Latter-day Saints have a positive and inclusive approach toward others who are not of our faith. We believe they are literally our brothers and sisters, that we are sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Father. We have a common genealogy leading back to God.
What do they have on their tires? What are the roofs of those houses made of? What country do you think this is?@@
[The
wording of this first one is so gentle and so sweet. I wonder how
many levels of editors it required.vj] The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day SaintsOffice of the First Presidency47 East South Temple
Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 June 28, 2014 In God's plan for
the happiness and eternal progression of His children, the blessings
of His priesthood are equally available to men and women. Only men
are ordained to serve in priesthood offices. All service in the
Church has equal merit in the eyes of God. We express profound
gratitude for the millions of Latter-day Saint women and men who
willingly and effectively serve God and His children. Because of
their faith and service, they have discovered that the Church is a
place of spiritual nourishment and growth. We understand that from
time to time Church members will have questions about Church
doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always free to ask such
questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel special
concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church
doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow
them. Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy.
Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public
opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting,
after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine. The Council
ofThe First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostlesof The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints OFFICIAL STATEMENT — 10
JANUARY 2014 Church Instructs Leaders on Same-Sex Marriage SALT LAKE
CITY —
Following
recent court actions bearing on same-sex marriage, the First
Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles today sent the
following instructions and guidance to congregational leaders
throughout the United States. Leaders were asked to share this
information with their members in appropriate settings.On December
20, 2013, a federal district judge in Salt Lake City issued an order
legalizing same-sex marriage in
Utah, striking down century-old state laws and a state constitutional
amendment that defined marriage exclusively as between a man and a
woman. The United States Supreme Court has put that ruling on hold
pending consideration of the issue by an appellate court. During the
interval between the district court ruling and the Supreme Court
stay, numerous same-sex marriages were performed in Utah. Legal
proceedings and legislative action in some other states and countries
have given civil recognition to same-sex marriage relationships.As we
face this and other issues of our time, we encourage all to bear in
mind our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and
providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children.
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God
said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”
(Genesis 1:27–28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and
his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one
flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Marriage between a man and a woman was
instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for
the well-being of society. Strong families, guided by a loving mother
and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing
children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations
the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and
crucial to eternal salvation.
Changes
in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God
has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments
regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of
chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and
a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We
urge you to review and teach Church members the doctrine contained in
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”Just as those who
promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true
for those who oppose it. The Church insists on its leaders’ and
members’ constitutionally protected right to express and advocate
religious convictions on marriage, family, and morality free from
retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain
its standards of moral conduct and good standing for
members.Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will
not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages
between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit
its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies,
receptions, or other activities associated with same-sex marriages.
Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so
long as they respect our standards of conduct while there. While
these matters will continue to evolve, we affirm that those who avail
themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same-sex marriage
should not be treated disrespectfully. The gospel of Jesus Christ
teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and
civility—even when we disagree.
As
members of the Church, we are responsible to teach the gospel of
Jesus Christ and to illuminate the great blessings that flow from
heeding God’s commandments as well as the inevitable consequences
of ignoring them. We invite you to pray that people everywhere will
have their hearts softened to the truths of the gospel, and that
wisdom will be granted to those who are called upon to decide issues
critical to society’s future.gby-bltpjs-vj
-.On December 20, 2013, a federal district judge in Salt Lake City issued an order legalizing same-sex marriage in Utah, striking down century-old state laws and a state constitutional amendment that defined marriage exclusively as between a man and a woman. [Federal Judges have enjoyed causing havoc in Utah from the start!]
hav·oc
ˈhavək/
noun
- 1.widespread destruction.
"the hurricane ripped through Florida, causing havoc"
synonyms: devastation, destruction, damage, desolation, ruination, ruin;
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