Reader comments
Support or shut up

I am also tired of the arguments surrounding this issue. Many different articles and responses have promoted ill feelings toward all parties involved, and have only "fed the fire," so to speak. The LDS church issued a statement asking that everyone act in civility toward one another, recognizing that this is a sensitive and emotional issue, and that no one "should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information."

I wonder if this is possible for those that respond to this editorial.

I've decided that I will make a personal, charitable contribution if civility and mutual respect are kept within these responses after this post is viewed.

What I mean is this: If those who post refrain from attacking, name-calling, bitter sarcasm, etc. for one day, I will provide a monetary donation to Primary Children's Medical Center. If not, the deal is off.

I agree that the prop 8 vote was ok (and that gay activists are being hypocritical) - but LDS Church leaders ask people to make informed decisions - put up or shut up is not church doctrine. It is dissapointing when people dont agree with leaders - but it is more dissapointing when they dont understand why they do or dont. Faith is good but informed faith is better

Just because your God calls something a sin, doesn't give you license to make hell on earth for the sinner. I'd rather err on the side of being more Christian than on the side of what's pronounced from a pulpit.

This is the beauty of a democracy. People have the right to voice their opinion even when others disagree. In a theocracy people don't have that right because their government/religion has the right. The LDS religion says (as do other religions) that their members have the right of free agency, the ability to choose for themselves (and ultimately, to speak for themselves) what they are going to do. The author here should be applauding those who spoke out against what they see as discrimination towards family members who happen to be homosexual and are seeking what they see as a right in our society: the right to marry whom they want to. They are exercising free agency.

With that said, I favored Proposition 8. Now is the time for all parties to understand that the majority of Americans still see "marriage" as between a man and a woman. Most, however, ARE in favor of civil unions between partners. Just don't call it marriage. In California civil partners already, by law, have protections established for themselves. I am all in favor of this. Now is the time to heal and a time to move forward and move on.

I oppose proposition 8 however; I believe that I am free to speak. As sick as you may be or fed up, do not attempt to stifle my thinking or ability to speak or anyone else�s. There was a war in Heaven and I'm sure you would have been one of those who got sick and tired of those who choose to follow a different plan nevertheless ALL were free to choose and speak.

Don't they have right to voice their opinions as well? Not according the church of Marvin, I guess.

I agree with your support of Proposition 8, but not of your statement that opponents should "keep their mouths shut". Though I disagree with the gay marriage supporters, I respect their right to assembly and free speech, and no one ought to tell someone to just "shut up." Good Sabbath to you.

most of those people are not really who they proclaim to be. Being dishonest is acceptable behavior for these folks as they try to achieve their goals.

Mr. Carlsen, I am LDS and I vigorously oppose Prop 8. My highest duty is to my own conscience, not my church leaders. And while I respect the church's right to express an opinion, I hope they will respect my right to express mine. Anything less would be unchristian and uncivilized.

Yes, let's follow the prophet. The prophet says we should be humble and kind with respect to this topic. I'm not sure this letter squares with such prophetic guidance.

Yup, poke a stick into hornets nest and then get upset when you get stung. Now how does that make you look?

It is ironic that in expressing frustration in such a contentious way the letter writer has just invited more of what he's tired of. Let's just let it die down and try to get along inspite of our differences. We don't need to shut each other up, but we don't need to enflame each other either.

This argument is going on between Christians, right?

Allegiance to whom, ourselves, our local church leader, our church president, or God? What is the result of using agency, a pat on the head for being brave, or the natural consequences that come from using that agency?

Everyman must be true to himself in his journey through life. Most who have joined a church judge the route that they walk by the doctrines of that church. Many of us who are members of the LDS Church measure our conduct against the council of our Prophets; but, we, just like any other person on earth must reconcile our free-will actions to whatever "standard" we follow.

So far, I have never found the council of the Prophets to be in opposition to the words of God, as written by other prophets. So far, I have never found the need to oppose that council

However, every person has the right to speak on any subject in any way that he deems proper. Listening to someone speak or reading someone's opinion shows us what was important to him at the moment that he spoke or wrote. A lifetime of speaking or writing shows who we follow and what we believe.

I wonder if the writer of the letter considered the fact the "shut up" and do what you are told attitude, if it was really the policy of the Church (which it isn't), was one of the misconceptions that hurt Mitt Romney's candidacy.
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"keep your opinions to yourself" And therein lies the problem.
You can't have a rational thought in this Church, you must follow along at the clip of a cult or you'll be alientated and eventually forced out.

When the leader of your church, who speaks for God, says something that you cannot accept as the word of God, it is a good indicator that you are in the wrong church.

Wow, 'shut up'. Fox news, and organised religion, at its' finest. Disssent is important in our democratic society, and yet in the church? I hope this comes around to bite the institution and its' leadership in the butt.

Marvin what happened to the right to choose, freedom of speech etc. I don't care for the life style these people have chosen but their call was for civil liberties not religious liberties. The Church (not the Gospel) got involved in Politics therefore they should be paying taxes. Christ must be shivering in his sandals to see how his gospel has been used as a weapon of hate, evil etc.

Boy Im glad Im not in your club. I would hate to check my brain at the door every time an issue comes up. No wonder McCain won in Utah, the master brain dictated the vote.