Taking a stand

There are a few things to set out first here.

It was my understanding when I was in school and learning about how the United States government is set up and works, that it was the legislative branch that makes the laws, the executive branch that enforces the laws, and the judicial branch that helps everyone understands those laws. In this way, there are checks and balances so that no one side gets more powerful than any other. I do not remember once being told that it was the judicial branch that set the laws without any checks or balances on them. But that is what seems to be happening lately.

The other thing I have to state is to explain the reason why I feel like I even have to say anything about this, in the past, now, or again in the future.

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
(Mosiah 18:8-10, italics added)

I feel it is a matter of covenant for me to take a stand on certain issues. This would be one of them.

Along with it being part of a covenant, from ages 12-18, young women in the LDS church follow the motto to “Stand for Truth and Righteousness.” While I never imagined myself taking a stand on this, nor in this way, I need to.

Now, on to what I’m standing for this time around. I’m standing for families.

I recently read a news article in the Deseret News where a group is asking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to not do anything about the recent changes in law that the California Supreme Court has made (previous blog entry).

There has been a lot in the news on the topic lately. Several states (article 1, article 2) have asked California to wait till the issue again comes up on their ballot in November (the voters already voted on it in the past, but the Supreme Court decided they didn’t really mean it last time). It has qualified to be on the ballot again this year. (They were already counting signatures when the court ruled.) In fact, the petition was turned in several weeks before the Supreme Court ruled. There goes that judicial branch again, getting ahead of themselves. Someone should really start applying those checks and balances.

The New York governor decided that if the judicial branch can make laws, then why not the executive branch as well; and has told all state agencies that they have to acknowledge any and all marriage performed anywhere else, even if such a marriage would be illegal if performed in the state of New York (article 1, article 2).

So why am I blogging about it again? The group that would like the LDS church to remain quiet on this issued does not understand what they are asking. They cannot remain quiet. They cannot sit this one out. Standing as a witness at all times and in all things and in all places means taking a stand and not stepping aside. It won’t happen. And I’ll stand right there with them on this. Marriage is not something governments created. Marriage is ordained of God. Marriage is only marriage when it is between a man and a woman.

I have some other thoughts on marriage, but those will wait for another blog. Right now, I just want to make sure everyone knows where I stand on this, and that I will be standing, not sitting it out, not stepping aside. I will stand.