Marlin K Jensen

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Elder Marlin K. Jensen takes on the NY Times by distinguishing FLDS polygamy from 19th century LDS polygamy.

In distinction to the cloistered isolation of today’s polygamous groups, including the FLDS, Mormon culture in the 19th century was characterized by a vibrancy of productive activity in various fields of endeavor: education, industry, politics, community-building, agriculture, and many professions. Latter-day Saints strived to move apace with the rapid demands and changes of life and sought to embrace modernity, not thwart it. They sought to take advantage of the ideas and innovations of modern life by establishing schools and universities of higher education. In this they followed the advice of Joseph Smith: “One of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism’ is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.”

Jeff Lindsay has more to refute the sloppy reporting which lends to these misconceptions.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen looks to this weekend’s Solemn Assembly.

Until 1986, when Ezra Taft Benson was sustained as president of the church, the priesthood was seated by quorums and groups in various areas of the Tabernacle. The first solemn assembly in which the Relief Society and Young Women of the church voted as separate groups was in 1995.

While church members in earlier solemn assemblies were able to participate only by attendance in the Tabernacle, in recent years congregations around the world have participated via satellite broadcast, with stake presidencies observing the vote of the congregations. Beginning in 1945, church members listening to the proceedings of conference in their homes have been asked to sustain the new president wherever they may be.

Mormonwiki has more on the Solemn Assembly.

As the Utah state legislature considers reforming immigration policy with regards to illgeal imigrants (specifically, drivers licenses and in-state college tuition), Elder Marlin K. Jensen repeated the Church’s call for compassion when dealing with reforming immigrant policies: 

An LDS Church leader on Wednesday urged Utah’s lawmakers to “take a step back” and hold a “spirit of compassion” as they consider a slate of bills aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.
“Immigration questions are questions dealing with God’s children,” said Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I believe a more thoughtful and factual, not to mention humane approach is warranted, and urge those responsible for enactment of Utah’s immigration policy to measure twice before they cut.” . . .

“This is a human issue; it is a moral issue,” Wester said. “We must be involved.” . . .

Jensen said the LDS church has taken no position on any particular measure on the federal or state level.

“The current debate in our state Legislature is evidence of the very strong feelings that surround this issue,” Jensen said. He noted that LDS leaders had recently issued a “very sincere plea” to lawmakers to consider the issue with humanity and compassion. . .

“If there is a church that owes debt to the immigrant and the principal of immigration it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he said.

The Salt Lake Tribune adds that Elder Jensen spoke on assignment from the Church:

“I was assigned to come here by the First Presidency of the church,” he said, referring to the church’s three most senior leaders, including LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson.