President Nelson and I went to a reception last night with one of our sister missionaries. She asked if she could talk to us for a minute. I guess in one of her classes they were discussing Equal Rights (I am not exactly sure what that all entails), but she was making a stand against same sex marriage and seemed to be on her own. They kept on asking her if she was in favor of Equal Rights inferring that same-sex marriage was part of the package, therefore made it right. I sent her along some thoughts.
1. Package. I told her that there wasn’t just one package. Just because something may contain 9 out of 10 good and righteous things, if there is one thing that goes against your values then by voting for the “package” you would still have to compromise your personal integrity (it would fine to “vote” for them separately). Satan’s approach when presenting a deception is to surround it with much truth and good.
2. Tool. In the last days even the elect will be deceived. I feel that the issue of Same Sex Marriage (even though a person wouldn’t practice it) is the most effective tool that Satan has ever had to lead people away from the Church. They say that marriage between a man and a man or a woman/woman should be legal—accepted by the Church—endorsed by prophets--ordained of God. It’s one of Satan's best deceptions--one of his most powerful mockeries.
3. Criticism. As soon as we accept it as a personal belief, the next natural step is to go on to criticize leaders, authorities, our prophets, and God himself. People put themselves slightly above all, claiming to be “enlightened”--and that those who aren't of their same persuasion are mis-informed or slightly behind the times.
4. Slippery Slide. Next comes a slippery slide that literally slides people “line upon line” right out of the Church. It’s becoming more common than you think—scary. The "journey" goes pretty fast. The percentages we’ve heard are too high, especially among young adults.
Truth: Marriage has been a sacred institution ordained God
since the beginning of time. It doesn’t matter what
religion you are or your beliefs. (true)
Truth: There is nothing wrong with having same-gender attraction any
more than having opposite-sex attraction. (true) (It’s how
we handle it.)
Truth: God loves everybody with a perfect love no matter who they
are or what they believe. (true)
Truth: Only God can judge. We do not have the right to judge other
people. (true) (We are, however, taught to judge actions.
Parents spend their whole lives trying to instill righteous actions
and behaviors in their children).
Truth: Everybody deserves to be happy. (true) (God has a different
definition of happiness than man. His is long term.)
Deception: “Because I have same-gender attraction, the only way I can be truly happy is to be with another person of my same gender.” I am “special” and allowances should be made for my situation. The rules of morality shouldn’t apply to me (false). (There are many, many “special” situations, in addition to same-sex attraction. The question is, do we believe that being morally clean in the strictest sense of the word is "of" God?)
Marriage between a man and woman is ordained "of" God and has been since the beginning of time. Any other way is a law "of" man. Just because a law "of" man is made legal, doesn't automatically convert it to a law "of" God.
Man’s path--his laws--will eventually lead to emptiness in the strictest sense of the word, whether it be in this world or in the world to come. When we accept Satan’s falsehoods as God’s truths, we as covenant people, will pay a dear price.
TV--The News I was watching a segment of the news not too long ago (Utah) of a same-gender wedding. The official/minister who was marrying them stated, “What God joins together, let no man put asunder.” I was saddened and knew that God would never join two people in "sacred" matrimony in this situation. It will be Satan who puts it “asunder.” It goes against all of His laws of eternity.
I liked the Church’s recent statement—that people have the right to believe differently than we do, and we should always treat them with kindness and consideration. And hopefully, they would extend the same courtesy to us.
CHURCH’S STATEMENT
“Just as those who promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true for those who oppose it,” the leaders stated in the letter, posted on the church’s website.“ The church insists on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally protected right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family and morality free from retaliation or retribution. The church is also entitled to maintain its standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.” The church also emphasized that those who promote same-sex marriage are equally deserving of civility. “While these matters will continue to evolve, we affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same-sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility—even when we disagree.”
There are so many heavy burdens that we will have to carry during this life. However, I have a firm belief that we understood and accepted our trials before we came to this earth. All that is rightfully ours will be restored to us in the Lord's own due time. We need to be patient in our afflictions. We love you.
