CHURCH POLICY ON SAME-SEX
Dear Family,
The
Church’s clarification of policy regarding same-sex couples and children of
such unions has caused turmoil inside and outside the Church, even causing some
to disassociate themselves from it. We recognize and respect the right of each
of our children and grandchildren to exercise their God-given agency to decide
where you stand on these issues. Nevertheless, we thought it appropriate and
helpful for us to state our position so there is no doubt where we stand and
why.
Simply
put, we stand with the Prophets. We have firm testimonies that they are called
of God to lead his church and kingdom upon the earth today. We believe they
hold priesthood keys given by revelation to administer the affairs of God on
earth. We believe that the Savior stands as the cornerstone, and that He
directs by revelation and inspiration how He wants his church to operate.
We believe that God
restored the fullness of the gospel, priesthood authority, and his church, with
prophets and apostles at its foundation, through the prophet Joseph Smith. We
do not believe that the Lord vacillates in truth and law, nor is he subject to
the vicissitudes and opinions of men. He does not give into the attitudes,
beliefs, and perceptions of mankind when they violate inviolate eternal laws. The
words of Nephi are very important to consider in regards to deciding where you
stand on this issue: “And if ye shall say
there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no
sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no
righteousness there be no happiness…no happiness, no punishment nor misery. And
if these things are not there is no God” (2 Nephi 2:13).
Today, people are
demanding a change to how God carries out his law and questioning his leaders in
the name of equality, love, and fairness. By doing so, they are making his laws
and commandments relative in their own minds. They are kicking against the
pricks, and we are witnessing a great division among those who believe and
those who do not. Nephi saw that “the
time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the
people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even
if it be that he must destroy the wicked by fire” (2 Nephi 30:10). He said
he would smite the earth with the rod of his mouth. The rod of his mouth is the
gospel truth given to us by prophets and apostles. Those who refuse truth will
suffer a consequence.
The same-sex issue is
just one of many complex social issues that will come to us. It will try us in
our faith and purge the Church of all unrighteousness. It will divide the
people into those who follow the prophets and those who do not. This particular
issue might even grow and become even more painful and sensitive to members of
the Church as social pressure is brought to bear on it to conform to the status
quo. In our minds, we cannot serve two masters. We cannot on the one hand say
we believe this church to be the true and living church, and on the other hand
reject the very prophets and apostles that stand as its foundation with Christ
as the cornerstone.
We have felt the
Christ-like love Church leaders have for all people, including those who are
affected by Church standards, and it is not an easy thing for them to stand
against rising social pressure within and without the Church. It takes great
faith and sure knowledge for them to do this. It is no easier now than it was
for earlier leaders to deal with other delicate and troublesome social issues
in the history of the Church, e.g. Blacks and the priesthood and polygamy. In
all of those cases, contrary to some people’s opinion, the leaders did not make
changes in church policy until the Lord revealed it to them. Some think they
simply gave in to social pressure. That is not true, and such beliefs mislead
the honest in heart.
We encourage you to be
humble, meek, and submissive to our leaders. If you struggle with your feelings
on this issue, we invite you to make it a matter of sincere, humble prayer. We
know that the spirit will speak peace to you.
“We believe all that God has revealed, all
that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and
important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (9th Article of
Faith). We believe he will do that through his prophets and apostles.
We invite you to freely
share our letter and views with your children.
Love
to each of you,
Dad
and Mom
Grandpa
and Grandma
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