the ridd kids: 08.2008

My own thoughts or stream of consciousness:
When this was first brought to our attention, I wanted to sweep it under the rug and pretend like it wasn't happening. I do not want to ever be judgemental, appear prejudice or close-minded. But, several events over the past few months have changed my heart...First of all, as members of the LDS Church, we believe in direct revelation to our prophet, that is why we have him. When he tells us something, we listen and do; we don't question and argue...even if it is something we do not understand. I honestly believe that this is an exciting and unique time in our church. The church has recently come out with the 12 Step program for addicts, adapted to gospel principles, which I KNOW is inspired... and now this. The church is tackling some big issues that plague our society right now, and yes, it is scary. But that's where our faith comes in. We must have faith that our Heavenly Father is all-knowing and will not lead us astray. He would not ask or command us to do something if it wasn't the right thing to do. We are all here to learn good from evil. This is one of those times that I truly believe our faith is being tested. Monday night I was reading in Doctrine & Covenants and came across this D&C 88 41-42 (& part of 43) "He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath give a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons; And their courses are fixed."
For me, this scripture explains that our universe is based on certain laws, God's laws, and man can not change that.

So, what can we do? We can donate money to protectmarriage.com (see the link on my blog on the top right hand of the page), we can walk door to door with other members, sharing the message of Family and encouraging people to vote YES ON PROP 8, we can read, study, pray and try to understand the bigger picture. Our children depend on us to teach them and to guide them, we owe it to them to uphold the truth and stand for virtue, and keep our nation one under God's laws. Our founding fathers did it for us, we must continue their legacy.

ELDER OAKS: This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach.