I am so amazed of God’s love for His children. No matter the background of the individual,
the circumstances they come from, or their understanding of their relationship
with a Heavenly Father. God loves each
and every one of us. Our Heavenly Father
has an unlimited capacity to care about each of us. We may not feel His love, but it is
there. He is willing and waiting to show
us how much he cares. I feel my Heavenly
Father’s love daily, and I know He is there for me. I also know that my Heavenly Father’s love is
not conditional. He will always love me,
even when I don’t follow His commandments.
I have
been thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. How can He love all of us, even when we think
or feel differently? My family is a
diverse group. Some have the same
beliefs as I do, following the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s teachings. Some of my family doesn’t believe the same,
and God still loves them. I am grateful
to my Heavenly Father and understand His viewpoint on families. I am grateful for a Prophet who continues to
receive revelation from our Heavenly Father, providing council on critical
issues we face today. I felt impressed
to share the following council received from our Prophet and Apostles: Released January 10th, 2014.
”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.
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.”
I know that
my Heavenly Father loves all of His children.
I know that by following my Heavenly Father’s commandments, I receive
blessings. My family means everything to
me, and I am grateful that I know God’s plan for my family. Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to be
happy, and is waiting to bless our lives if we follow his commandments.
I love what President Monson said, “Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you deserve love. It is simply always there.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Leaders of the church. We need to STAND for what is right for society and families. Marriage is one of the most important things and I think God has taken special care to establish it. And the best situation for children to be reared is between a Man and a Woman legally married.
I understand that the topic of same-sex marriage is a rather hot discussion point in today's society, and that many people are opposed to the churches stance on it. However what people of the world must first understand is the sacredness of marriage and families in the Mormon church. As linked above, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" states that "Marriage between man and woman is essential to His [God's] eternal plan." That statement makes it very clear, with little room for dispute, the commandment in which we must follow. I would like to make it abundantly clear that this does not mean that God does not love those who choose not to follow this commandment, but exactly the opposite. He loves all of his children exactly the same, no matter what they have done, or are currently doing. Like any other commandment such as not drinking alcohol or not watching R rated movies, we have been asked to follow and respect the bonds of marriage, solely between a man and a woman.
ReplyDeleteBecause God loves all of his children, he expects us to do the same by showing love and respect to all people, even if we do not agree with the choices they have made. There is a funny little quote that says "Love the sinner not the sin" which makes it clear in the simplest form that we are to love and show compassion to all people even if we do not agree with what they are doing.