Why I believe what I believe:
With the topic of same-sex marriage, I understand the compelling argument for equality, but this is how I see it:
Marriage (and family) is an institution established not by government or society, but established by God, and then adopted by government as a divine institution. As such, God, not society or government, maintains the privilege of defining marriage and establishing who can participate. This has never been an issue of equality or politics for me; I've always seen it as an issue of religion and faith. For me the issue is not whether we should redefine marriage, but rather has God defined marriage, and if so, as what? I believe that God has defined it through scripture, both ancient and modern. I do not expect people who do not share my religious beliefs to agree in the slightest with my reasoning or my position. If it were not for the the things that I believe I would see myself on the other side of the table on this issue. On a somewhat comparable issue (though I recognize there are many differences between these situations), I've often wondered about when God instituted the priesthood among ancient Israel as part of the Law of Moses, and defined the right exclusively to the tribe of Levi. I've wondered if there was every lobbying done by the other tribes to change the law, especially after some time had passed, or the passing of Moses. I can imagine cries of inequality among the people and social groups petitioning the leaders to amend the institution of the priesthood. The argument is compelling. Why only the Levites? Does God love them more? Isn't it fair to include everyone? The answer: I don't know, other than to say that that is the way God established it. Society had no more right to change the order of the priesthood as they do now to change the order of marriage.
There are many rights which have been instituted and granted by society and the government, such as the right to vote or drive a car, and as such, it is in the power of society and government to change and adapt those laws as they see fit. I see marriage as a right separate from those others. Again, I see marriage as instituted by God. I accept that many do not see marriage the same way that I do, but rather as an economic or social status, or a statement of love and union, or something else. And again, on this basis I would expect you to entirely disagree with my reasoning and position, for without my religious beliefs I would probably disagree as well. In the end, for me, it comes down to whether or not God speaks today--what has he defined marriage as? I believe that God does speak today through living prophets, and through his prophets has said the following regarding marriage and family: "The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity." This is my belief and what dictates my position. If you do not believe as I do I do not expect you to agree with my position, in fact I would expect you to strongly disagree with my position. I feel I have a strong desire for equality, but with this issue I feel a stronger moral obligation to someone higher.
Why I choose to take a stand:
The question is often asked, "Why must you impose your beliefs on others? Just because you do not believe in same-sex marriage, why do you feel you have to keep others from practicing it as well? What they do in their personal lives does not have any consequences in your life." Again, this issue is not rooted in politics for me, but rather in faith. Modern-day prophets have said the following:
"Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.
“Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group." http://www.lds.org/manual/eternal-marriage-student-manual/same-sex-marriage?lang=eng&query=same-sex
As part of my beliefs as a member of the LDS Church, I believe that God has spoken through His prophets that sexual relations are only to be had between man and woman legally and lawfully married. All other sexual relations are a sin in God's eyes. This does not mean that God does not love those individuals who live outside his law. God loves all of His children, as we have been commanded to love them as well. This does not mean, however, that we must support those actions that we believe to be contrary to God's will. Basically, agree to disagree, but disagree to be hateful or disrespectful. Just as God loves the sinners, but does not support them in their sinful ways, and actually goes to great lengths to help them understand the error of their ways.
An ancient prophet said the following while teaching his people about sexual transgressions:
"This people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes." Jacob 2:29, The Book of Mormon
Similarly, another Book of Mormon prophet had this to say:
“And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.” 2 Nephi 1:20, The Book of Mormon
I understand that we are not just individual people living individual lives making individual choices with individual consequences. We live in a society, and the choices of one have consequences on the whole of society. I believe that the level of righteousness (living according to God's laws) in society directly equates to the level of prosperity enjoyed by that society. So yes, sometimes I and others openly and often loudly raise our voices against actions taken in our society that we deem contrary to God's laws, because we believe that those actions will have a direct negative effect on our society and on all of society's prosperity. I believe that God is our Father, and as our Father sees things that we as the children cannot see. I believe all that there is to do is trust and support His ways and keep His commandments, even if we do not fully understand His reasoning behind them.
Another issue that is often brought up is why have government involved in marriage at all? If marriage is a divine institution, why bring in the government? I am certainly not qualified to give a definitive answer, just as with my answers above. Therefore, I will do as I did previously and just give my opinion.
"In God we trust." "One nation under God." Our government was not established as an institution outside of God's laws, but rather was established in part to organize ourselves as a nation under God and His laws (as well as it could in a democratic, not theocratic, society), and it was largely because of this, I believe, that our nation has risen to the level of prosperity that it has. I support the actions of the government that promote what I believe to be the laws of God, and reject and fight against those actions that would seek to do the contrary.
My basic understanding of economics teaches me that the government has a lot of power to change incentive and behavior. I believe that actions the government takes to advance or impede what I believe to be the will of God will have direct consequences on the prosperity of society as a whole.
Again I repeat, this is the stance that I take because of my religious beliefs. If you do not share the same faith that I do I would expect you to disagree with me entirely.
These are the things that I believe based on lessons taught repeatedly in the Book of Mormon and by modern prophets of God. I invite you to go to the source to learn more. http://www.lds.org
