SALT LAKE CITY-Tuesday, Elders David A. Bednar and Gerrit W. Gong of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of Twelve Apostles encouraged members of the faith to better understand similarities and differences adherents have with Islam.
The Apostles spoke at Brigham Young University during the final session of the two-day conference: The Islamic World Today: Issues And Perspectives.
Elder Gong encouraged Latter-day Saints to learn more about Muslims because this will increase kindness and accuracy in regard to the two faiths interacting with one another.
Elder Bednar said disparaging comments Latter-day Saints may have toward Muslims are “wrong and offensive.”
The Apostles emphasized the Salt Lake City-based faith’s joint efforts with Muslims in defense of religious freedom and in the participation of humanitarian work across the globe.
Elder Gong cited several resources that can help Latter-day Saints become better acquainted with their Islamic friends:
- BYU’s Islamic Translation Series (a 14-book collection of some of Islam’s best-known classical philosophical and scholastic contributions)
- The 2012 “Beauty and Belief” Islamic art exhibit hosted by BYU
- BYU’s Conferences on Islam.
Both Apostles also read from a new pamphlet entitled “Muslims and Latter-day Saints: Beliefs, Values and Lifestyles.”
This will soon be available in the Gospel Library app.
