LDS Conference Silent on Immigration

Salt Lake Tribune reported that: The LDS Church endorsed the Utah Compact, spelling out a set of principles supporting a humane approach to immigration reform. Its newspaper, the Deseret News, editorialized about immigration reform on the front page. Its lobbyists worked behind the scenes at the Legislature to push bills that would allow, among other reforms, Utah's undocumented immigrants to pay a fine and continue working in the state. Presiding Bishop H. David Burton showed up at the bills' signing and announced that his presence “testifies to the fact that we are appreciative of what has happened in the Legislature this session." Yet, at the church's 181st Annual General Conference, nary a word was uttered on the topic. At last fall's conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at least hinted at the issue in a sermon condemning the sin of pride, which, he said, makes people feel superior to others. Speaking of sports fans, Uchtdorf, second counselor to LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, asked, “How is it that normally kind and compassionate human beings can be so intolerant and filled with hatred toward an opposing team and its fans?" Uchtdorf then directed the same critique to the broader arena, saying, "we see today too often the same kind of attitude and behavior spill over into the public discourse of politics, ethnicity and religion.” Even without a nod from LDS leaders over the pulpit, the issue among Mormons is not going away.