Defending the Family

I know I'm a few months late in posting some of the summer class, but I couldn't get this one out of my head plus you were just waiting for me to get to this point- the war chapters ( cue dramatic drumroll),  And frankly, so was I. With the recent Supreme Court decision, I couldn't help but feel that this lesson is needed more than ever. The Book of Mormon provides us with some incredible heroes, including war heroes like Teancum, Helaman, Lehi, and Pahoran, last but not least, Captain Moroni. In Alma chapter 50 it starts with Moroni fortifying the Nephite cities with walls, heaps of earths, works and pickets of timbers as well as towers to protect them. We can relate this to the most important thing (or people) we have to protect- our family. Just like the walls and towers were built as methods of protection, Heavenly Father has given us tools to protect the family from the arrows of the adversary. Family scripture study and prayer, family home evening, temples, priesthood power, uplifting music... the list could go on and in class we filled most of the whiteboard with such protections while listing the prophet, leaders, teachers, and parents as the towers around the city.

The Church published a statement regarding the Supreme Court decision and I would like to share some parts of that.

“The succession of federal court decisions in recent months, culminating in today’s announcement by the Supreme Court, will have no effect on the doctrinal position or practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is that only marriage between a man and a woman is acceptable to God. In prizing freedom of conscience and Constitutional guarantees of the free exercise of religion, we will continue to teach that standard and uphold it in our religious practices.

“Nevertheless, respectful coexistence is possible with those with differing values. As far as the civil law is concerned, the courts have spoken. Church leaders will continue to encourage our people to be persons of good will toward all, rejecting persecution of any kind based on race, ethnicity, religious belief or non-belief, and differences in sexual orientation.”

"Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well-being of society. Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and crucial to eternal salvation. Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We urge you to review and teach Church members the doctrine contained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

Just as those who promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true for those who oppose it. The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally protected right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its standards of moral conduct and good standing for members...

While these matters will continue to evolve, we affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same-sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility—even when we disagree." 

Our issue with same-sex marriage is not about equality or tolerance, but rather about our understanding of Heavenly Father's plan and purpose for His children. As we all seek to provide the very best for the families we love, we strive to keep in mind not just what we want for them but also what our Heavenly Father wants to all of us.