Lehi’s dream [from 1 Nephi chapter 8] is symbolic for all of us. God stands at the Tree of Life, and beckons to His whole family, regardless of their nationality, or their political or religious beliefs. God beckons to all mankind.

For we are all a family.

Of course, we don’t support evil acts of extremists of any kind, but we seek to have love for all mankind. We celebrate the goodness and faith and light of people all over the world — people of all religious persuasions, and people with no religion at all. We also seek to share what we know of God’s love, and light and truth restored, with as many as will listen. We also seek to build bridges and work together where and how we can with people of other faiths. There is so much good that can be done when people join together to serve and help and love and take a stand for good.

Read more about Mormons and Muslims in the following posts:
Islamic art exhibit at Mormon university
What do Mormons think about Islam?
Read about past joint efforts between Islamic Relief and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to provide humanitarian relief in Pakistan and Haiti.

The post Mormons and Muslims appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

More than 250 items are on display at "Beauty and Belief," the MOA exhibit of Islamic art.

A new exhibit is on display at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art. “Beauty and Belief” brings together over 250 pieces of Islamic art. Brigham Young University is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Mormon Church“).

It is our hope that these works of art and the meaning and spirit they convey will enable our students, … Mormon and Muslim communities and people all across the nation to develop a greater understanding and shared sense of purpose and affinity one with another,” said Dr. Stephen Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications.

The exhibit includes pieces from various lenders from a combination of 10 different countries, 42 institutions, and various private art collectors. Institutional lenders include the Dar al-Athar-al-Islamiyyah (DAI) museum in Kuwait (the largest lender), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Library of Morocco, the British Museum, and others.

It is the hope of the BYU Museum of Art and Dr. Sabiha Al Khemir (director of the traveling exhibit), that this Islamic art will help build bridges across cultures and faiths, celebrating the beauty of both the commonalities and differences across religious belief systems. “Beauty and Belief” will be at BYU MOA until September. For more information, see the website for Beauty and Belief: Crossing Bridges with the Arts of Islamic Culture.

The post Beauty and Belief – Islamic Art Exhibit at Mormon University appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Not long ago, we had dinner with some Muslim friends of ours. We were treated with such kindness (and, I might add, served a wonderfully delicious meal!). We enjoyed a meaningful discussion about the importance of marriage in today’s society. Evidences of their faith were present in their home. I could tell that Allah meant much to them, and that family was important to them.

And we were important to them. I felt that they would give us the shirt off their backs if we needed them. (In fact, I still have a sweater loaned to me that day; it was a cold day for which I was unprepared!) I felt loved, cared for, respected. It was wonderful. I left with a happiness as we rejoiced in our common beliefs, in our desires to try to do and be good, and with a strengthened friendship.

While, of course, Mormonism and Islam have doctrinal differences, I have been impressed with so much goodness I see in Muslim people in general. I respect their dedication to God, to family, and to values and principles that I believe can strengthen individuals, families and societies. I am grateful for those of other faiths as well who also live lives of goodness, faith, solid values, and service.

Readers might be interested to note that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes partners with Islamic Relief to help provide relief to those affected by natural disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti. As another example of working together, see this article on our website that has a story about Mormon and Muslim women working together in a spirit of service. We as members of the Mormon Church appreciate the opportunity and blessing to work side-by-side with our friends of other faiths such as Islam to serve and help those around us and to take a stand on important issues of moral import.

I found this article that may be of interest to those wondering more about Mormons’ view of Islam (and/or can help LDS Church members understand more about Islam).

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**Please note: The answers in “Ask a Mormon Woman” reflect the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of individuals. Although here at Mormon Women: Who We Are, we strive to have our content consistent with the Church’s doctrine and teachings, we do not speak officially for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For official information about or from the Church, please visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.

Have a question you would like to ask? Send an email to us at gmail, with username ‘mormonwoman’

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CNN iReport featured a 14-year-old’s video showing a youth group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Miami, Florida, USA. Read the story here.

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LDS Church leaders are urging Church members to give what they can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. In addition to inviting us to donate monetary resources as we are able, we are reminded of the following:

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter…[w]e invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue.

Let us all remember our brothers and sisters in Haiti in our prayers, as well as those who are there on the ground helping them — and those who are far away mourning with and for loved ones and friends affected by this heartbreaking disaster. And let us remember others around us who may be mourning and struggling for other reasons. There is power in prayer.

And with that, we leave you with a message about prayer. President Thomas S. Monson reminds us that “Miracles are wrought through prayer.” (Video provided in English and in Spanish.)

The post Links We Like: Helping Haiti (more help needed!); The Power of Prayer appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

We also want to be clear that we know that Mormon women are not the only people who care about service. We are inspired by so many in and out of the Church who are motivated purely by love to help those who are less fortunate than they are, and to make the world a better place. Thank you to all of you who give of yourselves and your time to serve God’s children all over the world. If we all do a little, we can make a big difference!

In fact, the first featured story is about Muslim and Mormon women working together — and building friendships — as they serve, side by side. 

And here are a few other stories:

Mormon women work to save premature babies

Mormon Women Reach Out to Serve in their Communities and Around the World

Service Project for a Small Community Grows into Relief for the World

Sewing clothes for children in another country

The post Links We Like: Mormon and Muslim Women Working Together; Other Service Stories appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.