(By Our Salt Lake City Correspondent, Fred L. W. Bennett)
That the theory regarding the descent of the British people from the ancient Israelites, the ten lost tribes, is a part of the doctrine of Mormonism, was the statement made to the “Bulletin” correspondent, in an interview by Anthony W. Ivins, widely known Latter-Day Saint or Mormon ecclesiastic. Mr. Ivins is first counsellor to President Heber J. Grant, the prophet, seer and revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to use its full title, and is himself entitled to be called “President” and is so known, the government of this church having three supreme presidents who operate as one, two of them being counsellors of and therefore inferior to the other, who alone is recognized as the real head of the church.
President Ivins had several interesting little books bearing on the Jewish race at his right hand as he spoke, some of which he was consulting when the writer entered his large and elegantly furnished office in the superbly constructed church administration building.
He was about to leave on an interstate trip which would occupy some time. He said, in answer to a question, that he had not paid much attention to the Nordic superiority controversy, but whatever was said by those who took the affirmative he did not agree that the Jew was inferior racially to any one. “The Jewish race is not inferior to any race. Were they inferior they could not have preserved their individuality as they have done in the face of so many serious obstacles,” he declared.
President Ivins showed the interviewer a little book in which the British-Israel theory is affirmed, and another in which it is attacked. He is strong for the affirmative, for he said it was really part of the doctrine of Mormonism, something that Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, gave the world upwards of a hundred years ago. He declared that the same blood that made the Jews indistructable as a race had given the British people their ability to rise to such a proud position in the world as they have occupied for so long though comparatively few in numbers. He noted with pleasure, he said, that the British-Israel theory was making some headway.
In connection with this question, Mr. Ivins pointed to the large number of converts that his church has made in England from its inception. He also stated here that the Mormon missionaries have secured practically all of their converts from Great Britain, Scandinavian countries, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Mexico, British Colonies, Armenia, the United States, the islands of the Pacific and from the American Indians. The Mormons claim that all of these nations and peoples have the blood of Israel in some portion and that this is they reason they accept Mormonism.
Supreme Court Justice Joseph M. Proskauer and Solomon Lowenstein, executive director of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, will be the principal speakers at a testimonial dinner to be given to Benjamin Benenson, vice-president of the Real Estate Club of the federation, next Sunday night, at the Concourse Plaza Hotel. Commissioner of Plant and Structures Albert Goldman, chairman of the Bronx division of the federation, is head of a committee of 100 in charge of arrangements for the dinner.
Mayor Walker was the guest at the luncheon of the New York Section of the National Council of Jewish Women at the Hotel Astor on Tuesday. More than 1,500 women attended.
The Mayor praised the work of the organization. He said that such splendid relief work, were it not done by the Council, would have to be done by the city, which is now overcrowded with duties. He announced that he would officiate at the dedication of the new synagogue on Welfare Island on Dec. 12.
Other speakers were Mrs. William D. Sporborg, the Rev. Dr. David De Sola Pool and Mrs. Edward Josephy, the President of the New York Council, who presided. Following the speeches there was a motion picture, called “Dreams Realized.” which showed the work which is now being done by the New York Section of the National Council of Jewish Women at the various houses.
Nathan Straus and Judge Julian W. Mack of the United States Circuit Court have accepted invitations from the Zionist Council of Greater New York to attend the reception to be tendered by the New York Zionists to the members of the Habimah, the Hebrew Moscow Art Theatre, who are expected to arrive in this country the end of November.
Dr. A. J. Rongy, treasurer of the Zionist Council of Greater New York, is chairman of the reception committee.
CORRECTION
In reporting the subscriptions to the United Palestine Appeal announced at the national conference on Palestine, several typographical errors occurred. A contribution of $10,000 reported from Mr. Rudner of Norwalk, should have been from Samuel Roodner of South Norwalk, Conn, Louis Topkis contributed $6,000 instead of $7,500 as reported. The contribution credited to Archibald Silverman was made by Charles and Archibald Silverman. Louis Altschul and not Louis Altschuler gave $5,000. The name of Israel Metz should have read Israel Matz. and Max Baer of Dayton, O., should have read Joseph Baer of Akron, O.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
