My Title of Liberty

     "In Memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." - Alma 46:12    

Gay Marriage

Hear the words of the Declaration of Independence, the announcement of the conception of our Nation, just beginning the labors of its birth:

 

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shown that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security."

I believe when it said "all Men," it meant mankind, male and female, but it also says, "Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable," and so, unfortunately, some time passed before the law recognized the legal equality of all women and all men.  I don't believe it meant men and women are "the same."

Our "Unalienable Rights" are provided by our Creator, God.  They were not intended to be maintained in opposition to the law.  Our rights are restricted if we break the law.  You may be fined (unhappy event), imprisoned, or even executed if the breaking of the law is serious enough.  The laws are intended to secure the rights of the individual which promote the good of the whole community.

Marriage supports a healthy nation, providing for the security of the next generation.  Divorce is bad.  I know; I have experienced it twice.  It has enduring effects on all involved.  A good marriage between a man and a woman is the best place to raise a family.  A good marriage also includes a relationship of both parties with God.  This is good for the whole community.  The law has heretofore supported such marriages.

Now there is a clamor for marriages to be legalized between two men, or two women.  Men and Women are equal, but not the same.  Two men cannot procreate together; neither can two women.  Even from an Evolutionary point of view, this kind of union would not lead to the preservation of the species.  How many heterosexual couples live together without benefit of marriage because they think of a marriage license as "just a piece of paper?"  How much less would it mean if anyone could get one?  If a man with a man, why not a man with an animal?  What basis for restrictions on the basis of age or nearness of relationship?  What about bigamy?  Contrary to what may be popular opinion, most "Mormons" do not wish to have more than one wife.  I only ever wanted one, but I have had four (one at a time -- perfectly legal).

I should clarify my understanding of homosexuality.  I don't believe anyone is "born that way."  I don't believe someone is a homosexual because he/she has certain feelings or urges, because they use certain gestures, or talk a certain way.  It is the same thing for everyone, and it comes down to self-control -- doing what is right.  Unfortunately, human law does not always reflect heavenly law.  So even though homosexual acts may not be illegal, they are still against God's law.  Heterosexual acts performed outside of marriage are also against God's law.

In San Francisco recently, "gay" marriages have been solemnized against California law, showing that those who participated cared more for themselves than for the welfare of others, and I feel that they gained nothing of value in doing so.

I personally yield to the Law of the Land for the benefit of Society as a whole, but there is coming soon a time when the forces of the World will attempt again to reduce the servants of God under absolute despotism, and God himself will come to this Earth, which belongs to Him, in the words of the Declaration of Independence, "to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security."