said Michael Purdy, a church spokesman. “The blessings of the church are available to anyone who qualifies for membership and accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
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But how would an illegal alien “qualify for membership” when he has brokem the law and is still living in an unlawful situation ???
(I thought Mormons were supposedly big about obeying the law? Or is this just another say one thing publicly, but take a second or third wife undercover kind of deal?)
The good news is that this should help in preventing Mitt Romney from winning the ‘12 GOP Primary race for POTUS. Being a “fake conservative” should always be unacceptable to the majority of conservative voters.
But how would an illegal alien “qualify for membership” when he has brokem the law and is still living in an unlawful situation ???
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I have asked that question as well on these threads. Can’t seem to get an answer.
If a potential missionary were breaking ANY other law, he/she would not be considered “worthy” to serve.
If any other member were breaking ANY other law, he/she would not be “worthy” for a Temple Recommend.
When I was LDS, illegal aliens were not allowed to be baptized since they were breaking the law. Not sure when this changed.
I suspect a reason “why” it changed. The decline in membership of the LDS over the past 10 years or so hurts tithing revenue, and these illegal members bring in more money here than they would back home.
My non LDS church has a Spanish language ministry and outreach. We encourage those members who are/maybe illegal to either return home or get their immigration status corrected (since it is dishonest) and help them do so.
Well, this is a mighty interesting "take" by an Lds spokesman -- and one that seemingly goes against Mormon scripture -- and surprisingly in a chapter which ironically slaps Mormons on the hand -- at least those who are taking pro-illegal immigration stances.
Which section of Lds "scripture" you may ask? (Doctrine & Covenants 134).
Setting: Summer, 1835: Joseph Smith felt behooved to address slavery amongst the bigger umbrella of obeying laws, rulers, etc. Now D&C 134:1,3,5,8 all tell Mormons to obey laws, rulers & their government. But then we get to verse 12...note the highlighted words:
We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do NOT believe it right to...
...interfere with bond-servants,
...neither preach the gospel to,
...nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters,
...nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life,
...thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude.
Questions:
Is this "scripture" still on the record as standing canonized authority for the Mormon church? (Yes)
Has any scripture statement superceded, trumped or "manifesto-ed" it out of authority? (No)
Well how does the Mormon church then reconcile the above statement made by its spokesman, Michael Purdy -- “The blessings of the church are available to anyone who qualifies for membership and accepts the gospel of Jesus Christ” -- with D&C 134:12?
How can lds "scripture" say that it's not "right to...preach the gospel to...bond-servants [slaves] ...nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters?" -- while simultaneously claiming the gospel can be accepted by anyone and that anyone can become a member?
Well, can slaves be baptized and become an LDS member if their master says "no?" (Not according to D&C 134:12)
What about a girl who is being "trafficked" as a slave...can she be baptized & become a Mormon even if her "pimp" says no? (Not according to D&C 134:12)
Does Joseph Smith have authority in the Mormon church or not?
And then, how can Lds agree with these pro-illegal immigration Mormon policies when their own "scripture" (D&C 134:8) says: all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment??? Illegal immigration laws qualify as "good laws" do they not?
Why aren't Lds leaders & grassroots lds stepping forward to use their ability in bringing offenders to justice according to their own good book?
What? Are lds only for selective "continuing revelation?"