The Sanctity of Marriage

I wrote this and have been contemplating whether or not to post it. I do feel very strongly about this topic, so I decided to do it.

Growing up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was not a difficult task for me. While I had Mormon friends, I had many more friends that were not of my faith. Each of my friends were supportative and tolerant of my beliefs. Many of them praised my ability to use clean language, to speak kindly of others, remain virtuous, and abstain from drugs and alcohol. I had heard stories of members in different parts of the country that did not receive the same type of tolerance, and could not imagine the reason for such injustice.

It was in college that I first felt any persecution for my beliefs, or being "Mormon". My roommate and I were at a friends apartment (who was not of our religion) and he had invited his neighbors over. We were playing card games and making cookies, when it was brought up that my roommate and I were "Mormon". The neighbor began saying the most awful things about us directly based on our religion. Our "friends" were laughing at what this guy was saying. I remember looking at my roommate like "Is this really happening?", "What are we supposed to do?". At that moment I said we were leaving. We grabbed our things as quickly as possible and left. Our two "friends" ran after us, obviously not realizing how upset those comments made us.
I remember thinking "Aren't we old enough and mature enough to be past this?" I seriously thought that as people got older they became more tolerant of differences between people; whether it be religious, racial, or any other. What I have found to be true is quite the opposite.
I understand why the Lord has taught us to become as children. They hold no prejudice or dislike, they are loving and trusting.

I have decided to write this post because of all that has happen in California with the passing of Proposition 8, making marriage legal only between a man and a woman. I know that there are many members of the church that are being persecuted because they voted yes. I have read news articles and editorials regarding this persecution, and I have felt very saddened for them and for the church. The Los Angeles Temple was vandalized, due to the belief of the "No on 8" proponants that it was the fault of the "Mormons" for the law passing. It is heart breaking to see and hear of such intolerance of our American right, to believe as we like and vote accordingly.
I would like to say that, while I do not agree with a homosexual lifestyle, I am accepting of them as people. Sexual orientation, race, religion (etc) would never be the deciding factor if someone was going to be my friend, and it would NEVER cause me to do or say hateful things.

Eventhough Proposition 8 was in California, not Colorado, I feel overwhelming joy and saddness from it. Joy that people believe in the sanctity of marriage, and believe God made man and woman to be joined together. Saddness because of the hatred directed at the church and its' members.

While some people may read this post and disagree (which you absolutely have the right to) I just had to take my own stand and agree with "The Family: A Proclaimation to the World" as it states:

"[We] solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that he lived as a man and did many miraclous things. I know that he bled in Gethsemane and died on the cross, for me and for all mankind. I know that His church has been fully restored as it was when he walked in Jerusalem. I know that we have a prophet on the earth today that receives revelation, just like Adam, or Noah, or Abraham. I am grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, that I know I can live with my family forever, even after death. I am grateful that from my childhood I was taught to act as Christ would, and though I am not always perfect at doing so, I am glad that in the face of adversary I have been given strength to do exactly that.

Here are some links if you would like to read more about Prop 8 and it's effects in California.
http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage