Judaism and Mormonism

Judaism is foundational to the history and doctrine of Mormonism. Jews and Mormons both agree that keeping commandments is essential to their religion. Jews and Mormons both agree that Moses was a prophet. Jews and Mormons both diverge from a literal interpretation of the Tanach (Biblical commandments). But as they diverge: Jews and Mormons disagree about the specifics of what is commanded and how commandments are received. Mormons regularly receive commandments anew through personal revelation according to the authority, dominion, and worthiness of the individual. Jews inherit a scholarly tradition of commandments and eschew any contemporary revelation as presumptively false.The Latter Day Saint movement teaches that its adherents are either direct descendants of the House of Israel or adopted into it. As such, Mormonism regards Jews as a covenant people of God, held in high esteem and respected in the Mormon faith system. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) refers to itself as philo-Semitic in its doctrine.Studies have shown that Jews generally view Mormons more positively than any other religious group, despite often voting on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Explanations for Jews' high regard for Mormons is speculated to come both from their solidarity with other historically abused religious minorities and the philo-semitism of Mormon theology.