First of all, if you are one of my gay friends or a supporter of gay marriage, please know that I love you and that I know this issue is very important to you. I understand why it is so important to you and I would never want to trivialize your feelings. I know that you seek the same thing that all of us seek - a happy life and to feel loved and accepted. I understand that you have probably felt hurt, misunderstood, and judged at some point in your life and I am so sorry for that. I sincerely hope it was not by me. I won't pretend to know how you feel or everything you've had to go through, but I want you to know that I am trying to be understanding of your situation and want the very best for you.
I have a testimony that God loves ALL of His children whether they are male or female, gay or straight. I believe that because He loves us, He has given us laws to live by so that we can be the recipients of His blessings. Each of us is given specific tests and trials to face while we are here on earth. Some of those tests are much harder than others, but each of us is subject to sin and sorrow. I believe that God requires us to obey all of His commandments, even the ones that are hard, and even the ones that we don't agree with, if we want to become like Him and inherit all that He has. We do not get to choose our tests, tendencies, appetites, or passions, but we do get to choose how we react to them.
In 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints put out a statement called The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I have prayed about these words and I know that they are true:
WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 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.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and through His Atonement, we are able to overcome all temptation, adversity, or pain. He will bear our burdens with us. His Atonement will ultimately make all wrongs right and will make up for all of the unfairness we experience in this life.
Whether you are in favor of same-sex marriage or against it, let's all remember our Savior's words in John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you." No matter our position, we can still be loving and compassionate, inclusive and understanding.
Whether you are in favor of same-sex marriage or against it, let's all remember our Savior's words in John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you." No matter our position, we can still be loving and compassionate, inclusive and understanding.
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