Jerusalem, memories and impressions

I first visited Jerusalem in the summer of 1979, during the time I was spending several months with a BYU group on an archaeological expedition. At that time, the BYU semester abroad program in Jerusalem had been going strong for over a decade but in rented space in hotels and a kibbutz. As interest grew, the program was difficult to sustain in those facilities.

When we were there, we visited a new garden that was being developed by the Church on the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from the Old City. The Orson Hyde Memorial Garden would cover 5 1/2 acres, with a beautiful amphitheater, benches for meditation, and wonderful native landscaping. Originally there was a plaque in Hebrew and English with the text of the prayer offered by Orson Hyde in 1841 dedicating the land of Israel for the return of the Jews (later removed due to vandalism). The park was dedicated by Spencer W. Kimball in October 1979, shortly after I had left.

I remember hearing some conversations from the local leaders at the time that there were investigations underway about constructing a large BYU Center further down on Mount Scopus, near the northwest shoulder of the Mount of Olives. They pointed out the property, but talked about how difficult it would be to get permission in such a valuable location. You can imagine the obstacles: competition for the valuable real estate, concern about a Christian group establishing a presence in the Jewish capital (especially one known for aggressive proselitizing), sensitivity to possible archaeological remains underground on the site, etc.

I watched with fascination as efforts proceeded over the next several years. It took five years to get government approval to grant the Church a 49-year lease on the property so construction could begin. There were many protests before and during the construction phase. Eventually students moved into the partially completed center in 1987, and formal dedication of the "Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies" occurred in 1989. Bonnie and I visited in 1997 and spent a few nights in the center with friends who were teaching at the time. It's a beautiful, and remarkably impactful, location; I vividly recall the feeling of attending meetings there, with the amazing views overlooking Jerusalem's old city. Our daughter

Sarah

did a Jerusalem semester abroad in 2007 and we loved witnessing her sacred experience and seeing the impact it had on her. I've talked to a number of other students who felt the lifechanging influence of spending time there.

This afternoon I read several articles from a special "BYU Studies" edition about the center. It was fascinating to review its history, the many miracles that enabled its construction, and the vision it has for moving forward.

I #GiveThanks for sacred times and sacred places. How wonderful it is that we have memories that can recreate feelings and experiences that meant a lot to us in our lives!