Community Hanukkah and President Grant's comments about Anti-Semitism

In December 2023 I went to a couple of Hanukkah community celebrations put on by the local Chabad organizations.  For those of you who don't know what Chabad is, it's a branch of Orthodox Hasidic Judaism.   As someone not raised in that faith, I will say that they have interesting articles to read on their website!  https://www.chabad.org 

There was a woman, who gave one of the speeches at this Hanukkah gathering.  She quoted former LDS President Heber J. Grant (1856-1945) (He served as president from 1918 until his death).  In part of his talk in Spring General Conference (April 1921) he spoke about the Jewish people.  

He said, "Some of you may be familiar with the agitation that is going on at the present time, in the publications, against Jewish people.  There should be no ill-will, and I am sure there is none, in the heart of any true Latter-day Saint, toward the Jewish people.  By the authority of the Holy Priesthood of God, that has again been restored to the earth, and by the ministration, under the direction of the Prophet of God, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ have been to the Holy Land and have dedicated that country for the return of the Jews;  and we believe that in the due time of the Lord they shall be in the favor of God again.  And let no Latter-day Saint be guilty of taking any part in any crusade against these people.  I believe in no other part of the world is there as good a feeling in the hearts of mankind towards the Jewish people as among the Latter-day Saints."  From Page 124 of the LDS Church General Conference record, 91st Annual General Conference, April 1921.  

First Night of Hanukkah, 2023, in the Utah State Capitol Building

There were several speakers, one of whom was from the Holocaust era.  Another lady played beautiful music on a grand piano.  After the meeting ended, there was opportunity to meet and talk with people, eat the Jewish desserts, or take a picture by the Menorah (Chanukiah).  My guest and I met one lady from Israel who was here on military assignment, a really nice man who spoke to me like family, and some of the event organizers.  I hope to go again next year.

On the 6th night of Hanukkah, I went to another location to a city within an hour away, but unfortunately the traffic was so bad, and the weather wasn't the best, so I got there right about when it ended; it was a shorter ceremony.  However, not to waste the opportunity, I still went in and took pictures and spoke to a few people.

The Outdoor Ambience

6th Night of Hanukkah with the Servant Candle in the Middle.  

Lights under the Light.  Or is that the All-Seeing Eye of the Capitol?  Lol.

A Star of David in the marble floor.  Not just for Hanukkah, but for as long as the life of the floor. This is a public building but the builders had lofty ideals of the unification of the Tribes of Israel.

Beautiful Architecture

A Bank for Righteous People / Goldbacks, Gold

Here in the Intermountain West, in this state, Gold is considered legal tender, if needed.

Have you heard of the Goldback?  It's a currency that is made into similar sizes as denominated dollar bills.  It is made of some kind of sturdy laminate ("polymer sheeting") with real gold infused into the polymer, by a calculated portion of a troy ounce of gold.   The value of the individual Goldback is tethered to the market value of gold.

The purpose of the Goldback is to be used in smaller transactions than the typical value of a Gold coin.

https://www.goldback.com/how-goldbacks-are-made  

Some businesses have agreed to take Goldback in commercial transactions.

One Goldback, embedded with 1/1,000th of a Troy Oz of 24 karat gold.

Actual Size

~4.625in (~11.74cm)

~2.57in (~6.53cm)

In the website's FAQs (frequently asked questions), it says,  "The Goldback may be owned by individuals in any State, however, Goldbacks would only qualify as an actual currency where authorized by local or state law."

FYI: Sometimes people accept Goldback in a transaction regardless of legal standing because gold in and of itself, has value.

Several states already have Goldback:  Utah, Nevada, New Hampshire, Wyoming, and South Dakota.  Other States could be in the works in the future, and the company will consider working with individuals who want to see Goldbacks in their State.

https://www.goldback.com/sponsor-new-goldback-series

Also there is a lesser amount of Silverbacks.

Other places in the world have their own polymer golden currency.  See https://valaurum.com/  

https://valaurum.com/product-category/holiday/

Available for Hanukkah or Christmas

Legal Tender in Ghana

Anyways, this post isn't just about Goldbacks or Silverbacks.  Other people may prefer the ownership of gold or silver coinage.  I would not recommend buying gold or silver on paper and then not having it in your physical possession.

Anyways, I am not necessarily pushing Goldback or Silverback.  I am just talking about Goldback to show that a small group of people got an idea about it, and did something!  We all know that the Dollar is not what it used to be!  

It would be cool if a bunch of righteous people could get together, and somehow, get a large amount of precious metals and lower metals (for currency under One Dollar), and mint a large amount of these coins (with security of course to protect the assets), and get a bank chain going out here in the West, to introduce a larger amount of precious (non inflationary metals) into the community.  But this bank would be run under different rules:  Only good people can open an account (with some kind of background check to assure that the people aren't likely to use the gold for greed, drugs, and other things which are harmful for the human race).  Large amounts would only be loaned out by a loan officer who will check out the reason for the loan (proof produced).  People could exchange their US currency for precious metals, and then the Bank owners could use the US currency to buy up land and other wise commodities to help the people of their State.

The purpose of allowing only decent people to do this should be obvious, but in case it isn't, people who use money to do things that are bad for themselves and bad for others, is one of the things that leads to society being sick, especially when it comes to greediness, crime, and rich and poor.  Gold is precious.  Why put a monetary precious item into the hands of greedy, spiritually sick people?  They won't do good with it.  We need only good and charitable-minded people to have such wealth.