Today in Salt Lake City, supporters of homosexual marriage staged a protest rally at the Utah State Capitol. There were reports in the Deseret News and the SL Trib.
I for one have had enough of watching this happen without adding my own voice to the political scene. I oppose the legalization of homosexual "marriage", I support the promotion of traditional marriage between a man and a woman, and am not convinced that these practices violate any man's rights or constitute any compromises to personal freedom. We are not obligated to sit quiet and allow our own rights to be compromised, just because we constitute the greatest majority in Utah. We can no longer tolerate being silenced by the angry demands of a few.
I have expressed my beliefs and concerns on this blog page, and would welcome any ideas or suggestions that might contribute to this cause. I believe it is time for a public rally to express the beliefs that the majority of good people uphold in Utah and around this great country.
Homosexual supporters and activists reported gathering more than 58,000 signatures on petitions - some reportedly even from Utah - asking the Governor not to appeal a District Court decision legalizing homosexual "marriage".
"I care about love, just like the rest of you, that's why I did this", one of the organizers explained.
The reports actually indicate that up to 1,000 supporters attended the rally at the Capitol.
Homosexuals continue their assault on traditional marriage with the demand that same-sex unions be legally regarded as equivalent to traditional marriage between a man and woman. Legal challenge of the Utah state law that establishes traditional marriage by statute is what brought this situation forward. By their own idiosyncratic definition, they justify perverted behavior by perverting the true meaning of "love".
The term obviously means different things to different people. In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks reiterated traditional LDS doctrine - our first love is commanded to be for God, and we are commanded to have no other Gods.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-37)
Jesus declared plainly his definition of love.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)Elder Oaks elaborates.
Our twelfth article of faith states our belief in being subject to civil authority and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” But man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Commitment to our highest priority—to love and serve God—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place.
Elder Oaks' counsel suggests to me that the citizens of the State of Utah have obligation to legally promote God's standard of morality. This would include participation and support like that organized for the California Prop 8 campaign.
I have written here previously about legislating morality. Latter-day Saints are prompted by their ideals and their doctrine to support and promote laws that reflect our understanding of God's laws and commandments.
I believe it is a time to stand for something. Millions of Utah citizens have made sacred covenants with God to uphold righteous causes. Perhaps a representative sample of supporters should organize to gather in Salt Lake and other civic centers around Utah, to counterbalance the expression of those few hundred at this "gay" rally. What is at stake may well impinge upon the future welfare of our families.
We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10) (Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2001 General Conference address).
I will attempt to develop this idea further. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.
