The Source

This is a statement of personal opinion. To find the official stance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints please click here.

To tell the truth, I have been annoyed with the amount of misinformation coming from both sides about Proposition 8. I was thankful that I didn't have to form an opinion on the proposition, because I am not a California (Arizona or Florida) voter. But, now that the protests targeted the LDS community in New York City I felt motivated to seek out the truth and form my opinion, because as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are encouraged to seek out the truth and form our own opinions. We are never taught to blindly follow the crowd even if that crowd is made up of other LDS people.

My husband and I have many gay and lesbian friends and acquaintances. On an individual basis we have found that we can respect each other's opinions, desires, and rights. We respect their desire to be in a committed relationship, and they respect our desire to teach our son that God doesn't approved of the sexual actions of homosexual couples. We have been able to love and care about these same-sex couples, without demeaning our religious beliefs. I recognize that many religious people find our tolerance too accepting, but we have found just as many religious people who share our so-called liberal-mindedness.

The problem is that Proposition 8 is an attempt to combine church and state. For those of us who believe that marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman, opening the definition of marriage infringes on our religious right to define marriage. Now, if the fight was really about equal rights, same-sex couples seeking equal rights would not be opposed to calling it a "civil union" by which the rights that should be granted to all people who love each other are granted. And, it is on that reasoning that I have decided that I am glad Proposition 8 passed, because in its passage, religious rights are protected. After much internal debate I have decided to share the sources that helped me form this opinion.

In the Doctrine and Covenants (a sacred book of scripture) Section 134 defines the church's beliefs about government. In verse 7 it states,

We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy."

The reason the Church leaders encouraged its members to be active participates in supporting Proposition 8 is because if it did not pass it would mean government would be proscribing religious people in their opinions.

Another poignant verse in section 134 is verse 4

We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.

It is for this reason that I cannot be of the opinion that same-sex couples should be denied rights granted by government to committed couples. In "The Divine Institution of Marriage" an official document of the Church, it sates,

The Church does not object to rights (already established in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.

I would encourage you to read the section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants and "The Divine Institution of Marriage" to gain a better understanding of the Church's standing on the issue. I have found it enlightening and encouraging.

I am grateful for the rights I have been granted by the United States Government. I hope that the government will sustain the vote of the people. I hope that both sides demanding rights will be able to avoid hate and work towards a solution. I believe that marriage is a divine union, that it is sacred, and that it should be protected. I believe that it is my right to think, teach, and practice that belief. I hope that right is never taken from me, and that my opinion is allowed, in just the same way I wish to allow lifestyles that do not fall in that definition. I will admit that I can't call it marriage, but I do firmly believe that government should protect the rights of all couples, just under a different name.

The Facts of Prop 8 and Mormons

The Facts of Prop 8 and Mormons

I think its awful that so many groups are isolating the mormons as the persecutors for prop 8. Here are some facts:

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.

2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on

8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8. 8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way.

Love

So I have come to realize how grateful I am for the knowledge of the truth. With the rapid increase in the signs prophesied of regarding the Second Coming, I am grateful to know this is all part of it. It is really sad to see protestors defiling the temples, hurting people, and threatening others, but we have been warned that this would happen. I am grateful to know that in the end, Christ will come and make everything right. I am grateful to know that I still have power over my family and can still have the spirit to comfort us in trials. I am grateful to feel the love of the Lord. In a way, I feel a sort of sorrowful love for those who are confused about the truth. Really, they are very valiant individuals who are confused about which side to fight for. I am sad for them, because their choices will hurt them. I have realized that I need to turn my prayers toward them and hope their hearts will soften for their sakes. Here is an article to show the depth of their confusion regarding marriage.

Gratitude Attitude

At a Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago we were challenged to keep a daily journal of gratitude for a year. Since I'm on the computer daily, I decided to start a gratitude blog. As I update it, I find that even on the really rough days,when life seems awfully bleak, I can still find at least one thing to be grateful for. I'm glad that the Lord wants us to be grateful. It's comforting that directly or indirectly we can see His hand in all things.

"And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." Alma 34:37-38