SALT LAKE CITY - Mormon Latinos have launched a letter-writing campaign to Latter Day Saints Church President Thomas S. Monson, urging him to spell out the faith's position on immigration law, an issue they say is dividing the church
Activist Tony Yapias, of the advocacy group Proyecto Latino de Utah, says he launched the campaign with his own letter to Monson.
Besides letters, Latinos plan to wear ribbons signifying unity in their quest to have the man Mormons regard as a prophet speak up unambiguously on what they see as a moral issue.
"This is affecting our families," Yapias says. "Where's the church in this? The longer they stay quiet, the more political it gets, the more divisive."
Sandy resident Alfredo Gallardo says he, too, is writing Monson to express what many Latino Latter-day Saints feel.
"There is a double standard now -- one for Sunday and one for Monday through Saturday," he says. "We want to write to the prophet to say the feelings of brotherhood have to be followed all the time."
Mormon missionaries increasingly are confronted by prospective converts who believe the church is anti-immigrant, Yapias says, and some Latinos don't even feel welcome in their own LDS congregations because of anti-immigrant rhetoric.
The perception is due partly to the fact that a Mormon, state Sen. Russell Pearce, sponsored Arizona's new immigration law. Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, who also is LDS, hopes to bring a similar law to Utah.
Sandstrom agrees with Pearce -- that the church's 12th Article of Faith points toward rigorous enforcement of immigration laws. That article says Mormons believe in "obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
In fact, Sandstrom said, Monson has spoken several times about the necessity of obeying laws, once referring to those who would "bend, twist and wink at violations of the law" as escalating illegal conduct.
Yapias, who is LDS and has a son on a Mormon mission, argues an immigration crackdown is at odds with the church's call for compassion and its practice of ignoring citizenship status when it comes to baptisms, church leadership positions, missions and access to temples.
Legislators such as Pearce and Sandstrom, Yapias says, "just are not getting it."
"They are not going to get it," Yapias adds, "until the church takes an official position."
Sandstrom says he doesn't expect the church to change its neutral stance.
"I cannot fathom," he says, "the church coming out and saying it's wrong to enforce the law when they've been so strong in saying you need to honor the law."
The Utah-based LDS Church did not directly comment on the letter-writing drive, but referred to a statement on its newsroom website and e-mailed a similar statement, attributed to spokesman Scott Trotter.
While the church "recognizes the complexities facing elected officials as they grapple with the implications of immigration law," the statement says, it has not taken a position on the issue "which is clearly the province of government."
Church leaders, it adds, "have urged compassion and careful reflection when addressing immigration issues affecting millions of people."
The LDS Church sends missionaries among undocumented immigrants across the country, baptizing many of them without asking about their citizenship status. The Utah-based faith also allows them to enter Mormon temples and serve 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."
Yapias has applauded other faith leaders, including Bishop John C. Wester, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, for speaking out against Arizona's new law and pressing for comprehensive immigration reform. But the Latino activist wants the state's predominant religion to take a stand.
"Why is it," Yapias asks, "that the LDS Church can't say what many other churches have said already?"
AZMomma posted at 11:31 am on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
LOL - This puts the LDS squarely on the tip of a VERY sharp sword.
When the LDS in SLC declared Polygamy to be wrong, many of the dissenting faithful high-tailed it down Mexico-way. There are still a huge amount of descendants there, by now all legally-born Mexican citizens.
The LDS currently consider Mexico and South America to be prime pickings for new converts. The LDS are also known for their patriotism and Law & Order mentality.
What to do? What to do?[wink]
RollerCam posted at 12:03 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
QUOTE: "...the church's 12th Article of Faith points toward rigorous enforcement of immigration laws. That article says Mormons believe in "obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
End of story. It's couldn't be any more plain and simple.
Save your postage stamps, "Latino Mormons." Either get with the American program or get on the bus back to Mexico.
ecilop1 posted at 12:20 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
WHAT!! Are you kidding me? This is political, not religious. Es La Le!!!!!
If I, an American Mormon, went into another country to live without proper identification. If I tried to make a living in this new country without being a legal citizen, and if I got caught...I would be deported.
This great country is no different.
Es La Le!
vive la USA posted at 1:10 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
"Why is it," Yapias asks, "that the LDS Church can't say what many other churches have said already?"
Mr. Yapias, I have your answer!
It's all about the MONEY! 10% ring a bell? Money drives your religion. End of story!
forkedlift1 posted at 1:44 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
"If I tried to make a living in this new country without being a legal citizen and if I got caught, I would be deported."
I can't speak for other countries, but in our country -- which was founded on the hard work of immigrants from all countries working together -- one does not need to be a citizen to make a living in our country.
We can start with Major League Baseball whose teams are comprised of a sizable number of
skilled players who have been recruited from other countries to play on our National League and American League teams. They are not "citizens" and contribute greatly to America's favorite pastime of baseball.
forkedlift1 posted at 2:16 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
Words of wisdom from a noted U.S. Supreme Court Justice for Utah Rep. Stephen Sandstrom -- who apparently thinks Arizona's SB 1070 is the cat's pajamas and in accordance with our revered U.S. Constitution.
"If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable." Louis D. Brandeis
Based on this news story, equally fitting might be:
"If we desire respect for the church, we must first make the church respectable."
brainfreeze posted at 2:44 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
No church, no matter the denomination, should be in favor of breaking the law. Why whine about the immigration laws when you can do it the correct way and enter the country LEGALLY. All the letters from this letter writing campaign should go straight into the shredder.
voiceOFreason posted at 3:00 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
First of all, EVT/SLCT, I can promise this issue is not "dividing" the LDS Church.
Second, Proyecto Latino, what do you expect to accomplish IF the LDS Church did spell out its position? Think ahead.
Third, remember that political leaders are not spokespeople for the LDS Church (just as celebrities and other prominent members are not).
Alfredo, maintaining neutrality is not a "double standard" with the Church's call to compassion etc.
This issue has nothing to do with religion; it has everything to do with government. Perhaps you should write letters to your representatives.
Marcus Gallio posted at 3:27 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
Since 1898, Article I, section 8, clause 4 of the United States Constitution expressly gives the United States Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. The Immigration and Naturalization Act sets forth the legal requirements for the acquisition of, and divestiture from, citizenship of the United States.
That means for over 100 years the U.S. Constitution has clearly stated how to become a U.S. citizen and people of all nations and cultures have followed this law.
EXCEPT ONE ! This group, known as LA RAZA, a.k.a. THE RACE, believe in racial superiority and deny the existence of law within the USA. The Mormon Church has always recognized and supported the laws of the USA. God Bless the Mormoms.
samkat posted at 3:32 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
fork: You always leave out one important word in your discussions and that is legal. The ball players you refer to undoubtedly have green cards obtained legally. For emphasis, let me repeat it one more time, legal. [smile]
Marcus Gallio posted at 3:32 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
FYI, I am NOT a Mormom nor do I plan to convert to LDS. I do, however, believe the Mormoms to be a good, decent and righteous people who love the USA and their fellow man very much. I respect them. I do NOT respect La Raza which translates to THE RACE. La Raza promotes their own racial superiority and the destruction of the US border and disrespects American law. I wonder why La Raza hates Mexico so much. I don't hate Mexico. Mexicans should rebuild their own country and not try to destroy the USA.
allamer posted at 4:26 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
This demonstrates an unhealthy sense of entitlement among Latinos to ignore our immigration laws. Apparently, Latinos have a special status in our country. They want to come here, legally or illegally, and form sovereign communities beyond the reach of enforcement of our immigration laws. They have many advocates for illegals, but also make demands on other institutions like the Mormons. Of course, this is enabled by American special interest traitors.
tededitedit posted at 8:05 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
The LDS Church will hopefully stick by their own Articles of Faith even if it costs them the cheap labor they've enjoyed. Illegal alien tithing will just be "protection money" if they don't.
forkedlift1 posted at 9:13 pm on Tue, Jun 8, 2010.
Samkat, you're so busy being silly with the word "legal"
that you forgot the point of my post and that it was a response to a statement made by "ecilop1" which I made a point to quote. The word is "citizen" and I was pointing out to ecilop1 that one does not need to be a citizen to make a living in our country -- correcting his misperception that he expressed in his statement.
Of course these well paid major league ball players from foreign countries have papers, whatever is legally required for them to be lawfully working here. Besides it being America's favorite pastime, major league baseball is also big business, and however these talented and valuable foreign players are recruited to play here, I am certain there must be particular people affiliated with each team who make sure that all the proper documents for the recruited player are in order.
I assume the team's business people would also have a hand in assisting with obtaining the necessary visas for players' spouses and children if applicable. as well.
Many times we read comments by an uppity judgmental person deriding undocumented immigrants as a whole and insisting things like, "they need to go through the proper procedure to gain citizenship, just like everyone else."
There are countless citizens of other countries, up and down the pay scale, who earn their livelihoods here -- engineers, waitresses, college professors, nurses, maids, mechanics, doctors, husbands or wives of U.S. citizens, etc. whose services and products we all benefit from. We who are born here take a lot for granted.
forkedlift1 posted at 12:05 am on Wed, Jun 9, 2010.
When news of this proposed "police-state" legislation for immigration enforcement began coming out (probably in about March), the first thing that crossed my mind were these major league baseball players, many from Latin American countries -- especially with what they might encounter during Cactus League season when 15 teams are here. I could just envision one of them getting pulled over for speeding or whatever, and perhaps because he spoke English with an accent a cop asking him for his "papers" if his drivers license was from another state or country.
The ball player's lawful presence in this country would ultimately be worked out with the police, but what an unwelcoming insult it would be.
After the bill was signed by the governor, Major League Baseball Players Association strong opposition to the bill was not surprising.
Supporters of SB 1070 have made much about foreigners always needing to carry their documents on their person when in this country. Even during a game or at practice for these foreign baseball players?
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:05 am on Wed, Jun 9, 2010.
Who else finds it interesting how forkedlift1 sidestep important words like "legal" and "illegal". I don't recall anyone stating that LEGAL immigration should be stopped. Which explains why so many non citizens play baseball, but are in the country LEGALLY.
Interesting how that fact that previous LEGAL immigrants adapted themselves to their new home, and that ILLEGAL ALIENS want to force the USA to adapt to them.
I guess the obvious escapes forkedlift1...
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:35 am on Wed, Jun 9, 2010.
forkedlift1 wrote: "The word is "citizen" and I was";
Did you see the word preceding the word "citizen"? Can you say "legal"? Samcat was correct.
Interesting how the word "legal" is so "silly" to you. It doesn't seem silly to the majority of LEGAL citizens.....
AZMomma posted at 7:40 am on Wed, Jun 9, 2010.
Here is a novel concept that applies here and if you VISIT or WORK IN a foreign country:
You are a GUEST - shut up. You have NO right to meddle in, speak about or in any way interfere with the laws, ethnic customs and/or mores of your host country.
It is very BAD MANNERS. If you don't like it, LEAVE.
Comprende?
forkedlift1 posted at 9:30 am on Wed, Jun 9, 2010.
To get down to your level MR666, the "legal" issue here is the "legal" U.S. Constitution, the "legal" supreme law of the land, with which all other laws must be in compliance.
Masterrogue666 posted at 6:11 am on Thu, Jun 10, 2010.
forkedlift1: I recall discussing one amendment with you were you thought it gave equal rights to ILLEGAL ALIENS. You were wrong then, and you are wrong now.
msk8te posted at 3:41 pm on Fri, Jul 30, 2010.
Illegal is illegal. All citizens must abide by the law...that's why they are called ILLEGAL... they are not abiding by the law. Now that I've explained that to you, everyone please donate to:
www.keepazsafe.com
Help fight ILLEGAL immigration!