Editing Openai/68cb1119-3ba8-800a-9fe6-77c5599d54ad (section)

==== 1. First Presidency Statement on Middle East Violence (Oct. 12, 2023) - The Church expressed that it is “devastated by the recent eruption of violence and loss of life in the Middle East.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org<ref>{{cite web|title=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-statement-middle-east-violence|publisher=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - It condemned violence generally (“abhorrent to us”) as being out of harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which the Church describes as “a gospel of peace.” newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org<ref>{{cite web|title=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-statement-middle-east-violence|publisher=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - It did not make political declarations about nation-state boundaries, who is “right” or “wrong,” or endorse any particular side. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org<ref>{{cite web|title=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-statement-middle-east-violence|publisher=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> ====
# Church Humanitarian Aid in the Middle East Conflict (Nov. 6, 2023) - The Church is working with international relief agencies in both Gaza and Israel to help those suffering—especially with medical and mental-health care, food, water, hygiene, etc. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org<ref>{{cite web|title=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-humanitarian-aid-middle-east-conflict|publisher=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - The aid is described as where need is found, without specifying political alignment. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org<ref>{{cite web|title=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-humanitarian-aid-middle-east-conflict|publisher=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref>
# “How We Gather Israel Today” (2021) - This article reiterates LDS theological teachings about the “gathering of Israel,” seeing it as spiritual / covenantal as well as literal in some senses. The Church of Jesus Christ<ref>{{cite web|title=The Church of Jesus Christ|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/12/how-we-gather-israel-today?lang=eng|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - It emphasizes that through missionary work, temple work, and family history work, people are being “gathered” into the covenant people. Patriarchal blessings are cited as part of declaring one’s lineage in the House of Israel. The Church of Jesus Christ<ref>{{cite web|title=The Church of Jesus Christ|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/12/how-we-gather-israel-today?lang=eng|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - Importantly, this is theological / spiritual rather than political; it does not by itself comment on modern Israeli politics or policies. The Church of Jesus Christ<ref>{{cite web|title=The Church of Jesus Christ|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/12/how-we-gather-israel-today?lang=eng|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref>
# Invitations by President Nelson (General Conference, April 2024) - Among other spiritual invitations, President Russell M. Nelson has asked church members to reflect on the gathering of Israel as evidence of God’s love for “all of His children everywhere.” Church News<ref>{{cite web|title=Church News|url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/13/23218668/president-nelson-invitations-prophet-gather-israel-hear-him-covenant-path/|publisher=Church News|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref> - Again, this is framed in a spiritual sense—not as a political or diplomatic statement about the State of Israel. Church News<ref>{{cite web|title=Church News|url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/13/23218668/president-nelson-invitations-prophet-gather-israel-hear-him-covenant-path/|publisher=Church News|access-date=2025-12-20}}</ref>