| Contents
Hymns of Inspiration
Recent and Upcoming Events
From the Mission Field
International Observances
Remember in your Prayers
Blowin' in The Wind
Sunday School Notebook
The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff
Choose The Left - CrossLeft
Call for Submissions
Hymns of Inspiration
His truth forever stands secure
He saves th'oppressed, he feeds the poor
He sends the troubled conscience peace
And grants the captive sweet release
The Lord gives eyesight to the blind
The Lord supports the sinking mind
He helps the stranger in distress
The widow, and the fatherless
Hymn 74 - Praise Ye the Lord - click
here to sing along at home!
(Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Recent and Upcoming Events
Recent Events
This month Anxiously Engaged introduces some
new columns in her online newsletter:
Besides our Sunday School Notebook , you'll
find: The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff,
protest songs in Blowin' in the
Wind, and our monthly From the Mission Field.
In Choose the Left - CrossLeft we'll report
each month on the broader movement of Progressive Christianity. MESJ invites
you to participate by submitting ideas or essays for these columns.
MESJ - Los Angeles
The Los Angeles chapter has been planning to participate in the
May 1st 2006 protest activities regarding threatening legislation against
our migrants.
The idea is for those who support them to buy nothing on that day and
to not go to work nor go to school. MESJ encourages everyone to do as
much as they can to support this effort.
Some of you probably know that May 1st is the day that most of the world
celebrates Labor Day. The
reason being is that in Chicago in 1886 five labor activist were executed
on trumped up charges during a time of labor unrest in that city. You
can read more by clicking here.
It is significant that May 1st was choosen for this historic action for
the Sensenbrenner legislation. Although it is directed at undocumented
immigrants it should be offensive to everyone. In short,
injury to one is an injury to all and the people of the world need to
stand together against all forms of oppression and tyranny. Again, MESJ
encourages all of us to do what we can to support workers and immigrant
workers this May 1st by not buying anything and or by not working.
Anxiously Engaged hopes to give you a report from the Los Angeles chapter
as soon as it becomes available, so please check back in the days just
after May 1st for more information.
MESJ - San Francisco
The San Francisco chapter on Saturday April 29th took part in
a "Habitat for Humanity' activity.
Among the many volunteers working on this project were six members of
MESJ San Francisco.
The particular project at Daly City, just south of San Francisco, is the
construction of 4 homes for needy families who otherwise could not afford
a home. These homes are build entirely by volunteer efforts. The gift
of the security of a home for families is probably one of the greatest
you can give.
There were various tasks assigned at the site and some were less strenuous
than others, varying from jackhammering, nailing boards/panel, to painting
or helping transport supplies. MESJ members were spotted putting in a
retaining wall behind the houses and putting in temporary drainage pipes
to avoid water flooding the contruction site. The weather was great, spirits
were high. There's definitely something special about community service
that can only be experienced by doing it! For those who like to come back
and do some more please visit the
local website of Habitat for Humanity.
As president of the United States, Jimmy
Carter was deeply committed to social justice and basic human rights.
He and his wife Rosalynn left the White House in search of meaningful
ways to contribute in these areas. In addition to promoting peace and
human rights through the nonprofit Carter
Center in Atlanta, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP)
for Habitat for Humanity International one week each year.
MESJ San Francisco highly recommends an Habitat
for Humanity event for your local chapter!
MESJ Las Vegas
Most members of the Las Vegas chapter were unable to get away from work
on May 1, but they did get together in the evening hours to reflect on
the days events. With great satisfaction they watched news reports of
the marches and rallies accross the nation. They were joined that evening
by chapter member Robert Poort who had some experiences to share. In the
early morning hours of May 1 he served as purser on a flight from Mexico
City to San Francisco with many new immigrants on board. Upon arrival
at the gate in San Francisco he welcomed everyone in the United States
and identified himself as an immigrant. The passengers applauded and many
thanked him personally upon stepping off the airplane!
From the Mission Field
In
this column we'll hear from returned missionaries and from parents from
presently serving missionaries, sharing with us experiences and impressions
from the mission field.
Serving 'far and wide' missionaries have unique opportunities to learn
about social circumstances of people living in many different places around
the world. Whereas the spiritual and material are inseparably intertwined,
there is much to be learned about the everyday lives of the people they
care so much about.
Elder Robert Poort jr. (picture above) son of Telekaki and Robert Poort
of Las Vegas, NV ,entered the MTC - Missionary Training Center at Provo,
Utah in March and will be learning the Spanish language for two months,
after which he will be serving among hispanic immigrants in the Tallahassee,
Florida Mission.
Elder Poort is a typical teenager,
more interested in skate boarding and singing and playing in his band
than in social justice, and is not all too familiar with the recent political
developments around immigration. He is however very familiar with some
of the implications of what it means to be an immigrant, being one himself!
Born in The Netherlands Bobby immigrated
with his family to the US in 1992 and knows what it means having to wait
for 13 years for the processing of a green-card (permanent residency permit)
which he received only months before being called on a mission. It meant
a lot of insecurity, no opportunity to get a driver's license , not being
allowed to work and save for his mission. Compared to most other immigrants
his hardships however were minor, and he realizes that many hispanic immigrants
in Florida face many more obstacles than he ever did.
Florida, of course was hispanic before annexed by the US in 1810, and
ironically many of our hispanic brothers and sisters there are now labeled
as 'illegal'. The concept of illegal brothers and sisters in the gospel
is a contradiction in terms, truly an oxymor(m)on. The new immigration
laws that may or may not make it through Congress would place Latter-Day
Saints in impossible positions. Would bishops have to turn in their 'illegal'
ward members? Would they be 'aiding felons' when providing them with groceries
from the Bishop's Storehouse? And how about missionaries? May I see your
green card brother Gonzales, you possibly may not qualify for certain
blessings, after your confirmation awaits deportation. Never mind too,
that your mexican forefathers gave refuge to our border crossing ancestors.
On the sunny side there will be less crowded LDS church buildings, as
a large percentage of our Spanish, Tongan, Samoan, and Fillipino wards
and branches would no longer be there. One wonders if LDS supporters of
the proposed republican legislation have any idea what they're doing to
their less fortunate brothers and sisters...
Elder Poort will no doubt meet and teach many 'illegal' investigators,
and hopefully his message will be one of hope. The Book of Mormon teaches
that “there should be an equality among all” (Mosiah 27:3)
It is to be expected that the communities of Latter-Day Saints in Florida
will welcome any and all new members of the church with open arms, because
our Heavenly Parents simply do not have any illegitimate children! We're
looking forward to Elder Poort's letters.
Anxiously Engaged welcomes submissions
from returned or presently serving missionaries!
Even if you served your mission many years ago, your observations of the
social circumstances of the people that you served, are likely to create
a greater awareness among us of social injustice.
International Observances in May
From our list
of international observances promoted by the United Nations: click
on each link for suggestions about how to commemorate the observance with
a brief family devotional (perhaps at the dinner table or before family
prayer).
May 3 World Press Freedom Day
May 15 International Day of Families
May 17 World Telecommunication Day
May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity
May 22 National Maritime Day (United States)
May 25-31 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
May 29 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
May 31 No-Tobacco Day
Remember
in your Prayers
May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
adopted a Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The declaration
affirmed that cultural diversity is "the common heritage of humanity"
and that "it is essential to ensure harmonious interaction among
people and groups" with different cultural identities. In many parts
of the world, globalization, nationalism, and religious intolerance threaten
cultural diversity. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and
Development was created as an opportunity for people to deepen their understanding
of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.
Give thanks for the positive values and traditions you have learned through
your own culture.
Give thanks for those who preserve arts, traditions, and languages at
risk of being lost.
Pray for greater harmony and understanding among people from different
cultures.
And in the wake of our efforts to include everyone in our nation:
"The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen
among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in
the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:34).
Give thanks for the great contributions of all of our
neighbors in society.
Pary for greater understanding for the plight of undocumented immigrants,
and based upon that understanding for an outreach among Latter-day Saints
to their undocumented brothers and
sisters.
. 
Blowin' in The Wind
Where have all the protest songs gone? Well, we're collecting them
in our MESJ Music Archive!
Nothing drives a point home better than a good old protest song, sung
from the heart with conviction.
Many protest songs are a little rough on the edges, evident for feelings
of frustration and indignation that are so often being denied expression
elsewhere. This month's selection:
GIVE ME LIBERTY - (4.45 MB,
running time: 4.45 min.) - by the group Spartacus Jones
This song is a sharp critisism of the attempt to curtail liberty in the
disguise of patriotism.
The Patriot Act (view
the video clip) tries to connect fear of terrorism with fear for undocumented
immigrants, suggesting we should all be constantly looking over our shoulder
for 'the enemies' in our midst, not unlike the McCarthy
era. The song suggests to focus instead on what America is all about:
Liberty!
In a revelation presented by Joseph Smith on Aug. 6, 1833, now known Section
98 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord said, "Be not afraid of
your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart that I will prove you in
all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that
you may be found worthy…therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace…"
Sunday School Notebook
by Susan Morgan
MESJ: We're excited to introduce Susan Morgan as our
new columnist for Sunday School Notebook.
Starting this month you'll find her reflections in each monthly edition
of Anxiously Engaged.
Sunday School Notebook may very well prove to become one of MESJ's main
features, recognizing the importance of connecting spirituality and social
justice through the scriptures.
We'll follow the Gospel
Doctrine Lesson Schedule for each week, encouraging you to actively
participate in the class discussions. You may enjoy using the Audio
Version of the Scriptures.
Susan: To give you some background about me, I am a lifelong
active member of the LDS church living in Salt Lake City. My academic
background is in English, with a B.A. from the University of Utah, but
I also have a strong interest in Mathematics and a lifelong passion for
books. Please consider this column as if I were writing you a monthly
letter. I want to talk to you as if we were friends having a conversation
about the assigned lessons.
The following are the scheduled reading assignments for the sunday school
this month, which may vary from ward to ward. Click on each assignment
to read the reflections from Susan Morgan in our Sunday School Notebook.
The permanent link: The Scriptures
on the MESJ homepage will take you to an index page where all commentary
will be permanently available to assist you with your studies.
Sunday School Notebook wil continue to add material as new commentary
becomes available, so please come back and visit often!
The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff
by Robert Poort
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, is the seventh
in a series of books of the teachings of Presidents of the Church, used
for personal study and for Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society instruction
in church on the second and third Sundays . MESJ during 2006 will examine
the life and times of Wilford Woodruff in connection with social justice
issues each month in this online newsletter. This month in The Life and
Times of Wilford Woodruff:
Border Crossing Migrants finding Refuge
Picture border crossing migrants working in the fields and orchards.
Southern California, you think?
Not quite, how about Mormon Pioneers finding a better life in Colonia
Juarez, Mexico!
With the blessing of Wilford Woodruff, 4th President of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1889-1898) Mormon families committed
to living the principle of Plural Marriage found safe refuge north and
south of the border after president Woodruff presented the church with
The Manifesto.
Colonia Juarez definitely benefitted from the presence of these thrifty
and hardworking mormon settlers, planting orchards, making the desert
bloom like a rose.
And not only to Mexico mormon families travelled, but in northern direction
as well, into the Canadian province of Alberta, looking for a more tolerant
legal environment.
The 19th century Mormon migrations into Mexico and Canada not only makes
us more susceptible to the plight of migrants travelling in the opposite
direction, but has remarkable connections with other contemporary social
issues as well.
More than a century after these historic events during the administration
of church president Wilford Woodruff the media are reporting on border
crossing Latter-Day Saints travelling
to Canada giving expression to yet another redefinition of traditional
marriage, and Colonia Juarez is on the brink of coming out of obscurity
with the prominence of one of her grandsons: Mitt
Romney. These news articles may not reflect our personal convictions,
but they give us plenty food for thought!
Both Cardston and Colonia Juarez are thriving comunities with a strong
Mormon presence dating back to those eventful post-Manifesto days when
president Woddruff was leading the church. Both Cardston, Alberta and
Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua have a temple to attest to that fact and are
tangible evidence of the premise of faith, liberty, and social justice.
In an era where people are excluded from society because of cultural misunderstandings
based on fear and hatred, places like these can be seen as examples of
how obstacles can be overcome in an atmosphere of love and respect for
all God's children.
Perhaps president Gordon B. Hinckley expressed it best in his 1999 Dedicatory
Prayer at the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua México Temple:
We remember before Thee those who, more than a century ago, came here
and established these and other communities. How hard they worked, how
heavy was their labor. They established a Zion in this part of the earth.
Here they built meetinghouses and schools. Here they established their
homes and their farms. They made the earth yield a harvest, even as a
rose growing in a desert land.
Bless Thy Saints that they may continue to live here without molestation.
May they live in peace and security. May they be prospered as they cultivate
their farms and pursue their vocations. May the sons and daughters of
father Lehi grow in strength and in fulfillment of the ancient promises
made concerning them. May there be constant peace between the cultures
and may they dwell together with love and respect one for another.
Choose The Left - CrossLeft
MESJ is pleased to announce that as of May 2006, she is affiliated
with Crossleft - a strategy clearing house and meeting point for a great
number of major social justice organizations of a wide variety of religious
denominations. CrossLeft is
a central hub for grassroots activism among progressive Christians.
They bring in news from other progressive Christian sites, and all of
their efforts are geared towards coordinating action, educating the country,
and providing a strategy for long-term change.
The mission at CrossLeft is to coordinate a larger national movement.
They don't want to replace the many activist efforts out there already.
They want to help dispersed progressive Christian organizations to work
together, together creating a broader movement for social and political
change.
Crossleft features Streaming Christianity: over 200 progressive Christian
clergy, theologians, political analysts, social critics, recommended journalists,
mainline news media sources, liberal news media sources, other discussion
boards, and automatic Internet searches, all writing about progressive
Christianity, headlines brought to you hour-by-hour. It speaks for itself
that while MESJ is highly recommending Streaming Christianity, she doesn't
necessarily always agree with all content.
There are no formal or financial obligations for MESJ involved, individual
MESJ members may choose to become members of CrossLeft. MESJ encourages
all of her members to participate, starting by registering
for a free user account. We're excited to find many new friends through
CrossLeft!
From our Mission Statement:
We have been urged by Church leaders to work towards making that vision
a reality in today’s world by being “full participants in
political, governmental, and community affairs,” “using gospel
principles as a guide and...cooperating with other like-minded individuals”
- (First Presidency letter, 15 Jan. 1998)
Call for Submissions
Anxiously Engaged and MESJ welcome submissions! We're
especially interested in the following:
- Reports of acitivities from local chapters or of efforts on behalf
of social justice by MESJ members who don't live near an organized chapter.
- Reviews of books about social justice or the intersection of faith
and activism.
- Personal reflections from an LDS perspective about working toward
a more just and equitable society.
- Real-life stories that show anxiously engaged citizens can make a
difference.
Send submissions to the editor at poortfinau@aol.com
Please put Submissions in the subject line.
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