Jewish delegation visited Mormon officials in Salt Lake City this summer

Former New York Attorney General Robert Abrams organized a 10-person delegation that came to Salt Lake City and was hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 29 -30.

Elders Jeffrey R. Holland, Quentin L. Cook, L. Whitney Clayton and James J. Hamula hosted the delegation during the visit. The group toured the LDS Church's Humanitarian Center, Welfare Square, Family History Library, Temple Square and Conference Center.

The purpose of the visit was to familiarize the delegation with the LDS Church, its leaders and the purpose of temples. Productive discussions concerning the posthumous-proxy baptism issue prompted ongoing conversations that culminated in the joint statement issued Wednesday.

Previously, the church hosted a delegation of national Jewish leaders in June 2009 after inviting them to come to Salt Lake City and tour the Oquirrh Mountain Temple during a public open house.

Other prominent Jewish leaders such as Mr. Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and Jewish leaders from Southern California were asked for advice and direction during the process.

— Jamshid Ghazi Askar