Video teaches diverse history
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
REDLANDS, Calif. — As visitors arrive for the Redlands California Temple Open House, they receive information on temples through a video before beginning their tour.
Included is a short segment on the local multi-ethnic pioneer history revealing the gospel teaching exemplified by members in San Bernardino that God, "inviteth . . . all to come unto him, . . . black and white, bond and free . . . and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33).
The San Bernardino colony, established in 1851 under the direction of Brigham Young, was ethnically diverse. The first colonists in the new state of California included African-American families who had traveled with converts from Mississippi. Ten Jewish merchants also joined the settlement. Spanish rancho families were welcomed and former Mexican government officials were treated as honored guests.
Even more unusual in Western history are the accounts of local Cahuilla and Serrano Indians being part of colony life and serving as valley protectors.
Unique images included in the video help tell the story of how the first Torah in the region was brought by Jewish merchant Jacob Rich traveling with a Mormon wagon train. Church filmmakers were allowed to film this same Torah at Temple Emanu El in San Bernardino, not too far from the Redlands temple, both of which are located on what was colony land.
Rabbi Douglas Kohn allowed the synagogue's Ark of the Covenant to be opened to reveal an unobstructed view of this and six other Torahs, all of which are hundreds of years old. Each Torah was draped with a symbolic breastplate inlaid with 12 figures or jewels signifying the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
John Bascom, the Church's Southern California public affairs historical director, was present at the filming and was told how each Saturday during worship the Rabbi unveils one of the Torahs and reads from the historical scroll.
"This was a significant experience in continuing to build good relationships with our Jewish brothers and sisters," remarked Brother Bascom. "It also honors the pioneers by following their good example of loving their neighbors."
