On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court approved the legalization of gay marriage within the Obergefell V. Hodges case. I am glad we were assigned to read this case because I feel it expanded the way I view traditional marriage and also how others view it differently than me. Some people believe marriage can be changed as time passes and everyone needs to keep up with the modern days. The Court's opinion says "The ancient origins of marriage confirm its centrality, but it has not stood in isolation from developments in law and society. The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change. That institution - even as confined to opposite-sex relations - has evolved over time". On the other hand, our dear prophet, President Nelson, says about marriage that it is ordained of God and only He can change it. Further on he says "We cannot condone efforts to change divine doctrine. It is not for man to change."
The five Justices who supported the same-sex marriage petition believe there is no difference between same - and opposite-sex couples in regards to the marriage institution. They see the gay and lesbian couples as victims of exclusion from the benefits associated with marriage. They also believe this marriage restriction is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment that says no State shall "deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." Justice Thomas said, while dissenting the petition, that "Liberty has been understood as freedom from government action, not entitlement to government benefits." The petitioners were not asking only to be equal in rights and privileges with everyone else, they were asking for special treatment and for standing out above the rest. Sadly, they got everything they asked for and more. This battle will not end until the Savior will come again and we need to remain strong in our testimonies of the one and only true gospel and have faith knowing the Lord is on our side
All four dissenting Justices agreed that the universal definition of marriage is the union of a man and a woman. They also declared the importance of a good and stable lifelong relationship, where mothers and fathers are committed to each other and to their children's well-being. Justice Roberts said: "To blind yourself to history is both prideful and unwise." Along with that, Justice Alito said "Those who cling to old beliefs will be able to whisper their thoughts in the recesses of their homes, but if they repeat those views in public, they will risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers, and schools." To me that means if we don't teach our children about God and the difference between good and bad, then the world will teach them there is no good or bad and that God's ways are old and outdated.
President Russell M. Nelson described the importance of developing a strong partnership in marriage and how we will be blessed with great power and protection. He said "True partners can achieve more than the sum of each acting alone." Further on he said "Mothers and fathers are not interchangeable. Men and women are distinct and complementary." We need to be defenders of marriage all the time and remember that God is our only judge. His ways may not be popular in our days, and life will not be easy for us when we choose to stay on His side, but we will be blessed and protected. Another great quote from President Nelson states "Man simply cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said "Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand. We must not surrender our positions or our values."
Satan is working hard to defile marriage and the way family is being viewed today. We often times refer to those small and simple things we need to observe and be aware of because they matter the most. I personally believe this principle applies to both good and bad. In my opinion, some people see Satan as this horrible looking monster who will one day show up and destroy as much as he can. Well, I see him as someone who tried to look good and cool to others. Someone who will slowly and carefully gain our trust and then drag us in dark and scary places, away from our loved one and from the influence of our Savior.
Marriage is ordained of God. When we choose to marry in the right place, with the right person, and by the right authority our marriage will be blessed and protected from the evils that surround us. Each child should be born and raised in a family where there is a mother and a father. No child should be isolated from the unique influence of their parents because they are different and extremely beneficial for that child's growth, behavior, intellect, and so forth. I stand by and support 100% the marriage between a man and a woman. While I don't have any hateful feelings towards gay people, I believe that those to engage in same-sex relations are living a sinful life and I do not support that in any way.
References
- Obergefell v. Hodges case
- https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson_disciples-jesus-christ-defenders-of-marriage/
- https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/dallin-h-oaks_elections-hope-freedom/
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