Reflections on the protection of marriage

As a family, we prayed every day before the election for the passage of Proposition 8 in

California.

We had many discussions about the necessity of marriage, between a man

and a woman, being the best possible way to have, love, and raise

children. The social institution of marriage is a key foundation of a

civil and healthy society.

 

We

talked about how the attempts to redefine marriage would have damaging

implications not only for marriages, families and morality, but also

for our freedom of speech and ultimately the freedom of religion, upon

which this great nation was founded.

 

Since

the election, my mind has been in a stir regarding the institution of

marriage, and how to address the conflict that surrounds it. But, in

striving to stand for marriage I am also concerned for those who

perceive that Mormons "hate" homosexuals, when we are only seeking to

preserve what we know to be the divine order of marriage.

 

How

do we continue to go about doing what needs to be done to preserve

traditional marriage without alienating gay-marriage advocates even

further? Or is it even possible? I sincerely wish I better understood

how those who are intent on redefining marriage see this conflict to

figure out what I may be missing.