Why It Really Is About Love

I am writing this blog because I've felt sad the last few days, well years really, reading the opinions, positions, comments and posts about issues having to do with gay marriage. It seems like many people are jumping to false conclusions based on inaccurate information. I am a Mormon, and I feel discouraged and disheartened to know that we are criticized and attacked for these beliefs--especially when I think people really haven't taken the time to understand the motives and intentions behind them. So let's pretend for just a minute that you're actually a Mormon. I know, why would you ever want to be one? They're prudes, they have out of date beliefs, they're judgmental, they're uncool, unpopular, and just plain weird. Well that last part is probably true. ;) But if you can think just for a minute--if you believed the things that we believe, what would you ask us to do instead? Would you ask us to abandon what we hold to be sacred and true?  I would hope not, but instead, I would hope that you would try to understand where we're coming from. So here we go, here's where we're coming from:

1. We believe in a right and a wrong. We do not believe in moral relativism--meaning that individuals decide what is right and wrong in terms of righteousness and sin. We believe that is God's job. So if God says something is sinful we believe it is sinful, and we would not support or encourage anyone to pursue or participate in a behavior which would ultimately preclude him from returning to live with God (which is kind of the main purpose for us being here on earth). :) We want to return to Heavenly Father and be given all the blessings He has in store for us, and we want the same for all of God's children (who are our brothers and sisters). God wants us to use our time here on earth to become good and holy people through our righteous choices and if we don't care about the rightness or wrongness of choices, where will that take our society? What will that be teaching future generations?

 2.  God is no respecter of persons. He sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for all mankind. That means that the Atonement has the power to save everyone.  No one is exempt from God's love or the power of Christ's Atonement. But, just because God loves the individual unconditionally, that does not mean he unconditionally accepts any behavior that individual wishes to engage in. The Atonement is there so we can become like our Savior, so that we can become better every day, so that we can repent and change and overcome our weaknesses. It is a wonderful and merciful gift. We are all sinners and we all require the saving grace of the atonement.

3. We believe in eternal families. We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children. I'll say that again: ETERNAL destiny. If we thought this earth life was as good as it's ever going to get, many things would be tragedies: couples not able to have children, people who want to marry but never have the chance to do so (including those with same-sex attraction), physical and mental disabilities, illnesses, the heartbreak of infidelity, death of a loved one, etc. If the consequences of these situations were permanent, how sad and awful that would be. But in the eternities (in heaven) faithful individuals and families (meaning those who abide God's laws even when it's hard and they don't understand what the heck His plan is for them) :) WILL receive all the blessings God has in store for them. We will see our loved ones again, couples will find happiness in marriage and in having children, disabilities will disappear, etc. If we see earth life through this eternal perspective, a lot changes!

4. We believe that God has restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day to give us tools so we can return to Him. One of those tools I'd like to mention is modern-day apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ is at the head of this church, but His chosen apostles are His spokesmen here on the earth. We believe they receive revelation from God in regards to the church in our day. So if an official announcement is made, it is from God and not made up by ignorant, hateful, power-seeking men. You might think that, but we don't. We also believe each individual person has the right to receive revelation for him or herself and for his or her family. Not as a contradiction to what God has said for the church as a whole, but to receive personal answers to issues that may be troubling or disconcerting. Prayer is so important and we believe every person should strive for a personal relationship with God. There may be different things that are right for different people at different stages of their lives and progression. (Not the same as moral relativism, but just realizing that we are all on different journeys and come from different backgrounds and circumstances, and that we need to be sensitive to that).

5. We believe in treating all people with kindness. We are obviously aware that not everyone feels the same way about our beliefs as we do. Many of you reading this might think that believing what we do is ridiculous and that we need to change it now. BUT, how you feel about our beliefs does not change the fact that we believe this is truth. And we need to act in accordance with our beliefs. That is the right and privilege of living in this wonderful country and we should not fear or be made to feel ashamed of the things that we hold dear. Just the same as you. But never at any time has any leader of our church condoned or supported any action that is unkind, aggressive, or belittling to someone who holds different beliefs than we do. If there are members of our church who have acted this way it is out of their own insecurities and imperfections that they are doing so. We are taught that Jesus Christ treated all those he came in contact with with kindness and love. But we also know he did not condone or support sin and we are trying to do the same.

I realize that was long-winded but I hope that it clarified some things for you and I hope that you can appreciate and understand where we are coming from. We are honestly not coming from a position of hate or discrimination. It is sincerely out of love and a desire to see all of God's children receive a fullness of His blessings, especially after this life is over.  Okay, so you might think well then what about the recent announcement? Why aren't you allowing these children to receive these blessings? I would like to refer you back to #3 above. We know that various earthly circumstances might necessitate a delay in making covenants. The church would rather put the stability of the family (yes, even one where there are same-sex parents) above the immediacy of making covenants. That will come as it will for all those who choose good and are faithful. I know that this policy was made to protect these children and their families. The church would never put itself in a position to be the source of division between a child and his or her parents. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you or clarify anything that might be confusing in this post. Thank you!