LDS Church Statement on Immigration,
 My Love of Mexico and Hispanic People in General
June 10, 2011

My church issued a statement on immigration.
It's straightforward and gospel centered.  The statement, in part, says, "The history of mass expulsion or mistreatment of individuals or families is cause for concern especially where race, culture, or religion are involved. This should give pause to any policy that contemplates targeting any one group, particularly if that group comes mostly from one heritage." ...
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a balanced and civil approach to a challenging problem, fully consistent with its tradition of compassion, its reverence for family, and its commitment to law."
They said they support an approach where undocumented immigrants can keep working while getting right with the law and without  necessarily becoming citizens.  They suggest laws that break families apart are neither compassionate nor civil.


A bit of background about me...
My father loved Hispanic American people. Their heritage predates most known civilizations. He took me on Mexican vacations 7 times by my 19th birthday.  Here are some photos from 1956, our first trip to Mexico.

The great Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan is 4 times the size of the largest pyramid in Egypt.  It was constructed between 100 B.C. and 250 A.D. That's me on the left with my brother behind.



Here's my dad, uncle, mom, and cousins on another pyramid.  My aunt took this photo.



In Tamazunchale in eastern Mexico there were parrots (like the one I'm holding) and macaws in the heavy jungle.  They let me pick bananas right off the plantation.  The parrot spoke only Spanish.



In this photo that's me on the left, my brother, my aunt, and two of my cousins.  This was taken in Monterrey.



Childhood Memories
I have happy memories of visiting Mexico D.F., Monterrey, San Luis Potosi, and Acapulco.  We bought pure silver trinkets from street vendors in Taxco and figurines of ebony (Diospyros texana) in Ciudad Victoria.  We crossed the Tropic of Cancer on the Pan American Highway, picked fresh coconut off a beach near Villahermosa, and toured an American aircraft carrier docked in Acapulco Bay.


A bit about my family
Two of my children married Hispanic Americans.  I know their sensitivity to issues concerning immigration.  I also know the plight they've faced during these difficult times when we're all worried about terrorists, the economy, and other important issue.  


A Christian approach?
I have a relative who says he loves Jesus but doesn't believe what Christians today are teaching.  He explained, "They claim to love Jesus at church then come home and curse the Mexicans."  He asks how we can preach 'love thy neighbor' while hating anyone.  It's a dilema, isn't it?  Maybe we should pray about it.  

Jesus taught us to pray, "Our father, which art in heaven... forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..."   Paul taught the Corinthians to follow him as he followed Christ, then said, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:16‎)‎

I'm not advocating that we should roll over and play dead, just a more Christian approach to our problems.  Maybe you should read what my church suggests.  It makes sense to me: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15912869&pid=1

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