LDS Church issues response to Prop. 8 vote

[funkymonkey]

LDS Church issues response to Prop. 8 vote
November 5th, 2008 @ 1:03pm
Statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

[Elgama]

What a great response thanks for posting it.

-Charley

[Godless]

We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will be well informed and act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.

...........

...........

Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.

These two paragraphs definitely caught my attention when I read the statement. I have seen LDS members (and non-), on this site and elsewhere, contradict the spirit of respect and understanding that the first paragraph encourages. And the second paragraph seems to imply that those who voted against Prop 8 were not, in fact, contradicting the direct will of God. People should vote according to their conscience, and I hope that the people who voted yesterday did just that rather than unquestioningly following the counsel of the Church. To those who voted in favor of this legislation after much contemplation, objective research, and individual prayer, I commend you. And to those (if any) who voted against it after doing the same, I commend you as well.

We all have different experiences and situations that shape our ideas. The bretheren seem to realize this. It is my hope that someday more members of your church will come to the same realization and think before they jump on those who go against church council on issues such as this one.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by Godless

These two paragraphs definitely caught my attention when I read the statement. I have seen LDS members (and non-), on this site and elsewhere, contradict the spirit of respect and understanding that the first paragraph encourages. And the second paragraph seems to imply that those who voted against Prop 8 were not, in fact, contradicting the direct will of God. People should vote according to their conscience, and I hope that the people who voted yesterday did just that rather than unquestioningly following the counsel of the Church. To those who voted in favor of this legislation after much contemplation, objective research, and individual prayer, I commend you. And to those (if any) who voted against it after doing the same, I commend you as well.

We all have different experiences and situations that shape our ideas. The bretheren seem to realize this. It is my hope that someday more members of your church will come to the same realization and think before they jump on those who go against church council on issues such as this one.

They were what stuck out to me too. And I was very relieved to see them. Something about this statement for me is very President Monson, not that I know him except from 16 years of conference talks.

-Charley

[drjme]

David Nielson, with the Affirmation Gay and Lesbian Mormons, said, "I was disappointed to see it pass but not disheartened. This is a setback, but marriage equality is still going to happen."

Interesting Stance for an Mormon??

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Godless

These two paragraphs definitely caught my attention when I read the statement. I have seen LDS members (and non-), on this site and elsewhere, contradict the spirit of respect and understanding that the first paragraph encourages. And the second paragraph seems to imply that those who voted against Prop 8 were not, in fact, contradicting the direct will of God. People should vote according to their conscience, and I hope that the people who voted yesterday did just that rather than unquestioningly following the counsel of the Church. To those who voted in favor of this legislation after much contemplation, objective research, and individual prayer, I commend you. And to those (if any) who voted against it after doing the same, I commend you as well.

We all have different experiences and situations that shape our ideas. The bretheren seem to realize this. It is my hope that someday more members of your church will come to the same realization and think before they jump on those who go against church council on issues such as this one.

Of course we should treat EVERYONE with respect. If you look back over the many posts, you will see a lot of respectful posts. This forum is the most respectful forum I've been in. Never is rudeness justified. I don't think anyone ever advocated otherwise.

I cannot judge any LDS who voted against Prop 8. It's not my place. But I do object to public declarations by a member of our church against the counsel of our Prophet.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by Godless

These two paragraphs definitely caught my attention when I read the statement. I have seen LDS members (and non-), on this site and elsewhere, contradict the spirit of respect and understanding that the first paragraph encourages. And the second paragraph seems to imply that those who voted against Prop 8 were not, in fact, contradicting the direct will of God. People should vote according to their conscience, and I hope that the people who voted yesterday did just that rather than unquestioningly following the counsel of the Church. To those who voted in favor of this legislation after much contemplation, objective research, and individual prayer, I commend you. And to those (if any) who voted against it after doing the same, I commend you as well.

We all have different experiences and situations that shape our ideas. The bretheren seem to realize this. It is my hope that someday more members of your church will come to the same realization and think before they jump on those who go against church council on issues such as this one.

I couldn't agree more with the two statements you sited from the church and appreciate your comments on them.

As I read the "Steve Young" thread and others, I was disheartened at some of the comments. Some didn't feel LDS at all to me, and I don't mean positions on the issues. And some seemed to miss the point of what it means to be LDS and to understand that everyone is in process and each process is individual and that the Lord allows for that and is over all of it.

Perhaps we can all learn from what happened in California and raise the bar with how we deal with our differences. President Hinckley has only been gone a short time and sometimes I wonder if we have already forgotten his admonition to be a little kinder and to stand a little taller.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I cannot judge any LDS who voted against Prop 8. It's not my place. But I do object to public declarations by a member of our church against the counsel of our Prophet.

I am trying to understand what you are saying here. You don't want to judge, yet you want to speak out against any declaration against the prophet?

Well, I guess I can understand this. It feels like the "As for me an my house...." sentiment. Something I support. But I worry with the "how" we stand up for what is right. Do we condemn others? Do we stoop to passionate name calling? Or do we listen carefully and apply understanding to an opposing position? Do we allow ourselves to look deeper and understand more fully where a person may be coming from and apply our creativity and intellect to finding solutions that work AND uphold morality? Or do we jump on the righteousness bandwagon and in our pride railroad anyone that appears less righteous than ourselves?

All I can do is my best. With regards to Prop 8,, I within my own sensibilities, can't escape the complication and emotionally charged muddiness of the issue. IMO, it takes a great deal of wisdom, more wisdom than many of us have, to sort through all the pieces and parts and find truth and then balance that with what it means to be American and to preserve the rights of all and what it means to uphold the moral foundations this country was built on.

We must fight for principle and against falsehoods, but not against people!! I think we forget this sometimes, and I mean ON THIS BOARD and even in our neighborhoods whether we speak of religion or Prop 8 or who just won the election and how any one of us might react to such an outcome.

America is about diversity in thought and position and the protections that make such diversity possible! In many ways, this is the essence of what it means to be LDS. And the best of Americans are the ones with moral fiber and deep moral character. And I think when two disagree, true character shows itself. Just being LDS doesn't make one loving. Just being American doesn't make one moral. The reason we are in this global mess is because too many in Washington and Wall street and the corporate and religious spheres have forgotten what it means to live for the good of all instead of the selfish interest of the one!!

And so what do we do here on this board in our discussions? How do we make our points and speak our minds? By tearing each other down? Casting our "holier than thou" judgments?

How do we meet someone who doesn't appear to be following the prophet? Shine a spot light on the deficits?? Is that what Father in Heaven does with our infinite failings? NO! He helps, encourages, and invites. He shares truth and lets us digest it how we will. He allows people to think and even make mistakes. And He leaves us better than how he found us. Do we do the same?

I think that Obama got it right when he said this:

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."


Perhaps we need to apply some of that here.

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

I am trying to understand what you are saying here. You don't want to judge, yet you want to speak out against any declaration against the prophet?

Well, I guess I can understand this. It feels like the "As for me an my house...." sentiment. Something I support. But I worry with the "how" we stand up for what is right. Do we condemn others? Do we stoop to passionate name calling? Or do we listen carefully and apply understanding to an opposing position? Do we allow ourselves to look deeper and understand more fully where a person may be coming from and apply our creativity and intellect to finding solutions that work AND uphold morality? Or do we jump on the righteousness bandwagon and in our pride railroad anyone that appears less righteous than ourselves?

All I can do is my best. With regards to Prop 8,, I within my own sensibilities, can't escape the complication and emotionally charged muddiness of the issue. IMO, it takes a great deal of wisdom, more wisdom than many of us have, to sort through all the pieces and parts and find truth and then balance that with what it means to be American and to preserve the rights of all and what it means to uphold the moral foundations this country was built on.

We must fight for principle and against falsehoods, but not against people!! I think we forget this sometimes, and I mean ON THIS BOARD and even in our neighborhoods whether we speak of religion or Prop 8 or who just won the election and how any one of us might react to such an outcome.

America is about diversity in thought and position and the protections that make such diversity possible! In many ways, this is the essence of what it means to be LDS. And the best of Americans are the ones with moral fiber and deep moral character. And I think when two disagree, true character shows itself. Just being LDS doesn't make one loving. Just being American doesn't make one moral. The reason we are in this global mess is because too many in Washington and Wall street and the corporate and religious spheres have forgotten what it means to live for the good of all instead of the selfish interest of the one!!

And so what do we do here on this board in our discussions? How do we make our points and speak our minds? By tearing each other down? Casting our "holier than thou" judgments?

How do we meet someone who doesn't appear to be following the prophet? Shine a spot light on the deficits?? Is that what Father in Heaven does with our infinite failings? NO! He helps, encourages, and invites. He shares truth and lets us digest it how we will. He allows people to think and even make mistakes. And He leaves us better than how he found us. Do we do the same?

I think that Obama got it right when he said this:

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."


Perhaps we need to apply some of that here.

I really needed someone to say this.

Elphaba

[Kyra]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Of course we should treat EVERYONE with respect. If you look back over the many posts, you will see a lot of respectful posts. This forum is the most respectful forum I've been in. Never is rudeness justified. I don't think anyone ever advocated otherwise.

I cannot judge any LDS who voted against Prop 8. It's not my place. But I do object to public declarations by a member of our church against the counsel of our Prophet.

Well said!