As a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:
I have a message to those government officials who are working so diligently to take away the happiness of others by stopping same sex marriage in Utah.
Please read this whole message and watch the video.
Even though I do not really consider myself as a liberal, I
feel that what the Utah government is doing here is very wrong. When the ruling for same sex marriages was
overturned I joined in the celebration and rejoiced with my gay brothers and
sisters. I saw so much relief and happiness that it made my heart feel
good. Who is it hurting? Really.
After all, a legal marriage certificate is an agreement of
two parties to join in a partnership where everything is shared and they
promise to take care of each other. Furthermore it gives the couple the
opportunity to take advantage of those tax breaks, and other things offered
only to married couples. What part of this is causing harm in any way to
others????
I as a Latter Day Saint to not embrace same sex marriage for myself
and my family, however, I do not feel that I have the right to force that
personal belief on others, nor do I have the right to condemn them in any way.
They, as US citizens have just as much right to their own peace of mind and
happiness as I do. This country was based on being one nation under God,
with all the freedoms including freedom of religion. When it comes down to it, this has to do with religion whether you want to admit it or not.
The Church has its own courts and leaders, if a member chooses to enter into same sex marraige, it becomes a matter with their bishop and themselves, and should stay within those confines.
The government should never have anything to do with it.
Keep the Government out of the bedroom! What goes on in the bedroom is between each individual and God, it
is none of my business, or is it anyone else’s. If someone wants to make it so to me, I have the right to ask them not to, simple as that….Freedom of Speech. But
no one has the right to judge, and there is no reason to try to get the law
involved. Laws are not supposed to be made to persecute or suppress others, laws are
supposed to protect the rights of citizens. The same laws that protect a man
and a woman’s rights to get legally married also protects the rights of a man
to marry a man and a woman to marry a woman… for that matter, if someone wanted
to marry their dog… they should be protected under that law in my opinion….
When you try to manipulate the laws to persecute and segregate, you stand the
chance of compromising the rights of all.
The division between church and state in the Constitution is
supposed to keep those in authority from pushing their religious beliefs on
others and taking away their right to chose there own.
I am LDS and I have a deep testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But I also know the history of the Saints, (my
ancestors) who suffered their rights taken away and happiness threatened by
persecution for exercising their desire to have plural marriage. The statehood of Utah was threatened and many good righteous men were put in jail. This happened
because those in power were of another religion that preached against plural
marriage, yet in the Saint’s hearts it was right and God ordained. How is it
now that those of the LDS religion who have power feel that it is ok for them
to do the same thing to others not of their religion? Is it revenge? Pride? what? well....It
sure isn’t what the Gospel teaches.
It is my opinion , you “Holier than thou” so called good Latter Day
Saints who are in power within the Utah Government are sending out the wrong
message about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the world by
trying to take away the rights and happiness of US Citizens just because you
don’t believe in same sex marriage. The whole world is watching and , they know
you are “Mormons”. Mark my words; this will bring much miss-understanding and
persecution to the church in the future. What are we
going to do when those who hate us get into charge again and start putting laws
against our rights and beliefs? Think about what kind of world you are creating
for your children.
The late president Hinkley taught that we need to be
tolerant of others beliefs and cultures that are different than ours. I learned
from the teachings of Jesus Christ that we must live and let live, love one
another, do not judge one another, and set a good example.
When President Hinkley said stand for something, I do not believe that he meant to
shove it down their throats by taking away their right to their own happiness and possibly driving them out of their home if they wish to look for it else where….
Gee, does that sound familiar? The Saints had to treck across the country in
search for peace to live their beliefs. They were beaten, murdered, and suffered many hardships.
Latter Day Saints, look at your
history. Do unto others what you would want to be done to you…. not what they
did to you. Love and serve, not just each other, but, all of God's children, and be full of grace. By the way, the definition of Grace is to build up others
not to tear them down.
To see how the future generations are being taught, watch this video and understand that not knowing about the gospel when they grow to adulthood, will be hateful and hostile to the church because of how they treated the gay people in Utah. They will more readily join in persecuting and banning the church, plus be closed to listening to the good news of the gospel. Is this what we want?
