Trip to Holy Land - Day Thirteen and Fourteen

Today, May 17, 2014, was Saturday or the Jewish holy day Shabbat.  The Jewish weekend is Friday and Saturday.  We drove past Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem.  The neighborhood gates are closed on the Sabbath and Jews are supposed to stay within their area.  If anyone enters the closed neighborhood, their car is showered with stones.  Israelis will not be driving today because of Shabbat – cars were parked everywhere.  The public transportation today that we could see is for Arabs.

 We traveled by bus to the Mount of Olives.  Such a special place to go on the Sabbath.  This was a look-out where we stopped.

From the look-out point you could see the Kidron Valley which runs north-south between the Mount of Olives and the eastern wall of the Temple Mount and the City of David. This valley actually continues all the way to the Dead Sea. The total length of the valley is 20 miles, and it falls 4,000 feet. 


 The Gihon Springs naturally filled this valley, but the settlers of Jerusalem diverted the water into pools and channels to be used by the city.  Across the Kidron Valley, you can see the Temple Mount and the city of Jerusalem.  The Dome of the Rock is quite visible. 


We saw the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world – covering the hillside below us.  All the graves are above ground!  

The walk from here to Bethany where the Savior stayed with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus is about 15 minutes - but now with the wall it would take about a half hour.

Another very exciting visit we were making today that was purposely planned for Saturday was to visit and attend church at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies - Brigham Young University

For 25 hours between Friday night and Saturday night, the city almost completely shuts down for the Jewish Sabbath.  Therefore, to make it easier for everyone, the Sabbath is observed on Saturday here in Jerusalem by the Mormons, too.  We were all excited to go to church here at the B.Y.U. Jerusalem Center.  Here we are saying "Good-bye" to Tarek.  He was absolutely a phenomenal guide!

  Finding and Obtaining the Land for the BYU Campus was truly a miracle!

  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints looked for property in Jerusalem for 10-15 years to build an extension campus of Brigham Young University, concentrating on Near Eastern Studies.   Church officials, President Kimball and President Tanner, came to dedicate the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden and saw the property that overlooked the backside of a garbage dump on the Mount of Olives.   President Tanner said, “This is the piece of property.”  

President Tanner was then told all the reasons why getting this property was unthinkable:  It was contested land – seized during the 6-day War, a green-belt had been established so no one could build on it, it was in close proximity to the Hebrew University, and the Supreme Court wanted to build on the land.  President Tanner wouldn't be deterred.  He said that this is the property and a way should be found to get it.   They announced the church’s intention to find a site to build.  (Look to the far left side in the middle of the picture above to see the B.Y.U. campus with all the arches.)

There is no doubt that the Lord wanted the Brigham Young University Center to be built.  Teddy Kollek was the Mayor of Jerusalem and was committed to having an open city with religious tolerance.   He was instrumental in getting the permits for the BYU Center to be built.  In 1984 the Church leased the land and began construction.  There was much opposition.  People/groups from all over the world wrote letters to try and keep the Mormons off of Mount Scopus, which looks over the Mount of Olives.  

 The city had three Sabbaths:  Friday for Arabs, Saturday for Jews and Sunday for Christians.  That meant there were workers available seven days a week, so work proceeded every day.  Every stone was hand-chipped.  It took 40 men 2 years at 20 minutes/side to prepare the building stones. 

 People protested and threatened, but the work went forward for 3 years – instead of the anticipated 7 years.  The Israeli government stayed intact during that time – highly unusual.  The Department of Antiquity was onsite every day.  If one bone had been dug up, they would have revoked the building permit.  The first students came in May 1987.  The Church has a 50-year lease on this land, of which they have about 20 years left until they will have to renew the lease.  

 

 Part of the building agreement was that no proselyting would occur.  People tried to trick the students into talking about Mormon beliefs.  They didn’t fall for these tactics.  If the Church had broken their word, the center would have been closed.  Many dedicatory prayers were given at the completion of the building.  Elder Holland came and toured the building with Mayor Kollek.  The Mayor said the BYU Center was the most beautiful building completed in the last 100 years. 

 

 

 The Center truly is a beautiful building on Mount Scopus overlooking the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City. The 125,000-square-foot, eight-level structure is set amid five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

 The gardens are such a delight with their beautiful flowers and green grass.  We had rarely even seen grass in the last ten days.

The garden area provided a beautiful panoramic view looking down at the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City.

Several dioramas were placed at the edge of the garden so you could compare what the area looked like in the different time periods.

At the present time, about 82 students are attending school here.  The school always has a gigantic list for students wanting to attend, but it can only hold up to 160 students.  The reason for the smaller number at this time is because of the new missionary ruling which allows young men to go on a Mormon mission at the age of 18 instead of 19 years of age and young women to go at 19 instead of 21 years of age.  Many students are opting to go on a mission first, and then return to have this experience if they so desire.  

They may come for one semester and the tuition is between $10,000 to $12,000, which includes room and board, tuition, credits, and each week they go on a field trip to someplace in the Holy Land.  What an experience!  Our sister, Beth, went for a semester before the Jerusalem Center was done about 35 years ago, but still did it through Brigham Young University.  They lived in two different kibbutz while they were there.  She always said it was an experience that changed her life! 

 

 One of the experiences the students get to participate in is working with the different types of olives presses.

 

 

 Each of the different types of ancient tools is in the garden area for everyone to see.

 

The first five levels (moving up from the lowest level) provide dormitory and apartment space for up to 160 students.  Dormitory rooms accommodate four people with ample study space and a private bath.  Each of these rooms has a patio overlooking the Old City.  The sixth level houses a cafeteria, classrooms, computer facilities, and a gymnasium. 

Joyce saw a young lady from her ward in Utah who is attending school here.  She had just started the program about three weeks ago and clearly was loving it here!

  Administrative and faculty offices are located on the seventh level, as is a 250-seat auditorium.  This is where Sacrament Meeting is held.  Is there a more beautiful scene than looking over the Old City and the Mount of Olives while you are in church?  It was so beautiful, it looked like a painting!  We came in a little early and the student choir was practicing for a presentation in Sacrament Meeting.

The meeting was wonderful. 

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Since the students had only been there a few weeks, there were several sustainings, including "Sabbath" School President.  Since they don't have church on Sunday, they can't call it "Sunday" School President!

There had been a District Conference last week on Mothers' Day, so the talks today were on mothers.  Last week when we went to church in Jordan, it was right before Mothers' Day (they hold their Sabbath on Friday), and of course, their talks were on mothers, too.  So, we got two weeks of hearing about mothers!  That was pretty nice!

 The main entry is on the eighth level, which also contains a spectacular recital and special events auditorium with organ, lecture rooms, general and reserve libraries, offices, a domed theater, and a learning resource area.

 

This is the magnificent organ!  (But, I don't think it would be the easiest to follow in congregational singing because your back is to the conductor.)

The security room on campus.  At times, the B.Y.U. Campus has had to be closed due to disruptions within the city or between the different groups in the area.  For the safety of the students and faculty, the campus is closely monitored.  If there is ever any problem that looks prolonged, the church flies the students and faculty home immediately.

After attending church and enjoying the beautiful grounds, we made a quick trip back to the hotel to change clothes if anyone desired.  Then we drove back to the Mount of Olives.

We walked along a little dirt road where we passed a burning hillside.  Since there is  no trash pick-up, Tarek told us the Arabs living in this area just throw their garbage down the hillside and then light it on fire.

The Orson Hyde Memorial Garden

 On October 24, 1841, a Sunday, Elder Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, climbed the Mount of Olives.  There, with pen and paper, he recorded a prayer of dedication previously given him by revelation.  In the prayer, he asked the Lord to inspire “kings and the powers of the earth” to help “restore the kingdom unto Israel.”  He also prayed that the Lord would remember his promises to all the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In the years since that prayer, we have seen the fulfillment of many of Elder Hyde’s requests.  The Jews started to return sixty years later.   More of the requests are yet to be fulfilled.

In 1972, President Harold B. Lee, following a visit to Jerusalem, authorized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to explore the possibility of erecting a memorial to Orson Hyde on the Mount of Olives. After several years of extensive negotiations, Jerusalem’s mayor, Teddy Kollek, offered a parcel of land on the Mount of Olives for the development of a park.

Funds were raised, and on 24 October 1979 the park was dedicated in the presence of Latter-day Saint leaders, Israeli dignitaries, and Arab notables.  The park, with its panoramic view, amphitheater, winding walks, and gardens, is a fitting tribute to Elder Hyde and an appropriate gift to the city of Jerusalem.  It is a place of quiet meditation for Christian, Moslem, and Jew alike.  Students at the BYU center help take care of the park.

This is the amphitheater where we were able to have a testimony meeting.  About one-third of the group spoke before we needed to move on.

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We began our downhill walk along a winding path to the foot of the Mount of Olives.

From this vantage point in the Orson Hyde Park, we could see the

the Golden Gate or the Eastern Gate which is located on the East wall of Jerusalem; it is one of eleven entrance gates into the city.  Notice in the above picture that this gate is sealed shut.  It was sealed up in the 16th century A.D.

A little background on the Eastern gate of Jerusalem: The East gate was walled up by its Muslim conquerors (the Ottoman Turks) in 1530 A.D.  Notice also the cemetery that has been planted in front of it.  Many believe this was done to prevent the entrance of the Jewish Messiah through that gate as was foretold by known Old Testament prophecies.  However, Ezekiel prophesied the shutting of this gate itself around 600 B.C. -- that it would be shut "because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut." 

Jesus entered Jerusalem through the East gate around 30 A.D. (long before it was blocked by the Ottomans) as he came down from the Mount of Olives and entered the temple recorded in Luke 19:28-48.  He would have entered through the original gate in the wall which was destroyed with the city by the Romans in 70 A.D. Ezekiel says concerning this closed gate that the Prince shall enter it again.  Jesus, having entered the city, said that he would not be seen again until Jerusalem acknowledges him (Matthew 23:37-39).

Going down the path, we passed many olive trees.

We, also, passed beautiful roses and hollyhocks.

 At the bottom of the hill was one of the most spiritual places we visited on our tour of the Holy Land:   

The Garden of Gethsemane. 

"Hortus Gethsemane" means the Garden of Gethsemane.

Brother Thompson reminded us before entering that Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus is about two miles from Jerusalem.  Jesus stayed there often when he was coming to Jerusalem.  In between Jerusalem and Bethany is Beth-phage (area of the Garden of Gethsemane.

When Jesus made his entry into the city of Jerusalem on the donkey, he entered through the Lions' Gate (just north of the Temple Mount.)  Jesus walked from the upper room (site of the Last Supper) to the Garden of Gethsemane.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the apostles fell asleep as they waited.  Brother Thompson asked us if there are times when we have "fallen asleep" and not attended the Lord's requests of us?  

   As Christ suffered the Atonement, he sweat great drops of blood, in agonizing pain for the sins of all of us.  He asked his Father the question if it were possible to let this cup pass from him, but he was still willing to go through with the Atonement if his Father willed it.  An angel was sent to comfort him. (Luke 22:43)   

Judas came with his betraying kiss, and Jesus was arrested in the Garden.  Peter cut the ear off of a guard, and Jesus miraculously healed the man’s ear.  Jesus knew what was to come and chose to complete his mission.

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 I was actually glad that no one was allowed inside the garden area.  As we looked at it from the outside, it was more special and you definitely didn't want it to be disturbed.

 Across from the Garden is a bell tower.

 Christ praying in the Garden is depicted on this rock.

  Next to the Garden, is the Church of Gethsemane which had large arches and pillars and a painted upper facade.  It is, also, called the Church of All Nations or Basilica of the Agony.   The four statues across the front on top of the pillars are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John--considered the Four Gospels.

 

This carving on the wall next to the pillar is of Christ in Gethsemane when the angel comes to comfort Him.

The current church on this site is about 100 years old.  There were workers on the porch on ladders, etc., preparing for the Pope's visit in the next few days.

 

 

 The interior of the church was absolutely beautiful.  (Notice Christ praying in the Garden between the olive trees with an angel watching over him.  Also, behind the tree you can see the three disciples who kept falling asleep while waiting for Him.)

 The ceilings especially were so unique.

 

 Outside the church was a beautiful garden with a fantastic view of the area.

Just over the tops of the trees, you can see the bright gold spires of The Church of Mary Magdalene, a Russian Orthodox church. 


The church is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus, who was the first to see Christ after his resurrection.  (Mark 16:9)

Truly a spiritual experience seeing the Garden and remembering what transpired there that was so meaningful for each and every one of us.

Our final visiting place put the entire tour of the Holy Land into perspective for all of us.  We were able to visit the 

Garden Tomb.  

Although The Church of the Holy Sepulchre maintains that Jesus was buried in the tomb there, many Christians believe this to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus.  Whether it was the one or the other or some other place entirely, the main thing is that Jesus died and was resurrected!

The tomb is outside the wall of the Old City (but is close to the city as was mentioned in John 19:16-20), near a major road as a statement to all.  The site where Jesus was crucified is thought to be where the Damascus Road and the Jericho Road meet, near the Damascus Gate.  The site is called Golgotha, a place of a skull in Matthew 27:33 (JST Matthew 27:35 - Golgotha is "a place of burial.")

The Garden Tomb Association has owned the site since 1894, and they operate and care for this site.  Our gentle guide was a volunteer from England. 

The garden is lovely and there is a peaceful feeling at this place.  Since only about four can be in the tomb at a time, you have to wait with your group to go in.

 Our group can be seen sitting in the back, waiting for our turn to enter the Tomb.

The type of round stone and a track for it to be rolled along to cover the entrance of the tomb.

 

The tomb is a two-chamber room--a preparation room for the body, and then the burial chamber.  There was a large stone "table" for the body to be laid upon.

This is the entrance chamber where a metal gate divided it off from where the body would be.  Obviously that gate was added later to keep people out of the burial chamber.

 The burial chamber.

The feeling inside the tomb was powerful.  Again, whether this was the exact place or someplace close by, it was a powerful reminder that "He is not here, for He is risen!"

As we left the tomb area, our group went to a gathering area with benches, separated by green growth.  There we were able to finish our testimony meeting that we had started at the Orson Hyde Park, even though we had a couple of very loud speakers in the area next to us who were shouting and singing.  We still enjoyed hearing from everyone in our group on their thoughts and testimonies.  Then, Brother Thompson encouraged us to write down our spiritual experiences, feelings, and testimony of our time here in the Holy Land. 

 

That is exactly what I have tried to do for the past month as I have looked through hundreds of pictures, as well as read journals and internet sites, in order to better understand what I saw while I was in the Holy Land.  But, mostly it has allowed me to really ponder over my scriptures as I have searched out what the scriptures have to say about what I saw.  It has truly been a life-changing experience.  I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to make a trip to the Holy Land.  It will make the scriptures truly live for you, too!

As a final note, I want to add my testimony that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God.  He is our Savior and through his Atonement for our sins, we may all come back and live with Him and our Father by living His commandments, repenting of our sins, and doing those things required of us for entrance into His Kingdom.

I am so grateful for the Bible and, also, for the Book of Mormon which is a companion to the Bible.  Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets.  Quoting from lds.org:  "While the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, the Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the ancient Americas.  The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation.  Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon." 

 

By reading the Book of Mormon, you will better understand what was going on in Jerusalem 600 B.C. and how a prophet named Lehi and his family were led from Jerusalem here to the Americas.  The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the descendants of Lehi soon after Christ's resurrection.

The Book of Mormon outlines the Plan of Salvation and tells us what we must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.  I know that if you will read it and pray sincerely about it, you will find it to be true along with the Bible.  If you don't have a copy, just click on the link below for your free copy of The Book of Mormon.

   

http://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon     

After returning to the hotel, we had dinner, finished packing and headed to the airport.  We left at 8:00 p.m. for the airport in Tel Aviv which is the only international airport in Israel.  George and I were the only ones going to Florida, so we said "Good-bye" to everyone.  What a wonderful group we had to make so many memories with--and how blessed I was to have done it with my husband, and three siblings and their spouses.  This experience will certainly be a treasure we will value forever!