I feel for people in states like Arizona whose systems are being stretched to the breaking point by refugees. I’m a public school teacher and I understand how hard it can be to meet the needs of students in the large classroom, especially when many are suffering trauma. People in those states deserve the support of the rest of us in dealing with the current refugee crisis. And that’s what it is, a refugee crisis.
Because of a failure of the governments in those Central American countries to protect and support their people, partly As a result of previous US support of corrupt regimes, human beings are doing anything they can to ensure their children have a safer and better life. In the midst of this crisis we’ve reduced aid to those Central American countries, assuring that more people will flee.
They will flee just as many of the our ancestors fled. Nobody asked the current citizens of this great land (Native Americans) whether they would accept boatloads of refugees from Europe. We just showed up, stinking and starving and carrying disease. Now, as descendants of those Who fled Europe to escape its oppression and poverty, and who have completely taken over this land, we owe it to the descendants of those Europe colonized, some help. Or, putting history aside, we owe it to our fellow human beings to give them succor.
I am confused by those who say the Savior, a man sentenced to death by the government of the day for being a subversive, for doing such things as overturning the tables of moneychangers in the temple and healing on the Sabbath, and questioning the morals of those in power, would say that He would support not helping these people.
Whether the money comes for their assistance through private donations, or through taxes, doesn’t matter. Taxes are monies levied for what we’ve decided to do as a group, even if we don’t have 100% agreement. Unless we want this crisis to continue, and states on the southern border to continue to be overburdened , and children to continue to die, and families to continue to be separated, we must intervene.
We must intervene at both the source of the problem and the source of its effects: in central America and at the border. Government is best positioned to do this. Most people I know have put their money where their mouth is when it comes to helping refugees. It isn’t enough. Now government has to step in. If government is unwilling, we must challenge it until it changes.
MaryannJune 30, 2019
I was about to comment on this article, but I couldn't say it any better than Charles Kraut. I hope everyone will take the time to read his wise and well thought out comment. I will say that I am especially concerned about the fact that the government stole the funds from Social Security and are unable to replace them. How can we dole out money to illegal aliens when we can't even take care of our own people?! This is going to become increasingly serious as we see more and more "baby-boomers" coming of age to receive the funds they paid into social security for many years. For some, this is their only source of income.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
Michael Grant, what makes you assume those who push for immigration reform and humanity haven't opened their pocketbooks and/or homes. You should do some research on this particular author and her ilk before passing judgement. They are adoptive mothers, founders and leaders of humanitarian organizations, active with their Congress, etc. They have personally been to the our southern border, Cox Bazaar, Afghanistan and other places. Seriously.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
To all of you who still adhere that they are lawbreakers. This "law" is equivalent to speeding and driving on an expired license or registration. Cast the first stone?
VeronikaJune 29, 2019
"Some days we can feel nearly crushed by mourning and feelings of helplessness over laws and policies that inflict suffering on God’s most vulnerable children."
I relate to this very much. The need to resist unjust laws is more relevant now than ever. We've got to raise our voices for compassion. Thank you for such an insightful piece.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
With the world in turmoil and so many peoples displaced, how can we as the most rich and well off turn our backs and site law? Germany and France have done so much. I hang my head in shame as I read the comments above. Where is the Christ in our Christianity? What have I done? Do I stand condemned? I pledge to do more than just lip service. Thank you for stirring me to action.
June 29, 2019
It is not required by law to detain asylum seekers who have passed a credibly fear interview. In fact, it goes against every compassionate, humanitarian, and merciful instinct. The law does not require that an asylum seeker wait in another country for the court decision on their asylum petition. The law REQUIRES that anyone asking for asylum do it on US soil or at a Port of Entry (all of which have been metered so it's impossible to come through there without starving to death first). The worst of the humanitarian crisis at the border is caused by current policy, NOT by law. The vast majority of those coming to our border right now are asylum seekers.
JoanJune 29, 2019
Thank you for this very thoughtful piece. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in Letter from Birmingham Jail:
"There are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all."
Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."
A. BinghamJune 28, 2019
Charles Kraut your comments are interesting. I am not sure that forced compassion in the form of taxation to support ongoing illegal immigration activities is getting us to a higher place. It is quite a pickle that our legislative department has gotten the US into. It is our responsibility as citizens to speak out to our elected representatives on the unacceptablity of the current situation. Sponsorship that is enforced appears to be the best way forward and ensures a fairness, accountability, and an ethical standard by which all parties can be judged. Great post.
Bryant RidgwayJune 27, 2019
The author makes some great points....however, we here in Arizona are really stressed making this work for the people that are traveling through Mexico into the U.S. Our schools are being flooded with kids that cost a tremendous amount of money to feed and educate. Our social welfare system is bursting at its seams. There is an lawful way to enter the U.S.... it should be followed. I have traveled all 7 continents and used my passport to gain legal entry into each country. Even Mexico requires entry visa and if you are staying for a long time, a passport.
Ken McGowanJune 27, 2019
I totally agree with Charles K. The government is deciding the rate of tax and how it is spent. To allow anyone who wants to come to America come and then have access to financial subsides without the support of the elected is stealing from one group (the American) to give to another (illegal entries). Let’s face it, the Treasury is not inexhaustible and without some manner of control and continued increase in taxes the Treasury will at some point be empty and everyone reduced to poverty. The writer seems to be advocating a particular political viewpoint which is dangerous. Ancient Rome was overcome and destroyed by “illegal” entries and in some way there is a modern parrallel.
Pamela SmithJune 27, 2019
"This is why socialism is evil. It employs evil means, confiscation and intimidation, to accomplish what are often seen as noble goals — namely, helping one's fellow man. Helping one's fellow man in need by reaching into one's own pockets to do so is laudable and praiseworthy. Helping one's fellow man through coercion and reaching into another's pockets is evil and worthy of condemnation. Tragically, most teachings, from the church on down, support government use of one person to serve the purposes of another; the advocates cringe from calling it such and prefer to call it charity or duty." Walter E. Williams from "Concealing Evil."
rebkotJune 27, 2019
I have an uneasy worry that innocent people from South America are being used for political purposes by activists from our country encouraging them to come to this country, not because it is good for the immigrant, but because it furthers the agenda of the activists. This is such a confusing issue - one way I try to determine which view to take is to look around the room at who is supporting a certain view: Am I in bed with Hollywood elites, abortion advocates, Constitution haters and anti-religion folks? I may be in the wrong room.
Charles KrautJune 26, 2019
I struggle to understand the connection between your scriptural quotations and related discussion and the issue of "compassionate" immigration. The United States is now a welfare state, and millions of hard-working Americans are forced to pay high taxes literally at the point of a gun. What do they get for surrendering their hard-earned money? They receive the hatred and bile of the recipients of their money, the funds they might have used to improve their home, send their children to college, make charitable contributions, and so on.
America under our Constitution has a government tasked with one specific purpose; to protect the freedoms of every citizen. There was a time when immigrants flooded our shores seeking freedom from oppression and the opportunity to work hard and make a life for themselves and their families. In many cases today that is no longer true. Millions of people come here to have "anchor babies" that will enable whole families to circumvent our laws and come here to receive benefits the taxpayers must pay for.
America may be "the world's only remaining superpower" but we are not and were never intended to be the world's sugar daddy. Our immigration laws are largely ignored today as millions of illegal immigrants stream across our southern border, are processed and allowed into the country, and quickly disappear, never showing up for their court hearing that will determine whether they will stay or be deported. Where is the compassion there?
It is essential that line-jumpers not be given preferential treatment over those who use legal and appropriate means to enter the United States. All immigrants must be subjected to appropriate tests, for infectious diseases, for subversive proclivities, and more. If our government did not do this it would fail in its purpose - and that is exactly what is happening today.
Let me give you an example of exactly how things should be done. If an individual or a corporation wants to sponsor an illegal immigrant, that person, group, or corporation should be required to post a bond for each immigrant. Since the average cost of an illegal immigrant to the taxpayers is $72,000, that should be the amount of the bond.
Once the bond is paid, the sponsor becomes responsible for the conduct of that thoroughly vetted immigrant individual. It's a very simple system, and it works.
I know it works because that was the official policy of the United States back in the 1970s. I returned to the United States as a serving member of the United States Army. I had met and married my German wife in Europe. When I returned to the US the Immigration officials had me and my bride sign a statement promising that under no circumstances would my wife - my legal immigrant wife - ever seek, accept, or receive any form of welfare from any level of government in the United States. I agreed to be responsible for her conduct and to provide for her for the rest of her life. Simple, appropriate, and legally sound.
Americans need to wake up and realize that we have exhausted our financial resources as a nation. It's been a long time since LBJ raised the issue of "guns or butter." He went ahead with both, building the military for the Vietnam War and massively enlarging the welfare state through his Great Society programs. America has been on the road to bankruptcy ever since. I don't merely mean financial bankruptcy; the welfare state has helped to bring about our moral bankruptcy as well.
As Christians our obligation is to serve and bless our neighbors.
Having met those needs as we feel inspired to do, we are free to expend our personal resources on behalf of those "huddled masses yearning to breathe free," as the Progressive Emma Lazarus declared.
Welfare must be individual and personal. We are not compassionate when we give away someone else's money. The sponsorship system works, and it is vastly superior in its faithfulness to scripture than anything that will ever come from government.
Let's look toward real, personal solutions that will bless us for our individual efforts instead of government-imposed programs that impoverish us as a nation and drag us toward economic collapse. Did Jesus ever say that we needed a government program to serve others? Is salvation to be obtained at the cost of our freedom?
A. SeleneJune 26, 2019
One of the key points about Christ's earthly ministry is that He did not violate established law. In fact, the story of "pay unto Caesar" suggests that we owe duties both to God and earthly rulers/laws. See also Article of Faith 12. Notably, in the incident where He saved the adulteress from stoning, He did not challenge the correctness of the law (which would have been odd, in any event, since it was His law) or the fact that she had violated the law and her marriage vows, but instead provided her an opportunity to repent. Obviously Christ's First Coming was a mission of showing mercy; but too often members forget that God is also just, which means that he will enforce his laws.
As for changing immigration laws, we will have to agree to disagree. I don't see anything merciful or loving about allowing millions of immigrants into the country with the concomitant depression of wages and increase in housing costs (you do remember the supply/demand curve from your economics classes?), increased crime (including identity theft), and increased public expenditures on law enforcement, welfare, etc., bringing with them the dysfunctions that caused them to leave their native countries in the first place. Unless you don't care about the people that are already here...?
Michael GrantJune 26, 2019
All those who wish to support non-legal immigrants can always open their pocketbooks and generously support those same people in their own countries to help them improve their country for the better. At the same time those same people do not have the right to force others to open their pocketbooks through the law and support a law they do not believe in. Remember, every country has their laws for LEGAL immigration and their laws punishing those who ILLEGALLY enter their countries. Sadly those who support ILLEGAL immigration never want to pay for and support those entering illegally, they always want everyone else to assume that expense. If you want to support those poor (or otherwise) souls NOT living in the United States, open your pocketbooks and voluntarily send them YOUR money; and then convince others to voluntarily do the same. REMEMBER, Heavenly Father gave you your free agency to CHOOSE, he did not force any of HIS laws on you, and you must do the same with others.
Alece ReynoldsJune 26, 2019
Of course we can challenge laws we don't like. But, until those legal laws are changed, we should try to follow them, just as our 12th Article of Faith encourages us to do. Ignoring constitutionally enacted laws only brings chaos!
Shep KuesterJune 26, 2019
To challenge a law is not breaking it. Challenging means we are advocating a change to the law. Immigration made this country what it is. Illegal immigration may be our undoing.
Illegal immigration is just that, illegal. Anyone doing this, for any reason, is breaking the law. If you break the law, you voluntarily disqualify yourself from being a legal resident.
That leaves legal immigration, which I agree needs to be addressed. For several decades now, the Legislative branch has abdicated their responsibilities of writing and modifying laws. They abdicated to the Judicial Branch. Doing the tough job of rewriting or even eliminating hot topic laws ruins their chance of reelection and acquiring more power, so Congress lets the courts do it instead.
Their inaction set the stage for the current situation going on at our southern border. The problem is not new, it's been going on a long time, just getting massive attention now. People, including children, have been dying on the border for decades. It's big news now because the flow has become a flood. The blame for this sits at the foot of a Congress that has failed for decades to act.
As members of the Church, it is our civic duty to meet with other concerned citizens, put together points that would create a fair, compassionate, and workable immigration law and policy that will keep our country safe from criminals and terrorists, and speed up the process for asylum and economic immigration that is within reason and beneficial to our country, and those who wish to become citizens here. We take these points to our representatives, not just in one state, but every state. Congress will only listen to a massive movement.
We are bound to obey the law. We are also bound to demand changes if those laws are unjust. To do that, we must speak up, and form cooperation within our communities, not to protest, but to put forth the points of a better law.
JimJune 26, 2019
Do we get to pick and choose which laws to obey and which laws we don't have to obey? I don't believe so. If we do pick and choose which laws to obey our not to obey, then we will be living in a lawless society. If we disagree with a law, then work to change it, but until it is changed, we should obey it.
Lisa CroftJune 26, 2019
So much in this to unwrap, but let me, as a lawyer, just add one thing about the event when Jesus “rescued” the woman who was ACCUSED of adulterous behavior. The law required two witnesses in order to condemn a woman for adultery. Christ asked for those accusers. Of course, it had to be someone who had. It participated in that crime. There were none to be had. I suspect the woman was more abused than a willing participant and Christ demanded that part of the law to be satisfied. He did not disregard the law. First, you have to understand the law, before you attempt to apply it or even change it. When we disregard the law, we reward the criminal elements of our communities and allow further abuse to take place. Don’t be deceived to think that by disregard our immigration laws are somehow compassionate. It is NOT!! (I, too am a lawyer.)
Larry SteimleJune 26, 2019
Exactly what are you trying to say?
Charles McClellandJune 26, 2019
Very timely message! We must all do our part to encourage creation and enforcement of laws and government policies that are in sync with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
H NorthJune 26, 2019
We have no responsibility to obey unjust laws. A large majority of the laws in America today are in direct conflict with the US Constitution, a holy document.
Comments | Return to Story
ConnieJuly 3, 2019
I feel for people in states like Arizona whose systems are being stretched to the breaking point by refugees. I’m a public school teacher and I understand how hard it can be to meet the needs of students in the large classroom, especially when many are suffering trauma. People in those states deserve the support of the rest of us in dealing with the current refugee crisis. And that’s what it is, a refugee crisis. Because of a failure of the governments in those Central American countries to protect and support their people, partly As a result of previous US support of corrupt regimes, human beings are doing anything they can to ensure their children have a safer and better life. In the midst of this crisis we’ve reduced aid to those Central American countries, assuring that more people will flee. They will flee just as many of the our ancestors fled. Nobody asked the current citizens of this great land (Native Americans) whether they would accept boatloads of refugees from Europe. We just showed up, stinking and starving and carrying disease. Now, as descendants of those Who fled Europe to escape its oppression and poverty, and who have completely taken over this land, we owe it to the descendants of those Europe colonized, some help. Or, putting history aside, we owe it to our fellow human beings to give them succor. I am confused by those who say the Savior, a man sentenced to death by the government of the day for being a subversive, for doing such things as overturning the tables of moneychangers in the temple and healing on the Sabbath, and questioning the morals of those in power, would say that He would support not helping these people. Whether the money comes for their assistance through private donations, or through taxes, doesn’t matter. Taxes are monies levied for what we’ve decided to do as a group, even if we don’t have 100% agreement. Unless we want this crisis to continue, and states on the southern border to continue to be overburdened , and children to continue to die, and families to continue to be separated, we must intervene. We must intervene at both the source of the problem and the source of its effects: in central America and at the border. Government is best positioned to do this. Most people I know have put their money where their mouth is when it comes to helping refugees. It isn’t enough. Now government has to step in. If government is unwilling, we must challenge it until it changes.
MaryannJune 30, 2019
I was about to comment on this article, but I couldn't say it any better than Charles Kraut. I hope everyone will take the time to read his wise and well thought out comment. I will say that I am especially concerned about the fact that the government stole the funds from Social Security and are unable to replace them. How can we dole out money to illegal aliens when we can't even take care of our own people?! This is going to become increasingly serious as we see more and more "baby-boomers" coming of age to receive the funds they paid into social security for many years. For some, this is their only source of income.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
Michael Grant, what makes you assume those who push for immigration reform and humanity haven't opened their pocketbooks and/or homes. You should do some research on this particular author and her ilk before passing judgement. They are adoptive mothers, founders and leaders of humanitarian organizations, active with their Congress, etc. They have personally been to the our southern border, Cox Bazaar, Afghanistan and other places. Seriously.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
To all of you who still adhere that they are lawbreakers. This "law" is equivalent to speeding and driving on an expired license or registration. Cast the first stone?
VeronikaJune 29, 2019
"Some days we can feel nearly crushed by mourning and feelings of helplessness over laws and policies that inflict suffering on God’s most vulnerable children." I relate to this very much. The need to resist unjust laws is more relevant now than ever. We've got to raise our voices for compassion. Thank you for such an insightful piece.
Sue BringhurstJune 29, 2019
With the world in turmoil and so many peoples displaced, how can we as the most rich and well off turn our backs and site law? Germany and France have done so much. I hang my head in shame as I read the comments above. Where is the Christ in our Christianity? What have I done? Do I stand condemned? I pledge to do more than just lip service. Thank you for stirring me to action.
June 29, 2019
It is not required by law to detain asylum seekers who have passed a credibly fear interview. In fact, it goes against every compassionate, humanitarian, and merciful instinct. The law does not require that an asylum seeker wait in another country for the court decision on their asylum petition. The law REQUIRES that anyone asking for asylum do it on US soil or at a Port of Entry (all of which have been metered so it's impossible to come through there without starving to death first). The worst of the humanitarian crisis at the border is caused by current policy, NOT by law. The vast majority of those coming to our border right now are asylum seekers.
JoanJune 29, 2019
Thank you for this very thoughtful piece. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote in Letter from Birmingham Jail: "There are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all." Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."
A. BinghamJune 28, 2019
Charles Kraut your comments are interesting. I am not sure that forced compassion in the form of taxation to support ongoing illegal immigration activities is getting us to a higher place. It is quite a pickle that our legislative department has gotten the US into. It is our responsibility as citizens to speak out to our elected representatives on the unacceptablity of the current situation. Sponsorship that is enforced appears to be the best way forward and ensures a fairness, accountability, and an ethical standard by which all parties can be judged. Great post.
Bryant RidgwayJune 27, 2019
The author makes some great points....however, we here in Arizona are really stressed making this work for the people that are traveling through Mexico into the U.S. Our schools are being flooded with kids that cost a tremendous amount of money to feed and educate. Our social welfare system is bursting at its seams. There is an lawful way to enter the U.S.... it should be followed. I have traveled all 7 continents and used my passport to gain legal entry into each country. Even Mexico requires entry visa and if you are staying for a long time, a passport.
Ken McGowanJune 27, 2019
I totally agree with Charles K. The government is deciding the rate of tax and how it is spent. To allow anyone who wants to come to America come and then have access to financial subsides without the support of the elected is stealing from one group (the American) to give to another (illegal entries). Let’s face it, the Treasury is not inexhaustible and without some manner of control and continued increase in taxes the Treasury will at some point be empty and everyone reduced to poverty. The writer seems to be advocating a particular political viewpoint which is dangerous. Ancient Rome was overcome and destroyed by “illegal” entries and in some way there is a modern parrallel.
Pamela SmithJune 27, 2019
"This is why socialism is evil. It employs evil means, confiscation and intimidation, to accomplish what are often seen as noble goals — namely, helping one's fellow man. Helping one's fellow man in need by reaching into one's own pockets to do so is laudable and praiseworthy. Helping one's fellow man through coercion and reaching into another's pockets is evil and worthy of condemnation. Tragically, most teachings, from the church on down, support government use of one person to serve the purposes of another; the advocates cringe from calling it such and prefer to call it charity or duty." Walter E. Williams from "Concealing Evil."
rebkotJune 27, 2019
I have an uneasy worry that innocent people from South America are being used for political purposes by activists from our country encouraging them to come to this country, not because it is good for the immigrant, but because it furthers the agenda of the activists. This is such a confusing issue - one way I try to determine which view to take is to look around the room at who is supporting a certain view: Am I in bed with Hollywood elites, abortion advocates, Constitution haters and anti-religion folks? I may be in the wrong room.
Charles KrautJune 26, 2019
I struggle to understand the connection between your scriptural quotations and related discussion and the issue of "compassionate" immigration. The United States is now a welfare state, and millions of hard-working Americans are forced to pay high taxes literally at the point of a gun. What do they get for surrendering their hard-earned money? They receive the hatred and bile of the recipients of their money, the funds they might have used to improve their home, send their children to college, make charitable contributions, and so on. America under our Constitution has a government tasked with one specific purpose; to protect the freedoms of every citizen. There was a time when immigrants flooded our shores seeking freedom from oppression and the opportunity to work hard and make a life for themselves and their families. In many cases today that is no longer true. Millions of people come here to have "anchor babies" that will enable whole families to circumvent our laws and come here to receive benefits the taxpayers must pay for. America may be "the world's only remaining superpower" but we are not and were never intended to be the world's sugar daddy. Our immigration laws are largely ignored today as millions of illegal immigrants stream across our southern border, are processed and allowed into the country, and quickly disappear, never showing up for their court hearing that will determine whether they will stay or be deported. Where is the compassion there? It is essential that line-jumpers not be given preferential treatment over those who use legal and appropriate means to enter the United States. All immigrants must be subjected to appropriate tests, for infectious diseases, for subversive proclivities, and more. If our government did not do this it would fail in its purpose - and that is exactly what is happening today. Let me give you an example of exactly how things should be done. If an individual or a corporation wants to sponsor an illegal immigrant, that person, group, or corporation should be required to post a bond for each immigrant. Since the average cost of an illegal immigrant to the taxpayers is $72,000, that should be the amount of the bond. Once the bond is paid, the sponsor becomes responsible for the conduct of that thoroughly vetted immigrant individual. It's a very simple system, and it works. I know it works because that was the official policy of the United States back in the 1970s. I returned to the United States as a serving member of the United States Army. I had met and married my German wife in Europe. When I returned to the US the Immigration officials had me and my bride sign a statement promising that under no circumstances would my wife - my legal immigrant wife - ever seek, accept, or receive any form of welfare from any level of government in the United States. I agreed to be responsible for her conduct and to provide for her for the rest of her life. Simple, appropriate, and legally sound. Americans need to wake up and realize that we have exhausted our financial resources as a nation. It's been a long time since LBJ raised the issue of "guns or butter." He went ahead with both, building the military for the Vietnam War and massively enlarging the welfare state through his Great Society programs. America has been on the road to bankruptcy ever since. I don't merely mean financial bankruptcy; the welfare state has helped to bring about our moral bankruptcy as well. As Christians our obligation is to serve and bless our neighbors. Having met those needs as we feel inspired to do, we are free to expend our personal resources on behalf of those "huddled masses yearning to breathe free," as the Progressive Emma Lazarus declared. Welfare must be individual and personal. We are not compassionate when we give away someone else's money. The sponsorship system works, and it is vastly superior in its faithfulness to scripture than anything that will ever come from government. Let's look toward real, personal solutions that will bless us for our individual efforts instead of government-imposed programs that impoverish us as a nation and drag us toward economic collapse. Did Jesus ever say that we needed a government program to serve others? Is salvation to be obtained at the cost of our freedom?
A. SeleneJune 26, 2019
One of the key points about Christ's earthly ministry is that He did not violate established law. In fact, the story of "pay unto Caesar" suggests that we owe duties both to God and earthly rulers/laws. See also Article of Faith 12. Notably, in the incident where He saved the adulteress from stoning, He did not challenge the correctness of the law (which would have been odd, in any event, since it was His law) or the fact that she had violated the law and her marriage vows, but instead provided her an opportunity to repent. Obviously Christ's First Coming was a mission of showing mercy; but too often members forget that God is also just, which means that he will enforce his laws. As for changing immigration laws, we will have to agree to disagree. I don't see anything merciful or loving about allowing millions of immigrants into the country with the concomitant depression of wages and increase in housing costs (you do remember the supply/demand curve from your economics classes?), increased crime (including identity theft), and increased public expenditures on law enforcement, welfare, etc., bringing with them the dysfunctions that caused them to leave their native countries in the first place. Unless you don't care about the people that are already here...?
Michael GrantJune 26, 2019
All those who wish to support non-legal immigrants can always open their pocketbooks and generously support those same people in their own countries to help them improve their country for the better. At the same time those same people do not have the right to force others to open their pocketbooks through the law and support a law they do not believe in. Remember, every country has their laws for LEGAL immigration and their laws punishing those who ILLEGALLY enter their countries. Sadly those who support ILLEGAL immigration never want to pay for and support those entering illegally, they always want everyone else to assume that expense. If you want to support those poor (or otherwise) souls NOT living in the United States, open your pocketbooks and voluntarily send them YOUR money; and then convince others to voluntarily do the same. REMEMBER, Heavenly Father gave you your free agency to CHOOSE, he did not force any of HIS laws on you, and you must do the same with others.
Alece ReynoldsJune 26, 2019
Of course we can challenge laws we don't like. But, until those legal laws are changed, we should try to follow them, just as our 12th Article of Faith encourages us to do. Ignoring constitutionally enacted laws only brings chaos!
Shep KuesterJune 26, 2019
To challenge a law is not breaking it. Challenging means we are advocating a change to the law. Immigration made this country what it is. Illegal immigration may be our undoing. Illegal immigration is just that, illegal. Anyone doing this, for any reason, is breaking the law. If you break the law, you voluntarily disqualify yourself from being a legal resident. That leaves legal immigration, which I agree needs to be addressed. For several decades now, the Legislative branch has abdicated their responsibilities of writing and modifying laws. They abdicated to the Judicial Branch. Doing the tough job of rewriting or even eliminating hot topic laws ruins their chance of reelection and acquiring more power, so Congress lets the courts do it instead. Their inaction set the stage for the current situation going on at our southern border. The problem is not new, it's been going on a long time, just getting massive attention now. People, including children, have been dying on the border for decades. It's big news now because the flow has become a flood. The blame for this sits at the foot of a Congress that has failed for decades to act. As members of the Church, it is our civic duty to meet with other concerned citizens, put together points that would create a fair, compassionate, and workable immigration law and policy that will keep our country safe from criminals and terrorists, and speed up the process for asylum and economic immigration that is within reason and beneficial to our country, and those who wish to become citizens here. We take these points to our representatives, not just in one state, but every state. Congress will only listen to a massive movement. We are bound to obey the law. We are also bound to demand changes if those laws are unjust. To do that, we must speak up, and form cooperation within our communities, not to protest, but to put forth the points of a better law.
JimJune 26, 2019
Do we get to pick and choose which laws to obey and which laws we don't have to obey? I don't believe so. If we do pick and choose which laws to obey our not to obey, then we will be living in a lawless society. If we disagree with a law, then work to change it, but until it is changed, we should obey it.
Lisa CroftJune 26, 2019
So much in this to unwrap, but let me, as a lawyer, just add one thing about the event when Jesus “rescued” the woman who was ACCUSED of adulterous behavior. The law required two witnesses in order to condemn a woman for adultery. Christ asked for those accusers. Of course, it had to be someone who had. It participated in that crime. There were none to be had. I suspect the woman was more abused than a willing participant and Christ demanded that part of the law to be satisfied. He did not disregard the law. First, you have to understand the law, before you attempt to apply it or even change it. When we disregard the law, we reward the criminal elements of our communities and allow further abuse to take place. Don’t be deceived to think that by disregard our immigration laws are somehow compassionate. It is NOT!! (I, too am a lawyer.)
Larry SteimleJune 26, 2019
Exactly what are you trying to say?
Charles McClellandJune 26, 2019
Very timely message! We must all do our part to encourage creation and enforcement of laws and government policies that are in sync with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
H NorthJune 26, 2019
We have no responsibility to obey unjust laws. A large majority of the laws in America today are in direct conflict with the US Constitution, a holy document.
ADD A COMMENT