The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons, will not support gay marriage regardless of what the United States Supreme Court says. That does not, however, mean that they will not be respectful to those who hold different beliefs.
The church’s Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sent an official notice to all of the Mormon Churches to be read to the congregations. The notice said that the church will not perform any gay marriage ceremonies and that no church grounds or buildings may be used for gay services.
According to the Christian Post, the Mormon Church made it clear to its followers that “changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: $exual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”
The Mormon church made it quite clear where they stand on marriage. They also made it clear what they believe about homo$exuality, declaring that “homo$exual behavior violates the commandments of God, is contrary to the purposes of human $exuality, and deprives people of the blessings that can be found in family life and in the saving ordinances of the Gospel.”
While many in the LGBT community may find the church’s stance offensive, the church also made some very important clarifying statements that truly show the Christian character of the declarations. The church was very clear that while homo$exuality is a sin, and the church will not participate in any ceremonies that promote such sin, the gay people themselves are to be respected and loved.
The Mormons have stood beside gay couples who have fought for equality in hospitalization and medical care, employment, and housing issues. They simply ask that the gay lobby and gay people show them the same respect back, and not ask them to violate their beliefs.
Jesus did not sin, he did not promote sin, he did not tolerate sin, but he did not condemn the sinners. Jesus simply made sinners aware of the consequences of their sin and let them make the choice to follow him or not. They were welcome to walk with him, talk with him, eat with him, fellowship with him, but in the end they would have to make a choice if they were going to live and die for him.
Today, we, as the Mormon Church has done, have the opportunity to love our neighbors and show them the grace that Jesus would if he were here today. It does not mean that we have to participate in any of their sinful deeds, and we should ask that they respect our right not to do so.
(via All Christian News, Christian Post)
