SALT LAKE (ABC 4 News) - Monday, three Utah lawmakers went to Arizona on a fact finding mission which may lead to
an Arizona style immigration law being passed here.
But at the same time they were visiting the Arizona Mexico-border, a Latino activist was calling for the LDS Church
to speak out on the issue.
Actually, Tony Yapias is not only a Latino activist, he's also LDS.
And, perhaps, because he is both, he recently sent a letter to LDS President Thomas S. Monson.
In that letter, Yapias writes,
"...you as maximum authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, should show your official position in this matter..."
The matter Yapias is talking about is immigration.
Yapias told ABC 4,
"We know in Utah that if you're going to get anything done at the Capitol, you have to go to the Church."
This, however, may be a tricky issue for the LDS Church, which has sizeable number of Latino members.
Now, some wanting tougher immigration laws point to the Church's Twelfth Article of Faith:
“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
But Yapias says this is a moral issue and the Church President should address it as such.
"I am praying for him that he will get a revelation that this is a moral issue."
In response, the LDS Church points to this statement:
"The Church has not taken a position on this issue, which is clearly the province of government.
However, Church leaders have urged compassion and careful reflection when addressing immigration issues
affecting millions of people."
But Yapias says this issue is dividing the state and making Latinos afraid.
He adds that the Church's silence isn't helping.
“It is tough on me. My son is on a mission right now. How do I tell my son?"
And Yapias isn't the only one taking this position.
Late Monday afternoon, the Attorney General's office confirmed that Mark Shurtleff is
also calling on the LDS Church to take a position on this issue.
