Chapter 18 (Part one)

 I wrote a chapter for a book that will be printed soon. My next 10 posts are about what I wrote in this  chapter with the title:"A nation of Immigrant Learners Reaching for Brightness." Here is a summery of what Mari Vawn wrote for an introduction for the Book she named it In the spirit of Jershon. 

In early 2008 a small group of LDS friends, some Hispanics and some Anglos, met in the State of Utah for the first time to discuss the urgent need to improve the academic achievement of Hispanic children and youth. We recognize that Utah is not only facing a tremendous challenge in terms of student growth, but that the fastest-growing student population in the U.S. ___ Hispanics___ is also under-educated. It is a well known fact that only half of them graduate from high school in the U.S.A.

What brought us together together was our deep derrière to see the Hispanic youth and families among us flourish. We found that we share a profound love for the Book of Mormon and for those who sacrificed and prayed mightily to preserve it for us today and for their seed in the last days. We each personally and as a group, rejoice in the growing strength in Zion of the children of Lehi and seed of Joseph as well as other Hispanics. These descendants continue to enter the Church in great numbers, serving with love and distinction as leaders and role models fro the whole Church. Although our focus for this book is on Hispanic young people, we do not dismiss the importance of addressing the needs of other students populations, for we also recognize that need.

We authors named our group efforts the Jershon project. Our choice to use the name Jershon was inspired  by the history of the land of Jershon that was given to thousand of Laminites converts in the Book of Mormon. This kindness is detailed in Alma 23 and 27 when the hatred and murderous lawlessness in their home lands required them to seek sanctuary in another country.

The grace with which the majority group of Nephite members of the church left their comfort-zones behind to made room for immigrants in their church and country was inspiring to us. We aspire to help foment similar acceptance, charity, and grace in our church of the 21st century.

Now here is the first paragraph of my Introduction:

               

          What do sunflowers and immigrants have in common? They both are found throughout the world seeking the “brightness of light.” Just as sunflowers turn toward the sun to get light for growth, 1 immigrants seek a type of “light” to grow also. In this chapter, I will share what I have observed as the Honorary Consul of El Salvador in Utah, as a teacher, as a student, and as a community leader for almost 40 years. I will also add what I have learned from studies done by experts and scholars.

To be continued ...

Con amor,
Vero