Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

I spent yesterday evening (Tuesday, November 20, 2012) at Temple Menorah, a Jewish Synagogue, for the 2012 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. It was the 40 year anniversary of the South Bay Interfaith Service. I love going to these sorts of things. From both a curiosity and spiritual point of view I find it refreshing.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been for almost 20 years and will be for the rest of my life continuing on through Eternity. But that won't lessen my respect and love for people of other faiths, or no faith for that matter. Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Restored Gospel, said, "We welcome the truth that all religions and philosophies have." In Nauvoo, Illinois, a city started by Mormon settlers, all religions were afforded religious freedom. A Catholic priest was able to use part of the Nauvoo Temple for Sunday Mass before it was dedicated.
Early history is interesting, but what about today? At the Thanksgiving Service and at the get together 'Cookies and Conversation' afterwards there was no partisan bickering. As each faith got up and shared some of their scriptures, a song, or some other part of their faith I was impressed. Most of what the various individuals said I believed. And even that which I didn't have an immediate connection to, after thinking it over I could come up with a relating belief, even if it was not exactly analogous.
Some things that I was connected to included:
Imam Ashraf Carrim quoting Prophet Muhammad, "You cannot go to Heaven without Faith, and you can't have Faith with out Love."
Rabbi Steven Silver, "As this service is going on Jews in Israel and Muslims in Palestine are shooting at each other. Many people have died. This is not going to come to anything good. We all come from the same God above."
I'll freely admit that I have further to go in my understanding of others. The service was in a Jewish synagogue. Given the current clash between Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land, and the supposed bad feelings between the two groups in the Middle East in general I didn't expect any Muslims to be in attendance. As it happened I was sitting behind a group of Sunni Muslims during the service, I met a Nigerian Muslim named DJ, and two Muslim clergymen later- Imam Carrim from the International Institute of Tolerance (Sunni) and a Sufi Muslim, Cleric Massy Khoshbin. Not only were they there, but they were friends with the Jewish Rabbi. Immam Carrim and his wife were joking with Rabbi Silver about something during the get together on the patio. When I was done talking to Massy Khoshbin he, "Must go and say goodbye to Father." meaning a Catholic Priest in attendance. Apparently they were acquainted, and even friends. Later I saw the two of them deep in a conversation.
I was sort of afraid of the Sikh lady. She was tall, in a flowing white robe and head covering, and the first thing that crossed my mind was "Hippie." I think that what bothered me was that I've met Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists all my life, but this was the first Sikh I have ever consciously come in contact with. And she was white aka of European descent like me. If she had been Indian, Sri Lank-an or looked east Asian I wouldn't have been quite a shock. Looking back on last night I wish I could have gone up and talked to her. I have no idea what Sikhs believe in. Maybe I should try and find some and talk to them.
Something I have learned is how close the entire human family is. Being a Latter-day Saint, I want to be married in an LDS Temple and raise my children in the LDS faith. But I realize that most of the understanding I have of other religions was either through necessity or coincidence. My biological parents families are various sects of Protestants, my step-mom's family is Catholic. Through my mission to South Carolina I was introduced to more Protestant and Evangelical denominations of Christianity. At school I knew more Christians as well as Jews, Muslims, some Buddhists, and those who described themselves as "Spiritual." I also know atheists and agnostics who have widened my view and understanding of scientific theories. I often wonder if there isn't a way to introduce my future children to other belief systems so that they won't be afraid or prejudiced when they hear talks about international or domestic issues involving people in other faiths. When they meet them I want them to meet them as friends and fellow children of God. At the same time I believe that the LDS Church encompasses all of the great truths in the world and I do hope that they will identify and continue in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.