On Prophets, Politics, and Proposition 8

I have decided to try and keep my blog as "light" as possible and to avoid discussion of things that are too divisive or argumentative. That being said, I feel that I have an obligation to make my views on this matter known.


I should preface this post by saying that if you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you need not read further; this post is not directed at you. Rather, this is directed at any who are members who believe the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth and that its president, currently Thomas S. Monson, is the prophet, seer, and revelator of the Lord.


I. Why Am I Writing This?


During election years, there is a great deal of debate and discussion on a variety of matters and people both inside and outside of the church find themselves divided on what and who is best for this country. This is good. We should develop our own political views and seek to vote for those laws and candidates that we believe are best for the country. The church maintains its neutrality on candidates and parties and encourages us to each develop our own ideas. The church remains neutral on most political issues, as well. Military size, tax rates, land use, college tuition, tort reform, economic growth, size of government, corporate reform, health care, military involvement, the war on terror, criminal sentencing, interpretation of the Constitution, appointment of judges, etc. The list goes on and on with issues on which members of the church can disagree.


A majority of church members, at least in the United States, lean to the right, but that does not mean that a righteous and faithful member of the church cannot be a Democrat. It just so happens that on one issue, in particular, the church picks a side, and comes down with the Republicans. That issue is same-sex marriage. That is not to say that the church supports Republicans or that it opposes Democrats, except on that issue.


I think that it is important to recognize that on all but a select few issues, the members of the church can believe whatever they wish. That is their right and duty as citizens of the United States. On same-sex marriage, however, the church is unambiguously and emphatically opposed to movements which seek to normalize and condone the marriage between members of the same-sex.


If we believe that the prophet is God's mouthpiece on the earth today, then how can we honestly believe that the church is wrong on this issue? If you think the prophet is wrong, then how can the church be true? It is imperative that we not let any personal, political convictions that we may have come before our faith. When the prophet of the Lord speaks, we should listen. I am a conservative Republican who believes in the individual right to bear arms. Yet, if the Lord were to instruct the prophet that the church should fight for legislation that seeks to take away a citizen's right to keep and bear arms, I would wholeheartedly support the church and remain a conservative Republican on most matters, but not gun ownership. I believe that every member should have strong political views, and even stronger faith. If our political views and faith ever conflict, our political and personal views should yield. If they do not, we should question the strength and conviction of our faith.


I have seen a number of members that I know join Facebook groups or otherwise express that their views are different than those of the church; that they oppose Proposition 8 or await the day when the church will stop its unfair discrimination of same-sex relationships. While I support their right to express their views and try not to be judgmental, I am concerned that many in my generation are too swayed by political and social trends and are mistakenly letting their political views dictate their faith instead of allowing their faith to dictate the few political views that it should.


II. Blacks, Priesthood, and Same-Sex Marriage


Some members of the church believe that the church will eventually change its position on same-sex marriage, like it did with blacks holding the priesthood. Assuming that is true (but believing it not to be), why should we assume to have a better understanding of timing than the Lord? There are, however, several distinctions between these two issues that are important to keep in mind:


During his earthly mission, Christ did no preach to the Gentiles, those not of Jewish blood. His mission was to the children of Israel. Before his ascension, Christ instructed his apostles to go to all the world, yet it was not until some time later, that Peter received the instruction to go unto the Gentiles and preach the gospel. The promise was that everyone would receive the gospel, but that did not mean immediately.


This was much like blacks and the priesthood. Joseph Smith said, "the curse is not yet taken off the sons of Canaan." (Joseph Smith Jr., Messenger and Advocate Vol. II, No. 7, April 1836 , p. 290; History of the Church, Vol. 2, Ch. 30, pp. 436-40.) This quote demonstrates a temporary nature of the church's prevention of blacks obtaining the priesthood and participating in the ordinance of the gospel. Before 1978, prophets of the church had been pleading with the Lord to allow blacks to receive the priesthood. In the Lord's infinite wisdom and for reasons that we do not yet know, the Lord waited until he did to allow blacks the full blessings of the priesthood. It should also be pointed out that being black was not a sin, but was evidence of the remainder of the sin of someone else. Brigham Young also said, "That the time will come when they will have the privilege of all we have the privilege of and more." (Brigham Young, Speech given in Joint Session of the Utah Legislature, February 5, 1952, in Fred Collier, The Teachings of President Brigham Young. Salt Lake City, Collier's Publishing, 1987, 43).


Now, consider the issue of same-sex relationships and marriage. In 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles released the "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." This document says, among other things, 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." It further declares that "the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." This proclamation is clear and direct and further establishes the church's position that marriage is an essential part of God's plan, but this is only marriage between a man and a woman.


There is no evidence to suggest that God's eternal plan for his children is anything less than eternal. Marriage is a focal point of that plan and the church seeks to maintain the sacredness and sanctity of that institution. The language used by the church with regards to blacks and priesthood is inherently different than that used in discussing marriage. Blacks were temporarily prohibited from full participation in the gospel. God's ordination of marriage between man and woman is eternal and will not change with the societal winds of change!


III. California and Proposition 8


Given that the church remains almost entirely neutral on politics, we should not take it lightly that the church is so strongly supporting Proposition 8 in California. In a letter to members of the church in California, the First Presidency declared said: "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." Speaking on behalf of the church, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach." (see the remainder of this interview here.)


If we have a temple recommend and have declared to our Bishop and Stake President that we believe that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet, seer, and revelator of the Lord, we should act in accordance with that declaration. If we are unwilling to allow the Lord's prophet to dictate some aspects of our life, how strong is our faith that he really speaks with the Lord.


Our faith must not be a matter of convenience. There are those who believe that the church is acting in a bigoted way. So be it. If this church is the true church, which I believe it is, so what? This church has survived persecution, death, and eviction from states, yet the church continues to grow. We members are the strength of this church and we must be willing to fight for what is right. Despite popular belief in this country, there are absolutes. There is right and there is wrong.


We should be willing to die for the gospel. It is part of the law of consecration. Yet, if we are not willing to suffer harassment at those who encourage and condone immoral behavior, how will we ever have the faith to stand when "persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame."


The church is taking a stand on Proposition 8 and same-sex marriage in general, and we must either side with the church or join those that oppose it. Tomorrow is the time for California members to choose and it will not be long before those of us elsewhere will have to make the same decision. We should make the decision now!