So Much At Stake....
So, the election this year seems to be one of the most important in a long, long time. I had a long conversation with my sister about this the other night about two big issues -- abortion, and the institute of marriage. My personal views of these issues have always been contrary to the basic beliefs of the LDS Church, and it's something I have struggled with for the 8+ years since I joined the church.
I have always been of the mindset that a woman should be able to choose for herself whether or not to get an abortion. I have never before thought that it should be something the government gets involved in. My attitude has always been, if you are against abortion, don't get one. I myself would never get an abortion, because I believe that life begins at conception. I could write for hours about the "exceptions" to the rule... rape, incest, viability, or when the life of the mother or the baby are at risk. But whatever the situation, whether or not to have a baby is a decision I believe should include not just the mother, but the father of the baby and God as well, and that it requires an enormous amount of thought and prayer.
I also have always supported gay and lesbian relationships and the idea that anyone who is in a loving, commited, monogamous relationship should be allowed to marry. I grew up in a home with a mother and a father, and there was plenty of abuse, dysfunction and adultery. My parents didn't teach me about the sanctity of marriage, or what it means to put the needs of your spouse before your own. The most loving and stable relationship I saw growing up was that of my aunt and her female partner. They've been together for as long as I can remember. As far as the law goes, I am a firm believer that love and commitment can and often does exist between two people regardless of their gender. If two men or two women decide to spend their lives together, and the law allows them to marry, they should be entitled to the same benefits of couples comprised of a man and a woman.
As I discussed my views with my sister, our conversation turned to the Family Proclamation:
" We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings-male and female-are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose....
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
She asked me, "Do you believe that the Family Proclamation is inspired by God?"
"Of course I do," I answered.
"And do you believe that the Family Proclamation pertains to the commandments of God?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
Then she re-read the two portions of the Family Proclamation in bold above.
As members of the church, we believe that the First Presidency receives revelation from God pertaining to how we are to live our lives. Therefore, we have a sacred responsibility to vote for, support and sustain leaders of this country who will support and defend the commandments of God. Regardless of what the world tells us, regardless of what is "politically correct" and despite what our own heart may tell us. To support and sustain anyone who goes against the commandments of God is something we will be held personally accountable for.
People struggle with all sorts of decisions in life. We struggle with these decisions because man is in a fallen state (thanks to Adam and Eve). As sons and daughters of God, the decision to live on this Earth is the first choice we were faced with. With this decision comes a whole slew of temporal desires and urges. God has commanded us to avoid the ways of the world and to strive to live and act in ways that are pleasing unto Him. Some people struggle with drug addiction or alcoholism. Some struggle with an addiction to pornography. Satan knows our individual weaknesses, and he is very persuasive in his attempts to convince us that many of the behaviors of the world are natural or acceptable. I have been tempted in by the adversary, and I know from personal experience that many temptations are extremely difficult to resist and overcome.
I've given this a lot of thought since I talked with my sister the other day. I've pondered it and I've prayed about it, and the bottom line is this: Every decision we make in life, and how we choose to live, is something each of us will be held individually and personally accountable for before God. I believe the big issues like abortion and homosexuality are also temptations we are faced with... that the desire to give in to homosexual tendencies is just one of many things we might be faced with in our lives. The choice to take another human life -- regardless of whether it's an unborn child or someone who has lived outside the womb -- is just that... it is a choice.
I believe that I will be held accountable for not only the decisions I make regarding my life, but the judgments I make about others and how they live their lives. I believe that God expects me to discuss (with anyone who will listen) what I know in my heart to be true, but He doesn't expect me to force-feed it to anyone. I further believe that while God expects me to do this, He does not expect me to refuse to be friends with or associate with anyone because of the choices they make. To me, doing so is against the commandments of God, and contrary to the example set forth by Jesus Christ. I have friends and relatives who do not believe what I believe, but I love them and respect them as sons and daughters of God.
As far as the election on Tuesday goes, I have given it a lot of thought and prayer as well, and I have pondered on the Family Proclamation. As a member of the LDS Church daughter of God, I am under a sacred obligation to vote for the candidate whom I believe in my heart best upholds and defends the commandments of God. Like everything else, it is a choice that I believe I will one day stand accountable for.
My sister emailed me the link to a video that was made for the 67 million Catholic Americans who will vote on Tuesday. It easily applies to Americans of all walks of life.
I have always been of the mindset that a woman should be able to choose for herself whether or not to get an abortion. I have never before thought that it should be something the government gets involved in. My attitude has always been, if you are against abortion, don't get one. I myself would never get an abortion, because I believe that life begins at conception. I could write for hours about the "exceptions" to the rule... rape, incest, viability, or when the life of the mother or the baby are at risk. But whatever the situation, whether or not to have a baby is a decision I believe should include not just the mother, but the father of the baby and God as well, and that it requires an enormous amount of thought and prayer.
I also have always supported gay and lesbian relationships and the idea that anyone who is in a loving, commited, monogamous relationship should be allowed to marry. I grew up in a home with a mother and a father, and there was plenty of abuse, dysfunction and adultery. My parents didn't teach me about the sanctity of marriage, or what it means to put the needs of your spouse before your own. The most loving and stable relationship I saw growing up was that of my aunt and her female partner. They've been together for as long as I can remember. As far as the law goes, I am a firm believer that love and commitment can and often does exist between two people regardless of their gender. If two men or two women decide to spend their lives together, and the law allows them to marry, they should be entitled to the same benefits of couples comprised of a man and a woman.
As I discussed my views with my sister, our conversation turned to the Family Proclamation:
" We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings-male and female-are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose....
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
She asked me, "Do you believe that the Family Proclamation is inspired by God?"
"Of course I do," I answered.
"And do you believe that the Family Proclamation pertains to the commandments of God?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
Then she re-read the two portions of the Family Proclamation in bold above.
As members of the church, we believe that the First Presidency receives revelation from God pertaining to how we are to live our lives. Therefore, we have a sacred responsibility to vote for, support and sustain leaders of this country who will support and defend the commandments of God. Regardless of what the world tells us, regardless of what is "politically correct" and despite what our own heart may tell us. To support and sustain anyone who goes against the commandments of God is something we will be held personally accountable for.
People struggle with all sorts of decisions in life. We struggle with these decisions because man is in a fallen state (thanks to Adam and Eve). As sons and daughters of God, the decision to live on this Earth is the first choice we were faced with. With this decision comes a whole slew of temporal desires and urges. God has commanded us to avoid the ways of the world and to strive to live and act in ways that are pleasing unto Him. Some people struggle with drug addiction or alcoholism. Some struggle with an addiction to pornography. Satan knows our individual weaknesses, and he is very persuasive in his attempts to convince us that many of the behaviors of the world are natural or acceptable. I have been tempted in by the adversary, and I know from personal experience that many temptations are extremely difficult to resist and overcome.
I've given this a lot of thought since I talked with my sister the other day. I've pondered it and I've prayed about it, and the bottom line is this: Every decision we make in life, and how we choose to live, is something each of us will be held individually and personally accountable for before God. I believe the big issues like abortion and homosexuality are also temptations we are faced with... that the desire to give in to homosexual tendencies is just one of many things we might be faced with in our lives. The choice to take another human life -- regardless of whether it's an unborn child or someone who has lived outside the womb -- is just that... it is a choice.
I believe that I will be held accountable for not only the decisions I make regarding my life, but the judgments I make about others and how they live their lives. I believe that God expects me to discuss (with anyone who will listen) what I know in my heart to be true, but He doesn't expect me to force-feed it to anyone. I further believe that while God expects me to do this, He does not expect me to refuse to be friends with or associate with anyone because of the choices they make. To me, doing so is against the commandments of God, and contrary to the example set forth by Jesus Christ. I have friends and relatives who do not believe what I believe, but I love them and respect them as sons and daughters of God.
As far as the election on Tuesday goes, I have given it a lot of thought and prayer as well, and I have pondered on the Family Proclamation. As a member of the LDS Church daughter of God, I am under a sacred obligation to vote for the candidate whom I believe in my heart best upholds and defends the commandments of God. Like everything else, it is a choice that I believe I will one day stand accountable for.
My sister emailed me the link to a video that was made for the 67 million Catholic Americans who will vote on Tuesday. It easily applies to Americans of all walks of life.
Click to view