This week I have been learning more about the Obergefell v. Hodges case from 2014 that legalized same sex marriage. Both sides gave compelling arguments. My mind has been stewing over it non-stop. I cringe at the history of homosexuality and how these people were treated for so long. I  feel deep compassion for the rocky path that they have trod.

“Gays and lesbians were prohibited from most government employment, barred from military service, excluded under immigration laws, targeted by police, and burdened in their rights to associate…. For much of the 20th century, moreover, homosexuality was treated as an illness. When the American Psychiatric Association published the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1952, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder, a position adhered to until 1973 (p. 7)”

That being said, I know that marriage between a man and a woman is of God. Marriage is a divine institution. God is our loving Father in Heaven. I know He loves all of His children no matter what and wants each of His children to learn, grow, and progress, to return to Him again after this life. To quote President Russell M. Nelson whom I believe to be the living prophet today:

“God is the Father of all men and women. They are His children. It was He who ordained marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Marriage was not created by human judges or legislators. It was not created by think tanks or by popular vote or by oft-quoted bloggers or by pundits. It was not created by lobbyists. Marriage was created by God!”

(Russell M. Nelson, “Disciples of Jesus Christ”)

It have great love and compassion for the the LGBTQ+ community. I will always be ready to show them I care. Ultimately, this is where I stand.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World (Read the whole document here)

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

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. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

If you are completely against my view, I hope we can be friends anyway.