In Defense of Marriage

"Persecution" was the title of an email I received this week from one of my nephews, Mike. It had to do with Proposition 102 on the Arizona ballot this year, much like Proposition 8 on the California ballot - defining marriage as "between one man and one woman". His email was having to do with the "heated persecution LDS people are dealing with in Arizona as a result of the proposed marriage amendment known as Prop 102". Before I got to the part having to do with Prop 102, I had thought the "persecution" may be due to the fact that the Church is building three new temples in Arizona (because there is very often "persecution" - though mostly subtle - where temples are being built). And upon further thought, realized that whether it is in support of protecting marriage as "between one man and one woman" or the building of temples, the focus is the same - eternal families.

The gist of the email was an exchange he had with a colleague and former "friend on facebook". When his colleague saw that he had posted "support for Proposition 102" on his own facebook site, the colleague severed him as a "friend on facebook" and wrote a very derogatory, even spiteful, comment in which he said the only reason Proposition 102 was ahead in the polls is because of the "hateful" mormon church's support for it. Mike had only exercised his freedom of speech, yet this person was "offended" by Mike's stance on this issue. Ironic that this person would expel "hatred" toward one who was only expressing his view.

So I write this particular blog expressing my views for traditional marriage - as it has been deemed for centuries - between one man and one woman. You may think that if you live outside of California or Arizona this matter does not pertain to you, but think again. The "Proclamation to the WORLD" - not the Church, but the world, says: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measure designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." The preceding paragraph in The Proclamation states: "Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon the individuals, communities and nations the calamaties foretold by ancient and modern prophets."

I peruse the Deseret News online quite regularly. A few weeks ago there were about three different articles in the DN that topped (No. 1, 2, and 3 - not just the top-10) the "most-commented" section. (Keep in mind this was at the same time as the financial bailout/Wall Street meltdown.) Yet by far, the hottest issue had to do with Prop. 8 on the California ballot. One of the articles was with regard to the church potentially involving members outside of California to make phone calls informing Calfornia voters on this issue. (And I enlisted in my ward to help out if needed.) The LDS Church did this as part of a coalition of other Judeo-Christian denominations. However, you would never know by all the negative comments to that article that it was a coalition...only that LDS Church was in support of Prop. 8. Interesting to note is the fact that the LDS Church was singled out. However, we are not alone in our support of traditional marriage.

If one closely studies and analyzes these propositions, as opposed to being driven by emotion, one would learn that no same-sex couple would be denied civil benefits through passage of these amendments. Same-sex couples would still be able to have domestic partnerships or civil unions, enjoying employment and other legal benefits given to married couples. These amendments basically provide definition to marriage "as being between one man and one woman". There is nothing hateful towards those who live a homosexual lifestyle.

Some may argue that the LDS Church (and others who join them in whatever form) want these amendments to pass because otherwise these churches and organizations will have to accept same-sex marriage or lose their tax-exempt status. That may be the case for some organizations, but for those who think that of the LDS Church, please, please, please read "The Family - a Proclamation to the World". Tax status of the LDS Church is irrelevant.

Finally, I will end by saying something that I have said sometimes, but only in personal circles. That is, when two men without assistance of any other human being or medicine, or two women without assistance of any other human being or medicine, can within the walls of their own home create life, I would give them license to be married. One man and one woman being able to create life is a divine law of nature. It is God given. Creation of human life is sacred and the institution of marriage was given to sanction that union. Marriage cannot be redefined to be something it is not.

I support those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family. Kudos to you out there who support this - and have opportunity to express your support at the election polls!