August Updates to Handbook: Treatment of Refugees, No Politics in Church...

[smac97]

Here:

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Among updates to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ general handbook is an update to discussing (or more specifically, not discussing) politics in the pews.

In August 2021’s update, the Church added one new chapter, rewrote two, and expanded one, in addition to updating “administrative policies” and making small revisions to other chapters.

Among the notable changes is a new entry regarding refugees and updates to the section “Political and Civic Activity.”

Regarding refugees, the Church now says Latter-day Saints “as part of their responsibility to care for those in need…offer their time, talents, and friendship to welcome refugees as members of their communities.”

An important reminder and emphasis, I think.

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In terms of politics, the Church now explains that even when it takes a position on a political matter, the Church “does not ask elected officials to vote a certain way or to take a certain position. Members who are elected officials make their own decisions. These officials might not agree with one another or with a publicly stated Church position. They do not speak for the Church.”

I wonder if this is partially responsive to the ongoing disagreement between Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and leaders in the Catholic Church, the latter of which are publicly telling the former to not take Communion because of her stance on abortion.

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Further still, the Church updated the section to say:

“Political choices and affiliations should not be the subject of any teachings or advocating in Church settings. Leaders ensure that Church meetings and activities focus on the Savior and His gospel. Members should not judge one another in political matters. Faithful Latter-day Saints can belong to a variety of political parties and vote for a variety of candidates. All should feel welcome in Church settings.”

For more on the updates to the general handbook, click here.

Another important point of emphasis.  Our political discourse has become decidedly less tolerant and civil.  I hope we all work on that.

Thanks,

-Smac

[Rain]

Thanks. Looking through it the words also include "immigrants" in some of the spots where they talk about refugees. 

"Church members offer their time, talents, and friendship to welcome immigrants and refugees as members of their communities"

 

[The Nehor]

4 minutes ago, Rain said:

Thanks. Looking through it the words also include "immigrants" in some of the spots where they talk about refugees. 

"Church members offer their time, talents, and friendship to welcome immigrants and refugees as members of their communities"

Clearly an editorial mistake. Definitely should have said "LEGAL immigrants" there. I am sure it will be corrected shortly.

[Glenn101]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Clearly an editorial mistake. Definitely should have said "LEGAL immigrants" there. I am sure it will be corrected shortly.

I think maybe you are channeling your inner Nehor again. 😎 The humanitarian portion im me, although, admittedly it rarely wakes up, would like as many of the immigrants that hit our southern border as possible to be given santuary in theses (wishfully) United States. Screening for gang members, pedophiles, sex offenders,  and other similar types of the criminal element as well as COVID-19 infections is a necessity as well as controlling the influx to a manageable level. Although illegal immigration has been politicized heavily, I see it mostly in a humanitarian light.

 

[bluebell]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Clearly an editorial mistake. Definitely should have said "LEGAL immigrants" there. I am sure it will be corrected shortly.

I can already hear people I know making this exact distinction.  And they are good people, who would pull over to help someone in need, regardless of color or situation, in a half a heartbeat.  But when it comes to immigration, they struggle with the idea that sometimes putting themselves and their interests behind those of immigrants--legal or not--could be what Christ expects of His disciples.

[2BizE]

4 minutes ago, bluebell said:

I can already hear people I know making this exact distinction.  And they are good people, who would pull over to help someone in need, regardless of color or situation, in a half a heartbeat.  But when it comes to immigration, they struggle with the idea that sometimes putting themselves and their interests behind those of immigrants--legal or not--could be what Christ expects of His disciples.

Bluebell,

I agree with you. I think the church has set sufficient precedence regarding the caring of Illegal immigrants that this statement is not a mistake. The church sees illegal immigration as a civil concern basically purposefully overlooking “borders” and seeing people as humans. I have witnessed this several times in my line of work.  

[Calm]

3 hours ago, smac97 said:

I wonder if this is partially responsive to the ongoing disagreement between Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and leaders in the Catholic Church,

Haven’t there been a couple of news items (one a leak of a meeting with an elected rep and church leaders) that present it as the Church pushing a position to be voted on until they win?  I remember a comment about medical marijuana legalization from the state majority whip maybe not long ago that gave that impression.

If so, I don’t think we need to look past our own backyard for a reason.

[Rain]

Too lazy to look it up now but to be fair and honest, I did see that the handbook also said that immigrants/ reffugees should obey the law.

For those that don't know US law does allow for people who have crossed the border illegally to then ask for asylum.  If they are granted asylum seeker status they are here legally. Other countries have their own rules.  The refugees that the US takes in were once other countries' asylum seekers usually.

[bsjkki]

For me it’s a left brain/right brain thing. I understand the need for policies/laws to regulate borders and immigration. On the other hand, I recognizes the humanitarian need to care for people. Fellow church members are all equal in our wards and branches. In my ward, this is not a problem. 
 

We have a huge influx into the country right now and with the cost of everything so high, I worry we are going to have an ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

[bsjkki]

I’ve also told family members, to turn off their law and order brains and understand, this huge influx of immigrants, could be fulfilling God’s purposes. I mean, don’t you think humble immigrants seeking a better life may be more receptive to the Gospel message than the current population of the United States?

[Hamba Tuhan]

10 minutes ago, bsjkki said:

I mean, don’t you think humble immigrants seeking a better life may be more receptive to the Gospel message than the current population of the United States?

Right before I left America, I was working two evenings a week with immigrants, paid by the state government. Most of them were undocumented; the government didn't care. They were almost all deeply religious, family-centred, and strongly characterised by traditional values (i.e. opposed to abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.). I couldn't figure out why Republicans were letting Democrats pick off their natural supporters.

[Calm]

5 hours ago, bsjkki said:

We have a huge influx into the country right now and with the cost of everything so high, I worry we are going to have an ongoing humanitarian crisis. 

When I think of illegal immigration and people express concern over humanitarian crisis, in my mind it gets framed as would I prefer it happening here in the US where we have a ton of wonderful people with pretty good resources or elsewhere where corruption prevents this level of help getting to them.  It makes sense to me to take care of them here, that people wouldn’t be leaving their homes unless it was worse than what they can get here even in bad situations.

Of course at this point my contribution is reminding my husband to pay taxes and encourage raising fast offerings from time to time.  If I ever get to a point I can contribute personally again, I will at least go back to tutoring kids in reading and math.  Happy to do it with adults now too as less shy these days.

I do get that some might have come with false expectations. I wonder how many illegal immigrants of the otherwise law abiding types regret coming here. I would like to see data on those in current horrible situations in the US of which there are unfortunately many, what they feel about their past choices and this country now. I would love to know how realistic expectations are in general and with groups from specific areas. 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Calm

[The Nehor]

12 hours ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

Right before I left America, I was working two evenings a week with immigrants, paid by the state government. Most of them were undocumented; the government didn't care. They were almost all deeply religious, family-centred, and strongly characterised by traditional values (i.e. opposed to abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.). I couldn't figure out why Republicans were letting Democrats pick off their natural supporters.

The reason for this is complicated but it starts with “Ra” as in in the Egyptian god and ends with -ism as in a kind of ideology. I think there is a ‘c’ in the middle somewhere too.

Edited August 5, 2021 by The Nehor

[Hamba Tuhan]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

The reason for this is complicated but it starts with “Ra” as in in the Egyptian god and ends with -ism an in a kind of ideology. I think there is a ‘c’ in the middle somewhere too.

I apologise for naming political parties! I hope no one else feels the need to comment in a partisan way.

[provoman]

19 hours ago, smac97 said:

Here:

An important reminder and emphasis, I think.

I wonder if this is partially responsive to the ongoing disagreement between Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and leaders in the Catholic Church, the latter of which are publicly telling the former to not take Communion because of her stance on abortion.

Another important point of emphasis.  Our political discourse has become decidedly less tolerant and civil.  I hope we all work on that.

Thanks,

-Smac

As I recall, moons ago the IRS or the media was reporting that the IRS might take action against the Catholic Church if John Kerry or some well known political figure was denied communion due to their stance on abortion.

 

And yes political discourse has become uncivil.

Even after the several (last decade or so statements) about political nuetrality member of the Church of Jesus Christ still spew "You cant support *X political party, and be a member in good standing"

As for the Church and "telling" poliicians how to vote...I don't have proof to refute the statement. 

The sltrib reports "Former Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens is returning to the state Capitol — this time as the chief lobbyist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." And certain recent laws in Utah seemingly required the Church blessing.

[provoman]

nevermind

Edited August 5, 2021 by provoman

[provoman]

16 hours ago, Calm said:

Haven’t there been a couple of news items (one a leak of a meeting with an elected rep and church leaders) that present it as the Church pushing a position to be voted on until they win?  I remember a comment about medical marijuana legalization from the state majority whip maybe not long ago that gave that impression.

If so, I don’t think we need to look past our own backyard for a reason.

As I undertand the matter, the first public statment about holding a special session of the Utah legislatire to overturn Prop 2 as voted on, did not come from an elected political official.

[T-Shirt]

You can oppose illegal immigration and still be kind and loving to those who are here illegally.  Our immigration system is a mess, and I don't think it is going to get fixed anytime soon.  I oppose illegal immigration, but, at the same time, if I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing.  We have a Spanish Branch in our building and a very high percentage of them are here illegally.  They are lovely people, I welcome them as fellow Saints and neighbors.

[ksfisher]

30 minutes ago, provoman said:

As for the Church and "telling" poliicians how to vote...I don't have proof to refute the statement. 

I think it's very possible to make your position clear, which I assume church lobbyists do, without saying "and we're telling you to vote..."

Edited August 5, 2021 by ksfisher

[provoman]

3 hours ago, T-Shirt said:

You can oppose illegal immigration and still be kind and loving to those who are here illegally.  Our immigration system is a mess, and I don't think it is going to get fixed anytime soon.  I oppose illegal immigration, but, at the same time, if I were in their shoes, I would do the same thing.  We have a Spanish Branch in our building and a very high percentage of them are here illegally.  They are lovely people, I welcome them as fellow Saints and neighbors.

Yeah not sure why people who support the Church position on immigration - "Members who move to another country should obey all applicable laws (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:21)." - are being oh so not so subtly attacked