Mitt Romney’s stance on immigration is not on the same page as his religion. It should be vividly noted especially here in Arizona, the church neither discriminates against the undocumented nor denies them access to a Mormon temple or to any of the ordinances prescribed for adherents of the LDS faith.
This attitude of openness within the Mormon church’s statements on immigration, argue against restrictive state enforcement measures, such as Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, and against the separation of families. The LDS Church also supports the Utah Compact. In 2011, it supported the passage of a package of laws in Utah that included a state guest-worker program.
Yet in spite of the church’s admonition to the faithful to love individual’s immigration status, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has copped a hard-line stance on immigration, saying a pathway to legalization for undocumented individuals is “amnesty.” His proposed plan makes life very difficult for these immigrants, hoping they will self-deport.
It would seem to me LDS members have a very difficult task. Vote for an LDS Bishop who is not following the teachings of his church or believe in the teachings of the church and vote against him.
John Chiazza
Gilbert
Engaged Voter posted at 5:57 pm on Thu, Sep 20, 2012.
Does John realize that Russel Pearce is a Mormon?
TElden posted at 8:38 am on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
In regard to immigration law, the “Mormon” Church teaches, “We believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the [civil] law” (Twelfth Article of Faith). In a revelation to Joseph Smith and the members of the church, Jesus Christ said, “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” (Doctrine & Covenants 58:21). In the Church Handbook of Instructions, it says, “Members who emigrate to any country should comply with applicable laws” (Vol. 2, section 21.1.16). Therefore, Church members who violate the civil immigration laws are also violating the instructions of the Church leaders.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:27 am on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
John,
I understand the Mormon church approved the context and intent of the Utah compact but the church did not sign the actual Utah compact. I don't think Mitt Romney is violating any of his religions rules.
Terrie Bittner posted at 11:44 am on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
First, it should be noted that Romney is not a bishop. He was one in the past, but Mormon bishops serve for five years as volunteers--it is an unpaid, part-time position. He has not been a bishop for a very, very long time.
The Church doesn't direct politicians, so Romney is free to digress from Church teachings on any subject he chooses. He is out of step however. While teaching people to immigrate legally, the Utah Compact was in line with the officially described position of the church on immigration::
" We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors. The Savior taught that the meaning of “neighbor” includes all of God’s children, in all places, at all times.
We recognize an ever-present need to strengthen families. Families are meant to be together. Forced separation of working parents from their children weakens families and damages society.
We acknowledge that every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders. All persons subject to a nation’s laws are accountable for their acts in relation to them."
I believe the church separates out what people should do to begin with and what we need to do once they are actually here, particularly since there are many reasons a person might choose to immigrate illegally. At one time, for instance, we celebrated anyone who illegally escaped Russia. It's all a matter of current fashion. Romney frequently takes stances that are outside the Church's stances, but that is his privilege. The church would not take action against him for it.
mrconservative posted at 1:32 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
Thank you, Terrie. I don't think I could have said it better myself.
I have one more thing to add.
One of our Articles of Faith reads: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
We have laws in this country. I support 100% legal immigration. I cannot, in good conscience, support illegal immigration. It would be nice for families to be together, yes. But unless they do it legally, they don't belong here. That may sound harsh, but it is the law. I support the law. If you don't like it, try to change it.
mrconservative posted at 1:33 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
I didn't see TEIden's comment. Oh, well. [smile]
Engaged Voter posted at 5:22 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
Sounds like the Mormon Church needs to clarify their position.
Right now, perception is that they're 50/50 pro-law vs pro-illegals.
Accuracy posted at 6:03 pm on Fri, Sep 21, 2012.
“Romney’s stance on immigration out of step from his (Mormon) religion??”
Look again John Chiazza……. “HB497 in Utah”, which is an Arizona-style immigration enforcement law, stands in direct contrast to the “Utah Compact” that you are talking about.
------------------------------------------------
Immigration reform, is a hot-button issue for Hispanic voters in the November election . . . no matter how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) Mormons feels about "illegal immigration".
And President Obama is repeatedly being pressed by Latino voters about his failure to keep a 2008 pledge (“PROMISE”) of comprehensive immigration reform within the years of his presidency. "I am happy to take responsibility for the fact that we didn't get it done," Obama has said. "But I did not make a promise that I would get everything done a hundred percent when I was elected as president."
While, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has appealed directly to Hispanic audiences with a specific immigration policy; "I'm not in favor of a deportation, mass deportation effort, rounding up 12 million people and kicking them out of the country," Romney said directly to a Hispanic audiences in Miami. "I believe people make their own choices as to whether they want to go home, and that's what I mean by self-deportation."
"I will actually reform the immigration system and make it work for the people of America," Romney vowed.
sockratties posted at 5:50 am on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
If Romney were to be elected president he would have to stray from his religion even more than he has on the campaign trail. He shouldn't govern as a Mormon, but as a president of the other 98% as well. He seems to be doing okay in that respect so far by being able to tell everyone what they want to hear with little regard for fact.
tededitedit posted at 7:47 pm on Sat, Sep 22, 2012.
The Mormon church's policies will cost Romney this election. Their policy of "Conversion by Dating" causes the members and friends of the target families to vote for anybody else. They are that hurt by the damage caused by this "family" church! The pain spreads fast now with social media. They should stop this coercion immediately and send their current captives home if they expect to have any chance in this close election.[angry]
BlueAZDog posted at 7:13 am on Sun, Sep 23, 2012.
How about the belief - a fundamental belief of the church that we are to follow the law. The church, unfortunately most churches but especially the LDS and Catholic churches, have decided that the main growth in church attendance and offerings have emanated from the illegal community and they are allowing that to govern their policies.
Persons who violate the sovereignty of our country - our home - and then are encouraged to continue that violation by church leaders and some in law enforcement and elected officials are no different than persons who would enter your house illegally, set up housekeeping and be encouraged by your neighbors, your pastor and the Mayor to remain while law enforcement refuses to evict them.
America is my home and I welcome those who come here legally, but it is ILLEGAL for them to transgress our border in violation of our laws. BTW, we allow more immigrants to come here legally than all of the other countries of the world - COMBINED! So enough of this charge that the opposition of illegal immigration is synonymous with being anti immigration or prejudice.
Motherof4 posted at 8:46 am on Sun, Sep 23, 2012.
John- I am concerned about your motive for writing this. To be a truly unbiased writer, I would expect you to include the issues our current President has contradicted as a claimed Christian. I do not know you, so I can only hope you are going to give all sides if you are bringing religion in to your writing. Thank you
remo303 posted at 3:31 am on Tue, Sep 25, 2012.
Or....
John could simply realize Romney is not running as Bishop of America nor has he ever professed a desire to combine U.S. law with Church doctrine. Romney is running for President of everyone in the country - a principle the current guy should embrace.
My Take posted at 10:49 am on Tue, Sep 25, 2012.
Anyone can take a religion and interpret it how they want. It happens all the time regardless of what faith you practice. You can have 10 people read the same passages and chances are half will interpret it differently than the other half. It is the same for jurors deciding if a person is guilty or not. Heck, people manipulate the constitution, twist it and turn it to back up their personal opinions.
The U.S. is not innocent when it comes to immigration. We stood by and allowed it to get out of hand. For a very long time many Americans and American businesses looked the other way. Hired these folks, gave them a reason to stay and encouraged more to follow. Now all of a sudden, people on the right want to do whatever it takes to get them out, with no regard of how long they have lived here, if they have been productive, or whether they have children. If Romney considers himself to be someone of moral standards than he shouldn’t be pushing people to self deport. Crossing the border doesn’t make you a bad person. Sure a law was broken but we are not talking murder, or rape. It is a misdemeanor for crying out loud.
Engaged Voter posted at 2:33 pm on Wed, Sep 26, 2012.
":It is a misdemeanor for crying out loud."
Sorry My Take, but here in Arizona, human smuggling is classified as a felony.
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/justice/human-trafficking-laws-in-the-states-updated-nov.aspx
wangly posted at 10:44 pm on Tue, Nov 6, 2012.
inspected for signs of the disease. Once detected, it can can cheap jordans for sale can be treated with high doses of intravenous antifungal medications."Treatment
be prolonged, possibly on the order of months," said Park, Park, cheap moncler jackets Park, adding that the IV treatment would require a hospital
bacterial and viral meningitis, fungal meningitis is not transmitted from from designer replica handbags from person to person and only people who received the
injections are thought to be at risk.The FDA has, however, however, knockoff handbags however, advised health providers to stop using any product made
the New England Compounding Center during the investigation."We're urging clinics clinics replica designer handbags clinics to discontinue use of all products from the New
Compounding Center," said Bernstein, adding that purchase records can be be jordan 11 be used to identify the suspect products. "Given the severity,
believe this precaution is warranted."The outbreak has raised questions about about fake designer handbags about the safety of drugs from state-regulated compounding pharmacies, which
drug ingredients for customized medications.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Administration jordan 11 Administration warned the New England Compounding Center in 2006 that
drugs opens the door to contamination."The moment a sterile container container cheap moncler jackets container is opened and manipulated, a quality standard (sterility) is
and previous studies supporting the standard are compromised and are are cheap jordans for sale are no longer valid," the agency wrote in a letter
the pharmacy."The agency did issue a warning letter to the the moncler jackets men the pharmacy in 2006, but it didn't address compounding problems