Bored at the Library and Proposition 8

I am sitting in the Harold B. Lee Library on the Brigham Young University campus located in Provo, Utah.

One of my friends called me this morning to ask me about my perspective on Proposition 8. It was 9:30 and it was good that I was already awake. I was on my way to the BYU Health Center to discover that I have been diagnosed with Excesma. Or exesma. Or Zima. Or enema. I have no idea how to spell that.

Anyway, my friend had been speaking with her sister about this sensitive subject to many members of Christian religions.

I firmly attest that I believe, just like the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that "marriage is ordained of God between a man and a woman". I understand the Churches standpoint as a church. But, at times, I do not understand the fanatic movement organized by simple members of the Church.

For example, on June 29th, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church sent out a letter to members of the Church in California. Here is a quote from the letter to which I agree with:

"The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage".

I believe in the sanctity of marriage, and the standpoint and view that the Church has. In regards to the members, however, my viewpoint changes. This is what the Church asked it's members to do, which quote is also from the same letter:

"We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage".

Most members of the Church took the phrases, "...all you can" and "..our best efforts", to the extreme. Silent protests were made, and millions of dollars were THROWN into the campaign. Even commercials airing only in the state of California were produced by some members of the Church urging others to vote yes on Prop 8. Members of the church were fanatic about this political and social movement.

Now, some members are complaining about the hatred, disgust, and protests against our church by those against Prop 8. All I can ask is, "You didn't see this coming?" We protest, campaign, create commercials and propaganda, and when those who oppose Prop 8 do the same things to us, some members are appalled and flabbergasted. I ask again, "You didn't see this coming?"

I do not concord with members who went out and protested, some violently, against those who want to redefine the definition of marriage. I do, however, concord with those who went about and tried to talk and understand those who did not support Prop 8. What we must do is follow the example of the Savior, Jesus Christ. If He were on the Earth right now, I'm pretty confident in saying that I would not have seen Him protesting against Prop 8. I'm sure He would have done something, but that something would have been a smart move. I'm sure He would have tried to understand those who opposed Prop 8 and then, made his decision.

Those members of the Church who flippantly went out and protested for Prop 8 just because they didn't want GAY PEOPLE to be GAY anymore are foolish and unwise. I believe that everyone on the planet has a right to choose to love whoever they want to love, and if the need becomes strong enough, to marry whoever they want to marry.

Many members believe that there could be a "domino effect" just like the one foretold during the Vietnam War. The "domino effect" was that if Vietnam was allowed to stay a communist country then ALL the other countries around it would turn communist as well. We can't base a statement like that without any proof. Just because one state would approve gay marriage doesn't mean that suddenly, the ENTIRE planet would follow suit as well. It does not mean that all men or women who were single would somehow wake up the next morning gay. It doesn't mean that all children would become gay as well.

Like stated before, I believe and want to keep marriage defined between a man and a woman, but members of the Church cannot get upset when we receive a backlash of hatred. It's those fanatic members fault.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I want to become more like Christ. I want to be an example to those around me. Just because I believe those who are gay have the right to be, does not belittle my membership in anyway. I just want all people to be equally treated and loved as the children of God that they are.

If we're truly committed members of this Church, we do have the right to say what we believe. But when that belief becomes over-financed and fanatic, then it must stop. We must become disciples of Christ and do as He did, "...love one another, as I have loved you." As we do that, we will be more accepting of other peoples belief system, and maybe, just maybe, become a little more like Christ.