Mormon Mentality - Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People » Learning lessons from LDS immigrants

By bbell

Jul. 31st, 2010 at 11:04 pm

Last Sunday we had a fantastic talk in our ward. A sister who had immigrated from the Philippines told the story of her families conversion when she was in the Philippines as a teenager. Her family was pretty poor and lacked basic durable goods like a TV and a fridge. Upon paying tithing her father had a series of rapid promotions and they ended up living what was in the Philippines a fairly middle class lifestyle, essentially they could afford a fridge and this simplified their lives quite a bit. She spoke about how grateful they were that they had a fridge and they were always appreciative of food that stayed fresh.

She ended her talk by talking about how grateful her 19 year old daughter was for the janitorial job she had at BYU that helped her get thru school.

Imagine if you will the audience for this talk. We arrived at church from our 3000sqft homes in late model SUV’s and vans that cost far more then her parents had ever made in a year. Fridge? Most of us had a fridge in the garage and one in the kitchen. For many of us the world that this sister described was far far away. I watched as many people around me teared up as the spirit poured out across the audience.

For me I always think of the YM when I hear something important. To them their whole lives have been one of material indulgence. Even the poorest among them have a house, fridge, 2 cars, cell phone, AC etc.

Sometimes I think we need a glimpse of what other peoples face across the world to realize what we really have.

What lessons have you learned from LDS immigrants in your wards and stakes?

1. Newly Housewife

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 12:42pm

For the most part, I–like you–have learned the importance of gratitude.

There was one leader in the YW when I was in there that was from Korea. Her first memories were that of guns shooting at her family while they were fleeting in a boat to Japan (or some other nearby nation). Her family did fairly well in America so I never assumed she had any ‘troubled past’ issues.

I’ve also learned that a fair handful of them can be crazy. Such as the case as when they give testimonies about their sandwich meat, or feel the spirit is in every column.

2. Paul

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 12:49pm

My mother is an immigrant who came from Germany to the U.S. Most of her reason for immigrating was that her mother made her feel she would be unwelcome at home because she accepted a mission call to England, causing embarrassment to the family.

When I was five years old, I asked her about why she came the the US. She explained that she had been kicked out of her family and she turned to Mark 10:29-30, and read it to me.

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

She does not remember this conversation, but her faith impressed me so much that I can still see her opening the Bible and placing her finger under these verses while she read. I believe this formed my belief that the Lord rewards those that make sacrifices for Him. My subsequent willingness to serve brought many blessings into my life.

3. living in zion

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 1:35pm

A sister in our ward fled her home country as a child. She described running through the forest at night, with only the clothes on their backs. They ended up in a refugee camp, then eventually made their way to the US. They converted as immigrants living in California.

She is awesome because she doesn’t use her life experiences in every situation, as ” You think you have it rough? Try fleeing for your life, not knowing where to go or how to survive.” She lets us speak our piece and is kind enough to be empathic. I hope to be like her when I grow up.

4. danithew

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 3:41pm

My wife comes from an immigrant family – they did not leave China and then Taiwan because they were LDS but they still provide an inspirational hard-working example.

5. MCQ

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 7:02pm

The most amazing/heart wrenching story I have ever heard came from a woman who fled from West Africa during the genocidal conglicts there. She literally watched her family members hacked apart with machetes. Somehow, she escaped and made it to a refugee center where church members had sent survival kits with toothbrushes and other essentials. For months, that survival kit was her only possession. She joined the church when she reached a safe city largely because of that survival kit alone. She eventually came to SLC as a missionary on temple square. Incredible story.

When you hear stories like hers, you don’t know whether to be grateful for your life or just horrified for her. It does make you appreciate what you have, and also amazed at the sheer courage to go on that some refugees have shown. The most unbelievable thing was that she was a very cheerful person. We should be much happier than we usually are.

6. Martin

Sun, Aug 1, 2010 @ 7:34pm

A Korean sister in our ward told how she was her mother’s third daughter. Her mother’s responsibility was to provide her father with a son, and her shame of three consecutive failures was overwhelmingly shameful. She said her mother initially covered her face with a pillow to suffocate her, but before the deed was done relented and decided to raise her as a mother should, even if she was only a girl. Her father never got his son, and resented her for it.

When she converted to the church and learned that she was a daughter of God and of infinite worth in His eyes, it plugged a figurative hole in her heart that had been bleeding since she was very young. She made choices to achieve things she never previously knew she could, because she knew God loved her and would help her succeed.

7. » Is happiness of so little virtue? The Millennial Star

Tue, Aug 3, 2010 @ 10:53am

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