SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 8, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday issued a statement on religious freedom, refuting a proposal by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump that would ban Muslims from entering the United States.
The release of the statement was in direct response to media inquiries about the “current national conversation, and that includes Donald Trump’s comments,” according to an LDS Church spokesman.
The LDS Church statement, published December 8, 2015, is as follows:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in regard to party politics and election campaigns. However, it is not neutral in relation to religious freedom. The following statements by Joseph Smith from 1841 and 1843 are consistent with the Church’s position today:
“If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a ‘Mormon,’ I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul — civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race.”
—Joseph Smith, 1843
“Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, that the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-day Saints, Quakers, Episcopals, Universalists, Unitarians, Mohammedans [Muslims], and all other religious sects and denominations whatever, shall have free toleration, and equal privileges in this city ….”
—Ordinance in Relation to Religious Societies, City of Nauvoo, [Illinois] headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 1, 1841
How about if we simply change the word ‘Muslim’ to ‘any person who belongs to any organization that has declared war on America.’
I agree Robin.
This makes no sense. Muslims without this country can legally be kept from entering to preserve the life and liberty of those already here.
I did not read any mention of border control in the LDS church statement; yet your headline says the Church “rebukes Donald Trump’s plan to ban Muslims from entering the US.” If this had been a college entrance exam test question on reading and summarizing a paragraph, you would have failed miserably.
For starters, Mr. Trump’s position is that there should be a PAUSE in immigration by Muslims and particularly from known terrorist countries until such time as we have an effective method of vetting the possible immigrants as to whether or not they are terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. A PAUSE is not the same as a BAN. Further, Trump has not called for the mass arrest of Muslims just for being Muslims. What this, possibly, left leaning reporter is doing is skewing the LDS Church statement to try to make it say something it doesn’t about something that was never said. Please note, no one has a RIGHT to immigrate to the United States. It is a privilege obtained by permission. We are and should be able to determine who gets to come and why even if it means banning certain groups, not just pausing.
Tell that to your ancestors who came here seeking refuge.
Loved Julie’s comment.
LDS is big business. And Thier Leaders side with big government, and are liberal news media. So this dosnt surprise me. Notice how they place all Thier adds on . The Mormon don’t talk about how for the longest time how the banned blacks from their cault, so called religion.All Trump wants to do is stop this HIGH flow of imitation because the democrats want votes . They want to keep Thier big government. And the LSD CHURCH KNOWS THIS
As I understand it, all Trump want is to PROTECT Mormons, Catholics, Jews, etc from ISIS until refugees are clear of criminal activity… LOOK WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EUROPE!! THEY ARE NOT ALL INNOCENT REFUGEES…so I don’t understand that declaration by the LDS Church. Trump would not turn back VICTIMS OF ISSIS. So far Trump is the only one who cares for OUR SAFETY.
Trump NEVER said to ban all Muslims. He simply said, they needed to be “properly vetted” . . . screened and deemed worthy to enter our country. The LDS Church NEVER said “Rebuke Donald Trump’s Plan” . . . . . THIS IS A MIS-STATEMENT ALL AROUND AND A WORK OF THE DEVIL!!!