In association with my recent post “Don’t abandon your children”, and my upcoming answer to the question “Why do Mormons support Proposition 8″, I give you the following inspired and prophetic instruction and counsel of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Apostle.
This was given all the way back in 1978, but just listen to the shockingly accurate portrayal of our day. It’s titled:
“Meeting the Challenges of Today”
Rusty
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you!
Rusty,
I just came across this talk during the last week. Great post!
Rusty, thanks for the message. One thing about this Proposition 8 issue that bothers me is how the opposition is describing the LDS Church. Many try to portray those in favor of Prop 8 as being opposed to gay/lesbian basic rights. That is not what the proposition was about. It was specifically about whether or not it is constitutional to define marriage between anyone besides 1 man and 1 woman. The LDS Church was very clear that as a whole it did not oppose basic rights to gay couples, rather it feared the government would end up dictating to religions what they had to define marriage as in their doctrine. The Church released a fantastic statement that should be read by all believers of Christ as it explains why it is so important to protect our beliefs from intolerance and suppression.
Note how this issue is affecting religious institutions in Massachusetts. A catholic adoption agency was forced to place children with gay couples, despite deep religious beliefs that the best environment to raise a child was in a home with a mother and a father. Doctors, who refused to provide artificial insemination to lesbian couples, were sued for discrimination, despite the fact that they reportedly provided referrals to the couples of doctors who would accommodate their life style.
The LDS Church collectively, not necessarily individually, is in favor of gay individuals living as couples, expressing their love, enjoying hospital visitation rights etc. that traditional couples enjoy. If this is an issue that you are passionate about, I encourage you to read the LDS Church’s official opinion. I posted a link below:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage