Feb 19
Illegal Immigration…What Elder Jensen Said…or Didn’t Say
2008 at 12:38 am | posted by Rep. Craig Frank 17 comments
[A number of constituents have expressed their concern to me related to immigration statement(s) by the LDS Church]
The “Church’s” stance on Illegal Immigration needs to be reviewed in context. An article written and published in the Deseret News (Owned by the LDS Church), regarding statements made during the Interfaith Dialogue on Immigration at Westminster College by Elder Marlin K. Jensen, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of Seventy, were qualified in the paper by saying the “LDS Church has taken no position on any particular measure on the federal or state level.”
There you have it. NO POSITION.
Even though Elder Jensen urged the use of “compassion” in the consideration and creation of policy relating to immigration, the Church has taken no official position(s).
Also, worthy of consideration, in the context of the immigration debate, is this NY Times news article about Marlin Jensen…a Mormon Democrat.
17 Responses to “Illegal Immigration…What Elder Jensen Said…or Didn’t Say”
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February 19th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Elder Jensen is a Democrat?
*snort*
Then let’s disregard everything he has to say!
I know that I am going to refuse to sustain him at the next General Conference.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Actually, given that this is the THIRD time a Church official has used the words “compassion” and “Immigration” in the same sentence in the past month, me thinks this is the Church’s position.
And, sure, you can blame Elder Jensen’s statements on the fact that he’s a *gasp* Democrat, but Elder Ballard is a Republican whose signature appeared on the Alliance for Unity statement.
-Bob
P.S. Still waiting for your comments on HB 76….
February 19th, 2008 at 8:58 am
‘those with ears can hear…” Seems to me your comment is pretty selective. Was your hearing aid off?
February 19th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Nothing more (or less) than a point of reference, Tom. ELDER Jensen has my sustaining vote next Conference…even though, I’m guessing, he’d get along just fine without it.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Sorry, Bob…Elder Ballard is a *gasp* Democrat, too. I sustain him a prophet, seer, and revelator. Let’s not get personal opinions and generalizations mixed up with divine revelation.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Craig, I think most of us know he’s a Democrat. The way you referenced that, though, sure made it sound like you thought his opinion is less valid because of that. I don’t think that’s fair, but maybe you didn’t mean it that way. Looking at that Des News article, here’s another quote: “He did say, however, that he was speaking on behalf of the LDS Church’s governing First Presidency.”
I take that pretty seriously. I don’t think Elder Jensen was simply offering his personal opinion. Sounds like he discussed it with the First Presidency and they agreed on what was to be presented.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Steve:
No disrespect intended…only point of reference. I looked over the article I made reference to and cannot find a statement by Elder Jensen on errand from the President of the Church.
Craig
February 19th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695253342,00.html
Speaking on behalf of the First Presidency at the interfaith forum, Elder Jensen asked Utah lawmakers to consider proposed immigration legislation with a “spirit of compassion.” He called for a more “thoughtful and factual, not to mention humane, approach” to the issues.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:16 am
The LDS Church has repeatedly said it takes no stand on the immigration legislation. It has, however, discussed immigration.
The LDS Church has had a long standing commitment encouraging members to build the Church within their native lands. A few excerpts can be found at:
http://utahalien.blogspot.com/2007/10/lds-church-and-immigration.html
February 20th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Hey Craig,
The reference to the First Presidency was in the article Tom quoted above, and also in this article, in the third paragraph, where I copied the quote:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695253341,00.html
February 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Actually, According to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office, Elder Ballard is a registered Republican.
If “compassion” wasn’t what the Church wanted to promote, don’t you think they’d trot SOMEBODY out that wanted noncompassion?
February 20th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Certainly an apology is in order to Elder Ballard. My mistake if you\’ve verified that with the County Clerk. That is not the point. Republican or Democrat or any other affiliation, until \”Thus saith the Lord…\” prefaces the doctrine…it\’s still just great advice.
I still support Elder Ballard (and the other Brethren of the First Presidency and the Twelve) as prophets, seers, and revelators. And, I still believe they are entitled to their own personal opinions.
February 21st, 2008 at 3:00 am
Rep Frank,
Isn’t that the essence of religion and especially Mormonism? That’s what’s great for us Latter-day Saints. Not only are each and every one of the 13 million of us selective in which doctrines we choose to live by, whenever a Church authority speaks in an official capacity we can just blow it off as his/her “personal opinion”.
February 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
What makes it great, Tom, is that each of us will be judged individually…based on our capacity and the intent of our heart.
I hope you’ll come down and visit occasionally
March 12th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Cmpassionate. How compassionate is it to the citizens of Los Angeles when 4 hospitals close down in the Greater LA Area and take 2,000 hospital beds out of circulation because they can’t afford to keep their doors open because of illegal immigrant problem. Or how compassionate is it to have Arizona border hospitals going bankrupt? They will close down as well because of the illegal immigrant problem.
What’s more compassionate? Taking care of the sick and needy or those who have come to the US illegally?
I think Jensen’s comments are similar to McConkie’s opinions. Opinions.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Wassup, you’re implying that because certain immigrants have arrived here illegally that they somehow are less entitled to health care. I couldn’t disagree more. I’m sure glad the Lord doesn’t share your views when it comes to his children.
July 15th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Lets all just call it for what it is. We all know that people born outside America weren’t as valiant in the preexeistance as we were. Its that simple, isn’t it? If Heavenly Father loved them as much as he loved us, they wouldn’t be stuck in a God forsaken country. They sow what they reap. Simple as that and you can take it to the bank.