I just wanted to share a few thoughts about some of the reasons I have heard people give to explain why they haven't yet helped with the Prop 8 effort, as well as some I haven't heard but know are out there.
1) I'm too busy.
2) I'm afraid of the opposition.
3) I'm not political.
4) I don't have any money.
5) I don't want to offend anyone.
If any of these apply to you, I would like to remind you of the following:
1) The Savior was never too busy. In fact, He put aside everything else He had going on, to die for you willingly.
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin... (2 Nephi 2:7)
2) The Savior wasn't afraid, even though He knew that He would die. Joseph Smith never stopped performing the work that was required of him, even when he was beaten, tarred and feathered, and was killed as well. In fact, most of the prophets we revere, and even the pioneers that we honor, suffered greatly for what they believed.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt 5:12)
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; (D&C 121:7)
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 20:1)
3) None of us are political. But we don't want to live in a society where homosexuality is taught to our children because it has been allowed to be included in the definition of marriage. The incidence of homosexuality has increased in Massachusetts, where it has been taught to children for almost 5 years now. People are NOT born gay, but it IS something they can be taught. We have chosen to get political for this issue, because it was so important that the Lord has singled it out for our utmost attention. He knows what the results will be, even though we do not. If YOU don't get "political," you may be held just as responsible for the outcome as those who are against us, because of your inaction. Remember, the judges in San Francisco performed an illegal act in legalizing gay marriage against the voice of the people. One effect of this action is a violation of the religious beliefs of a majority of Californians by teaching and promoting homosexuality in public schools. They are, in effect, dictating social attitudes, and this is made even easier by forming the minds of children who know no better.
We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. (D&C 134:7, emphasis added)
4) No dough? Although the campaign is in need of money to keep the commercials running, there are many other things you can do to help. Call your zip code representative to find out what you can do. Or, go to protectmarriage.com and contact them, letting them know you want to help.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; (D&C 58:27)
5) As far as being afraid to offend anyone, the truth is that there is nothing about Prop 8 that anyone should be offended about, if they understand what it is really about; and the only way they'll know that is if YOU tell them. Gays have every right that "straights" have in the state of California, so nothing is being withheld from them, AND we should never allow judges to overstep their bounds and dictate to us how we should think, as they have in this case! It is not their job to alter terminologies and practices that have been in use for thousands of years. Also, they WILL be teaching homosexuality to schoolchildren. That is a fact, despite the lies of their commercials, and it is a more unhealthy practice than smoking, but yet they teach children that tobacco is dangerous?! How does this make sense? I only hope that we will not choose to ignore the Lord because we are afraid of offending the devil.
Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free... Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; (D&C 128: 22,24)
Brothers and Sisters, we have known for a long time that these things were coming. Well, they are here. Now. None of us wanted it, but here we are. Now, let's do what we have to do.
Faithfully,
Rod Klingler
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