Relativism is the idea that views are relative to differences in perception, consideration, culture and time. It is the idea there is no universal or objective truth, but that each point of view has its own truth. The recent statement by the LDS church regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) highlights the immigration relativism held by a few within, but who are contradicted by truth.
The DACA statement by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is established in 188 nations around the globe. Issues of immigration and legal status are of concern for many of our members. Most of our early Church members emigrated from foreign lands to live, work and worship, blessed by the freedoms and opportunities offered in this great nation.
Immigration is a complex and sometimes divisive issue. As we have stated before, we believe that our first priority is to love and care for one another as Jesus Christ taught. Each nation must determine and administer its policies related to immigration. The Church does not advocate any specific legislative or executive solution. Our hope is that, in whatever solution emerges, there is provision for strengthening families and keeping them together. We also acknowledge that every nation has the right to enforce its laws and secure its borders and that all persons subject to a nation’s laws are accountable for their acts in relation to them.
We welcome the sincere efforts of lawmakers and leaders to seek for solutions that honor these principles and extend compassion to those seeking a better life. Specifically, we call upon our national leaders to create policies that provide hope and opportunities for those, sometimes referred to as “Dreamers,” who grew up here from a young age and for whom this country is their home. They have built lives, pursued educational opportunities and been employed for years based on the policies that were in place. These individuals have demonstrated a capacity to serve and contribute positively in our society, and we believe they should be granted the opportunity to continue to do so.” Source or click here to learn more about DACA.
The spread of relativism
As prophesied by ancient and modern prophets, the concept of relativism is captivating people, policies, and nations. We say the only constant in life is change. Change is a fact, but it doesn’t justify the spread of relativism of truth, morality, and culture. In fact, at the same time Elder Christopherson spoke to a group of CES educators about the growing need to defend truth against relativism https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/elder-christofferson-addresses-growing-need-defend-truth wouldn’t this extend to the defend policies and long-standing principles of the inspired constitution of the United States?
Williams Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Act 2, Scene 2 depicts it perfectly “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” but
In a world where anything goes, everything will go
Don’t trust intentions
The church statement is full of an old trick used by politicians daily, intentions. By attempting to justify any principle, policy, or purpose based upon intention or, the worlds interpretation of, love is a good indication there is no foundation for it. When something isn’t grounded in truth and law you have to turn to intention.
Popularity doesn’t dictate or change truth any more than intentions and so-called love can change reality and law. Truth is not how you feel any more than law is how you want things or outcomes to be. Is lawlessness ever justified by good intentions?
The church statement attempts to highlight it’s history and “good intentions” as the justification to increase discussion and division. “Immigration is a complex and sometimes divisive issue.” Immigration is neither complex or divisive. It is based upon a foundation of law and order. This law provides for people to come to this great land through a legal policy that protects its citizen and country.
Legislating and encouraging illegality
Some politicians are so eager to change long-standing policies and principles that have made this nation great, and why? To increase their voting base. If you give something to someone, they will more than likely give you something you want.
Is illegal action every justified? How are illegal immigrants in any country to answer the temple recommend interview question, “are you honest in all your dealing with your fellow men?” We too believe in, “being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Article of Faith #12
In March 2011 a public affairs staff wrote a blog article called, “a principle-based approach to immigration,” which read. “While the Church does not endorse or oppose specific political parties, candidates or platforms, it has always reserved the right to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that have significant community or moral consequences. Immigration is such an issue.” It’s convenient to mention community and moral consequences, but no mention is made to law, legality, or national issues of which all prophets have preached, prophesied and warned at protecting. We can give a pass on that one. It’s understandable, it was a no-named “public affairs staff” who shared their public political beliefs.
Just a few months later in June an “official statement” was released. “As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.” If we followed obeyed, honored and sustained the law (or even the above statement) we would prevent such disasters and discussions from taking place. Instead, we are trying to cure it with justifications.
Zion is where you were born
Zion is where you were born. It is where God himself placed you in the time and space of the history of the world to accomplish an important work. Did God make a mistake and, accidentally or purposefully, give you the wrong station or start in life? LDS doctrine is clear that Zion is where God put you, not where you want to be because the grass is greener or the girls are prettier. Can you think of any exceptions to this?
“In the early days of this dispensation, Church leaders counseled members to build up Zion by emigrating (peacefully, legally, and legitimately without fanfare or force) to a central location.
Today our leaders counsel us to build up Zion wherever we live. Members of the Church are asked to remain in their native lands and help establish the Church “Zion” there.
Many temples are being built so Latter-day Saints throughout the world can receive temple blessings.” See topical guide on “zion” God gave you your place of birth and your purpose of building up your light that you might be a light for that nation and at the same time provided the fullness of the gospel to fulfill your purpose there.
In 1977 Bruce R. McConkie reiterated this same notion about the spread of the gospel to fill the world, not for the world to fill America.
“We foresee a day when the Church will be a very substantial influence in all these great nations”
Zion has a border and a wall
The popular idea today of being “world citizens” is a spreading along with relativism. Its fun, freeing and feels good to say you’re a citizen of the world by dropping your borders and boundaries to serve humanity. Why be limited to the strict rule of law in the country you live, when you can travel, serve, enjoy, and love the whole world?
We need no reminder that Zion has a strict immigration policy and none can circumvent its wall or ways illegally. The most important wall for Zion, is the wall around your heart. The city of Enoch didn’t drop it’s standard for Zion with the hope of encouraging and including all people. No, the people themselves rose up to fit the standards and live the laws. In essence, they didn’t try to go around the wall, they changed themselves to go through the straight and narrow gate.
As Elder Maxwell described it
“we cannot have our primary residence in Zion and keep a summer cottage in Babylon.”
Come to Zion Come to Zion
The call to gather to America for the early saints has been accomplished. “This gathering of Israel and this budding of Zion in the last days occurs in stages. The early part of the work, which involved gathering to the United States and building stakes of Zion in North America, has already been accomplished
We are now engaged in gathering Israel within the various nations of the earth and of establishing stakes of Zion at the remote parts of the earth.” Building Zion, Bruce R. McConkie
Saints around the world sing the hymn, Israel, Israel, God is Calling (Hymn no 81), “Come to Zion, Come to Zion,” which could also be interpreted “stay in zion” or “build up zion in your heart.”
“We have been commissioned to prepare a people for the second coming of the Son of Man. We have been called to preach the gospel to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. We have been commanded to lay the foundations of Zion and to get all things ready for the return of Him who shall again crown the Holy City with his presence and glory. Our call to all men everywhere is, “Come to Zion, come to Zion, and within her walls rejoice.” (“Israel, Israel, God is Calling,” Hymns, no. 81.)
What we don’t sing is: come to America, come to America. Tear down her borders and change her laws so you too can within her walls rejoice. Eventually, a New Jerusalem or Zion will be built on the American continent and saints encouraged, of their own free will and choice, to join. Come to Zion
Found in all the world
As the Book of Mormon says, in the last days, “the saints of God” shall be found “upon all the face of the earth.” Also: “The Saints of the church of the Lamb and … the covenant people of the Lord”—scattered as they are “upon the face of the earth”—shall be “armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” (See 1 Ne. 14:12–14.)
We are living in a new day. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fast becoming a worldwide Church. Congregations of Saints are now, or soon will be, strong enough to support and sustain their members no matter where they reside.
One of the few BYU Devotionals I remember from my days as a student there and I headed just days after graduation was to leave Utah. The speaker said, “what good is the salt if it’s all here in Utah. Go throughout the world.” So the call is not only for Saints to build up Zion in their own country, but for us to share the salt with the world. R. Bruce Money said something similar in his devotional in 2014
I have encouraged you to get out of Provo—sort of my commercial message, if you will. One noncommercial thing you will learn out there on the campus of our world is an appreciation for the privilege of studying and living here in the United States and the price others have paid for your freedom to worship “according to the dictates of [your] own conscience”—”how, where, or what [you] may”
God loves all of His children and will provide a way for all, regardless of the country or culture, to build up Zion in their hearts and countries in which they live to bring about the world-wide spread of God and good.
