Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States decided that it was legal for homosexuals to marry in all fifty states. I never actually thought that the Supreme Court would make a ruling on this; I figured it would toss the decision back to the states. I guess I was caught off guard, thinking that we would see many more years of law suits and court decisions about the matter on the state level.
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I do not support gay marriage. It was over twenty years ago that our church came out with "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and stated: The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. While our church does not believe in condemning or berating homosexuals, it stands by the divine law that marriage should be between a man and a woman. There is no other way for spirit sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father to come to earth and get a body. Two men can't make it happen, nor can two women.
I felt sick as soon as I heard the news about the Supreme Court ruling. In fact, I couldn't sleep well that night, and I woke up feeling depressed and a bit stressed the next morning. I don't worry because of what this means in the grand scheme of things--the world is going to end at some point, and the people need to reach a certain level of wickedness before it happens. I worry because of what this means for my family (and for me specifically) in regards to our relationships with others who are not of our faith.
We Mormons are a peculiar people. I think we feel the most peculiar when we are around people who do not have the same beliefs as us.
It's one thing to refuse a coffee in the morning, or to not attend a birthday party on Sunday. We have a lot of practice in explaining our motives behind those decisions, and because they are personal decisions, no one really gives us a hard time about it. In fact, those experiences give us lots of opportunities to talk about our faith and explain who we are.
However, a topic of discussion that is frequently broached in our local high school's government and civics classes is gay marriage. My children already sweat it out, standing up for their conservative beliefs in regards to welfare and abortion and gay marriage. In fact, there have been times that I have had to contact a teacher because the discussions about transgender people or homosexuals are making my children uncomfortable and are affecting their feelings towards a class specifically. However, I won't deny that these moments have made my children stronger people and have solidified their testimonies. There's nothing like being the only person in a class who believes the opposite of all other classmates and teacher. And when I look at my boys and the experiences they had on their missions, it's obvious that they were well prepared to stand up for their beliefs in countries that had no interest in anything they had to say.
Gay marriage, prior to this weekend however, was just a possibility. It wasn't the law. But the fact that a court representing the people has said that it's okay for homosexuals to marry is a scary, new prospect for my children (Glo specifically) and for my future grandchildren, because of the discussions I imagine it will generate in school.
This summer, I have set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon (in just seven weeks). Because I teach seminary during the year, I don't have much time to read the Book of Mormon in addition to whatever book of scripture we are studying. So, I'm determined to get through the whole thing this summer. Needing to read eleven pages a day doesn't leave me much time to ponder anything (which is what I do daily with seminary). It's more just get an overall feeling for the day and move on. Because I'm working this summer, that doesn't leave me much actual time to read, so I've been listening to it wherever I go. In the car. Out for my daily walk/jog.
Feeling very troubled yesterday, I set out for a long walk, listening to the scriptures. It was the end of 1 Nephi, and Nephi was "fighting" with his brothers about the verity of his father's teachings. Nephi could do nothing but reiterate to them that their father was the prophet, and they needed to listen to him.
BAM! I knew that whatever the case, whatever the law, or this country, or man himself says is right and true and correct, I can't go wrong if I listen to the prophet. Our prophet has said that gay marriage is wrong. I'm not going to question it.
That still didn't answer the question though of what are we supposed to do about it. How are we supposed to react, and what are we supposed to say when the topic comes up, either on Facebook, or in conversation, or in a school class. In all honesty, I think it would be much easier to just move to Utah and hide. However, that's not what we do. I needed some kind of game plan. Someway to feel that I'm still standing up for what I believe, but I'm not offending some of my dear friends when I do it.
While I can't say that I know every way I will react, or everything I will say when this will happen, I heard a brilliant suggestion today while listening to 2 Nephi 7 (verses six through nine). Jacob is quoting Isaiah, and as I heard these words, I knew it was an answer to my prayers:
Isn't that just beautiful? While I usually groan when I hit "the Isaiah chapters" in 2 Nephi, today I was so grateful to hear those words.
I'm so grateful that I don't have to approve of everyone changing their FB profile picture to a rainbow. I don't have to celebrate with all the gay faculty and staff here at Interlochen. I don't need to worry about not agreeing with them. The Lord God will help me...and he will help my children and my grandchildren.
We have been saved to come to earth at this time for a special purpose. In the premortal existence, we showed our Heavenly Father that we had grit, and that we could withstand the buffetings of Satan. He is near and he will help us.
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I do not support gay marriage. It was over twenty years ago that our church came out with "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and stated: The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. While our church does not believe in condemning or berating homosexuals, it stands by the divine law that marriage should be between a man and a woman. There is no other way for spirit sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father to come to earth and get a body. Two men can't make it happen, nor can two women.
I felt sick as soon as I heard the news about the Supreme Court ruling. In fact, I couldn't sleep well that night, and I woke up feeling depressed and a bit stressed the next morning. I don't worry because of what this means in the grand scheme of things--the world is going to end at some point, and the people need to reach a certain level of wickedness before it happens. I worry because of what this means for my family (and for me specifically) in regards to our relationships with others who are not of our faith.
We Mormons are a peculiar people. I think we feel the most peculiar when we are around people who do not have the same beliefs as us.
It's one thing to refuse a coffee in the morning, or to not attend a birthday party on Sunday. We have a lot of practice in explaining our motives behind those decisions, and because they are personal decisions, no one really gives us a hard time about it. In fact, those experiences give us lots of opportunities to talk about our faith and explain who we are.
However, a topic of discussion that is frequently broached in our local high school's government and civics classes is gay marriage. My children already sweat it out, standing up for their conservative beliefs in regards to welfare and abortion and gay marriage. In fact, there have been times that I have had to contact a teacher because the discussions about transgender people or homosexuals are making my children uncomfortable and are affecting their feelings towards a class specifically. However, I won't deny that these moments have made my children stronger people and have solidified their testimonies. There's nothing like being the only person in a class who believes the opposite of all other classmates and teacher. And when I look at my boys and the experiences they had on their missions, it's obvious that they were well prepared to stand up for their beliefs in countries that had no interest in anything they had to say.
Gay marriage, prior to this weekend however, was just a possibility. It wasn't the law. But the fact that a court representing the people has said that it's okay for homosexuals to marry is a scary, new prospect for my children (Glo specifically) and for my future grandchildren, because of the discussions I imagine it will generate in school.
This summer, I have set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon (in just seven weeks). Because I teach seminary during the year, I don't have much time to read the Book of Mormon in addition to whatever book of scripture we are studying. So, I'm determined to get through the whole thing this summer. Needing to read eleven pages a day doesn't leave me much time to ponder anything (which is what I do daily with seminary). It's more just get an overall feeling for the day and move on. Because I'm working this summer, that doesn't leave me much actual time to read, so I've been listening to it wherever I go. In the car. Out for my daily walk/jog.
Feeling very troubled yesterday, I set out for a long walk, listening to the scriptures. It was the end of 1 Nephi, and Nephi was "fighting" with his brothers about the verity of his father's teachings. Nephi could do nothing but reiterate to them that their father was the prophet, and they needed to listen to him.
BAM! I knew that whatever the case, whatever the law, or this country, or man himself says is right and true and correct, I can't go wrong if I listen to the prophet. Our prophet has said that gay marriage is wrong. I'm not going to question it.
That still didn't answer the question though of what are we supposed to do about it. How are we supposed to react, and what are we supposed to say when the topic comes up, either on Facebook, or in conversation, or in a school class. In all honesty, I think it would be much easier to just move to Utah and hide. However, that's not what we do. I needed some kind of game plan. Someway to feel that I'm still standing up for what I believe, but I'm not offending some of my dear friends when I do it.
While I can't say that I know every way I will react, or everything I will say when this will happen, I heard a brilliant suggestion today while listening to 2 Nephi 7 (verses six through nine). Jacob is quoting Isaiah, and as I heard these words, I knew it was an answer to my prayers:
I give my back to the smiter. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me.
For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.
Isn't that just beautiful? While I usually groan when I hit "the Isaiah chapters" in 2 Nephi, today I was so grateful to hear those words.
I'm so grateful that I don't have to approve of everyone changing their FB profile picture to a rainbow. I don't have to celebrate with all the gay faculty and staff here at Interlochen. I don't need to worry about not agreeing with them. The Lord God will help me...and he will help my children and my grandchildren.
We have been saved to come to earth at this time for a special purpose. In the premortal existence, we showed our Heavenly Father that we had grit, and that we could withstand the buffetings of Satan. He is near and he will help us.
Excellent post mommy! Thank you Isaiah for seeing our time and giving us hope!!
ReplyDeleteThe Isaiah chapters are so hard to understand without the proper context. But once you find the right situation, and you're concerned about the right things, they ALWAYS convey so much power and strength. In the end, we can't control how people feel about our beliefs, or how they react to our reasons, but we know whats right. Beautifully put mommy(:
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