This I Believe

No, this is not the NPR program, "This I Believe" that my Dad would occasionally play for us during dinnertime as a kid. This is just me sharing what I believe in 😃

I believe that God is my Heavenly Father. I am His child. He is omniscient and knows ALL things. He sent His son to atone for our sins. His son gave us commandments that would bring us happiness and help us become who we needed to be in order to return to His presence. 

He has called modern day prophets, who speak for Him. They share His messages with us, His children, so that we can have the heavenly aid and doctrine we need to spiritually progress. 

In 1995, God asked His prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, to write a document entitled, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," which he read to the church. 
Image result for the family a proclamation to the world
In this document it reads, "Marriage between a man a woman is ordained of God." It goes on to emphasize the eternal importance of gender and the role that family plays in God's eternal plan and in our eternal happiness. 

Modern prophets have also confirmed that what is written in the bible regarding homosexuality is still true today (see True to the Faith, Chastity). This has been mentioned in countless sermons. 

This puts us as Latter-day Saints in a hard place. In our current world, homosexuality is completely acceptable and it is more than frowned upon to believe otherwise. 

So what are we to do? To me, it comes down to some simple questions:
  1. Do I believe that the Church's stance on homosexual activity and marriage comes from God or from old men and tradition?
  2. Do I believe that God is still speaking to our Church's leaders?
  3. Do I believe that God has a reason for this commandment, far greater than I can possibly comprehend?
  4. Do I believe that God knows more than I do? 
Well, over the years I have studied and prayed. I have wrestled with this topic. I have studied "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" thoroughly. At various times, I have had my own spiritual witness that the Church's stance on homosexuality comes from God (not men), that He speaks to our leaders, that there is more reason for this commandment than I can see with my mortal eyes, and that God indeed does know much more than I do. 

This is hard doctrine. It brings up painful feelings for a lot of people. It is complex. It is emotional. It is so personal. 

In John 6, many of the disciples struggled to understand the Lord's words about his flesh and blood.
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
...
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
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. (Verses 60-68). 
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It is my hope that we may remember the faith of Peter when confronted with doctrine that is hard for us to understand. Christ also told us that His commandments have the potential to divide, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34). It is my hope that we can stay united amidst this controversy. 

Now, if we believe that the Church's stance on homosexuality truly is from God, how then, do we treat those who violate this part of the law of chastity?

We love them, of course. Is there any doubt of that? My husband works with people who do not keep the law of chastity as revealed to us. He respects them and works well with them. He doesn't treat them any differently than he treats people who do keep the law of chastity. Christ treated everyone with dignity and respect. Therefore, that is what we are to do. 
Image result for Christ love lds

I believe it is more than possible to love those who live a homosexual lifestyle, while still believing that God has revealed that homosexual behavior is wrong. 

Woah. I know. I love people who drink coffee even though I believe that God has revealed that we should not drink coffee. This can be applied to any commandment. Yes, sexual sins are more serious, but I believe the same principle applies. Oh, and by the way, I don't perfectly keep the commandments, and you still love me, right? ;) 

What does loving someone who lives a homosexual lifestyle look like and not look like? THAT is the question. I believe God can reveal to us, through the medium of personal revelation from His Spirit, how to love those in our midst who don't live the law of chastity. I truly believe that. Pray, then listen. Study, then listen. Ponder, then listen. 

I don't know all the answers, but this is what I do know.

I know God loves us. I know He has given us commandments. I know that it is to be expected that the world will mock us for believing in and keeping these commandments. I know that Satan is working very hard to confuse us and to convince us to call good evil and evil good. I know that God will help us along our paths. He will guide us, if we cling to Him and His ways. The only way we can survive spiritually in this world is to cling to His doctrine and His Atonement. That is what will steady us. That is what will assure us. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

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