Bear One Another's Burdens

Both the Church and the Governor of Utah issued statements early in December stating that we should accept Syrian refugees because we come from a persecuted past and we know what it’s like. Then they cite examples of the Saints being driven from Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, who even had an extermination order out for them. Also, the United States attempted to enact a law to keep immigrants from coming in because the Mormons were bringing so many converts to Zion.

Because we have a history of persecution seems a conceited and selfish reason to welcome in Syrian refugees. It seems to me that the State of Utah and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would want to welcome Syrian refugees because they are fellow human beings; fleeing the violence of their homeland; victims of torture, tempest-toss souls risking, starving, suffering endlessly.  Wouldn’t we want to feed the hungry, provide housing for the homeless, and succor the sick and lonely because they are our brothers and sisters?

You can see they are all terrorists - especially the ones under 12.

Matthew 25:35-46 (KJV)

³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Isaiah 58:30 - And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday

James 2:15-18

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be (ye) warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what (doth it ) profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a many may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 Proverbs 28:27 - He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Luke 3-11 - He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

1 John 3:17-18 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Proverbs 14:31 - He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Proverbs 31:20 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Romans 12:20 - Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.