'...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.