As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I find myself very grateful. I am so grateful to be alive in these exciting times! I am so grateful to know who I am, a daughter of God. I feel so grateful to have the Spirit to guide me through each day (if I live worthy) and to have peace, amid such exhausting worldly turmoil.
I have been following the news today (as I do daily) and I have discovered that there has been a lot of backlash occurring -- stemming from the involvement of church members who helped to pass Proposition 8 (Protection of Marriage) in California. There have been protests at temples, and more are scheduled to come. Those who oppose Prop 8 have chosen a group to target so they can vent their anger, and send daggers of hate flying. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the current target.
This is really nothing new. The Church has known persecution from the very beginning. Some have even said that church members seem to thrive best when persecuted, or when their faith is put to the test. I must say, I agree! In these tumultuous days, I certainly hope that to be true!
As I stated in another entry:
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I believe that the adversary seeks to find our weaknesses, to expose them, and to trap us. I believe in the case of same-gender attraction that he works extra hard to entice, to tempt, and then to capture. Why would such care and effort be made by the dark side? If same-gender attraction can be glamorized, accepted, and embraced -- then it is another win for him. It is a win because it is the perfect tool, the perfect trap, and the perfect weapon -- to fight against the sanctity of Family."
This heated debate over same-sex marriage, is really the perfect tool -- to fight against God's eternal plan for His children. His children! (Which include those who are directly fighting against a miraculous plan of happiness created just for them!) If they only knew! If only they knew what happiness was available to them, true
eternal happiness! Not fleeting physical/emotional worldly satisfaction.
I am NOT amazed at how passionately those who believe in same-sex marriage are fighting. They believe they are right, and they want to make it right in the eyes of all those who disagree. They want freedom to believe and act how they want, to do as they please, to be "free to choose." (Yes, we do have agency -- what a beautiful gift from God!) But with each choice we make -- there are ALWAYS consequences! Because we are living on Heavenly Father's good earth, those consequences will be according to His law. God's law regarding marriage: 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. (A Proclamation to the World). To interfere with the sanctity of marriage and family, is to interfere with God's eternal plan. I do not think He will be very happy with that.
President John Taylor said:
"When the people have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations. This is part of the program, and as long as we do what is right and fear God, he will help us and stand by us under all circumstances."
Many who are fighting for same-sex marriage claim they deserve "equal rights" and that it is a civil right to marry. This is NOT a battle of a different race of people who are being treated unfairly. (Though some may say differently.) If it were, I would be fighting on the other side! They are fighting for their privilege to engage in sexual behavior/relationships, that they have determined they prefer, over that of a heterosexual relationship. If you took sex away from the equation, then you would have nothing left of the issue. Instead of fighting for marriage, to condone sinful homosexual acts, they could just engage in what is known as "close friendships" or people of the same sex that really like, even love each other -- who enjoy the emotional closeness that they share, rather than crossing the line, making it a sexual same-gender relationship.
This has been determined a "gray" area. An area were intellectuals find themselves stuck. Luckily for me -- I am not an intellectual! The question is: Are people who have same-gender desires born this way, or is it a learned behavior? My answer is no. No, God does not "predestine" certain people to come and experience this earth life as a "gay person". I just do not believe that. It goes against everything that God has taught. The fact that cities were destroyed because of homosexual activities holds a lot of sway with me. Why would God create people "gay" and then give them no hope of survival? It makes absolutely no sense to me. We are agents unto ourselves. We make our own choices, from day one. Though we cannot determine our circumstances, we can determine our choices. Knowing this information, there is a certain adversary that is constantly on our heels, waiting to take a whack at us when our guard may be down. You can bet that if any thoughts enter a human mind regarding same-gender attraction, the adversary will jump at that thought with full force. Slowly, and carefully, he will encourage -- until ideas are formed, experimentation has occurred, and then over time -- trapped! To get out of that kind of trap (same-gender attraction) would take such strength that is rarely seen, but possible. God is a God of mercy, and repentance. Thank Heavens! God does not create people "gay". God certainly does not put "gay thoughts" into one's mind, but he does provide a way of repentance to those who have been found trapped in the cunning enticements of the adversary. Repentance is such an amazing, possible, and powerful thing.
So, my understanding of the issue is that same-gender attraction is real, yes, but it is a choice. If they can so change the definition of marriage to suit their needs, then what is to be the end of that? If same-sex marriage is allowed, then why not polygamy, or whatever relationship we so choose? If we are free to choose what we determine to be good, regardless of morality, and the laws that God has set forth -- then what is to be the limit?
At work Charles is confronted with hundreds of different scenarios that have to do with people acting upon their desires. Sometimes it is theft, battery, and often he deals with sexual crimes. Some are adults and some children. These people reacted to their "desires" in a variety of repulsive ways, and as a result -- they face the consequences. If desires are to be the drive behind our lives -- rather then self-control and compliance to the law -- there would be no rules, no law, no good, no bad, there would be complete an utter moral chaos.
Alma 42:22
But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
Marriage between a man and a woman is a LAW of God. God is a God of Law. As the scriptures say: If there is no Law, there is no God. As logic would have it: There is a God, therefore, there must be laws!
Spencer W. Kimball stated:
"All such deviations from normal, proper heterosexual relationships are not merely unnatural but wrong in the sight of God. Like adultery, incest, and bestiality they carried the death penalty under the Mosiac law. (Lev. 20:13, 15-16.)
The law is less severe now, and so regrettably is the community's attitude to these grave sins -- another evidence of the deterioration of society. In some countries the act per se is not even illegal. This "liberalizing" process is reflected in the United States by communities of homosexuals in our larger cities who demand acceptance of their deviate beliefs and practices as "normal;," who sponsor demonstrations and draw up petitions to this end, who are formally organized, and who even print their own perverted journals. All this is done in the open, to the detriment alike of impressionable minds, susceptible urges, and our national decency.
But let us emphasize that right and wrong, righteousness and sin, are not dependent upon man's interpretations, conventions and attitudes. Social acceptance does not change the status of an act making wrong into right. If all people in the world were to accept homosexuality, as it seems to have been accepted in Sodom and Gomorrah, the practice would still be deep, dark sin."
I love that we have prophets to lead and guide us.
We live in a day of "intellectuals". We believe ourselves "wise" and all-knowing. People search varied sources of information, and then pick their own brain to put the pieces of the puzzle together -- grasping for truth, and trying to be the "one" with the right answer.
Luckily, if we can rip away from the worldly view of things, we can find truth. There ARE sources of information with the full truth (scriptures/modern revelation) -- we do not have to pick our brain, rather, our hearts/spirit -- to put together the puzzle of information. We do not have to "grasp" for truth, we can have it. And there is "One" who has the right answer, and we can turn to Him, our loving Heavenly Father, for our answers, our guidance, and all truth. I am So grateful for that!
I am grateful that we can search, ponder, and pray, and receive personal revelation regarding the different issues that face our world. We can have peace, great peace, even when the storms of the world violently thunder around us.
God is a God of love (as is often posted on pieces of cardboard waving in front of a video camera) He is also a God of law. We as His children must strive to be obedient to His law, which is actually set forth for us, and our happiness! God is not a God of tolerance of sin, or of condoning sinful practices. He expects us to obey His law, and if we fall, a glorious plan has been set forth so we can (and must) repent. He will not encourage, or tolerate, a continuation of sin which leads to destruction, as seen in numerous scripture stories. Again, God is a God of Law.
I love my Heavenly Father. I love His plan that he created for His children. I feel great peace, and a sense of urgency to follow him, and to do my best. I am grateful for repentance (which I need daily, perhaps hourly). I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am overwhelmed with joy when I think of His sacrifice in behalf of all who have lived, and will ever live on this earth. It is a love that I strive to understand each day. I love God. I know He is real. Because I talk to Him everyday. :-)
Any thoughts/comments are very welcome!
We spent all of last Saturday decorating the outside of our home for the holidays. Charles climbed up on the roof and hung icicle lights, using those special clips and everything -- very tedious work. Anyhow, we finished, and it was beautiful. We have enjoyed the lights all week.
Our first year of real employment, and our new city. It was a lovely time! :-) 
William with Mr. Santa. He comes to the ward party every year! 
Our tree from last year 
Above is the tree that took over our living room. It was my very favorite tree. We were going to take it back, but I thought I would put some lights on to see how it might look. As I put the lights on the tree, it spoke to me and said, "you know you love me!" The tree was right, I DID love it! It was so huge, but SO beautiful! The best tree we have ever had!
