Reader comments
LDS Church officials urge California members to support marriage amendment
492 comments | Read story
Please check your history books. You will learn about the Utah Territories stance on slavery, which states gave women the right to vote first, and an LDS professor (me) who helped the Chocolate Manufacturer's Association renounce cocoa child slavery in Africa. Just because the LDS Church does not espouse your personally canonized set of social issues does not make it week on social issues.
Nope.
Doesn't look like the church has overstepped its bounds at all.
That being said, I accept whatever he has to say with an open heart and mind. Because in declarations such as these, which are read over the pulpit, he is declaring the word of God to us.
Everyone here acts and writes as though President Monson and the brethren are trying to push through some personal agenda. But I believe they are pushing God's agenda.
Many people not of the church may object to this opinion because they don't believe in President Monson as a prophet and that's fine, it's their decision. But any member of the church who upholds and sustains President Monson as a prophet of God will accept his words and counsel.
Sometimes God asks us to walk in faith, even if we don't understand all of the rational reasons behind it.
With all the issues going on in our country and the world I can't believe we get hung up on things like this. Sorry, I don't see what the big deal is. If gays want to get married then I see no problem with it. I don't really care. There are more important things to worry about.
My, what an upside down world this is getting to be!
Nature has a male and a female, why? To propergate the speacies. But in our inlightened world we have decided that same sex attraction is normal because and individual was born that way, when we know the opposit is true because it violates the laws of nature. But we justifie it because we symply want to satisfy our sex drives and we don't want anyone telling us what to do, even though we know it is not natural.
France is in big trouble right now because of its long libral stance on allowing same sex relationships. It no longer has the new population to replace the old population. This was in the news look it up.
Hay I didn't even mention God.
"In God We Trust" First used on coins -1854. Legislated to be on all money, 1957.
At the founding of our nation, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson suggested in 1776 that our motto be "E Pluribus Unum" - "From Many, One" In my opinion, we would be better served to remember our strength has always come from finding common ground amidst diverse ideas.
For those of you who thing this won�t effect you unless your gay you are sadly mistaken. It may not affect your relationship with your spouse but it sure affects your pocketbook. Legal documents must now be changed to reflect proper verbiage. School books can no longer say mother and father or man and wife. Birth certificates will say spouse1 and spouse 2. So much for genealogy. There are many more changes that will cost tax payers millions of dollars. I personally would prefer my tax dollars to go to further education not confuse the minds of young children.
Good luck with that.
I just read a blatant lie from your post, and while I know that my retort will be lost in this never ending blog, I must post. Your words,"freedom of religion is a privilege in this country it is not a right.." This is a perfect example of how a constant barrage of prevarication eventually ends in outright untruth. Freedom of religion, association, speech etc. are, IN FACT, rights in this country. The right to express ones opinions is a right in this country. Unfortunately, freedom from ignorance is neither a right or a privilege.
The morality of the "gay rights", or should I say "privileges" ought not to be the crux of this issue. The potential legal standards which are being precedented in the California forum have huge import to future legal status and demand. The far sightedness of both the gay activists and the LDS church and other churches not as courageous or willing to enter the fray, obviously escapes the majority of you posters. Those of you who constantly cry for separation of church and state are ironically lining up on the wrong side of this one.
There will always be dissenters in the church (meaning LDS here, but it is the same in most churches). History tells us that the faithful will always be embattled hardest by the dissenters, who first dissent, then run to the enemy, then embrace the enemy and then become the enemy. Wish it were not so, but it is.
The seeds in this debate over legalization of homosexual marriage will one day bloom forth in an abolishment of basic societal rights to choose freely. What appears now as a fight for the rights of a minority will one day become a sword wielded by those who would, in actuality, force their will upon others by the flattering words of law.
Please spare us the embarrassing words, "as an active LDS..." before your dissenting comments. Those with ears to hear, are hearing.
Here's mine: You might disagree with the gay marriage issue (I prefer "marriage equality"). BUT, if you, as a consenting adult human being, have the right to marry the person (another consenting adult human being of the opposite sex, who you presumably love) of your choice, why then would you want to DEPRIVE any other similar person of doing the same thing? The law in Utah is UNFAIR. At present, the law in California is FAIR. The California judges merely corrected a wrong by extending this right to marry to ALL citizens, and not just to a limited group, i.e., heterosexuals.
I, for one, hope that in November, the law in California will continue to be FAIR, and will vote accordingly.
Mormons, more than most, should recall that they were persecuted in the past UNFAIRLY for their beliefs.
How hypocritical they are that they would seek to deprive others from their rights as citizens of this country. They should be on the FRONT LINES in defending minorities' rights for MARRIAGE EQUALITY.
It's immoral, that's why. Simple.
Throughout history, both in scripture and in secular writing, marriage has been referred to as good, wholesome, vital for society and ordained of God. In all of this, the term had meant only one thing - the recognized and legitimate union of a man and a woman.
To redefine marriage is to ascribe the historical meaning to situations for which is is not intended and does not apply. It is the same trick as played by the Bolsheviks, in calling what was the minority party the "big party". Words have meaning. To intentionally misuse a word is to intentionally deceive.
Will the California Supreme Court, also provide the funds to insert in to millions of books, records and quotations the new term that would be required: "marriage, between a man and a woman" to replace the existing term that should suffice: "marriage". I think not.
All Californians to whom Truth has any value should be totally disgusted with their, taxpayer paid, Supreme Court Justices, and should not only seek to solidify the institution of Marriage, by constitutional amendment, but should also seek to remove those "Justices" that have abandoned Truth and justice.
Your superstition with regard to Satan is scary; it's paranoid thinking. Please think rationally.
Surely you are not willing to have your lives legislated according to the law of the Muslim god or the law of any god other than your own.
When you clarify your position in full and honest terms, do you not then see the problem with what you are calling for?
We truly are in the last days. Isaiah called it correctly...evil will be called good and good called evil with church members being deceived as well as those who aren't church members.
to 10:25 am...your argument is mute. Every person who argues on either side is doing it based on their belief system; secular or religious.
There are higher laws but they are for those who will hear and obey; not the masses unfortunately.
to 10:01 am...your definition of rational is my definition of irrational. Is your definition better than mine? If so, why?
Satan was pretty good in the pre-existence trying to take away free agency and make you do the right thing. Kinda sounds like what the mormon church is doing right now. Trying to take away homosexuals free agency to marry? Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that what God fought for before we all came to this earth, people's freedom of choice? If you don't want a gay marriage, don't get one. It is not your place to tell me I can't, it is my free agency. Let God be my judge, not you!
As it is written in The Bible and The Book of Mormon, so shall it be done.
God sent the angels to Lot long ago,
Leading him out of the city we know,
For God would not burn it til Lot went along,
Then down came the fire and the city was gone,
Then down came the fire and he city was gone.
Please explain why it is immoral for me to want to love another person, take care of someone, be responsible to someone, and share a life with someone. And that it is somehow moral in your minds that I live my whole life alone, ostracized by my faith, not sharing responsibility or mutual support with anyone.
When you really think about it in those terms, the answer honestly just comes down to "It's just wrong because the church says it's wrong."
Well, I'm sorry. That's just not enough for me. And if you were in our shoes, I doubt it would be enough for most of you either.
If you want to act on your homosexual urges you will do it. You still have your agency; which isn't free BTW. Ask Christ what He was doing in the Garden of Gethsemane if you think that there are no consequences to your choices. You can choose your actions but you don't get to choose the consequences.
You have no 'right' to marry. Sorry.
Who knows. You'll have to ask God that question...
If you want to act on your heterosexual urges, you can do it within marriage, or outside of it. That's NOT the issue here. The issue is whether we should extend the opportunity to marry, to same-sex couples, or not. It's a CIVIL issue, not a religious one. Plain, simple, easy.
*Sigh* - I'm guessing you still don't get it, but oh well. I hope you'll eventually figure it out. Good luck.
There is a much grander purpose in all of this...
Homosexuality is a behavior; nothing more nothing less. You do know the difference don't you?
Marriage is between a man and a woman. I don't have to accept your perversion as a normal behavior. Common sense tells you that a man is supposed to be with a woman, not another man. You know, the equipment thing?
To The Bottom Line: You need to separate the behavior of someone and loving them. I know it's hard for homosexuals to do that because you equate acceptance of your behavior as loving or not loving the person. They are completely different.
The Bottom Line is Christ said that a man and a woman should leave their parents and become one. He didn't say a man and a man or a woman and a woman, but a man and a woman. You wanna try to explain that one away?
HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR DOES NOT EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS!
I tried for years, was misunderstood by and received very little support from church members who claim this is what I'm supposed to do. I was miserable. I now have a very supportive group of friends and a partner who loves me. I am happy and am able to share my happiness and serve others. Of course it's my free will and choice, but I have a hard time seeing my life now as sinful and that other hidden, lonely life as somehow glorifying God.
Trust me, we who don't subscribe to your philosophy of man get it loud and clear. 60% of Californian's voted for the measure that was struck down by the court. I have faith that those some 60% will be out in force in November.
Homosexuals can't win in legislatures so they have to run to courts who legislate from their benches. Homosexuals don't have logic or common sense on their side. It's astounding the thought process that says homosexual behavior is natural and proper.
For a group of people who claim to be thinkers, you someone have lost your thought process on this one. I guess "feeling good" is better than abhorring an unnatural and immoral behavior.
You can bring it all you want, but your homosexual behavior is just that, A BEHAVIOR. Civil rights? NOT!
Anyway, I'm not taking away your agency to engage in a morally bankrupt behavior. You can continue to all you want to engage in homosexual behavior. However, I don't have to accept your behavior as normal and it certainly isn't marriage.
You want me to mind my own business? Then keep your perversion in your bedroom and not in my face. Homosexuals keep pushing and pushing and those of us who don't agree with your perversion will push back and knock down the behavior just as we do for thieves, cheaters, liars, drunks, druggies, etc.
If you can't figure out the purpose of man and woman, that's not my problem. However, it is pretty simple when you look at each other's anatomy. Heterosexual behavior produces children. Homosexual behavior produces HIV and a host of other diseases.
Why do I have to spend my tax dollars to find a cure for a disease that can be prevented if the perverted behavior was stopped?
You want to be a homosexual? Go for it. Just keep it in your bedroom and we will have no issue.
Who knows, remove the stigma of GLTB today and tomorrow others may reciprocate by removing the stigma of "groups" you belong to. Meld, people, meld.
Humans' time on planet Earth is going to be a drop in the bucket by time the sun dies its starry death as all stars do, enjoy YOUR life and make it count for you and your family...NONE of this matters.
Lumping gay people with all the dregs of society does not scare me. It's just mindless babble, and also plain not true. I thought you were taught not to lie. I was. You must think it's ok to lie when it furthers your own agenda.
At least I respect your right to be a heterosexual, and to marry the person of your choice. You should respect my right to do the same.
Oh, and having the last word doesn't make you right, either.
Anyway, just because a judge was apointed by a Republican governor does not make than conservative. Pete Wilson was no conservative. Anyway, if you look at the U.S. Supreme Court, Souter and Stevens, two of the most stauch liberals, were both apointed to the court by Republicans. On the other hand Byron White, one of the most eloquent defenders of the Right to Life to have served on the court, was apointed by a Democrat.
Secondly, churchs have a right to speak up on moral issues. This is even more right when it involves a potential change in public policy that is unfavorable to the church.
One last thought, for those of you who are old enough to have reacted, did you go out and claim the church should loose its tax exempt status in the 1960s when the first presidency issued a statement in favor of civil rights legislation?
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
- Mitchell's 'books' are coherent 4:35 p.m.
- Alta rejects canyon subdivision 3:33 p.m.
- Adult sports leagues offered 3:19 p.m.
- Oil prices spike 3:06 p.m.
- Stocks turn higher 3:03 p.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 3:02 p.m.
- Notre Dame fires Weis 2:52 p.m.
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet 2:51 p.m.
- Mansion tours begin Tuesday 2:48 p.m.
- Chaffetz: Leave Afghanistan 2:37 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
893 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
360 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
270 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
260 - Utes won't respond to Hall
175 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
118 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
91
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Your incorrect on your facts. It is a well known fact that Clinton was to...
if marriage is nothing more then to give benifits to families, then on what...
So his family was assaulted a year ago--they were spit on and had beer thrown...
Kyle's wife should be assaulted | 12:57 p.m. What a class act YOU are!...
YES! the good stuff
The behavior with the pet shows exterme cruelty. My mother did not believe...
Thank you Tom Pollard and the Alta Town Council for denying this development....
@To "All Knowing | 12:48 p.m.": "Spilled beer justifies that HATE?"...
Mike - Who are these liberals who hate God? I know of people who don't have...
There is no evidence that Joseph used the seer stone or the Urim and Thummim...



Satan is pretty good. He has worked so long from removing God from "logical" thinking, that the arguments of the righteous have become "un-logical." This nation was founded as one nation under God and over the course of several hundred years satan has twisted our freedoms against us. Years of compromise and "logical" thinking have eroded our values. It has come to the point that if your not accepting of everything you become "intolerant". Nations always crumble internally first. So yes I feel that it is my business to talk about what is being sanctioned by this country. So there it is. Gay marriage is wrong. I might be "un-logical" but than again what is more logical than right and wrong. I don't know everything this world and I probably never will but I know that gay marriage is wrong. We have a fundamental disagreement. We fail to see eye to eye on what is right and wrong, and that is the hardest thing to reconcile. Thats division. Satan is pretty good at his job...