Michael Blume honored for services to family values

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, during a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, religious scholar Dr. Michael Blume received the Family Values Award. With this award, the European Union & International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, recognises individuals and institutions that support others and strengthen families.

“The past imbues the present with meaning through memory,” said Oliver Dobin, stake president of The Church of Jesus Christ in Stuttgart, Germany. Thus, it is important to recognize exemplary actions of others and then consider how you can change yourself and the world around you, he said.

On behalf of the of state government of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Dr. Blume had brought 1,000 vulnerable Yazidi women and girls from Northern Iraq to Germany, rescuing them the terror of ISIS. Moreover, as the state government’s representative against antisemitism and for Jewish lives, he offers hope to Jewish families not only in Baden-Württemberg, said Dr. Ralf Grünke, media spokesman of the Church of Jesus Christ in Germany, in his laudatory speech.

Dr. Grünke also acknowledged the willingness of Dr. Blume and his wife, Zehra, to provide insights into how diversity and variety can enrich a family both in interviews and in the book Eine Blume für Zehra (A Flower for Zehra) by radio journalist Andreas Malessa. Dr. Michael Blume is a practicing Protestant Christian, Zehra a devout Muslim.

“At a time when voices and political forces that emphasize differences, sow hatred and thus drive wedges between individuals and groups are gaining ground, Zehra and Michael Blume demonstrate that there is another way. That love, patience, attentiveness, and respect can overcome boundaries and differences,” said Dr. Grünke.

In the presence of Julian Schahl, chairman of the district council, and members of the Stuttgart-Weilimdorf district council, Dr. Blume expressed gratitude for the award. As a religious scholar, he considers it a blessing to exchange ideas with people of differing faiths.

About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he appreciates, among other things, that believers are willing to get involved in diverse settings – sometimes in particularly visible or high offices, sometimes in the background. “It doesn’t matter where we serve, but how and with what attitude,” said Dr. Blume.

The award, a stained-glass piece depicting a tree, was presented by Francesco Di Lillo, director of the Church’s EU Office in Brussels, Belgium. It was specially designed by Holdman Studios in Provo, Utah.

“A family, like a stained-glass artwork, is a beautiful interaction of unique individuals. The tree with its deep roots und strong branches is a fitting symbol for the family, representing strength, growth, and resilience. A family, much like a strong tree or a stained-glass window, is a testament to love, unity, and shared growth experiences,” said Di Lillo.

The ceremony took place at the meeting house of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Stuttgart-Weilimdorf with members from surrounding wards in attendance. Rebekka Weber conducted the proceedings. Musical accompaniment was provided by Judith Schattel, Beatrice Gierschke, Lorenz Adamer, and Florence Meissner-Adamer, performing works by Ernest Bloch and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.