Deseret News | Debate resumes over illegal immigrants' status in LDS Church

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Debate resumes over illegal immigrants' status in LDS Church

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PASSIONS | 1:14 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Amazing the passion for "the law" with all these members of the Church. Only if they had 1/4 of the passion as anxiously engaged members of the Church. Choose this day who you serve.

Jenny | 2:55 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Lie are lies and none will get anyone to heaven. Sounds to me as though some worms are about us. For me I will follow what Joseph Smith and the 12 article of faith. No 2 ways about it. Having compassion is good when there are no worm holes or cover-ups.

Karen M. | 1:05 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

Perhaps Al D. should speak for himself about answering temple recommend questions. I don't lie to my bishop and stake president. You cannot be an illegal alien without lying and being dishonest in your dealings with your fellow men.
The position of the Church in honoring and sustaining the law has been clear since the days of Joseph Smith. It's an Article of Faith. It is, or I thought it was, a no-brainer.
There are thousands of LEGAL aliens waiting their turn to get in this country, and who have just as much right to feed their families as the illegals. It is time the law honored those who honor the law.

Comments continue below

Bob | 5:10 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

We know that we can be forgiven of almost every sin if we acknowledge (confess), provide restitution and forsake. Breaking the law is a sin and as we pray and strive to not repeat the same mistake, we can be forgiven for minor things (like speeding). The problem is that when someone crosses the border illegally well itï¿½s a hard one to provide restitution for and forsake.

A point about the honesty issue that I read in another post. I actually place the baptismal and Temple Recommend interviews on the same plane. We come right out and have to say that we are honest in the Temple interview but we have to say that we will obey the commandments in the baptismal interview. As far as I understand it, being in this country illegally (OR HIRING ILLEGALS) is being dishonest and the articles of faith qualify as commandments.

Jeff | 4:21 p.m. Feb. 23, 2008

I came across a year old newspaper article from the local paper in which President Hinckley was interviewed. The interview focused on the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smithï¿½s birthday and of coarse mentioned polygamy. President Hinckley made a statement during the interview that also appears as a headline in quotes.

ï¿½We have very little sympathy for those who disobey the law.ï¿½

Meg Stout | 5:05 p.m. Feb. 27, 2008

At this point we are also talking about future laws.

Individuals in my family have been mistaken for illegal immigrants merely because our skin is not lily white. We have been cursed at and chased after because of it. And yet we descend from Pilgrim stock, patriots and Mormon pioneers on the white side and legal immigrants on the Asian side.

Are you confident that every "disobedient" person you abuse is in fact illegal?

to Meg | 9:14 p.m. Feb. 28, 2008

It sounds to me like you are reading into this issue. When the posters here refer to disobedient people, it refers to someone who overtly breaks the law. Any other disobedience would be between the individual, the Lord and perhaps a priesthood leader. In answer to your question Yes every person who clearly, and openly breaks the law is illegal. If your conscience is clear before the Lord, it should be clear before man. Any persecution you feel from others is simply the result of the same kind of misguided prejudice the LDS people have always experienced.

AloysiusMiller | 6:43 p.m. March 5, 2008

If compassion means not running them out of their houses and chasing them back across the border with sticks then I am all for compassion. We have legal processes for dealing with immigration violations and we can have more such laws.

But people who claim to be (and are accepted as being) in authority over others need to be very careful about condoning expediency and necessity in relation to the law and the authority of the law. It won't be long before their own authority is questioned.

Anonymous | 9:47 p.m. March 10, 2008

Illegal immigrants wish that they could immigrate legally. A legal visa is only for the very rich or those who are not in dire need of a job to feed the family and can wait for an average of ten years for a visa. We wish our countries could support and succor us. We would love to stay in our countries and be close to our families. We risk our lives in the crossing out of desperation and the the fact that we dare to dream for our children. But we bring labor, because we know you need a brake in prices. We strive to do our jobs well, and to be honest in our work. Contrary to belief, we do not have access to welfare or free programs. It is your poor who do that. We immigrants work for what we eat.
there are some illegals who commit crimes( harm others) but that is the minority. You will notice that criminals come in every color and from every nation. We are here to help, believe it or not. Thank you for your kindness, and the jobs you provide for us. Hasta la vista. You aare good people.

Kelsey W | 5:03 p.m. April 16, 2008

In answer to the question, who would Jesus deport?
Probably those who have murdered the 50,000 Americans that
have been killed by illegals since 9/11, and those that have raped
and molested children that are illegals, and those that have maimed
Americans in car accidents while drunk (with no license and after 4 previous
DUIs).
One of my dearest friends lives apart from her Canadian husband because of immigration LAWS, and another had to go back to Australia with her new baby
and Australian husband (although they wanted to remain) because they adhere
to the laws.
Their crime is that they receive free medical and educational and citizenship benefits that others would love to receive that are keeping the law.
If you are so concerned about their plight, have them return, do it legally, and in the meantime, give them money and help support them in changing their country.
We cannot allow everyone to come here because their situation is not as good as ours. There are many Americans who need help, and many others who have done it the right way, the legal way.

I can't believe the Church doesn't require them to live the law.

third attempt | 10:28 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I do not understand "coming onto a person's property uninvited" not being inherently wrong. Surely trespass or illegal entry is both illegal and wrong.

Just wrong | 12:55 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008

My family joined the LDS church in 1833, 3 years after it started. This illegal issue is just one of the many reasons I quit attending the LDS church. Just a hint on the other reasons, Warren Jeffs is a cupcake compared to Joseph Smith.

bob | 11:38 p.m. April 25, 2009

I dont have a problem with anyone who wants to come to this country but they need to do it the right way. it drives up costs, of health insurance, takes jobs of citizens, creates a black market for immigration fraud as well as provides a huge disservice for those immigrants who cant speak or communicate.How the LDS church can justify how they feel is beyond me. I am a life long member so dont think i am on the anti- mormon band wagon. If the church devoted all the money they are wasting on building malls to enhance their image, they could provide a great deal more good for people who wish to come here.What is that 11 th article of faith again???

CougarKeith | 12:06 a.m. April 26, 2009

I want my country to protect our boarders and keep illegles from coming here. Yet the LDS church loves it's members no matter where they are from, AS DO I! However I would not turn in LDS members who are here illegally, if they are caught and returned (Deported) it is the Law which determines their destiny. The LDS Church member should have followed the proper channels to get here in the first place. I empathize with them, yet we believe in following the laws of the land! It is that simple, keep the laws of the land and there is no problems, if you don't and your caught, then you pay the consequences of the law you broke, it's the same with a speeding ticket, or "J" walking, it doesn't matter, if you keep the laws, and don't break the commandments and God's council you will be protected against the consequences of breaking laws or commandments most of the time. There is no problem here, nor conflict of interest. It's that simple.

Chirs from California | 5:25 a.m. May 31, 2009

Dont forget the Church told German memebers during WW2 to obey the laws of their land. If you were called to be a Nazi..you had to be one.

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