BYU PHOTO (2) The Virtues of Holy Envy DR. DAVID DOLLAHITE DR. LOREN MARKS B Y HANNAH SHOAF chool of Family Life to The Church of Jesus Christ professors Dr. David of Latter-day Saints. The term S Dollahite and Dr. “Holy envy was used by the late Krister Loren Marks recently authored Stendahl, the former bishop of Strengths in Diverse Families of helps to convert Stockholm for the Church of Faith, which highlights how indi- Sweden. Stendahl was serv- “Look for [other religions’] viduals live their religions in ways potential conflict and ing in this position when many that strengthen their marriages Swedish citizens were strongly strengths and their virtues, and families. In writing the book, contention into opposing the building of the Dollahite and Marks interviewed Stockholm Sweden Temple. and you will find strength and 476 people in 198 families from mutual awareness, While learning about the Church, families is the way they strive to we may find confusing. He says, eight different religious-ethnic Stendahl was impressed by the keep the Sabbath by making it virtues that will be helpful “What is ennobling and elevat- groups. During the interviews, deep respect, and doctrine of vicarious baptisms a joyous holy day. Latter-day ing is to consciously attend to they began to appreciate and for the dead. During this con- Saints can learn much from our in your own life.” the admirable and beautiful admire the different faiths of authentic admiration.” flict, Stendahl held a press con- Jewish friends about making the aspects of a person. Holy envy their subjects, leading them to ference to address the negative Sabbath a delight.” — PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY is attending to the admirable develop a deep respect and “holy — DR. LOREN MARKS perceptions of the Church. He Another point of holy envy and beautiful on a larger faith- envy” for the practices of differ- shared his thoughts not only on for the authors was Catholic oriented scale.” ent faiths. Dollahite says that this the Church but on how everyone and Orthodox Christians’ prac- Marks and Dollahite have is one of the book’s main themes. should interact with different tice of meaningful rituals. Marks experienced the blessings that Marks and Dollahite studied What Is “Holy Envy”? to alleviate suffering and pov- faiths, saying, “Try to leave room and Dollahite explain that these hope, bitterness with forgive- caused by religious ignorance come from developing holy envy the following eight religious- Dollahite explains that “holy erty. In their book, the authors for holy envy, or a deep apprecia- rituals contain deep symbolic ness, divisiveness with unity, and and misunderstanding.” and invite us to do the same. ethnic groups: envy” is “what you feel when said, “If this level of generosity tion of the good qualities of other meanings, including a longing animosity with atonement.” They believe that as individuals you hear about, observe, or par- were practiced by all, . world faiths that you admire so much for unity with God, with one’s By emphasizing holy envy, Developing Holy Envy learn to celebrate other faiths, ticipate in a religious practice hunger might be eradicated in you might even wish they were family, and with “sisters and Dollahite and Marks hope to When asked how we can culti- they also can become more ◆ Asian Christian of another faith and you find short order. Indeed, the lived a part of your own faith.” brothers inside (and outside) the dispel falsehoods and foster vate holy envy in our daily lives, committed to living their own. ◆ Black Christian it so meaningful and delight- principle of zakat stimulates not faith.” While the authors note that respect between different faiths. the authors are happy to share Marks explains that this permits ful that you wish that your only a sense of deep respect Inspired by Holy Envy these Christian groups are aware Marks explains, “Holy envy a few ideas. Dollahite says that “their faithful example to inspire ◆ Catholic and Orthodox faith had a [similar] practice.” and holy envy, but also hope In the last section of their book, that this unity can be difficult to helps to convert potential con- for many people, developing you to a loftier level of living your Christian An example of holy envy from for a better world.” Marks and Dollahite focus achieve, they admit human mis- flict and contention into mutual holy envy “is the result of a pro- own faith with beauty and integ- Marks and Dollahite’s book is on the holy envy they gained takes by confessing either to awareness, deep respect, and cess of really getting to know a rity.” Dollahite suggests follow- ◆ Evangelical Christian the respect and admiration they The Church of Jesus through studying diverse faith a priest or to family members. authentic admiration.” Dollahite person of another faith or get- ing President Hinckley’s advice have for the Islamic practices groups. One of the practices they Both authors conclude: “We agreed, adding, “Holy envy ting to know another faith well from his biography Go Forward ◆ Jewish Christ of Latter-day of Ramadan and zakat. During admired was the Jewish celebra- find ourselves feeling respect strengthens friendships, rela- enough that you come to see with Faith: “Look for [other reli- ◆ Latter-day Saint the celebration of Ramadan, Saints Inspires Holy Envy tion of the Sabbath, or Shabbat. and holy envy for the extensive tionships, and communities. It how wonderful they are.” Marks gions’] strengths and their vir- ◆ Mainline Christian Muslims fast for a month and The concept of holy envy is rec- In a Deseret News article about and explicit efforts of Catholic can motivate people to work adds that this process involves tues, and you will find strength pay zakat, a charitable offering ognized widely by other faiths, Shabbat, Dollahite says, “One of and Orthodox Christian faiths as together with those of differ- focusing on what we appreciate and virtues that will be helpful in ◆ Muslim of 2.5 percent of one’s wealth, but its origins have connections the strengths of observant Jewish they strive to replace guilt with ent faiths. It can heal wounds about another faith, not on what your own life.” LEFT TO RIGHT: DDP/UNSPLASH, JAMES COLEMAN/UNSPLASH, DAVID HOLIFIELD/UNSPLASH, RUMMAN AMIN/UNSPLASH RUMMAN HOLIFIELD/UNSPLASH, DAVID COLEMAN/UNSPLASH, JAMES DDP/UNSPLASH, RIGHT: LEFT TO 34 THE COLLEGE OF FAMILY, HOME, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CONNECTIONS 2020 35.