First, I know, without a doubt, that God loves each of us. I know that in a way that words don't even come close to describing. I know it because I feel it. I feel it for me. And if God, the God of heaven and earth loves me, and hears my prayers and answers them, I know that He loves you too.
Now that isn't to be taken as "God loves me so I can do whatever" God loves us so He gives us commandments. When He sent us to earth, He sent us with every single thing we would need to succeed. He wants us to come back to Him. He gives us commandments to help us experience true happiness. They are never given to restrict or punish, only to create opportunities for blessings. Keeping commandments isn't always easy, often, it is down right hard. It requires sacrifice and faith. But, it ALWAYS brings blessings. ALWAYS. Every single time we choose to obey a commandment, we get blessings. Every. Single. Time.
Part of setting us up for success is this principle from the chorus of this primary song:
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be
My family was handpicked by God to give me what I needed to be who He needs me to be. We get to be a family so that we can learn to laugh, to support others, to love, to have patience, to stick up for others and to glimpse eternity. Not only am I talking about my immediate family, but my extended family, my future family and my ancestors. Together we make a chain of strength and power that allows us to withstand evil and grow to be like God. My family doesn't look like the "ideal" and honestly, no ones does. But I totally believe this statement,
"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."
Did you catch that? Most Likely. There are no promises for perfection, but there is a road map that gives us the highest chance for happiness. A family that has a mother and a father and is founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I don't want to sit here and tell you what I am for, or against as far as political or social views or opinions. But there are a few things, that I want to state my opinion on things that go beyond laws and straight to the heart and mind of humans.
I am against people hurting other people, physically or with words.
I am against seeing things that truly matter fall behind things that don't.
I am against living in fear of sharing what I know to be true and being able to live how I choose.
I am against hiding from life, it is hard, but so wonderful.
I am against staying stagnant. Progression is really happiness.
I am against the destruction of family happiness, which is really societal and personal happiness.
I am against hopelessness, there is ALWAYS hope.
I am against giving up.
I am for praying sincerely and often.
I am for exercising faith, even when it is hard.
I am for setting and achieving goals.
I am for laughing and enjoying life.
I am for kindness.
I am for loving everyone, even if they look or believe different.
I am for worshiping God, however you wish.
I am for honesty.
I am for striving to make the best choices we can with what we know.
And most of all,
I am for relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, not only did He die for me, but He set an example, paid the price of my Salvation and then rose from the dead. For each of us as individuals.
And that truth somehow makes everything else okay. All the hard, all the sad, all the imperfect and all the unfairness worth it. God loves us and the final line of the song is,
"This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God."
I know I live in a world that doesn't always agree with me. But I refuse to let what others believe or do change what I know. I know that God is in control. I want to continue to love His children and serve them. I want to marry and raise a family and teach my children what I know and continue that pattern of love and righteousness. And I want the highest odds for success, so I will center my family on the teachings of my Savior.
here are some links to things that say this way better than I ever could(:
https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/top-church-leaders-counsel-members-after-supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-decision?cid=HP_TU_6-30-2015_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-A_
and, as always, the song! Its a video even!
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/music/2015/04?lang=eng&session=0&song=2&media=video#watch=video
