Comments about ‘LDS Church attracts Latinos’

Pearce is a bigot and it is a shame he is a member of the LDS Church. I am ashamed he gets away with his white supremacist status. He ought to be excommunicated along with Karen Johnson.

Illegally entering the US is against the law Ignacio. Come on your professorship, read and understand the laws.

I understand the LDS Church's position about immigration status and that it is not their primary concern. Yet, I'm in favor of enforcing current immigration laws to their fullest extent, which might mean that some of these converts return to Mexico or whatever their native land might be, at least until the time when our laws change or they can immigrate legally.

What message is being sent to an illegal alien/undocumented immigrant when they are allowed into Mormon temples, having successfully answered the worthiness questions? How can one be "honest" in their dealings with other people when they are here without legal status?

My biggest gripe on the immigration issue is that there are millions of people around the globe who would love to live in the USA but weren't born on the south side of our line in the sand. Why should we give precedence to Latin Americans just because they can sneak across our borders? Change the immigration laws and let's allow qualified people from around the world to come to this country, not just give amnesty to those who broke our laws to get here.

The very term illegal immigrant is inflammatory. Were my Mormon pioneer ancestors illegal immigrants into Utah in 1847? The US took the Southwest from Mexico by force with a provision in the treaty allowing Mexican Nationals to travel and conduct business freely in the multi-state area. Mexican Nationals in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, California and Nevada might be undocumented, but they are only called illegal for political purposes. Enough of the hate, enough of the name calling, enough of the bigotry, we should love our neighbor!

is not the issue; ILLEGAL immigrant is. The LDS church also requires of it's members to obey, uphold and sustain the law of the land...you can be disfellowshipped or excommunicated for violating other laws - even before you're proven guilt in court... and it seems winking at the intentional violation of the well known laws regarding residency isn't in concert with the rest of the LDS Church's teachings. And I'm a democrat leaning member... who wishes people would just obey the laws of the land...

No ,Pearce is not a bigot, Pearce is not a bigot and the byu professor is wrong about the Republican party being anti immigrant. The Rebublican party is anti law breakers. The problem is with our laws concering lawful emmigration. They need to be modified and changed so that emmigration is done in a orderly way and can be enforced. If we don't have an orderly emmigration policy that is enforced than we have what have now---this country is not able to handle the influx that bankrupts our border hospitals and welfare program. Also a porus border promotes drug runners and coruption. Unfortunately we have a congress that is more concerned about getting more votes and power than obeying and sustaining the law which provides peace and order in society.

@elchupacabras

While I don't always agree with Pearce or his positions, I don't think you know his motives nor his heart. His core issue is obviously illegal immigration. While his tactics and rhetoric are often too harsh, his concern about the social cost of illegal immigration (especially in a state with a looming 3 billion dollar budget deficit) and the defiance of law are not unreasonable concerns. What is a true shame is that we can't have a discussion about illegal immigration, with all its complexities, without descending to name calling and accusation.

For me the significant question is how do we recognize (and honor) the value that illegal immigrants bring without condoning the breaking of law that occurred in getting here. Additionally, how can we do this in a way that helps to stem the flow of illegal immigration in the future (whether through enforcement, work programs, or some combination of the two). I believe in the rule of law and by ignoring the problem (as the nation has largely done thus far) only puts people in organizations in difficult positions-like the LDS church proselyting to some people who happen to be here illegally

Pearce does not speak for the Church anymore than Harry Reid speaks for the Church. I agree with "Line in the Sand". The law is the law. Breaking the law is wrong. I applaud Pearce's efforts to stand up for citizens of this country and to demonstrate fairness for immigrants seeking to enter this country legally.

It's always easy to cast a stone even though we are among sinners. The church is not in the business of enforcing the law and gives all men the choice to certify themselves before a common judge in Israel according to their individual conscience. Don't tell me you've never run a red light or jay walked, which, by doing so broke the same commandment. Shame! Shame on us for thinking the thoughts we think, atleast I am.

speak for yourself, not all of us are republicans.

The mission of the church is to take message of Salvation through Christ to all people in the world. We don't just teach perfect people. We teach them to repent and to better their lives.

I personally know members of the church who disobey the law, such as sharing software, downloading unlicensed music, disobeying speed limits. I have even seen members show videos from their home collections at church nurseries, YM functions, etc. All of these things are illegal. These people are not excommunicated because they disobey the law. They should, however, repent and begin obeying the law.

It is not bigoted to press for legislation to require that people obey the law. Neither is it hypocritical to take the gospel of repentance and baptism to people who disobey the law. It only helps them. It can help each of us.

Those who insist that we enforce existing immigration laws to the fullest extent neither understand how broken our immigration system is nor how harmful some of the laws are. Comprehensive immigration reform is one of the leading moral issues of our time and it needs to be done on the federal level, not state by state like Utah and many other states are attemting to do. That only makes matters worse. When you put a human face on the problem, you realize that something needs to be done to prevent good families from being broken up and loving parents that provide for their US citizen children from being deported. Bad laws are no laws at all. For those that are LDS, remember that Nephi both killed a man and stole his property (the brass plates). That was against the law of the land in his time but he chose to obey a higher law, that of God. Had he not done so there would be no Book of Mormon and no LDS church today.

It is interesting that so many hide behind the 'it's the law' or we should 'obey the law' standpoint. Laws should be created by people to benefit people. When laws are outdated or slanted towards certain ethnic groups (Cubans and Canadians gain "legal" status easier than their Mexican couterparts) then the laws are wrong and need to be updated. There are many laws on the books that are unethical and unconstitutional, such laws need to be revised. Instead, many who want to find a reason to not have certain people living in their neighborhoods choose to uphold such laws.

Finally some don't seem to see the big picture. We are all sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Father and he doesn't favor the Mexicans or Guatemalans any less than the rest of us. If you and your family lived in a country where the drug cartel had more control than the government or even the military, would you choose to stay there to obey some law? Or would you choose to find a better situation for your family? Sometimes you must choose between the lesser of 2 evils.

Do you obey ALL laws at all times?
Do you always obey the speed limit?
Are you sure that every tax deduction is 100% legal?
Do you make a full stop at every stop sign?

Jesus fought against the old, arcane laws of the Jewish hierarchy, focusing on the higher law. We have something to learn from his example.

I see this as an ongoing and increasingly difficult issue for the LDS church and it's members in North America. On the one hand they want to invite all to "come unto Christ" and join the chruch. On the other they are told to uphold the laws of the land. And yet on even another, members are told to vote for those individuals who will best represent their own values. At some point the churh is going to have to tell it's local leaders and missionaries how to handle the illegal immigration issue. Are these illegals members in good standing? Should they be allowed to go to the temple? Be given callings in their wards? Regardless of how the church decides to proceed, members who work to stem the tide of illegal immigrants, and uphold the laws of the land, should not labeled as bigots or racists. But rather as good and concerned citizens seeking to serve the best interest of their communities, state and country. No honest person can say unfettered illegal immigration is in the best of our country. Healthy debate is good--hurtful labels are not.

If I lived in one of the border towns, I would be trying to come to America for the safety of my family. They are dealing with horrible control and crimes from the drug cartels.

I am a Church member from South America, here in the US legally and temporally for professional reasosn. Presidents of the Church and other General Authorities have been teaching us for years that the gathering place for Church members of every nation is our own nation. We believe, on the basis of the Book of Mormon and other scriptures, that if we obey God's commandments, He will prosper us in the land, both spiritually and temporally. We also have the great opportunity to build the Kingdom of God in our own countries, where our family, friends and people live. These considerations should weight more in our eternal perspective than the eventual material gains of the American dream. Also, as it has been clearly stated in previous comments, God expects us to be honest in all things and obey the law of the land, among His other commandments. How could anyone be baptized, receive the Priesthood or go to the Temple while knowingly breaking the law, using fake or counterfeit identification or green cards, hiding from the police, etc?

As an immigrant that followed the rules I am against those who come here illegally. That said, the Mormon church is not part of the government and is not supposed to enforce law.

Teaching the children of God about his words has no boundaries nor need of documentation. Helping illegal immigrants with the necessities of life is different than helping them break the law.

I will help anyone who needs help, including proclaim the gospel for that is what the Lord wants. I will not help them to do things illegally here, like get illegal papers or anything else. I will vote to secure our borders and for people who will do so.

Paraphrasing the Savior we must be compassionate while at the same time telling them to go and 'break the law' no more. Also, we must remember that all Hispanics are not illegals and all illegals are not Hispanics.

So what's the solution?

The Eternal truth that is taught by Missionaries does not have borders and does bring about peace, happiness, and eternal family relationships. But as a member of the LDS faith, we then have an obligation to obey the law of the land. There are consiquences to all actions whether they happen in the present or the past - the right thing to do is for illegal immegrants who convert to return to their native land and apply to become legal. In the mean time, the gospel is true even in Arizona and Mexico, or other points to the south.