereotypes about Muslims. Pamphlet outlines common values shared by the 2 faiths.

By Tad Walch@Tad_Walch  Jan 20, 2022, 10:07am MST

 

A new 35-page pamphlet called “Muslims and Latter-day Saints: Beliefs, Values, and Lifestyles” appeared online Wednesday on websites and apps of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Why it matters: Muslim and Latter-day Saint leaders work together across the world because of their shared values. Latter-day Saint leaders have said they want church members to better understand Muslims, work and live together with them and help root out bias against Islam.

• The pamphlet’s publication was first announced in October at a BYU conference on Islam. Learning more about Muslim neighbors “will help us be more kind and more accurate in what we say and feel about each other,” Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said at the time.
• Elder David A. Bednar of the Twelve used the conference to repudiate all disparaging statements made by Latter-day Saints about Muslims, including those that repeated stereotypes. He called stereotypes wrong and offensive: “Such biases cause those who feel that way to overlook the kindness and goodness of the overwhelming majority of all Muslims,” he said.
• Elder Bednar said the booklet was produced over several years with the help of Muslim imams.

Here is an outline of the pamphlet:

• Mutual Respect: Muslims and Latter-day Saints express mutual respect for each other’s beliefs.
• Profession of Faith in God: Faith in an omniscient and omnipotent God is a foundational belief of Muslims and Latter-day Saints.
• The Posterity of Abraham: This pamphlet is to introduce Muslims (followers of Islam) and Latter-day Saints (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to each other.
• Prophets: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe in the vital role of prophets to provide guidance from God.
• Jesus Christ: Muslims and Latter-day Saints share many beliefs about Jesus Christ. He plays an important, though different, role for both groups.
• Scriptures: Revelation from God given through messengers as scripture is the foundation for learning God’s will, keeping commitments, and participating in faithful worship.
• Prayer: Prayer is central to both faiths.
• Helping Those in Need: Compassion through offerings and service to others is a vital component of true faith in God.
• Fasting: Fasting is a practice that promotes spiritual growth and temporal well-being and brings faithful members closer to God.
• Physical Health: Muslims and Latter-day Saints promote physical health and spiritual growth through abstinence from certain foods and substances.
• Chastity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that God delights in purity and chastity.
• The Role of Women: Muslims and Latter-day Saints value women and their essential role in society and in the home.
• Family: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that the family is the fundamental unit of society and an essential source of joy.
• Holy Places: Muslims and Latter-day Saints visit holy places and participate in sacred rituals.
• Life after Death: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that the human spirit continues on after death, existing in a state of happiness or misery until the time of resurrection.
• Love for God and Humanity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that by loving God and all humankind, peace and goodness will ultimately prevail. They devote their lives to living and teaching these principles.
• Religious Diversity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints share many common beliefs and values and have similar lifestyles.

I really like this.  It is both informative and aspirational.  It emphasizes areas of commonality, which is often wanting in today's society.

I also note that the pamphlet includes, after each reference by name to Muhammad, the acronym "SAWS," which is "for the Arabic phrase 'prayers and peace be upon him,' which Muslims use after they say the name of the Prophet Muhammad."  The pamphlet also includes the acronym "AS" ("for the Arabic phrase 'upon him be peace,' which Muslims use after they say the name of prophets like Abraham") in relation to the Islamic perspective:

Quote

Muslims

Muslims believe that Ibrahim, or Abraham (upon him be peace, AS), is a prophet who plays a prominent role in Islam as an example of faith and obedience to God. He never worshiped other gods or idols (see Qur’an 3:67). He brought his son Ishmael to Mecca. Abraham (AS) was responsible for building the Ka’bah in Mecca for the worship of the One God. Islam teaches that Abraham’s character and his willingness to submit to God’s will gave him a special place as a Friend of God.

Latter-day Saints

Latter-day Saints believe that Abraham was an exceptional prophet and example of obedience. He was a seeker of happiness, peace, and knowledge. Through his righteousness and faith in God, Abraham secured blessings for his posterity and became the father of many nations. God promised Abraham that his posterity would receive His truth and teach it to the peoples of the world in the latter days (see Pearl of Great Price, Abraham 1:2, 19).

Note that the references to Abraham in the "Latter-day Saints" paragraph do not include the "AS" convention.  The Church appears to be adopting such things as a reflection of Islamic belief and practice, while not transposing it into Latter-day Saint contexts (where such conventions are not used).  I like that, even though the convention is applied to Jesus Christ as well (see here).  Speaking of which:

Quote

Jesus Christ

Muslims and Latter-day Saints share many beliefs about Jesus Christ. He plays an important, though different, role for both groups.

Both Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe in the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. They recognize that He is a messenger of God (“Word”) and refer to Him as the Messiah or Al-Masih (the “Anointed One”). Both acknowledge that He performed miracles during His lifetime, and both accept that He can make intercession for the righteous at the Day of Judgment.

Muslims

Muslims regard Jesus Christ (AS) as the sinless son of Mary, uniquely having a mother but no father (see Qur’an 3:59). He was a prophet of God but not the son of God. God strengthened him with the Holy Spirit (see Qur’an 2:87). He prophesied the coming of Muhammad. He was raised unto God alive before his enemies could kill him on the cross. Most Muslims believe that Jesus (AS) will return at the last days to help restore global peace and justice on earth.

Latter-day Saints

Latter-day Saints regard Jesus Christ as the sinless, Only Begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary. His suffering in the garden and death on the cross atone for the sins of all who accept His grace. He overcame death and enabled the eventual resurrection and immortality of all people (see Book of Mormon, Alma 7:9–13). In the last days He will return to usher in a thousand years of peace. Then He will judge all humanity according to their faith and good works, and by the intent of their hearts.

Very even-handed and respectful.  Cool.

From a Tribune article on this topic:

Quote

Luna Banuri, executive director of the Utah Muslim Civic League, is among those who reviewed and offered suggestions on excerpts of the pamphlet before publication.

“They did a very good job,” Banuri said, “in presenting a holistic view of Islam that any reader can relate to and understand.”

Still, she stressed that a great deal of work remains to change the attitudes of some Latter-day Saints, explaining that she and her family have experienced “otherization” living in Utah as a result of their Muslim identity.

My daughter has a dear friend, an Egyptian woman who graduated from BYU and now lives and works in Salt Lake.  She is a wonderful person and we have sort of become a second family to her in Utah.  I hope she is treated with respect and kindness.

Good stuff.

Thanks,

-Smac

[Danzo]

I remember on my mission in Italy, the Muslims from north Africa were some of the nicest people we met.  They would always invite us in and they loved the Book of Mormon in Arabic (we were always running out of those).  There were even some that joined the church.

[rchorse]

 

[bluebell]

54 minutes ago, Danzo said:

I remember on my mission in Italy, the Muslims from north Africa were some of the nicest people we met.  They would always invite us in and they loved the Book of Mormon in Arabic (we were always running out of those).  There were even some that joined the church.

We weren't allowed to teach Muslims on my mission to Northern California, but they were very nice when we would tract into them.  One of the most "Christian" men that I ever met was a Muslim man in Woodland California.

[rongo]

54 minutes ago, Danzo said:

I remember on my mission in Italy, the Muslims from north Africa were some of the nicest people we met.  They would always invite us in and they loved the Book of Mormon in Arabic (we were always running out of those).  There were even some that joined the church.

Germany has a large Muslim population. We were limited, as we weren't allowed to teach Iraqis, Iranians, Lebanese, or Syrians (or Israelis). Pakistani graduate students frequently ordered the Book of Mormon in Urdu, and they were good teaching appointments (interested in the Book of Mormon, gratified that we aren't trinitiarian/idolators  , and we learned a lot about the Koran). I've shared this before, but the third in command in Kurdistan was baptized right before I was transferred into my last city. He shouldn't have been (the sisters misunderstood where he was from), but he was a very good convert (good German, integrated well with the ward, solidly converted). Because of who he was, he received visitor all the time --- including people "whom you would call terrorists." When they came, all of his scriptures and gospel art pictures were put away. He told us to stay, but that we were simply American students. He told us that they can never learn he was baptized, or "you are dead, I am dead, and my family back at home is dead." This was in 1996, and the Hamburg Cell of course struck in 2001. I used to like teasing him that I couldn't find Kurdistan on a map ("It's right there --- by Mosul." "That says it's still part of Iraq."). 

It was unsettling to get invited in by a Muslim family with no German or English, and see large pictures of heavily-armed women covered from head to toe in black all over the living room walls. 

 

[Robert F. Smith]

I can recall excellent relations with Muslims in East Jerusalem after the Six Day War.  Our Canadian LDS branch president lived with his family in East Jerusalem.  His children were always playing with the Muslim children, while his wife conducted import-export business with the sheikh of a local tribe.  I myself received legendary Muslim hospitality while hitchhiking in Jordan.  The Muslims I met not only spoke excellent Engiish, but would share their food with me, and offer me Turkish coffee (which I would decline by using the Arabic word dini "my-law," which they well understood).  I always felt safe.

In Israel, I frequently worked with Muslims, whom I found to be hard-working and good-humored.  At UCLA, I had very nice Muslim teachers.

[Robert F. Smith]

13 minutes ago, rongo said:

..............., gratified that we aren't trinitiarian/idolators  , .............

Some Western scholars now argue that Islam was originally an anti-trinitarian Christian Arabic movement which denied the deity of Christ, and that Jesus was originally described as muhammad "the blessed one, the praised one."  Indeed, that is the nature of the original inscriptions found in the Dome of the Rock built by Abd al-Malik in around 685 AD.

[rongo]

6 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Some Western scholars now argue that Islam was originally an anti-trinitarian Christian Arabic movement which denied the deity of Christ, and that Jesus was originally described as muhammad "the blessed one, the praised one."  Indeed, that is the nature of the original inscriptions found in the Dome of the Rock built by Abd al-Malik in around 685 AD.

It was sure interesting when the Pakistani students showed me where and what the Koran says about Jesus. "He rose from the dead and was born of a virgin, but he's just another prophet? Sounds like more than a prophet to me!" 

It was interesting to me that they regard trinitarianism as idolatry. I had never thought about that. They aren't fully on board with Jesus being the Only Begotten, but at least he is the son of God and not "consubstantial" with Allah.  

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

It was sure interesting when the Pakistani students showed me where and what the Koran says about Jesus. "He rose from the dead and was born of a virgin, but he's just another prophet? Sounds like more than a prophet to me!" 

It was interesting to me that they regard trinitarianism as idolatry. I had never thought about that. They aren't fully on board with Jesus being the Only Begotten, but at least he is the son of God and not "consubstantial" with Allah.  

For Muslims it is a matter of doctrine that God does not beget and is not begotten.

[James 1 5]

22 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

For Muslims it is a matter of doctrine that God does not beget and is not begotten.

If we help to show them that Abraham believed in God the Father and Son they might change their doctrine.

[katherine the great]

To speak frankly: As a woman I cannot support Islam. 

[2BizE]

There was a nice article about this pamphlet and the collaboration between both religions to complete it in the SLTrib.

 

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/01/31/lds-church-issues/

[smac97]

11 minutes ago, katherine the great said:

To speak frankly: As a woman I cannot support Islam. 

Utterly?  There is no version of Islam that is acceptable to you as a woman?

Thanks,

-Smac

[katherine the great]

7 minutes ago, smac97 said:

Utterly?  There is no version of Islam that is acceptable to you as a woman?

Thanks,

-Smac

Nothing comes to mind. I don’t support any religion that sanctions death to “apostates”. 

[James 1 5]

58 minutes ago, katherine the great said:

Nothing comes to mind. I don’t support any religion that sanctions death to “apostates”. 

I suspect women in Islam have many of the same issues as many in Christianity did before women had the legal right to vote or work outside of their homes.  They usually blame men or their rules in society, rather than blaming God or their faith or religion.

[Hamba Tuhan]

1 hour ago, katherine the great said:

To speak frankly: As a woman I cannot support Islam. 

I don't have to support Islam. I just have to love my Muslim neighbours/friends, recognise the good present in their lives and faith, and defend their rights to worship how, where or what they may.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Hamba Tuhan

[katherine the great]

6 minutes ago, James 1 5 said:

I suspect women in Islam have many of the same issues as many in Christianity did before women had the legal right to vote or work outside of their homes.  They usually blame men or their rules in society, rather than blaming God or their faith or religion.

Why would they blame their religion for being refused the right to vote?

[James 1 5]

2 minutes ago, katherine the great said:

Why would they blame their religion for being refused the right to vote?

Yes, exactly, why would they.  They would not necessarily.  They could reasonably think of their right to vote in society as not related to their religion of Islam.  Just as other women did not think their right to vote was related to their Christian religion

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, katherine the great said:

Nothing comes to mind. I don’t support any religion that sanctions death to “apostates”. 

So you don’t like Judaism either?

[Teancum]

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

Here:

Here is an outline of the pamphlet:

• Mutual Respect: Muslims and Latter-day Saints express mutual respect for each other’s beliefs.

Mutual respect is a good thing.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Profession of Faith in God: Faith in an omniscient and omnipotent God is a foundational belief of Muslims and Latter-day Saints.

Do Latter-day saint really believe in an omniscient and omnipotent God as those terms are generally understood by Muslims and other Christians? Many on this message board do not.

 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• The Posterity of Abraham: This pamphlet is to introduce Muslims (followers of Islam) and Latter-day Saints (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to each other.

Hmm.  I am not sure how this really works.

 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Prophets: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe in the vital role of prophets to provide guidance from God.

Do Latter day Saint accept Mohammed as a prophet and do Muslims accept Joseph Smith and his successors as prophets.  No. The points are seemingly becoming less relevant and even disingenuous. 

 

 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Jesus Christ: Muslims and Latter-day Saints share many beliefs about Jesus Christ. He plays an important, though different, role for both groups.

Islam does not accept Jesus and a member of the Godhead nor do the accept the idea of atonement.  Big differences here.

 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Scriptures: Revelation from God given through messengers as scripture is the foundation for learning God’s will, keeping commitments, and participating in faithful worship.

Do Latter day Saints believe the Quran is scripture?  Do Muslims believe the BoM and other LDS canon.  Nope to both. 

 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Prayer: Prayer is central to both faiths.
• Helping Those in Need: Compassion through offerings and service to others is a vital component of true faith in God.
• Fasting: Fasting is a practice that promotes spiritual growth and temporal well-being and brings faithful members closer to God.
• Physical Health: Muslims and Latter-day Saints promote physical health and spiritual growth through abstinence from certain foods and substances.

Yep all these are somewhat similar.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Chastity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that God delights in purity and chastity.

Yes both faiths are hyper vigilant on chastity.  But Islam can be over the top.  Well Mormons can be as well but Mormons don't do honor killings.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• The Role of Women: Muslims and Latter-day Saints value women and their essential role in society and in the home.

I am not sure I would be proud to compare the LDS Church views on the role of women to Islam. 

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Family: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that the family is the fundamental unit of society and an essential source of joy.

Cannot opine on this because I do not know what Islam believes about the family.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Holy Places: Muslims and Latter-day Saints visit holy places and participate in sacred rituals.

Ok and so?

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Life after Death: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that the human spirit continues on after death, existing in a state of happiness or misery until the time of resurrection.
• Love for God and Humanity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints believe that by loving God and all humankind, peace and goodness will ultimately prevail. They devote their lives to living and teaching these principles.

Islam seems to want to force their views on humanity through jihad. I would not want to say Mormonism is similar in this aspect.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

• Religious Diversity: Muslims and Latter-day Saints share many common beliefs and values and have similar lifestyles.

Yet Islam is not tolerant of religious diversity. I think Mormonism is.

7 hours ago, smac97 said:

I really like this.  It is both informative and aspirational.  It emphasizes areas of commonality, which is often wanting in today's society.

 

I don't.  I think Islam is rather one of the most evil religions in the world.  Why try to make friends with something that is rather despicable?

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Teancum

[Hamba Tuhan]

2 minutes ago, Teancum said:

Big differences here.

You seem to have skipped right over the concept of building bridges by emphasising commonalities.

Quote

I think Islam is rather one of the most evil religions in the world.

Yes, well, you think something similar about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Have you ever lived in a predominantly Muslim nation? I have, and surprisingly I just don't share your assessment.

Last year, I was able to attend the foundation stone laying for a new mosque in our city. Our two faith groups are close and frequently attend each other's events. The imam has even hosted our stake president and me for dinner, and we have made our chapel available for their use until the mosque is complete. (Their temporary mosque, a rented space in an industrial estate, is too small for some of their public events.) This is a much, much happier way to live.

[Danzo]

6 hours ago, rongo said:

Germany has a large Muslim population. We were limited, as we weren't allowed to teach Iraqis, Iranians, Lebanese, or Syrians (or Israelis). Pakistani graduate students frequently ordered the Book of Mormon in Urdu, and they were good teaching appointments (interested in the Book of Mormon, gratified that we aren't trinitiarian/idolators  , and we learned a lot about the Koran). I've shared this before, but the third in command in Kurdistan was baptized right before I was transferred into my last city. He shouldn't have been (the sisters misunderstood where he was from), but he was a very good convert (good German, integrated well with the ward, solidly converted). Because of who he was, he received visitor all the time --- including people "whom you would call terrorists." When they came, all of his scriptures and gospel art pictures were put away. He told us to stay, but that we were simply American students. He told us that they can never learn he was baptized, or "you are dead, I am dead, and my family back at home is dead." This was in 1996, and the Hamburg Cell of course struck in 2001. I used to like teasing him that I couldn't find Kurdistan on a map ("It's right there --- by Mosul." "That says it's still part of Iraq."). 

It was unsettling to get invited in by a Muslim family with no German or English, and see large pictures of heavily-armed women covered from head to toe in black all over the living room walls. 

 

I remember when there was a high counselor in our stake who's last name was Hussein.  If I remember right he was a convert from Pakistan.   I still remember how weird it felt during the gulf war to have it announced that "brother Hussein will be our next speaker"  Later I learned that Hussein was a common surname.

[James 1 5]

17 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

You seem to have skipped right over the concept of building bridges by emphasising commonalities.

Yes, well, you think something similar about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Have you ever lived in a predominantly Muslim nation? I have, and surprisingly I just don't share your assessment.

Last year, I was able to attend the foundation stone laying for a new mosque in our city. Our two faith groups are close and frequently attend each other's events. The imam has even hosted our stake president and me for dinner, and we have made our chapel available for their use until the mosque is complete. (Their temporary mosque, a rented space in an industrial estate, is too small for some of their public events.) This is a much, much happier way to live.

I feel that, or at least I am feeling that a little bit more now than I did in my past. Compassion is a wonderful thing.

In my past I felt and believed I was taught by example that it was my Christian duty to teach people how wrong they are, if I had an opportunity to tell them, or else I felt their sins would be on my own head for not teaching them what I knew to be better.

My life is much more simple and peaceful now that I do not feel that responsibility.  I will still try to teach other people what I know if they directly ask me a question but I am a lot more lighthearted about it.  I can just share ideas now without getting preachy.  It helps me to know God is not done with any of us yet.

Edited February 1, 2022 by James 1 5

[Teancum]

19 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

You seem to have skipped right over the concept of building bridges by emphasising commonalities.

Building bridges on false premises is not a good thing.

19 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Yes, well, you think something similar about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ummm no I don't. 

19 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Have you ever lived in a predominantly Muslim nation?

Nope.

19 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

 

 

 

I have, and surprisingly I just don't share your assessment.

Ok

19 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Last year, I was able to attend the foundation stone laying for a new mosque in our city. Our two faith groups are close and frequently attend each other's events. The imam has even hosted our stake president and me for dinner, and we have made our chapel available for their use until the mosque is complete. (Their temporary mosque, a rented space in an industrial estate, is too small for some of their public events.) This is a much, much happier way to live.

Yes and so?  Haw does that change anything I noted?  Can you dispute my points?

Edited February 1, 2022 by Teancum

[Danzo]

I also remember on my mission when one of the Muslims were baptized, his friend did the confirmation in Arabic.

There was another member from north who told us how we had a personal revelation on Jesus Christ and then looked up the "Church of Jesus Christ" in the phone book and showed up at the church. He only spoke Arabic and French.  Turns out a member of our branch and grown up as a child in Libya when Italy occupied the country. He spoke Arabic and was able to translate. Showed me that the Lord loved this brother enough to prepare the way for him to be taught the gospel in his language.