My Stand

As many of you may or may not know, last week the state of California passed Proposition 8 (the proposition to ban gay marriage) by a small margin. Many of you may have also heard that there has been a fair amount of backlash toward the LDS church. Opponents of Prop 8 have begun lashing out at the church because of the member's roles in spreading awareness in support of this issue.

I was not very involved in the initial passing of this proposition since I don't live in California, but I recently became interested when I showed up to church last week and found a band of protesters in front of the North Seattle Stake Center holding signs that read "Haters" and "Mormons go to hell". Fortunately for us, these protesters were quite civil to us in person and did not intimidate or threaten members. I have since found out that there will be more protests this weekend in many areas of Seattle . . . to me, the interesting part of these protests, as well as the highly covered protest stories in California, is that the protests are being made directly to the LDS church and not a general protest against the passing of the Proposition. I found sites online asking for a brainstorm of sound bytes to be used for protest signs and group chants. These sites have become so incredibly offensive and hateful that I can't repeat them. Many ideas being proffered have to do with polygamy, crude interpretations of scripture (even hymns) and defaming Joseph Smith. The worst part is that many comments acknowledge the lack of truth in these statements, but feel that in defense of their rights, that they're justified in propagating ignorance . . .wait, what?

LDS churches and temples have been covered in graffiti, supporters of prop 8 have been extremely harassed and one specific incident was reported where several Hispanic females outside a temple in California were trying to remove signs desecrating the walls and fences surrounding the temple. "As these individuals (who according to a temple spokesperson were not church members) removed the hate-filled signs, the mob exploded and began beating the individuals to the ground." Needless to say, it has been hard for me not to become frustrated in this situation. A group of people demanding tolerance are targeting my religion, slandering my way of life, spreading ignorance and in some cases are becoming violent . . . just the kind of thing a "tolerance" protest ought to be fighting against.

In discussing this issue with my father, I was reminded that it is my duty as a Latter-day Saint to hold fast to the truths I know and to be the voice of wisdom in the chaos. Having to combat my own feelings of futility and frustration has prompted me to try harder to follow the counsel of the brethren published in a news release from November 5th and 7th that says, "Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information." I have resolved to do my best to follow the example of our Savior and be compassionate and kind while remaining firm in my beliefs. I hope that we can all be inspired to "do a little better" as we were frequently counseled by our beloved prophet President Hinckley. This struggle is not going to get easier and I've come to discover that we will not always be able to appeal to logic and reason in our defense of right. It's important to pick a side before it picks you. If all you can commit to do in your own life (no matter your political or social views) is to try harder to treat your fellow men with respect, and think twice before you defame, slander or tarnish someone else's life through ignorance, lies or even plain old gossip . . . If we can do that, then we can make a difference, no matter the side we come from.

And just as a parting thought, I would like to share a quote from a talk called "Meeting the Challenges of Today" which Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave at a BYU Devotional 30 years ago . . . yes, 30 years ago.

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do.

We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

I support the First Presidency in this issue. I also would like to state that hate, no matter why its cast, or to whom, is never excused or justified. I know that I can truly be Christ-like in holding to my convictions while treating all people with decency and respect.

Thank you for letting me take my stand.