Two Paths Divided

This week I have been studying a controversial topic of those who are opposed to or in favor of same-sex marriage. It morphs me back to 8th grade when my teacher asked which of us were in favor of abortion. The whole class raised their hands but me and one other girl. I was confident in my position and it didn’t change my opinion on the matter, but I will admit I felt shame to not be of the popular vote.

It’s increasingly hard to be in a world foretold by Paul in the last days (see 2 Timothy 3). He warned there were perilous and hard times ahead. It’s easy to sit back, watch and do nothing when we have an opposing view of the lives of others around us. You post on social media and it’s like you just volunteered for tribute to be devoured by wolves for having an opinion contrary to popular belief. 

My sister has chosen to live a life of same-sex marriage, so this topic is kinda delicate for us. When she first came out, I mourned. I did. I will admit, and I struggled over how I can show her love without agreeing with how she chose to live. How was I going to be accepting of her and her wife if I was not accepting of the choice? Welp, ya know what I did? I prayed and asked my Father what I should do. He always has the answers… and you know what He said? Love them. Love them the same, in fact, love them more! My choice to be on God’s side for the union of marriage between a man and woman doesn’t take away from being a righteous disciple of Christ because I love people who think differently than me! The answer for us all is just love people! I don’t care if they’re purple, have one leg or 6 wives. Just treat people with the respect and kindness that you would want to be given to you and all will be well in the end.

 Of all the learning on the topic I did this week a talk, "Defenders of Marriage"  by President Nelson (the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) given at a 2014 BYU commencement really stood out to me.  As a disciple of Christ (that’s me!), I am obligated by covenant on my own free will to stand up for all that is good and true. President Nelson said that my individual strength is needed more now than ever! Hello! (I am pretty sure I signed up for tribute in the build- strength category). Disciples of Christ are defenders of Marriage. I mean hey, I got a crappy one first time around but I still whole heartily believe in it! Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. It is the most significant partnership of all - an ability to become an eternal family (*side note: GOALS!). Male and female are created for what they can become TOGETHER. Fathers and Mothers are not interchangeable. They are distinct and complimentary for one another and for the raising of their children.  So how on earth am I or you to defend marriage in a world where people freely assume whatever is law is ok?

I listened to an amazing talk by Alexander Dushku in a speech he gave in July 2015 at a religious freedom Annual Review Conference held at BYU. He made an experience relatable for a solution to having society come to a place where we can be accepting of one another’s views on this topic. It brings us back to the abortion topic. Over time people have come to be more accepting of the different views on abortion. How did this happen? He said that it was because those who were opposed to it shared their views openly. They spoke up about their beliefs. Over time the rights of being pro-life have been preserved and more accepted. Probably more so than when I was in 8th grade. We should not stand down to our beliefs in traditional marriage for the sanctity of God’s plan for eternal families. We can persuade our beliefs with reason and kindness. Will it be easy? Probably not, we are headed for the wolves. We’ll lose friends, but in the end, if we have come to a place where culture and law can come together to respect views of those who believe in sustaining God’s commandment of marriage between husband and wife, we will have progress in making some good changes.  

L03