At the last Republican legislative district 18 meeting on September 27, there was some discussion on the LDS churches stance on illegal immigration so I thought I would post the first couple of paragraphs and a link to the rest of the statement. The of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made this statement on June 10, 2011. There have been two statement made and this is the latest.
Around the world, debate on the immigration question has become intense. That is especially so in the United States. Most Americans agree that the federal government of the United States should secure its borders and sharply reduce or eliminate the flow of undocumented immigrants. Unchecked and unregulated, such a flow may destabilize society and ultimately become unsustainable.
As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.
What to do with the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now residing in various states within the United States is the biggest challenge in the immigration debate. The bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God...... read full text here.I think it is important to note that it is not a legal issue for the church but a humanitarian issue for the church and how to deal with those already here illegally in the country. I think it is also important to note that the church encourages its members to comply with the laws in the countries they reside and to square themselves with the law if they are not in compliance.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints also has a policy statement:
21.1.16
Emigration of Members
Generally, members are encouraged to remain in their native lands to build up and strengthen the Church. Opportunities for Church activity and for receiving and sharing the blessings of the gospel are increasing greatly throughout the world. As members remain in their homelands and work to build the Church there, great blessings will come to them personally and to the Church. Stakes and wards throughout the world will be strengthened, making it possible to share the blessings of the gospel with an even greater number of Heavenly Father’s children.
Experience has shown that those who emigrate often encounter language, cultural, and economic challenges, resulting in disappointment and personal and family difficulties.Missionaries should not ask their parents, relatives, or others to sponsor members who wish to emigrate to other countries.
Members who emigrate to any country should comply with applicable laws.
When coming to the United States or other countries on student or tourist visas, members should not expect to find jobs or obtain permanent visas after entering that country.
The church also recognizes the difficulties that people encounter, which can also result in personal and family difficulties. The church also recognizes that in order to be employed a person must meet all condition of immigration and naturalization laws.To be considered for Church employment in any country, a person must meet all conditions of immigration and naturalization laws. The Church does not sponsor immigration through Church employment.
For Jerry Lewis and his supporter to say that the church doesn't agree with SB1070 or other immigrations laws is wrong.
What they are doing by bring the church in to immigration debate in this recall is mixing church and state and trying to confuse and miss-represent the LDS Church's position on the issue to gain the LDS communities support for their candidate. This is wrong!
I encourage anybody that has questions about the LDS Churches position on immigration to study it out for themselves, make their own determination and not relay upon political candidates or their supporters for interpretation of the churches position.
You forgot this part: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned that any state legislation that only contains enforcement provisions is likely to fall short of the high moral standard of treating each other as children of God.
ReplyDeleteThe Church supports an approach where undocumented immigrants are allowed to square themselves with the law and continue to work without this necessarily leading to citizenship.
In furtherance of needed immigration reform in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a balanced and civil approach to a challenging problem, fully consistent with its tradition of compassion, its reverence for family, and its commitment to law."
Jared, I didn't for get the part, all you had to do was click on the link to read the entire release. As we are taught in school you put the most important information in the first few paragraphs and all the rest are supporting details.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Pearce and his supporters are very much like the people in the Old Testament. All that mattered was following the letter of the law. There was no room for mercy. I'd much rather be like the people of the New Testament. Because of the teachings of the savior we know that the rule of law must also have an equal share of love and mercy. Enforcement only does not take into account each individual and their unique circumstances.
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