Peace

I was very saddened for my country on Friday when the Supreme court in a vote of 5-4 ruled in favor of same-sex marriage.  I believe the family to be the basic unit of society and I believe in the statement my church issued:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that following today's ruling by the Supreme Court, same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States. The Court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God. While showing respect for those who think differently, the Church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice."

The Church has outlined its doctrine and position on marriage in the document The Divine Institution of Marriage.

I also read this article, 15 Reasons 'Marriage Equality' is neither about Marriage nor Equality.  I am concerned about her last paragraph, "If you think the bullying of businesses, churches, and individuals who don’t get with the LGBT program now is bad, it promises to get much worse once codified. Is this really the sort of society you wish to live in? Where expressing an opinion from your heart on faith, family, marriage, relationships, love, or the very nature of reality—is routinely attacked as hate speech? Because that is exactly what you need to expect."  I personally have been labeled a "hater" and a "bigot" because of my belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.  This breaks my heart as I truly see all people as children of God and try my best to love them.  I don't think loving someone means you have to agree with them about everything, but apparently if I disagree about this subject I am a "hater" or at least a "dissenter".  I really want an answer to her last question, "So perhaps the biggest question hanging in the air is this: What will the authorities decide to do to dissenters?"  Will I end up in prison someday for publicly stating my personal beliefs?

I have suffered with depression and anxiety for years and this morning I was feeling much distress and seeking peace.  I was reminded again that Heavenly Father is aware of me and cares for me.  I was inspired to put down my "Follow Me" Relief Society manual that I had been reading for my daily devotional and to pick up the May Ensign and read the next talk where I had left off before. The next talk happened to be my personal favorite from our last General Conference and exactly the words I needed to read.  I believe Heavenly Father's plan is for his children to return home to him in eternal marriages as husband and wife.  We'll Ascend Together shows the beautiful relationship that husbands and wives can have with each other and it offered me the peace I was seeking.  I am grateful for my testimony that I am a child of God.  I will do my best to follow him, love my fellow man, and stay true to my convictions.

*I just wanted to add a little something here.  I can be pretty strong in my words and I will try to be gentler.  I have much compassion towards people with same-sex attraction as I feel that would be a heavy trial to bear in this life.  I don't see it as an eternal thing though (I could be totally wrong), but as a mortal test just like if someone was born blind, deaf, autistic, etc.  I am fine with civil unions for gay people, I just feel very strongly (obviously) that marriage is a union between, one man, one woman, and God.  I also feel very strongly for children and feel that every child has the right to a mother and father.  I am an idealist and this world is anything but ideal so it's hard to make it work for everyone's differing views.  I am fearful about our future, but I'm trying to replace that fear with faith.

**I really enjoyed reading this blog post A Walk in My Shoes.  Each of us has trials and hopefully we have family, friends, a church community to support us in them.  But even if we don't, we do have the Lord Jesus Christ to turn to.  He is always there for us and loves us all!