Fear not little flock ...

The events of the past couple of weeks have caused me to think a lot about a lot of things. I am referring in particular to the passage of proposition 8 and the events that have followed. As I watched the protestors desecrate the House of the Lord and carry around signs accusing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of being liars, pedophiles and buyers of votes, among other things, a few thoughts came into my mind.

First off, everyone should know that the LDS Church does not condone hatred towards anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. We are taught to love everyone. However, this does not mean that we have to accept their choice of lifestyle as a correct one. The LDS Church puts a big emphasis on the importance of family values and the importance of a traditional marriage between a man and a woman. This is not something new that the leaders have cooked up so that we can go around discriminating against other people.  In 1995 the First Presidency and the Quorom of the 12 Apostles came out with a proclamation in which they stressed the importance of families and their role in society. I have no doubt that this proclamation was inspired, and that it was given at the time it was to help prepare members of the Church and all those who would read it for the times that we are currently living in. 

As I was reading an article today and viewing pictures of the Temple of the Lord littered with hate filled epithets, another scripture came to my mind. It is in the Bible in the book of 2 Timothy 3:1-4 and it reads, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, trucebreakers, false acusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I would say we are seeing quite a bit of that now.  The LDS church was well within its constitutional rights to stand up for what it believes on a moral issue that affects the society as a whole. As a result of the Church's involvement, it has been the target of bigoted, and hate-filled attacks at its holy places of worship and even on some of its websites. These attacks have only strengthened my testimony of the Gospel, and the importance of listening to the counsel of our leaders. The LDS Church is no stranger to persecution and opposition. Which brings to mind the following quote by Joseph Smith, he says, “...The standard of truth has been erected’ no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done”.  Throughout history, people have rejected the truth, and despised those that are good.  Jesus Christ himself was accused of having a devil. He was beat and then murdered on the cross because he taught something that was different than what the people wanted to hear. 

This is not meant to be an attack on those who disagree with proposition 8. We are taught to respect the beliefs of others, but at the same time not to change our beliefs to conform to society. I am sure that people will continue to call that which is wrong right, and to call anyone who disagrees with them a bigot and a hater. This is no reason to fear, nor to fight with those who have differing opinions. We need to stay strong and do what we know is right. The issue of same-gender marriage is far from over, and I am sure that eventually it will become legal in many, if not all, places. When that happens, we just have to remember to keep the commandments and do what we are taught. In these times of opposition and persecution it is all the more important to listen to the counsel of our dear Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. He is called of God and he will not lead us astray. We must remember the build ourselves up upon the rock which is Christ, and we must remember the promise found in D&C 6:34 which states, "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail."