Ordained of God

“The greatest guardians of any and all virtues are marriage and family. This is particularly the case with the virtues of chastity and fidelity in marriage, both of which are required to create enduring and fully rewarding marriage partnerships and family relationships.” Russel M. Nelson

It is no secret that our world is changing all around us. Some of those changes are good, some of them are bad. Some changes may seem to be great and wonderful to many, while to others they signal worry and fear. One change that is happening in society that is both controversial and sensitive is the change to the definition of marriage.

This post is definitely hard for me to write. It puts my personal beliefs into a world that has many viewing them as hateful and cruel. I do not ever want to make anyone feel hated and I would never intentionally be cruel. I have people in my life I love deeply and dearly that stand on the opposite side of my beliefs and my hope is to show my love for them while standing true to who I am.

In the summary of the Supreme Court ruling of Obergefell vs. Hodges I found this quote. “From their beginning to their most recent page, the annals of human history reveal the transcendent importance of marriage. The lifelong union of a man and a woman always has promised nobility and dignity to all persons, without regard to their station in life. Marriage is sacred to those who live by their religions and offers unique fulfillment to those who find meaning in the secular realm. Its dynamic allows two people to find a life that could not be found alone, for a marriage becomes greater than just the two persons. Rising from the most basic human needs, marriage is essential to our most profound hopes and aspirations.” The importance of marriage is not controversial, and its importance is undeniable. We strengthen marriage when we invite God into our union and define marriage as He does.

God created a plan for us to return to him. Within this plan, he created families to be at the center. Men and women have been created distinctly different for a reason. It requires both a male and a female to bring a child into this world. Together, men and women complement each other with their differences and by working together they can build a family where children can be raised with both mother and father.

Marriage is greater than just the two persons. Marriages create families. We desperately need our families to help us through this mortal life and they will strengthen us through eternity. I believe in Christ. I believe in a loving Heavenly Father. They created a plan and have asked us to follow that plan. Part of that plan includes chastity and building an eternal family. That eternal family begins with an eternal marriage between a man and a woman. Through making and maintaining covenants together, we strengthen the marriage.

Marriage is a doctrine set by God. He has ordained it between a man and a woman. Society may change its definition, but they cannot change true doctrine. This doctrine was designed and set out to help us achieve our greatest potential and return to Him. 

This plan isn’t without hardships. It isn’t without pain.

However, His plan not only has purpose, but leads you to the most glorious joy known in human existance.

So, where does same-sex attraction fit into my life or yours or maybe a person you love who believes differently. It fits where we decide to put the emphasis. It’s hard. While I believe whole heartedly in God’s plan and that it is clear, I worry about hurting those I love. One of the most beautiful souls I know is a woman married to another woman. My heart ached for the petitioners of Obergefell vs. Hodges. I genuinely want people to be happy

With much prayer and searching, I have chosen to follow the counsel from my church leaders and put my emphasis on love. Elder Oaks said this in response to the question of how we should treat others with this differing view, back in 1995, long before same-sex marriage was legalized, “Each member of Christ’s church has a clear-cut doctrinal responsibility to show forth love and to extend help and understanding. Sinners, as well as those who are struggling to resist inappropriate feelings, are not people to be cast out but people to be loved and helped. At the same time, Church leaders and members cannot avoid their responsibility to teach correct principles and righteous behavior (on all subjects), even if this causes discomfort to some.” For the full article click here. It is doctrine to teat others with love and extend help and understanding. It is also doctrine marriage is ordained between a man and a woman.

I am going to stand up to defend my beliefs, while simultaneously loving with all my heart.

We cannot control what others think, feel, and believe, but we can control how we feel about them. We should work toward understanding others and allowing them to share with us who they are and why they believe as they do. It may also give us the opportunity to share with them our own views. Your love will grow as you start to view things from another’s perspective and you can help them find joy along their journey, whatever it may be. I know people who are attracted to those of the same sex that can testify to this. While I cannot share their stories, there are others who shared theirs. Click here to see the beauty of loving people unconditionally, despite our differences.