Posted on 05/01/2010 6:30:15 AM PDT by Colofornian
No matter how much the LDS Church would like to remain neutral on the issue of illegal immigration, Mormon activists on opposite sides draw on their faith's doctrines or practices to buoy their positions.
Russell Pearce, the Arizona senator who proposed that state's tough anti-immigration law, is LDS and hails from Mesa, a stronghold of Mormonism. A former missionary for the faith, the Republican lawmaker points to LDS scripture to buttress his push for a crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
"We have a special duty [to] this land, this republic and to the rule of law," Pearce wrote in an e-mail. "It is our duty and well established in scripture and modern revelation."
He cites a verse from the Doctrine & Covenants, a part of the Mormon canon, that says to "let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land."
Pearce also refers to the Utah-based church's 12th Article of Faith, which says Mormons believe in "obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
That also is a key teaching for GOP Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, a Mormon legislator from Orem who has met with Pearce several times and hopes to introduce a similar bill in Utah.
"We are a country with the rule of law," said Sandstrom, who served an LDS mission in Venezuela. "That's the only way a country can prosper."
On the opposite side are Latter-day Saints who argue for a more complex and humane approach to immigration. They point to church teachings about taking care of one's family, being hospitable to the stranger and building the kingdom of God.
"I don't think the intent of the Article of Faith was to make us vigilantes and gatekeepers and create anti-immigrant rhetoric and climate," said Ignacio Garcia, a Brigham Young University history professor.
Those who come into this country without documentation make hard choices, Garcia said. "It's a violation of the law, sure, but circumstances often force people to decide to break one law to obey the higher law."
Despite such roiling debates among its members, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given no clear-cut guidance on this issue. The church has taken no stand on the Arizona bill, spokesman Scott Trotter said Thursday.
The church takes a sort-of "don't ask, don't tell" approach to the immigration status of its own members. Some estimate that 50 percent to 75 percent of members in Utah's 100-plus Spanish-speaking congregations are undocumented. That includes many bishops, branch presidents, even stake presidents.
The church sends missionaries among undocumented immigrants across the country, baptizing many of them without asking about their status. It also allows them to go to the temple and on missions.
"We're not agents of the immigration service, and we don't pretend to be," LDS apostle Jeffrey R. Holland told The Salt Lake Tribune last year, "and we also don't break the law."
In January 2008, Marlin Jensen, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, was assigned by LDS President Thomas S. Monson to urge Utah legislators to use "compassion" in their immigration legislation.
That didn't stop Utah's mostly LDS lawmakers from passing SB81, which took effect last July and tightened enforcement while limiting immigrants' access to some services.
Sandstrom does not advocate denying emergency care for undocumented immigrants, but believes "true compassion should be for those who can't come here legally because of the huge numbers who are here illegally."
And he doesn't care if they are Mormons, Catholics or adherents of any other faith. The law is the law.
On several occasions, Sandstrom said, he has shared his legislative proposals on illegal immigration with LDS officials.
"Not one of them told me to 'cease and desist,' " he said. "I've been told to do what I feel is right for the state and my constituents."
Garcia has, again, a different perspective.
No, the LDS Church has not come out as strongly against these anti-immigration measures as the Catholics or the Evangelical Association, he said.
Behind the scenes, however, Mormon leaders "do not support such draconian efforts."
Mormon conservatives seem to feel that not only is the United States being invaded by foreigners, but also their homes, their churches and their congregations, he said.
"But the Latter-day Saint who sees the work of the church as becoming a global faith," Garcia said, "[is] not running around complaining about immigrants."
Excuse me “Californian”, it wasn’t you who didn’t read the article clearly and jumped to condemn Russell Pearce, it was Tennessee Nana. Sorry about that. Maybe Tennessee Nana can get his or her legislator to live up to his or her expectations as Russell Rearce has done for me.
“Actually, read most of the article and all of the pro legislation comments are from Latter-day saints.”
I recant this portion. To clarify: all in the article are pro law, which are documented as being Latter-day saint. Ignacio Garcia, at least at one point was a Latter-day saint, but unable to verify if he is now. So, he would be the ONE dissenting voice, and is a hispanic from Texas, FYI.
I vaguely remember that story about the company pad locking them in and making them work. My gf's daughter worked for one of those farms where migrant workers are. She said when the jobs were done the illegals would break into cars and steal things on their way back to mexico. I've heard horror stories about the illegal women coming across the border. Most are raped and abused. Then they get here, God only knows what's happening to some of them. Cheap labor, the abuse I'm sure is rampant. People that hire them can pay them whatever they want and pretty much do to them whatever they want. The abuse runs on both sides. They are abusing our system and costing the taxpayers plenty, and in turn many of them get abused.
“I remember a few years back ICE went into a meat packing plant and rounded up something over 100 illegals.”
Do you mean Swift/Millers?
“Unfortunately this well written article will bring out the anti-Mormon posters on Free Republic.”
Ironically, if you go to the SLTribune, you’ll read comments about how “hateful” “Mormons” are because of their anti immigration stance, it’s only here that a few will imagine and promote propaganda that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is somehow “against” laws/pro-illegal immigration.
It’s “Colofornian” (who DIDN’T make the comment)...and you are correct, the comment was baseless.
“The abuse runs on both sides.”
I’m not sure how much (or little)/to what extent either way, I agree with this, but I will say there are certainly a lot who pay a price to get their illegal spoils. Corruption breeds corruption, and unless we have our rule of law, as a previous poster said, we BECOME as Mexico is.
It might have been that one. I honestly can’t remember. I just remember that’s when I became convinced that all the garbage about illegals only doing the work American’s won’t do, was an out and out lie. And a way for companies to get cheap labor. They pay less, they don’t have to pay health care insurance, they can pretty much treat them in any way they want. And I’m not sure how they would get away with this, but, would the still have to pay, pay roll taxes? They also don’t have to pay SS for the illegals either. You’d think in a large company that would be a red flag for the feds. You have 100’s of people working for your company, many being illegals but, only paying into maybe half or 3/4 that amount in SS taxes.
From the Article: “Russell Pearce, the Arizona senator who proposed that state’s tough anti-immigration law, is LDS and hails from Mesa.”
Thank goodness Pearce, a Latter-day Saint proposed this law, propelling the issue so quickly back into the national theater, and paving the way for so many other states to follow. What a contribution he has made!
One thing they do is up their exemptions to 99. As far as social security goes, I remember a few stories in the news of illegals who stole identies, then started drawing Social Security (SS) benefits at a later point. When the real citizens tried drawing SS benefits, they were investigated for fraud, because someone else had already been drawing them.
Then the illegal(s) started ranting about how they had paid into SS for so long, they should get something out. Talk about fuming, that was insane. We should become like other countries and confiscated ANY and ALL assets they have, remove “anchor babies” JUDICIAL INTERPRETATIONS (Not statutes) of the laws, and start throwing them out like other countries.
Removing the incentives to break the laws and try to overthrown the government, and it becomes a problem and a big gamble to invade our shores/borders. This has been ridiculous for years.
The babies born here by illegals should not be American citizens. If they are here legally that might be a different story. What our government is doing is a crime against this country. They have the laws and don’t enforce them. As much as I loved Reagan I think his amnesty was wrong. And anyone else who suggests that is wrong. The companies that hire illegals should be fined so high that they wouldn’t even think about doing it. They say it’s hard to prove and to be honest if you had a large company and a few were illegals I wouldn’t have a problem, some are going to slip through the system. But, when you have 100’s of illegals working for you come on, I don’t believe for one minute they don’t know it. Another red flag, if you can’t speak English or you can barely speak it, I wouldn’t hire that person. Wouldn’t that be a red flag?
You bring up a lot of issues, which I think is important. First, we need a national language: English. Then, teach ONLY English in schools. People can learn whatever they want in their own time, but our Country Speaks ENGLISH, our laws are written in English, we conduct business in English, we speak english, with some speaking a few other languages. Destruction of language is evil (not English, but language in general), and is used by evil to make a people ignorant. History cannot be kept, and laws cannot be read.
Then, it would be easy to know if someone was illegal. I agree that it is difficult to verify if someone is illegal in certain areas. TX, AZ, etc. Be if we build a wall and start throwing out KNOWN illegals, that problem will diminish greatly. I do believe in fining corporations who knowingly hire illegals, but I don’t believe in fining corporations out of anger for illegal immigration. This is one of only a scarce, precious FEW powers given to Government. Protect the Border! Corporations are not police and they shouldn’t be. Military/Border Agents/Whatever should secure the border, after building a wall, and shoot invaders who try and climb over. The U.S.A. is our HOME, and it needs protecting.
I don’t believe corporations should be fined for hiring an illegal, if they go throught the appropriate verification process. If they don’t, by all means, slam then out of existance for being traitors, but it is NOT their job to POLICE. That is what government if for, one of the only things it is for, and they push it on corporations to push their fascist agenda.
Actually, Mexicans are NORTH Americans, and while I personally agree with you, even other countries refer to U.S. Citizens as “Americans” so the point you’re making is moot. (I refer to us as U.S. Citizens, always, or almost always, as I was taught that way growing up).
Kid for the more than 60 years of my life...
To me...
Americans have been those born in the United States ...
(or naturalized)
Mexicans have been Mexicans..
Chinese have been Chinese...
Irish, begorra, have been Irish...
You make some really good points. Our government including under Bush have done nothing to barley anything to secure our borders.
Thanks ;) it was you who got me thinking on it this morning :)
You can be hospitable, just send them home. You are raping two countries, the US and Mexico. If you would like to improve the lives of the Mexican people it must be done in Mexico, otherwise you destroy TWO nations.
“To me...Americans have been those born in the United States ...”
And not just to you Nana, that’s what the world calls us too. ;) “Top of the morning to ye” (In my best Irish brogue)
Your welcome!!!! :) Just wish our elected officials would quit ignoring the problem. They have for far to long.
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