Do you remember this???

 Do you remember this? “They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime.” (Donald Trump)



WHY did he say this?  Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on the topic of immigration… illegal immigration.  “Researchers from the Pew Hispanic Center estimate that 11 million undocumented individuals currently live in the United States; a 30% increase from the 8.4 million undocumented individuals estimated in 2000.” (The Costs of Getting Ahead: Mexican Family System Changes after Immigration by Martica L. Bacallao and Paul R. Smokowski)

Why do the immigrants come?  In all societies, there are good people and bad people.  However, many of these immigrants have come with good intentions.  They want their children to receive a good education and to get ahead.  These immigrants are suffering from poverty and wish to provide for their families.  However, these immigrants face horrible circumstances that tear their families apart, rob them of their money, and cause many intergenerational problems!  Have you ever thought: many have been sent by God, so they might learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ and return to spread its good word in their own countries?

What does God have to say about this?  Remember, we are all of God’s children.  He loves all of us, and wishes for us to be happy and kind to one another.  Listen to His words:  D&C 38:26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just?
27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am.  I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

We are commanded to be one and treat each other with compassion!  We should not discriminate against or belittle any of Heavenly Father’s children, for each one has divine potential!

A warning…  The destruction of the Nephite (and Jaredite) people in The Book of Mormon came because of small and simple things.  They were “lifted up in pride” and they “began to be divided into classes.” (4 Nephi 1:24-26) “And they… (the lamanites) were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.” (verse 39)

Have we begun to develop this pride within our nation?  Are we divided because of differences in race, gender, or ethnicity?  Have we been taught by our leaders to hate our neighbors, the Mexicans?

We must begin to see people as they really are!  I know God wants all of us to share, and none of us to be “clothed in rags”, apart from the rest.  I know these things are true, and I wish to be a defender of our country, as it is a country blessed and preserved by God’s hand.