Some Thoughts as I study World Religions...

As I am learning about Jewish culture from a devote Orthodox Jew, I am reminded to go to the source and seek answers. How many times as a missionary doctrines would not have been misunderstood of someone desiring to know about the gospel of Jesus Christ had come to us-rather than the nearest anti-Mormon literature or proponent of conflict.

It is interesting to learn the whys associated with other religions & cultures. For instance, never knowing what the sukkah was-- and learning about the meaning behind it increases my appreciation for the Jewish people--and what they do. Author Greenberg states that "the sukkah s a reminder to all generations that God redeemed the people of Israel from Egypt. Like a loving caring parent He caused them to live temporarily in booths that sheltered them from the elements." To see that it is for the Jewish faith a sort of type & shadow of God's love helps me to better understand their practices.

It is as President Hinckley (former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in speaking of our friends of other faiths, "Look for their strengths & their virtues, and you will find strength & virtues that will be helpful in your own life."

How true that is in relationships with all people--if only we were to look for the strengths & virtues in all people, of all faiths & ethnicity's & to seek to learn and grow and become better as a result of what we learned--we would make the world a better place as we ourselves became better more tolerant, well-rounded & loving people.