Oh Jerusalem!

In March of this year we had the most amazing opportunity to go to Israel and Jordan. It was an incredible journey. Traveling is the fast track to learning. Of all of the incredible things we saw and learned, I think I loved the view of Jerusalem and the old walled city from the BYU Jerusalem Center the most. As we sat in the chapel of the BYU Jerusalem Center during Sacrament meeting one Sunday morning it was hard to pay attention. Facing the podium we looked through an entire wall of windows to the magnificent view of Jerusalem and the walled city. My husband leaned over to me and said, “those windows must be magnified, look how big the Dome of the Rock looks.” Indeed it did. The scene lying before us must have been magnified by the windows that separated us. It was spectacular. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Needless to say, I didn’t get a lot out of what was said in Sacrament meeting that day. I am fascinated by the Dome of the Rock and the history of the temple mount that it sits on. It sits on the highest point of the temple mount inside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem and is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years. At least four religions are known to have used the Temple Mount. The mount is believed by Christians to be Mt. Moriah, the place Abraham took Isaac for sacrifice.. Muslims believe that it was Ishmael born to Hagar whom Abraham took to sacrifice there. It is believed by some Muslims as well that this is the place where Muhammad ascended into heaven. It is believed that Solomon’s temple, the second temple, and Herod's temple each stood there. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the Jews believe that this will be the site of the final temple. Likewise, some Christians including Mormons believe that the temple will be reconstructed in that holy place before, or in conjunction with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I just love to look at it:)