In today’s society, same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage
is a controversial topic. It is important to love everyone, but to stand up for
what you believe and to support the things that God intended. In The Family, A
Proclamation to the World it says, “The first commandment that God gave Adam
and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.”[1] Same-sex marriage directly conflicts with
this commandment given to us because two people of the same gender cannot
reproduce. Children also need the things that a woman brings to a family and
the things that a man brings to a family. God intended us to be attracted to
the opposite sex. However, we must find
the equilibrium between standing up for what we know is right and being kind
and understanding. We need to try to
love both God by standing up for what we know is right and our neighbor by helping
them and showing them love no matter what.
For a long time, same-sex attraction was considered to
be a mental illness, but in the recent past, it changed to be an unchangeable
characteristic. Dean Byrd, a psychologist, and member of the church says, “This
was the first time in the history of healthcare that a diagnosis was decided by
popular vote rather than scientific evidence.”[2] Because of this change,
politically, society has been affected and traditional families are being
attacked. We also need to strive to understand
that same-sex attraction isn’t always a choice, but a specific temptation
certain people are prone to. We must
strive to help them all we can, and show them love and support like a true
disciple of Jesus Christ.
In a video I watched recently, Alexander Dushku, an
attorney talked about the implications that this has on religious freedom. In the past when a ruling was made by the United
States Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges and it had a large effect on
society. Generally, the ruling affects
how the society views those for, and those in opposition of the ruling. Those opposed are generally viewed as in the
wrong because it has been ruled good by the supreme court. In the case of same-sex marriage, our desire
to teach our children what we believe will be contradicted in school. What is viewed as sin is now acceptable and
those who believe it is sin are seen as hateful. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints believes that even though the world’s views are changing, “God’s purposes for establishing marriage
have not changed.” As members of the
church, it is our duty to uphold marriage.
As President Nelson said; “Disciples of the Lord are defenders of
marriage”[3]
I know some people who
are currently experiencing trials with this and I have seen how it has affected
their families, but also how it affects them when they are treated rudely. It
is hard to have people close to us not only experience same-sex attraction and
the trials involved with that but to act on those feelings in an unrighteous
manner. Despite the pain that it might cause us, it is important to show them
that you love them. We shouldn’t support what they are doing and definitely
shouldn’t encourage it, but we can still love them.
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