So I read something this morning that got me thinking about a few things. In the past few years, I have had a few friends come out and say that they are gay. First off, for all of them, I think this is a very brave and scary thing to do. I think it takes a lot of guts to do that especially where we all live. I care about these people a lot, they mean a lot to me. I have never had any struggle in this area and I honestly can't really sympathize with this. But I have always had this internal struggle when it comes to this topic.
I know that God has brought families here together to create such an amazing support system and to help us to get to eternity together. I know that families are eternal and that having children is a very sacred experience and beautiful thing. I also know that my family makes me the happiest I have ever been and also give me the biggest struggles. I love my husband more than anything! I know how happy we can be together and I believe that everyone on this earth deserves to have what Todd and I have or even more. But this is where I struggle when it comes to homosexuality. I don't believe that lifestyle is condoned by Heavenly Father, but I also don't think it's fair that we ask these people to live in celibacy for the rest of their lives. I know what the gospel says about all of this, but how do you expect people to live a lonely life? I know that eternity is a lot longer than this life, but I just don't know what to do here! If anyone has any viewpoints that might help, PLEASE share! But only if you're loving and caring, I don't want any anti-gay discussion here!
5 comments:
The fact that you think this way just shows you have a very caring and sincere heart, Christie. :)
I think that if you believe that homosexuality IS wrong, then you must believe that they will never find true joy in this life! Oh they can find happiness! Homosexual couples can and do fall in love all the time! If you live with, share, serve and care for someone you are going to love them! But from a religious standpoint I know it isn't as deep as love between a man and woman.
I think the thing that is bothering you is thinking that the ONLY way this person can be happy is to be with someone of the same gender - and that is just not true at all. Joy comes through living the gospel! I think about an uncle I have who is an alcoholic and his mother gives him money KNOWING that he is going to go out and buy liquor. "But!" she says, "It makes him happy! And he's an addict he can't really help it.. why not let him have just a little so that he can be content?" When it comes right down to it is just empowering him to become worse.
The world keeps trying to convince me that coming out is this brave, noble thing. And that now FINALLY that noble person can go out and find true love. Now they're not BOUND my "foolish traditions and family pressures". But I have to make that distinction between nobility and sin. It may be noble to the world but it isn't to God. And we'll decide as a country and a world about gay marriage and homosexuality taught in schools and ALL of that. But from a religious stand point - we can't let the two mix.
I WISH I could find the fireside on youtube or something that President Packer gave when Prop 8 first came up in Cali. Because I was exactly like everyone else saying like "Why do we care so much about this? Why is it SUCH a big deal? We should just leave them alone.. Let them do whatever they want and we'll do ours!" But his fireside changed me so much. It is really important that we stick to our beliefs. I'll try to find it for ya. :)
That's my opinion! But you know I'm full of those.. ;)Good luck! I know it's rough when you care about someone.
I agree with everything that you said! I don't believe them coming out is noble, but it is a VERY hard thing to lay it out there and hope that people won't turn their backs against you or you won't lose friends. Which, honestly, in a time like that, they could use all the friends they could get. The trouble I find I guess is that I know it's a big deal. I know it is a fight against sin and evil, but like you said it's so hard when you care about someone so much and you have to watch them struggle through all of these decisions, because they are HUGE decisions to make! I guess it just goes back to them making what decision they choose...
Oh, I just love the way Jamie phrased it. I couldn't do it better :) But yes, it is so hard to see people you love have to go through ANY type of struggle here in mortality. It comes down to finding the love of the Savior and relying on the atonement to find true happiness. He'll take care of the rest.
Satan is so strong in the world today, stronger than ever. He causes a lot of confusion and chaos among Heavenly Fathers children. He can, and will twist and confuse any of us, if we let him. I believe that society is wrong in so many ways, and makes us think things that are wrong, seem like they are the right thing, or that they are ok.
I feel like homosexuality is a temptation that some may have, it starts as a thought, and then with Satan's influence may lead to other things. I feel like we all have our own personal struggles in this life, each different. Fortunately a lot of us have a testimony and the gospel to help lead us in the right direction when we are tempted or having a hard time. Others may not be as fortunate as us. Or may not follow those promptings.
I feel like true happiness happens when we are doing what Heavenly Father wants us to be doing, and we are keeping his commandments. We are here to earn the special gift of eternal happiness.
They may be happy or think they are happy on this earth, but eternal happiness is the greatest happiness we can have. With procreation being the biggest part of that happiness.We all have choices to make to determine our happiness. Remember we are here to be tested. Eternal life is the greatest gift that there is, that being said, we don't even really know what true happiness is yet. Which to me is so great!
I think it is important to realize that we all have our own personal struggles, and we just cannot judge others for theirs. Heavenly Father is the only judge.
We should not agree or pretend like we agree with other peoples shortcomings in this area, but we still need to love them, and be the best example we can of being a Latter Day Saint.
Yeah Christie - I think turning your back on someone because they announce they have a hard time with same-gender attraction is just about the LOWEST of the LOW. What is that? So if someone came to you and said they were doing drugs would you cross out their name in the family bible?? Bah! So dumb. But that's what the world wants me to think! They want me to think that I can't support the sinner without supporting the sin. That's where all the confusion and anger comes from I think.
LOVED your comments! All of you!
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