Temple Mount

The Dome of the Rock is the foremost structure, and you will recognize its golden dome. It has stood since 637 when after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem. It was constructed on the site of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. It enshrines the rock from which Muḥammad is said to have ascended to heaven.

The structure is basically octagonal. It comprises a wooden dome, approximately 20 m in diameter, which is mounted on an elevated drum consisting of a circle of 16 piers and columns. Surrounding this circle is an octagonal arcade of 24 piers and columns. The outer facade is made of porcelain and mirrors the octagonal design.

The site's significance stems from religious traditions regarding the rock, known as the Foundation Stone, at its heart, which bears great significance for Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is considered “the most contested piece of real estate on earth," and is carefully guarded.

Biblical scholars have identified the temple mound with with Mount Moriah where the binding of Isaac took place. Consider the significance; the willingness of Father Abraham to offer his son, Isaac on the mount forshadowed the sacrifice God gave of his son, Jesus Christ on the same mount, many years later. (Most Muslims believe it was Ishmael, not Isaac, who was to be sacrificed.)

This photo shows the Foundation Stone, which would have been the highest top of temple mount. There is a small hole on the southeastern corner that enters a cavern beneath the rock, known as the Well of Souls.

According to the Hebrew Bible, Mount Moriah was originally a threshing-floor owned by Araunah, a Jebusite. The prophet Gad suggested the area to King David as a fitting place for the erection of an altar to YHWH (Jehovah). David then bought the property from Araunah, for fifty pieces of silver, and erected the altar and sanctuary. The building was to replace the Tabernacle, and serve as the Temple of the Israelites in Jerusalem. Jews traditionally face it while praying, in the belief that it was the location of the Holy of Holies in the Temple.

Over the centuries, control over the site has changed hands. During the Crusades, the Dome of the Rock was commandeered as a Christian shrine before returning to Islamic hands. Many medieval people believed it to be the famous Temple of King Solomon.

The Dome is maintained by the Ministry of Awqaf in Amman, Jordan. There have been times when only Muslim visitors were allowed. Entry is through a wooden walkway next to the entrance to the Western Wall. Visitors are subject to strict security screening.

Church of All Nations

The Church of All Nations, owned by the Roman Catholic Church is built on the Mount of Olives next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was built around 1920 using donated funds from believers in many nations, hence its name. It was built over the site of at least two ancient churches, one a Crusader Church from the 12th century, and one a Byzantine Bascilica from 4th century! Apparently it had been destroyed from an earthquake in 746.

The church has an exposed piece of bedrock which is near where Christ would have prayed.

This photo shows the center isle; the deep blue ceiling represents the night sky. Stone for the interior was quaried from from Lifta, north-west of Jerusalem and the a rose colored stone from Bethlehem is used on the exterior.

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This young man feels the gratitude that I felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. I remember these words from D&C 19: 16-19
"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

This photo, taken from the Garden of Gethsemane shows the north side of the Church of All Nations. We are seeing the bubble shaped domes of the left isle. Inside the church are three isles, all having beautiful ceiling domes.

I love the skyline of Jerusalem, and I like to be able to identify the various locations. The next view is taken from the west, looking onto the Mount of Olives. By recognizing the Church of All Nations, one can visualize the Garden of Gethsemane to the left of the church.

Garden of Gethsemane

Located on the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane contains a garden of Olive trees, some as old as 900 years. Though no particular trees were likely there at the time of Christ, some of the trees most likely came from the roots of those that grew anciently. Olives, in the holy land are a staple of life. The oil from them, when pressed, came out blood red. The term, Gethsemane literally meant oil press.

After the Last Supper, the disciples sung a hymn, and then followed Jesus to the garden where Christ had often gone before.

Luke 22:41 - 44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: band his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

I am always fascinated by picture the same place, but in different times. The photo below is from 1914.

The garden is still a beautiful place to come, meditate, and pray. It is an amazing thing to find yourself in the Garden and to contemplate the sacrifice of of Savior.

It hurts to know that one of his disciples, Judas betrayed him. It was here that the Roman soldiers took him, bound him, and began took him away to mock,scourge, and try him.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

When I lived in Jerusalem I would sometimes run into tourists who were there for only a day or two. I was surprised to know that often, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was the only site they had planned to see in Jerusalem, and then their itinerary would have them off to other cities.

The site of the church lay outside the city wall at the time of Christ, and since very early Christianity, it has been worshiped as both the place of the crucifixion and the site of Christ's tomb. This is a cross section drawing of what may have been then, and what is now.

The style of worship is not what we are used to, but it is very stirring to visit this site, especially while the monks of the eastern church are singing. The beautiful sounds of their harmonies echo throughout.

There are candles to light, and teary-eyed Pilgrims line up to kiss a silver star which is designated to represent the Hill of Calvary.

Golgotha

Mathew 27:33-35 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.


The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Subject of my next post) has been the traditional site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection since about 300 AD, but in 1883 a Britsh general, Charles Gordan, suggested a different location. General Gordan noted the rocky crag, found just outside the city wall, and thought it resembled a skull. Nearby he found a water cystern and during excavation, discovered an ancient tomb was uncovered, possibly the tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, which remarkably was designed for a large,flat rolling stone to be used to seal the door.

Mathew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.


This skull-like hillside, with its nearby garden tomb, is very near the Damascus gate, and would have been in full view of a busy highway.

Mathew 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads

Today, the hill is just yards from the main bus station of Jerusalem. Thousands of people pass by it every day, not really caring, or knowing of the sacrifice of the Son of God. Others travel from the furthest corners of the earth to see, and to feel, and to just be there, to express their gratitude to their Redeemer.

I have recently become aware of a third site, near Lions Gate which appears to look like the top of a skull, or cranium. It is a blessing to remember and contemplate the sacrifice of our Savior, and to know that he gave up His life to do the will of His Father. All of these are sacred sites, and places of worship.

The Garden Tomb

If there was only one place in Jerusalem I could visit, there is no question that I would choose the Garden Tomb. There is a spirit of peace and reverence. The empty tomb reminds us of the reality of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It might seem strange that the burial spot could bring such a spirit of joy to one's soul, but the Garden Tomb reminds us of the greatest event ever to happen.

We read in the 20th Chapter Luke verses 1 - 6

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.

Lion's Gate

The walls of Jerusalem that we see today were built between 1535 and 1538 by the order of Sultan Suleiman "The Magnificent" when Jerusalem was part of the Ottoman Empire.

According to legends, Sultan Suleiman,

also known as “The Magnificent,” dreamt of lions
that were about to eat him greedily because he failed on the the defense of the city. When he woke up, he immediately ordered that the walls be constructed around the old city and that lions should be placed on the gates.

One distinctive feature of the gate is the turret seen in the detail photo to the left, also called a “machicolation” (floor opening). This was used to pour tar or boiling oil onto attackers.




The gate also has other names. Muslims call it Bab Sittna Maryam (Gate of the Virgin Mary), because the traditional burial place of the Virgin Mary is nearby in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.


The gate is also known as St. Stephen's Gate, as Christian tradition holds that the saint was stoned to death near this site. That event may also have occurred outside the Damascus Gate. It is important to remember Stephen. He was perhaps the first Christian Martyr, stoned for his testimony.

Acts Chapter 7:54-60 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

In more recent history, during the Six Day War of 1967, the Israeli paratroopers breached the gate so that they could gain access the Old City.

Follow this link to see the historic photos taken by a young Jewish solder, Yassi Shemy, on the capture of Jerusalem through the Lions gate. At the time, he was not thinking about history, or of publishing his photos. In fact, he simply wanted to survive the war and get back home. He kept the six rolls of film he had shot in his dresser drawer. Just this summer, because of the intensive urging of his son, he published the photos with "The Times of Israel" news.