On My Soap Box (Matt)

So, as many of you know, I'm a rather passionate person when it comes to my opinions. As of late, something I have felt very strongly about is the recent publicity concerning the LDS church's support for the California proposition 8. Most of you know that we are LDS, but if you don't, you do now. For those unaware of what proposition 8 is, it is a state (CA) constitutional amendment which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. The LDS church has actually requested members to push the passage of this proposition. Media has stated that the church has contributed anywhere from $2,000.00 to 2 million dollers to campiagn for the passage of the proposition 8, however I couldn't find any factual evidence of an amounts. This is a very significant action on the part of the church obviously! As the support of the chruch for the proposition was indicated, many actual church members have begun remarking that "it is time the church be more accepting of homosexuals and alternative life styles." This opinion and position on the matter is very upsetting to me. Plain and simply, it shows a complete misunderstanding and disregard for some of the basic principles of our religion. 1- Gods true church is not governed by man. It is governed by our loving heavenly father. It is not a democracy. God and his plan are the same yesterday, today, and forever. 2- The ideals and opinions of man do not effect or change the sure foundation that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Questioning the church's position on this matter, of homosexuality and same-sex attraction, is actually questioing the wisdom of God and his eternal plan of salvation. These members have failed to truly understand who is at the head of this church. It is not the prophet, the apostles, or any of the other church leaders. This was not their decision. It was God's design. The next item that is bothering me is those people who are getting upset over the church's involvement in the campaigning for the proposition. A big reason that the church is getting involved, other than the fact that same-sex marriage is completely against the church's moral code of conduct, is because California is a textbook formation state. This means that MANY textbooks originate in that state, and are created by the guidelines and laws harbored by that state. Therefore, in social science books produced by that state, same-sex marriages will be a norm. The church simply does not want this to be taught as a normality throughout the rest of the country. Keep in mind, that it is not a matter of tolerance. The gospel and church of Jesus Christ preach love and understanding of everyone. I also am not discriminating against homosexuality or same-sex attraction. Feel free to comment whether in line with or different from my views. Now after all that heavy and serious stuff, here's a cute picture of Adam with his teddy bear that he loves, to lighten the mood.