Homosexual "Marriage"

Viewed from a wider perspective, nothing very dramatic actually comes with this disappointing development.  The encroachment has been gradual and incremental, since the initial "camel's nose under the tent".

 Supposedly, the Supreme Court has spoken by choosing to remain silent.  But nothing precludes revisiting the ignored appeals in the future.  Until the Court issues a specific ruling, the controversy has no closure.

Nonetheless, the homosexual players have become emboldened in their sense of accomplishment, which will result in inevitable greater sense of entitlement. Predictibly, they cannot  ever be satisfied with this concession or any other, but will continue pressing to “normalize” their deviance in other ways.  Already, homosexual partners are anticipating the next step in legal manuvering.  From a Deseret News quote, "Now that this is settled, the focus is getting adoptions done for those couples. That will be the No. 1 priority for them."

 Sadly, there is no lasting happiness to be found in the false promises of such deviant behavior.

I intend no antipathy toward any individuals – I am satisfied that the legal demands have been met, despite the majority of popular voter opposition.  But I have no obligation to recognize things as anything but what they really are.  This is strictly a legal fiction, legalizing homosexual "marriage", not some higher moral standard.

In my view, it is not and never will represent anything to do with principles of equality.  And it clearly violated democratic ideals, to have federal courts dictate what voters can approve, and have approved.

I predict that the sense of vindication and hubris will prove to be pyrrhic and ephemeral, as are the rewards of all of Satan’s enticements.

We will continue to decry and oppose the tide of evil, as with legalized abortion and other such offensive and evil abominations.

Official response from the Church as appropriate to this occasion.

I am in a difficult place, trying to reconcile the counsel for civility with current events.  But it has ever been so, even with followers of Jesus in former times...

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

  

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Life in the world continues…

October 2008 General Conference: Answering our accusers in the Savior’s way

I am somewhat unhappy about Elder Hales conference talk on how to respond to dissidents and those who would make accusations.

Elder Hales speaks against responding in kind. His counsel is:

When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return.

I can tell you, nothing could be more difficult, for me. When I hear attacks against the things I know are true, my first impulse is always to fight back. I will have to change my responses to conform to Elder Hales' counsel. Elder Hales further counsels:

This is especially important in our interactions with members of other Christian denominations. Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened—and the devil laughs—when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors.

I am made especially uncomfortable at this suggestion. Let me not be found guilty of making the devil laugh. The mental image of demonic laughter haunts me. It is very unpleasant to think of myself this way.


He goes on to extend this idea further:

This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We cannot change the doctrines of the restored gospel, even if teaching and obeying them makes us unpopular in the eyes of the world. Yet even as we feel to speak the word of God with boldness, we must pray to be filled with the Holy Ghost (see Acts 4:29, 31). We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance (see Alma 38:12). True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride.

This part serves as answer to some of my misgivings about pride. There is a significant distinction between the kind of pride that lends us quiet confidence and the quality that leads to the hubris of boastful bragging. We can be forewarned by the kind of attitude our proud feelings lead us to.

Elder Hales further distinguishes between confident speaking and boastful pride:

As true disciples, our primary concern must be others’ welfare, not personal vindication. Questions and criticisms give us an opportunity to reach out to others and demonstrate that they matter to our Heavenly Father and to us. Our aim should be to help them understand the truth, not defend our egos or score points in a theological debate. Our heartfelt testimonies are the most powerful answer we can give our accusers. And such testimonies can only be born in love and meekness.

Thus our personal motive for acting is a key to knowing if we are moved by charity and genuine concern for others, or if our acts are self-serving and centered upon our own interest.

Elder Hales makes a good recommendation for those who are confused like me, and seek some guideline for personal behavior:

We should be like Edward Partridge, of whom the Lord said, “His heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile” (Doctrine and Covenants 41:11). To be guileless is to have a childlike innocence, to be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.

I will have to consider this idea further. It certainly sheds some light on my questions about pride -- but perhaps not in the way that pleases me. I need to change my thinking somewhat to accommodate. Not easy advice to follow.