LDS Representatives meet with Utah Legislature

LDS Church representatives met with both Republican and Democrat leaders in the Utah Legislature as it opens its annual session this week.  It’s interesting to read the breadth of issues that the Church commented on, including immigration, the treatment of LDS Democrats, alcohol, health insurance, to the methaphetamine crisis.

While the article reads as the Church representatives are (rightfully) asking for compassionate and humane immigration legislation, it sounds more like one side of the issue is trying to speak for the Church.  

LDS Church leaders have told legislative bosses that the “element of humanity” should be re-introduced to the state’s immigration debates.

Before each general session, GOP and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate sit down separately with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints special affairs committee, a group made up of church general authorities, church public relations officials and their lobbyists, to discuss any items on the minds of both legislators and church leaders.

House Minority Whip David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, said the Democrats’ meeting with church officials brought up several issues, but the immigration discussion was the most touching for him personally.

“I interpreted what was said as this: ‘Take a step back, be calm, and above all remember that we are dealing with human beings here,”‘ said Litvack, who is Jewish and has himself called for cooler heads in dealing with the often emotional issue of illegal immigration

House Majority Leader Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, a member of the LDS Church himself, said immigration issues did not take up much time in the Republicans’ meeting with church leaders. “But they did say we all need to approach this subject with compassion.”

When asked about the legislative meetings, church spokesman Rob Howe said, “We communicated our policy … The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken no position regarding currently proposed immigration legislation.”

LDS Church officials “used the word ‘call,’ they made a call for humanity in immigration” debates and legislation, Litvack said. “We should not demonize” illegal immigrants. “In some cases, the debate has become so ugly, I heard, so hateful and dehumanizing. Let’s bring back the element of humanity.” . . .

While LDS Church leaders did not support or oppose any specific piece of legislation that may come up in the 2008 Legislature, which convenes Monday for its 45-day general session, Litvack said they did say: “Take a step back, remember that human beings are involved here. As faith leaders in our community they have a concern for all human beings.

“And I certainly appreciated that. I was glad they spoke out on this topic,” Litvack said.