My stand

Years ago, I was the teaching the YW a lesson on prophets, and modern revelation. I asked the girls at the beginning of the lesson, “why should we do what the prophet asks?” The bottom line was, “Because it’s the Lord asking it. We follow the prophet”. We talked more about sustaining the prophets and how their words are the Lords words. Several more times during the lesson I asked this question, “Why do we do what the prophets say?” The girls learned through the lesson that the basic reason was, “Because it’s the prophet that is asking it of us.”

I wasn’t trying to teach them blind obedience, but simply wanted them to understand that there is nothing the prophets ask us to do that is not the will of the Lord. It’s black and white. You do it, or you don’t. President Harold B. Lee taught us that our very SAFETY, and that of our children, depends upon it.

“Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet, ‘as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; … as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith’. There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.’”

I mentioned once to the other YW leaders how scared I am for the rising generation. I could see a gap closing in on them. This gap, between being fitting into “the world” and being “a peculiar people” is apparent. I could see that these youth were going to have to decide NOW where they stand. Soon there will no longer be a safe ground “in the world” to practice and believe what we must. It scares me that we may lose some youth to “the world”, not specifically because of sin, but because they didn’t gain a testimony early enough to ward off “the world” and were persuaded to join the world, instead of standing for the prophets and God’s will.

I’m grateful to my parents who taught me early on that God comes before all else, and that following His counsel and keeping His commandments brings happiness and joy. I know our prophets are called of God. I know that following them has brought me joy, even through the personal persecutions I’ve faced as a “peculiar person” (It’s really like being mocked from those in the Great and Spacious Building, while I cling to the Rod.) I AM peculiar, I have” old-fashioned” values, and I am sensitive to the ever-changing influences of the world against God’s desires for us. I have to take a stand.

For several weeks, I have been pondering over how to voice my resolve about the same-sex marriage issue. It’s been difficult to find the words within myself to convey my feelings. I have read several statements and articles that say it better than I can. I’ve attached them below. However, I do feel it necessary for my voice to be heard as well. I support the prophets.

I echo what Pres. Hinckley said in 1999:
“There is no justification to redefine what marriage is. Such is not our right, and those who try will find themselves answerable to God. Some portray legalization of so-called same-sex marriage as a civil right. This is not a matter of civil rights; it is a matter of morality. Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.”

I WILL follow God. I will obey Him. I will stand for His teachings, and His doctrine. I will fight with all I have, and risk losing EVERYTHING to defend my family, my religion, and the eternal principles God expects us to uphold. I choose His side.

http://www.ldsmag.com/lds-church-updates/article/6495?ac=1

http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article.xqy?uri=/published/corus/articles/2010/10/en/tuesday-release

http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/2004-02-15-1.html

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IF04G01