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?
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While I personally can see why people from foreign countries come to America illegally and I deeply believe in mercy and understanding, I do not believe it is correct to suggest that they are always led here by the hand of the Lord. There are some good people who come across the border and some bad people. Just like anyplace else.
ReplyDeleteI like these gov blogs. This post raised these questions in my mind:
ReplyDeleteIs the country we now call America the promised land? Can no one come here unless led by God?
When terrorists came here in preparation for 9/11, were they led by God?
I like how you provided that scriptural reference. It got me thinking because I never saw things in that light before. The Lord says that none should come into the land save those who He leads. That means that His hand is in all things and that He is in charge. America's ancestors were all immigrants, too.
ReplyDeleteThat aside, I do not have a clear stand on illegal immigrants. After all, who are we to judge them? Circumstances, government situations, family troubles, money problems - there are so many reasons for people to sink to that level of desperation to enter a country illegally. But the scriptural statement shows that no one comes into America unless they were led by the hand of God in some way. So no matter how much we may judge, God is at the helm and He directs all things. We don't know everything. We can have ten million questions, but He has all the answers. And do we deserve them all?
To Catherine Agnes, the terrorists who came here in preparation for 9/11 were already living in America long before the attack and on her good courtesy. They had likely come on their own judgment, thinking they were led by God (when what they did could not be further from godly). It's all in the perspective of God. Then again, regarding these terrorists, how insane and evil you are probably counts as well, really.
Emz- You totally contradicted yourself in the space of two paragraphs. Either all people are led here by God or not.
ReplyDeleteemz--the belief that the promised land referred to in the scriptures is the United States of America is only speculation. Take that into account when claiming that all illegal immigrants who enter the US of A are led by God.
ReplyDelete