I have often heard members of the
church speak out in favor of legalizing Same-Sex marriages which always seemed
in stark contrast to what I had heard Church Leaders teach. It seemed very clear
that Same-Sex marriages was against the law of chastity and that the The Family a Proclamation to the World clearly states that, “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 invite all to
review and understand the doctrine contained in 'The Family: A Proclamation to
the World.'" Just as stated in the June 29, 2015 Official Statement by the First Presidency in response to the Supreme Court decision regarding
this issue.
Or
at least that is what has been taught over the pulpit on many occasions. I was challenged
by our Bishop to review The Family a proclamation to the World and I did
exactly that and was surprised as much by what I did find as what I did not. I
have studied this document many times, but this was a new experience. I did
this over several Days and what I was taught by the spirit filled me with peace.
Before
I go on I want to make it clear I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the
Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their desire to
make things black and white for the members of the church and yet often find
the specific word choices of the Lord through his servants are much more steeped in
truth then I think the servants realize.
First
this statement about the law of Chastity, “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 invite all to review and understand the
doctrine contained in” I did NOT find in the proclamation. What I did find was
eye opening.
WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is
ordained of God
The
word that really stood out to me was the word Ordained. I looked up several
definitions of Ordained and it appears to have two basic associations which I
think both apply in this statement. It means approved of as well as having to
do with priesthood authority. Civil Marriage is approved of God with regard to
the law of chastity but it is not done by Priesthood authority. Granted this is
from a guy who truly believes the Priesthood of God is only found within the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So the only marriage truly
Ordained of God are those done with priesthood authority done in Holy Temples
by an Authorized Sealer. The fact that those are only done between a man and a
woman is very clear and I don’t think that will ever change especially since
many of the blessings associated with that ordinance are for the children of
the couple.
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.
I can imagine many reading this as I have so many times
before and missing the difference between this and
“sexual relations are proper
only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband
and wife”
The words that really stood out to
me here were the different word choices between the two statements. Sacred Powers
of Procreation vs Sexual Relations: I would have to argue that the Sacred
powers of Procreation can only be performed between man and woman. The term
Sexual Relations is so broad and includes so many things depending on your
perspective. I’ve even heard things as simple kissing and holding hands placed
in this category. The Lords word are clear what he means, he means the Sacred
Powers of Procreation, the process that can actually produce children not any
other form of arousal. That being said I would like to point out how the Law of
chastity is defined in the Temple.
“We are instructed to give
unto you the law of chastity, which is that each of you
shall have no sexual relations except with your husband or wife to whom you are
legally and lawfully wedded.” LDS Temple
Endowment present day.
Note the miss quote from The Family
a Proclamation to the World states, “only between a man and a woman who are
legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife”, yet the temple states, “with
your husband or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.” They are
very subtle differences and I can see why if someone wanted to drive their own
point home they could easily think they are saying the exact same thing when in
reality the nuances are starkly different.
I would have to say that the Temple
version of the Law of Chastity is most accurate yet the Church Handbook Vol 2 does give more specifics. To clarify here, the handbook is meant as guidance
and not gospel so the Black and White approach is taken.
21.4.5 Chastity and Fidelity
The Lord’s law of chastity is abstinence from sexual
relations outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual
relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and
lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or
lesbian relations, and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are
sinful. Members who violate the Lord’s law of chastity or who influence others
to do so are subject to Church discipline.
Sinful in the fact that they
prevent you from receiving all that the father has to offer (Temple Marriage),
yes, but as laid out here homosexual or lesbian relations are sins but they don’t
appear to break the Law of Chastity if done within a legal and lawful wedding.
There has been much hate against
other statements made in The Family a proclamation to the World.
Gender is an essential characteristic of
individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
What Gender is, really depends on who you are talking about.
From my own studies it has little to do with Sexual Orientation, reproductive organs
(although this is a helpful indicator if you only have one set), or the
activities you enjoy, (sports, knitting, makeup, building). It has to do with what
you need to work on to become more Christ Like. That work generally aligned
with a ‘gender role’ that you need to focus on. The next two statements help to
illuminate.
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.
I have heard many complain about
this statement and how it is gender biased. It you look at the words provide
and nurture. Looking at just the first definitions Google brings up
Provide: make available for use; supply,
Nurture: care for and encourage the growth or development of
I think it is interesting that for Fathers it states what and
how they are to provide which really spell out what it means to nurture.
Just as I’m writing this I feel inspired
to point out that Fathers are to look after the couple and the Mother the
children. The next excerpt of The Family a proclamation to the World which
actually comes earlier in the document actually tells us the roles are
basically the same.
Other statements
that actually come from the proclamation on the family that are very important
at this time, yet often ignored out of ignorance or inconvenience are:
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their
children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual
needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the
commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.
we warn that the disintegration of the
family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities
foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
