Listen and Obey, Then Understanding Will Follow

Members that don't understand Church policy, doctrine, or official statements need to follow the direction given by those that hold the keys, and then seek understanding.

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).

As we have faith in and act on God’s plan, organization, and commandments, we will learn the doctrine (the eternal truths and reasons-- the “why”).

Faith has always preceded the miracle, and sometimes God requires us to listen and obey before understanding is given. And that understanding may take a long time-- maybe even until after this life.

When your young child darts into the street as a car approaches and you yell "stop", I'm sure the last response you want to hear is "give me three compelling arguments why I need stop and I’ll review these reasons, develop my own standing on the issue, and let you know soon if I decide to obey your request."

Failing to follow council from a Church leader is metaphorically equivalent to a child running in front of a car. It would be ignorant to think other wise. The spiritual danger it causes can be seen by many groups in the scriptures: Lamen and Lemuel, the Lamenites, the Gadianton Robbers, the third of the hosts of heaven that revolted, Satan, etc.
(This is not good company to be in)

There is nothing more upsetting than apostasy. There is no lonelier road than dissension.

"Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God" (D&C 121:38)

During these times of challenging issues such as the church’s response to The Boy Scouts of America’s policy changes regarding homosexuality and the supreme court’s ruling on the “right” to marry, please remember that your loyalty is to God first. Take time to read the Church’s official statements and doctrine. Review them in prayer asking for understanding, having a pre-set determination to follow God’s direction as given through proper Priesthood keys. Give it time. Too often these tough issues become so emotionally charged that we block our own ability to receive revelation through pondering and through healthy counseling with others.

True peace comes from following Christ, even when times are tough.

Yes on Prop 8

In a world filled with so much hatred based on things such race, gender, and sexual preference, some may take Proposition 8 the wrong way. Proposition 8 is not about hate, it's about protecting the values of traditional marriage and family.

I believe in free agency. People should have the right to choose how they live. I completely defend and support the rights and freedoms of people to choose their relationships. People should be able to commit themselves in a legal sense to live with whomever they want.

However, calling this commitment marriage is incorrect. Society should not be forced to condone, approve, or promote the decisions that individuals have the freedom to make.

People may have the right to choose their relationships, but there is no such right to call that relationship a marriage. Calling gay relationships "marriage" would essentially suggest that they are the same as the relationships between a man and a woman.

Gay Marriage proponents argue that Proposition 8 is "a major threat to our basic constitutional rights", "unfair", and discrimination against homosexuals. These statements are untrue.

Homosexual partners have the equal ability to live together under a domestic partnership, retaining the "same rights, protections and benefits" as married couples (Family Code § 297.5). What rights are being denied?

Under a domestic partnership, domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in California. Partners can legally share their resources, are able to visit their partners in the hospital, and have voice in what happens in the event of a medical emergency, just as a married spouse does in a heterosexual marriage. They have insurance rights as well as sick care and family leave rights.

Gay couples in a domestic partnership are not being denied the rights of married people in California. The argument that gay couples are victims of discrimination is false. With gay marriage, what new rights will they receive? If domestic partners get married, what would change? Nothing.

Gay Marriage proponents argue that everyone has the "fundamental right" to marry whomever we wish. If marriage is a fundamental right, as the Gay Marriage proponents argue, then how could polygamous marriages be disallowed? How could marriages between siblings or cousins be denied? If proponents of Gay Marriage are in favor of the unrestricted right to marry, they should simultaneously state their support of polygamy and incestuous marriage publicly. You simply cannot say that people have the right marry whomever they wish and deny polygamous or incestuous marriages. There simply is no "fundamental right" to marry whomever you wish. These people have the rights to form these relationships, but they do not have the right to call these relationships marriage.

Proposition 8 is not about rights or discrimination. Proposition 8 is simply the distinguishing between marriage and a domestic partnership or civil union.

Gay Marriage proponents are not concerned for their "basic constitutional rights", they are seeking further social acceptance. Were it not so, they would be fine calling their legal relationship a domestic partnership.

Opponents of proposition 8 are not satisfied with the equal rights granted with domestic partnerships, they want to change society's understanding of what a marriage is. A good example is the attempt by schools to teach acceptance of a gay marriage.

In the No on Prop 8 commercials they say there is no agenda to teach gay marriage in our schools. The California Superintendent of Schools says there is no "requirement" to teach gay marriage in schools. Notice that he doesn't say that there is a requirement not to teach gay marriage in schools. There are no restrictions and it is left totally up to the teacher.

In fact, it's already happening. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle class of first graders took a school funded field trip to attend the gay marriage of their teacher. The school justified the field trip saying that it was a "teachable moment".

How many field trips have you taken for a heterosexual marriage? Has it even been considered? Probably not, and nor should it be. My feeling is that school is for learning math, science, language, history, and even art. I don't think teachers should promote or condemn gay marriage. It should be a non issue in schools. School shouldn't be the place to advocate the teacher's personal political or moral viewpoints. I personally don't want to hear about my teacher's marriages whether they are gay or straight.

No on proposition 8 campaign advertisements say that teachers aren't really interested in discussing gay marriage in school. Then why has the California Teachers Association donated 1.3 million dollars to the No on Prop 8 campaign? On what other proposition are they spending 1.3 million dollars?

Proposition 8 is not about taking away rights, or preventing homosexuality. It is about maintaining a distinction between marriage and other government recognized relationships. People should have the right to be able to live with whomever they want, but don't call it something is not, marriage.