My Beliefs about Gay Marriage

Here are some great resources that explain what I believe concerning gay marriage. I hope they can help you better understand where my stand on the issue comes from.

As you probably already know, I am Mormon, or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My faith in God and his son Jesus Christ is the most important thing in the world to me. For that reason, my beliefs are the same as those taught in His church. Here is a website which has been put together by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which explains what we believe concerning same-sex attraction.

http://www.mormonsandgays.org/

This is the Church's official statement about same-sex attraction, given in response to a petition from the HRC in 2010.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction?fb_action_ids=10201074697495989&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=[10150639620304083]&action_type_map=[%22og.likes%22]&action_ref_map=[]

This next link shares a proclamation from the Church that was given by the prophet in 1995. It is called "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," and we as church members hold its teachings very dear as we strive to create families and raise them in the way that Heavenly Father wants us to. It also talks about gender, and why we believe that it is so important for marriage to be between a man and a woman.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng

Lastly, I have included a link to a youtube video in which a woman from our church tries to explain what we believe about same-sex attraction. It is not given directly from the Church leaders, and therefore should not be viewed as official Church doctrine. Why I have included it though, is that she basically says everything that I would say if you were to ask me personally to explain what I believe, only she does it much better than I would.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7rIAiJTho4&feature=share

I believe that a "marriage" is meant to be a three-way contract between a man, a woman, and God. That is what God designed marriage for. I do not have a problem with same-sex couples having a "civil union." I believe that if a gay couple takes part in a civil union they should be entitled to the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. I believe that we should not try to change the definition of marriage. Only God has that power, but to do so would be contrary to His plan.

While these sources have probably not changed your mind about gay marriage, I hope that they have helped you come to a better understanding of what I really believe, and why I believe those things. Most of all, I hope you now know that although I oppose marriage being between anyone but a man and a woman, I feel nothing but love towards those who deal with same-sex attraction. I really do believe in equality for all people.