On doing better...

4Nephi 1.16,18 talks about how happy the children of Lehi were after the Savior had appeared to them. Happiness comes because of obeying true commandments because we want to. Their happiness came about because they wanted to do what was right, and they were careful/strict in their obedience, I’m sure. Happiness doesn’t come about because of sloppy behavior, nor from laziness, nor apathy. To be happy, I have to be strict in my obedience and prayers, in my devotion, in my thoughts and in my actions. If I start to feel either complacent in my behavior or weary in doing good things that help me stay on the strait path, then I need to re-orient myself, and ask myself Why I feel complacent.

   I also have realized that I don’t take vague criticisms well. I guess I don’t take any criticism well, to tell the truth. But the vague, undirected barbs hurled at me make it hard to be rational. I don’t like to be called names any more than someone else does, nor to have my thought s be called self-righteous or condescending. I don’t know that I’ll ever feel good about attacking someone’s position (metaphorically speaking). I just want to try and learn from what others say so that I can be a better person. But, those people have to be both constructive and precise in their critiques...

   ...Because no one responds well when they are called names.

  

   Please help me to do better. Tell me how I can do better. I really do want to improve.

 

I got this gem today, unsurprisingly from 'Anonymous', in regard to my last post about sustaining the law...

“Who are you, and what happened in your life that made you so judgmental and self-righteous? There's not a bit of humor on this site - at least, I didn't find any before I gave up digging through older posts. I'd say you're a typical Mormon, but usually they're just uptight about everyone else. I guess if venting online helps you keep your cool in person, go for it.”

 

   How nice that someone doesn’t have the courage to write out, specifically, what it was that they disagree with, nor attach their name to their comments, so that there can be some sort of understanding or dialog. Anonymity is the shield of the ignorant, permitting them to sling their stones without fear of reprisal or response.

   Further, it is glaringly ironic that I am called uptight, self-righteous and judgmental by someone who is more obviously these exact adjectives themselves.

   Of course, you, sir or madam, may have mistakenly thought that this is a humorous site, dedicated to giving cheap ‘yuks’ to the populace. I’m not sorry to disappoint you. I rarely try to entertain anyone; rather, I attempt to bring my unique point of view to topics I find to be relevant. This site is more for myself, and to let those who know me know what I am thinking about.

   The only judgment I passed was that I said he, the return missionary, had lied. No vilification, no hate-mongering, no name-calling. I do still wonder what the Church’s response to this will be, but to me, it doesn’t matter. The Church should obey the law, which says that illegal immigrants are, by their very sobriquet, illegal. However, you can’t hold the Church responsible for the actions of people who either lie to hide their situation, or have rationalized their way out of it. Again, it is the principle that what the Church teaches is true, and not how the members choose to apply those principles.

   One of the principles that the Church teaches is responsibility for a choice: if you choose to lie about your citizenship status and you are caught in the lie, you have to be held responsible for it. Now, I know that ‘choice and accountability’ is a foreign concept to a lot of people, but it’s one I uphold and try to live: those who know me know the struggles I have had, and still have, in coming to terms with my poor behaviors.

   I am no better than anyone else, nor do I claim any moral superiority. We are all trying to move forward as best we can and know how. I only say that if a person lies that they be held responsible. And if the Church has to choose where it stands, make other religions do the same, so that all are on an equal footing. That is my position- equality for all, and not some sort of ‘Animal Farm’ where some are ‘more equal’ than others. Ultimately, if the law is selectively enforced, then anarchy can only be close behind.

 

If you are going to anonymously call me the same names that you yourself personify, being either unwilling or unable to back it up with proof or evidence, then you, sir or madam, have no place in calling for me to re-evaluate my position.

'...in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.'

   A link for you today: http://www.sltrib.com/utahpolitics/ci_12267241

   Basically, an LDS missionary was trying to return home from his mission in Ohio, and was detained because he was/is an illegal immigrant.

   This brings up the obvious question: What should the Church do about illegal immigration? Until now, the Church seems to have straddled the fence quite nicely, not going one way or the other. The problem is that a growing percentage of members are Latin-Americans who might be here illegally. What is the proper course of action in dealing with them?

   Clearly, the 12^th Article of Faith says that we believe in following the law. This is a good thing, because how can a church be true if it breaks the law?

   The part that I don’t understand is that this man lied in his temple recommend interview, on multiple occasions, when he was asked whether he was honest in his dealings with his fellow men. Plainly, he was not, as he was an illegal immigrant.

   But what can the Church do, other than start asking specific questions about the citizenship of its members? Besides, we are already asked about our honesty. And if the member lies, what then, and it is found out? Excommunication? Disfellowship?  A lot of people tell lies frequently; whether it is a little white one, or horrendously black, it is still a lie. And what if the lie isn’t discovered? Should someone who is not a citizen be in a position of authority in a ward or stake, regardless of their other redeeming qualities? I would posit that no illegal person should be in those callings, because they would have to lie to get in to it, and having thus lied, would be unworthy of the confidences inevitably entrusted to them.

   In the end, does it really matter what the Church’s stance will be on this issue? Even if my life &/or job was dependent upon illegal immigration, or my job was lost because of it, the Church should follow the law and uphold it. As our leaders are responsible for notifying the authorities of abuse and other illegal activities, this is no different. The Church cannot preach righteousness and yet continue implicitly  supporting illegal immigration by not speaking against it.

   Ironically, only here in the Valley would this be an issue: that the LDS Church has to take a stance on illegal immigration. No other churches are being asked to make a stand, even though the Catholic Church would be the logical one to ask, since most latinos are Catholic.

   I suppose it would be easy for someone to fall away from the truth because of this situation. However, I see this, regardless of the present or future stance of the Church, as an example of how the revealed teachings and principles of the Gospel are true, and NOT the individual execution or application of those principles by the adherents, even if it is the Prophet or Apostles. My testimony isn’t dependent upon their righteousness.