Christianity and Immigration

Our public debate on immigration is more about who we are as individuals than it is about who belongs in the United States.  Name-calling, protesting, and demonizing are not exclusive to either side of the debate.  Where do you stand as an individual?  What principles guide your view on how our nation should resolve the immigration problem?  Consider the following statement recently issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

As a worldwide church dealing with many complex issues across the globe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promotes broad, foundational principles that have worldwide application. The Church regards the declaration of the Utah Compact as a responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform.  It is consistent with important principles for which we stand:

• We follow Jesus Christ by loving our neighbors.  The Savior taught that the meaning of “neighbor” includes all of God’s children, in all places, at all times.
• We recognize an ever-present need to strengthen families.   Families are meant to be together.  Forced separation of working parents from their children weakens families and damages society.
• We acknowledge that every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders.  All persons subject to a nation’s laws are accountable for their acts in relation to them.

Public officials should create and administer laws that reflect the best of our aspirations as a just and caring society.   Such laws will properly balance love for neighbors, family cohesion, and the observance of just and enforceable laws.

The call to love our neighbors extends beyond cultural and political borders.  Before throwing accusations of law-breaking, consider the Savior’s example when a woman was brought before Him, accused of breaking a law punishable by stoning: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7).  Are we guiltless enough to cast stones at the accused?  Or, can we find workable solutions in harmony with the Lord’s example: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11).