One of the topics lately that has been coming up in my random discussions is about illegal immigrants. this is probably too touchy of a subject to deal with, but this is my blog, so oh well.
it always surprises me to see different people's opinions on illegal immigrants. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does not hold an opinion about illegal immigration. However, the scriptures give a bit of insight, at least to me. There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi 1:6, which states "...there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord." This scripture states it pretty clearly. The promised land is considered to be the Americas, typically the United States. To me, this scripture shows that all who make it here were blessed by the Lord.
One example of this was when the converted Lamanites were kicked out of their lands by the rich Zoramites, in the war chapters of Alma. These Lamanites came into the land of the people of Ammon, looking for nothing more than a place to reside peacefully. What did the people of Ammon do? They took it one step further - instead of just giving them a place to stay, they gave them land, protection, and supplies.
Now, apply this to modern day. All political things aside, if someone is struggling to come into America, looking for a better life, what is the "Christian" thing to do? Turn them away, and say "no, you can't come. sorry. this prosperity is just for us"? No. Christ wouldn't do that.
Now, i'm not saying that it's right for people to enter the country illegally. but from our standpoint, is it right to keep them out? America is a prosperous nation, and giving of our resources, helping people get jobs, helping people support their families - isn't that what Zion will eventually be about? I don't think Zion would turn anyone away - why should America?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Just a warning: this blog may not make any sense at all this time.
As i've been reading more government and book of mormon, i keep drawing both connections and differences. One thing lately that has struck me is the difference in Kingship. We were assigned an article to read about the Revolution vs. the government structure in the Book of Mormon, and it keeps leading me back to the same ideas - the Revolution was to get rid of a King, while the Nephite citizens fully embraced one. I couldn't understand why the Nephites kept wanting a king. The prophets had warned against it, and kings had been proven many times to cause destruction - jsut check out the war chapters of Alma.
After puzzling for awhile, i began to wonder if the reason Nephites wanted a King is because we've been taught in the gospel to trust our leaders. A king provides a sense of comfort, knowing that there is someone out there watching out for you, much like God does. And then, that led me to start thinking about the future. It was prophesied that there shall never again be a King in the Americas, until Christ comes. When Christ comes, we will have a King. He will be our King - kings must not be so bad. Christ will be the ultimate king, and one that we can trust and follow. And that's a truly comforting thought - to have a leader to teach and lead the world, without fear of corruption. And then came my final thought - isn't that what our prophet is now? isn't he kind of like the 'king' of the church? A divinely appointed one, but a "supreme" ruler nonetheless. Except for one thing. he has to answer to the true king.
yep, this blog post makes no sense. maybe i'll revise it in a few days when i've had time to truly sort out what i was trying to say. Maybe i'll turn to my good friend John Bytheway - there was something in one of his books that i can't quite remember that i wanted to add. oh well...
As i've been reading more government and book of mormon, i keep drawing both connections and differences. One thing lately that has struck me is the difference in Kingship. We were assigned an article to read about the Revolution vs. the government structure in the Book of Mormon, and it keeps leading me back to the same ideas - the Revolution was to get rid of a King, while the Nephite citizens fully embraced one. I couldn't understand why the Nephites kept wanting a king. The prophets had warned against it, and kings had been proven many times to cause destruction - jsut check out the war chapters of Alma.
After puzzling for awhile, i began to wonder if the reason Nephites wanted a King is because we've been taught in the gospel to trust our leaders. A king provides a sense of comfort, knowing that there is someone out there
yep, this blog post makes no sense. maybe i'll revise it in a few days when i've had time to truly sort out what i was trying to say. Maybe i'll turn to my good friend John Bytheway - there was something in one of his books that i can't quite remember that i wanted to add. oh well...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Captain Moroni and the Founders of the Nation
"In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children"
This quote, though it comes from Captain Moroni, in Alma 46, applies easily to the founders of our nation, and their reasoning. One of the things Dr. H brought up in class was that the founders were ordinary men, trying to go along in their lives, and that they knew the courage it would take to be able to stand up for the revolution. By signing their names to the Declaration of Independence, they were essentially signing their names as traitors to the throne. These men had lives, families, kids, and jobs that, had the Revolution failed, they had given a death sentence. But they knew what was necessary. In order to save their families, and their country, and their religion from tyrannical rule, they had to put their lives on the line, and trust in God for help.
The same situation applies to Captain Moroni. The men in his armies had families, too. They didn't want to fight. Even Captain Moroni hated the shedding of blood (Alma 48:11). However, they had a duty to protect their families and lands, and these are the righteous causes that spurred them forward for battle after battle.
Just as Captain Moroni is considered one of the great heroes of the Book of Mormon, so should the founders be our heroes. They were men of courage, who took a risk, despite looming failure. They could have easily just backed down, but they knew that they had to do the right thing for the country.
This quote, though it comes from Captain Moroni, in Alma 46, applies easily to the founders of our nation, and their reasoning. One of the things Dr. H brought up in class was that the founders were ordinary men, trying to go along in their lives, and that they knew the courage it would take to be able to stand up for the revolution. By signing their names to the Declaration of Independence, they were essentially signing their names as traitors to the throne. These men had lives, families, kids, and jobs that, had the Revolution failed, they had given a death sentence. But they knew what was necessary. In order to save their families, and their country, and their religion from tyrannical rule, they had to put their lives on the line, and trust in God for help.
The same situation applies to Captain Moroni. The men in his armies had families, too. They didn't want to fight. Even Captain Moroni hated the shedding of blood (Alma 48:11). However, they had a duty to protect their families and lands, and these are the righteous causes that spurred them forward for battle after battle.
Just as Captain Moroni is considered one of the great heroes of the Book of Mormon, so should the founders be our heroes. They were men of courage, who took a risk, despite looming failure. They could have easily just backed down, but they knew that they had to do the right thing for the country.
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