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 August
2004 |
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Contents Introducing MESJ's new electronic newsletter! Introducing MESJ's New Electronic Newsletter! This electronic newsletter has been created by action of the May 2004 Resolutions Conference. The newsletter has two goals: (1) to help MESJ members stay connected with one another, especially members who do not live close to organized chapters; (2) to provide a forum for gospel-centered discussions of social justice that can uplift and motivate. Our plan is to publish the newsletter monthly. Regular features will include:
Submissions in any of the above areas are welcome! Also, we'd love to hear your ideas about what the newsletter should contain. Send submissions or comments to Media Director John-Charles Duffy at jcduffy@hotmail.com. Please put "Anxiously Engaged" in the subject line. Scriptural Thought Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. Alma 41:14 Question of the Month Each month we'll pose a thought-provoking question related to spirituality and social justice and solicit your responses by email. Then we'll publish selected responses in the next edition of the newsletter. (Responses may be edited for space, tone, and clarity.)
Send your responses to jcduffy@hotmail.com, with "Anxiously Engaged" in the subject line. Include your name and your city. Responses need to be received by August 25. Spotlight: An Interview with James and Debora Tobler
James and Debora were both born into the Church, James in Salt Lake and Debora in Arizona. James earned a masters in labor studies from the University of Massachusetts; Debora is in the dissertation phase of a doctorate in Economics from the University of Utah. They currently live in Palm Springs, where James works as a labor organizer. They teach Primary in their local ward and would like to start their own family. James and Debora were interviewed by email for this inaugural issue of Anxiously Engaged. The plan had been to gather material for a very short article. But their answers were so thoughtful that it seemed better, in the end, to share their remarks at greater length, in interview format.
James: My mission in Mexico raised my consciousness of the gross inequalities and injustices that exist in the world. The poor weren't lazy nor a drain on society but were actually the hardest working people I knew. This challenged some of my pre-conceived notions. Upon my return from my mission, I looked for ways to express my new found enthusiasm to make the world a better place. I take seriously the Book of Mormon and the D&C where they teach us that there should be an equality among all. The gospel message is one of love, equality and solidarity. Debora: If we truly live in Christ, we act for justice and peace. This requires - in these times - that we stand for systemic change in our society. I feel that I have a "mission" in life to act for social justice. The Church definitely strengthens me in my activism. I marvel at Church members' dedication and lives spent in service. I am also inspired by different faith groups that endeavor to stand together for what is socially right and just.
James: After my mission I started studying American social movements: Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement, the labor movement at the turn of the century, etc. That message of social justice very much connected with my sensibilities of goodness and of the struggle between right and wrong. I started to get involved in different political organizations and labor unions but found them lacking, for the most part, a spiritual element. That, to me, is essential to any movement that claims to be fighting for the greater good.
Debora: MESJ is about supporting each other and building a community that acts together. MESJ meetings and activities are so refreshing. I hope that more LDS people can hear about MESJ so that MESJ groups can be a support for more LDS people. I cherish the people I have met in MESJ, and I look forward to getting to know more "MESnJers." James: MESJ is an attempt to bring spirituality, truth, and love into social justice movements, as well as an attempt to bring a theoretical framework to the LDS community of how to change society for the better. I hope to see MESJ educate, influence, legitimize, and give courage to Latter-day Saints around the world to get in the trenches and change society.
James: My wife strengthens my love and spirituality in the world, which very literally legitimizes my social activism. Also, we have become a team motivating each other to keep fighting what is often a very discouraging struggle. Debora: My marriage to James strengthens me because I know that we share a vision of how the world can be better, and we share a vision of how that can take place. We really support each other. This seems like a real "woman's magazine" or "Relief Society" sounding thing to say, but it seems like when I am doing laundry and cooking for my husband, I am enabling him to do work that I believe in. I am proud of his work - it edifies us. When I am doing work that I believe in, I am making myself happy. News from Local Chapters Salt Lake: What do you get when you add: one part "Mormon tradition," one part "civil rights," three or four good scriptures, a dash of discussion, and "jello for dessert"? Last January all this came together in my little Avenues apartment, when the Salt Lake chapter sponsored a special family home evening on Martin Luther King Day. My apartment was filled up with MESJ members and other interested Mormons, and it was fired up by talk of social justice and civil rights. It was an inspiring evening for me. Civil rights are something many people feel passionately about, and it was refreshing to discuss it with a gospel focus and in a Christ-centered way. As a group we read from the scriptures and we shared experiences. We were inspired by the speeches of Rev. King, which are filled with faith and conviction. We talked of ways that we could make our community a better place, where all people could be valued for their own contribution. To participate in other inspiring evenings, watch for a MESJ-sponsored FHE in your community--or host one yourself. Great FHE resources can be found on our website. Suzette Smith, Salt Lake Chapter
The Las Vegas chapter will continue to monitor the situation, as it provides us with great opportunities to explore related issues like energy policies, long-term effects of nuclear weapon systems, and protection of the environment. While the Church has not taken an official stand on the issue of Yucca Mountain, our chapter feels a responsibility to answer the call of our leaders to become "anxiously engaged" as citizens in this community matter that may affect many, many generations for thousands of years to come! Robert Poore, Las Vegas Chapter Upcoming Events and Observances
Call for Submissions Anxiously Engaged welcomes submissions! We're especially interested in news from local chapters. Also, tell us about something you've witnessed that shows people can make a difference in working for peace, worker justice, economic equality, civil rights, gender equity, or the environment. Remember: by small and simple means are great things brought to pass! Send submissions to jcduffy@hotmail.com.
Please put "Anxiously Engaged" in the subject line.
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