The Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage: We've Got this!

Immediately following Friday’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that legalizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states, unabashedly and humbly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) stood as a shining example of how faithful members of the Lord’s Church should stand stating that LDS doctrine on marriage will not change.

Mormon Newsroom: Supreme Court Decision Will Not Alter Doctrine on Marriage:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that following today's ruling by the Supreme Court, same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States. The Court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God. While showing respect for those who think differently, the Church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice."

Included along with the above statement is The Divine Institution of Marriage, which I highly recommend re-reading.

Although the complete legalization of gay marriage in the United States has been a sober journey, faithful members of the Lord’s Church are prepared -- we've got this! We’ve made covenants. We know the doctrine. We know the Lord’s position on the matter because Prophets and Apostles, who we believe are inspired by God, have counseled and taught us both the doctrine and to love those with differing views. Many have sincerely prayed for personal understanding and help to know how to navigate this issue on many different levels—both within and outside of the Church and in our families.

Surely, there could not be a more pertinent reason for God to have representatives on the earth today than to ensure that eternal truth relating to the family is available to every humble seeker of light. We live amidst the greatest moral confusions in the history of the world where right and wrong have literally been turned inside out. Many good people find it nearly impossible to distinguish truth against the continuous onslaught of politically correct immorality, let alone stand for it. However, as members of the Lord’s Church, we need not be confused by what is packaged in opposition to the Lord while some choose to disregard and even celebrate these temporal victories.

Marriage is ordained by God, only between and man and a woman. Period. This is love—not the current lie perpetrated in an unconstitutional motion by a handful of activist judges sadly found in nearly every state and by a few justices in the highest Court of the land. Don’t be fooled.

Beginning today, people who believe in moral absolutes and/or base their life’s determination upon eternal truth are about to face a historic challenge in buffeting being labeled as bigots, religious zealots, and/or fanatics, which will occur with increased frequency. Less than 10 years ago, today’s reality would have been the stuff of your worst nightmare.

If upholding and valuing God’s teaching about marriage renders people of faith on the wrong side of history, then so be it. We know that, too, is a lie. What those who choose to see us in a negative light don’t understand, or refuse to accept, or simply respect, is that our position is not one of fanaticism, judgment, or hate, but of love and trust. Our position on marriage is not our own, but God’s—the very Author of life. So stellar is His position, that it is impossible to reject it—the biology is absolute fact. If it were possible, the perpetuation of the human race would be damned.

God ordained marriage is a spiritual and physical revelation, thus cannot be converted into a manmade definition. It is a complementary relationship with a resulting intent to produce children. Thus the natural family makes its appearance. It is how God intended children to be born and raised, and it is what is best for children. The birthright of every child born is inherent in their conception: a mother and a father. Whenever possible it is the duty of society to ensure that every child is raised by a mother and father.

I firmly believe that the lie of same-sex marriage will be devastating to untold numbers of children whose inherent right to a mother and a father has now been stripped by the United States Supreme Court. Truly, this is one of the most violent acts of selfishness the world, thus far, has ever witnessed. Although my marriage is just fine and will be, any other assurances of how same sex marriage will affect untold generations are completely off the table.

Nearly 20 years ago the inspired document “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was published and warned individuals, communities, and leaders of nations of the devastating results of not adhering to God’s counsel on the family:

“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.”

God-ordained marriage requires no government sanction, but great blessings are promised as it is supported and honored. No government, in reality, can declare it obsolete or redefine it. Because we understand this, we trust that whatever is happening in the world right now to try and undermine the great plan of salvation will ultimately fail. Just as every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, so too shall they who currently oppose His Plan concede that the only way to experience eternal joy is within a marriage according to absolute truth.

I hope these words from an Apostle of the Lord will give you strength and encouragement needed at this time and in the coming days to stand with Jesus Christ and His chosen servants.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

“Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.) President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had ‘never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ! We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish irreligion as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom, even as it rejects the value essence of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage.”

“Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. M. J. Sobran also said, ‘A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it’ (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, pp. 58–59). This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.”

“Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic ounsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, ‘summer is nigh’ (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!”

How grateful we are for the Great Plan of Happiness and the knowledge we have about marriage, its purpose, and eternal families. I can honestly say that as a member of the Church I never anticipated the days we are now experiencing. I am committed, with love for others and the many differences we might have, to rise to the challenge given us by our Savior Jesus Christ to live His gospel with love and conviction—and above all, without fear.

tDMg

Kathryn Skaggs

This post is part of a blog hop with these fabulous bloggers! We're talking about our marriages, giving tips, and sharing what we've learned but most importantly defending traditional marriage between a man and a woman.

Mandy @ A Bliss Complete |Hilary @ Pulling Curls |Emily @ Celestial Shine Magazine | Kerry @ My Random Sampler

Jocelyn @ We Talk of Christ | Jenifer @ Moss Moments | Montserrat @ Cranial Hiccups

Jennifer @ My Daylights | Camille @ Chicken Scratch 'n' Sniff | Angela @ Mormon Women Stand | Kathryn @ Well Behaved Mormon Woman