I Believe.

This week I want to talk about some things I believe. I believe in God. That He is my Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is His son. I believe Jesus Christ came to earth and died for me so that I can live in heaven again someday. I believe that Joseph Smith did see God and Jesus Christ, and that he restored Gods church on the earth. I believe that with the help of God, he found and translated the Book of Mormon which, like the bible, teaches of Jesus Christ. I believe Joseph Smith restored God’s church here on earth, and that Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet called by God. I believe he leads and guides the church by instruction from God.

Why is all of that important? Well, because I believe in God, His church, and His prophet (and the people the prophet has called to serve) I believe the things they tell me. M. Russell Ballard recently said, “Men and women are distinct and complementary. Children deserve a chance to grow up with both a mom and a dad.”(1) While this applies to many different living situations and groups of people, I know it also applies to same sex marriage. I believe that marriage should be between a man and woman.

While there are many arguments I could make, some of which would probably be recognized from Facebook memes (the nice ones, not the passive aggressive un-Christ like ones) that is not the message I am trying to convey today.

The point of my post isn’t to attack or tell people how they feel is wrong. I believe many don’t choose to feel the feelings they have. I am also sure many people with those feelings have wished with all their hearts at some point that they didn’t have to feel that way. I am dismayed that anyone has suffered abuse or mistreatment. That anyone has been excluded, ridiculed, bullied, or harmed because of how they feel. I know that is not how Christ would act, and he wouldn’t tolerate that behavior either.

That being said, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I can say that because, like any commandment God gives, (whether through scripture or by the words of his prophets) it is for our benefit because he loves us. I use to struggle with understanding God’s love for us, for me. Then I had children and I think I’m starting to understand. I would do anything to make my children happy or help them or protect them. Sometimes it makes them so angry though. My 3-year-old hates buckling up in the car, it makes her so mad and no matter how many times I tell her she can not understand what a car accident means. Even though her screaming and crying break my heart, I have to make her wear her seat belt, because I love her and want her to be safe. If I, as an imperfect parent, can do things like that for my children, I can only imagine what my perfect Heavenly Father does for me. I don’t pretend to completely understand why He has said marriage is to be between a man and a woman, but I know without a doubt that it is for our protection and benefit.

When my husband and I announced I was pregnant with my first baby in 2012

     1. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson_disciples-jesus-christ-defenders-marriage/