The first LDS official to enter Jerusalem was apostle Orson Hyde, who came in 1841 and dedicated the land for the gathering of the people of Israel, the creation of a Jewish state, and the building of an LDS temple at some future time. According to David B. Galbraith,

“One hundred fifty years ago, on October 24, a Sunday, Elder Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve climbed the Mount of Olives. There, with pen and paper, he recorded a prayer of dedication previously given him by revelation. In the prayer, he asked the Lord to inspire “kings and the powers of the earth” to help “restore the kingdom unto Israel.”¹ He also prayed that the Lord would remember his promises to all the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“In the years since that prayer, we have seen the fulfillment of many of Elder Hyde’s requests. More are yet to be fulfilled. It is fitting, therefore, that we commemorate Elder Hyde’s dedicatory prayer and review the results of his inspired petition.”

(Painted image of Orson Hyde on Mount of Olives offering dedicatory prayer courtesy of artist, Clark Kelley Price, https://clarkkelleyprice.com)