The following article – in which an LDS branch president from Draper and his family, here illegally, were arrested and are being deported – got me thinking about honesty.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/51721061-90/according-arrested-awaiting-branch.html.csp
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught from a very young age to memorize the following…
Article of Faith #12:
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
They are also taught to sing a song containing these lyrics…
Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings; He will send blessings.
Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.
(Childrens Songbook, page 146).
I point these two out because of the SAFETY and PEACE aspects of coming into the United States of America via LEGAL means. When one does so, one is granted certain protections that are NOT afforded when one comes here in a manner contrary to the law.
It is much like those that obey the commandments of God. When one does so, God is bound by certain promises. But when one does NOT obey His commandments – they are given NO guarantee.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints openly baptizes and accepts as clergy and missionaries those in the United States contrary to the laws of this nation.
Yet, according to the teachings of the Church, and according to the documents which LDS leaders use as guides (which state that members should be encouraged to stay in their home countries), this seems to be in DIRECT contradiction to not only POLICIES, but DOCTRINES.
Policies – such as the incredibly unwise POLICY prohibiting concealed carry in LDS houses of worship in Utah – are generated by men. DOCTRINE – it is believed – comes through inspiration from God Himself.
Let me give you another example that might shed some light on this. LDS members are taught there are many levels to heaven. Only in the highest of these will families be together, and be able to continue on through eternity.
It is also taught that being sent to a lower level won’t be seen as much as a punishment, as it will be seen as compassionate. If one was admitted to a level that is too high for their spiritual development, they would be constantly uncomfortable and would not be spiritually at peace. They would not feel right being there. They would be in constant fear.
Does this sound like a familiar argument? Those would promote illegal immigration often state that those that are here illegally live in a state of constant fear of discovery. They don’t feel comfortable or at peace.
Yet, if there were here legally, they would have those blessings. It makes sense.
Let’s take this even further.
If your wife is sent to that highest level but you are not, do you expect that God will simply let you enter it anyway? “But my family is here, I need to be with them!”
Will God accept that? Will He look the other way? Will you be able to lie about your Celestial Kingdom citizenship?
LDS are taught that He can not look upon sin with even the least degree of allowance. God doesn’t have compassion in that.
Taken to its logical conclusion – it is clear that in heaven according to LDS doctrine, families will be separated. This is why people are told how important it is for them to be married in the Temple, and then to do all they can to become perfect – even as Jesus and God are. If they don’t, they won’t be together and won’t go on forever as a family.
So, why is it different here? Why are they not telling these illegals that want to be baptized here “go back to your native country, we have missionaries there that will help you”? Why are they not taking the DOCTRINE of obeying the law (and US immigration law IS friendly to the Constitution) and APPLYING it?
The Glory of God is Intelligence – Light and Truth. Light comes from APPLYING truth. They don’t seem to applying it here.
Now, if President Thomas S. Monson was to come out and say “Thus Sayeth The Lord – It Is Not Needful To Obey US Immigration Law”, and do so BOLDLY and NOBLY as Joesph Smith said should be done, then that would settle it. Let the chips fall where they may. Do what is right, let the consequence follow – right?
President Monson hasn’t come out and said anything. But we have seen men acting in ways that certainly appear to contradict established DOCTRINE.
I hate to see this. Things have changed since I grew up in the Church. They still make children memorize the articles of faith, but they don’t seem to be taken as seriously as they once were.