IF people only knew.........If people understood.........

Ok so I wasn't going to post anything until tonight because Ethan's birthday is today. But I have to put in this post today. I am very saddened by the things that are happening in California regarding Prop 8. We lived in California for two years and Zachary was born in California. I have to say If only people knew why we are so passionate about Yes on 8. It has nothing to do with discrimation. It has nothing to do with not liking gay people. It has everything to do with what God wants and what is right. When you define marriage it strictly says it is between a man and a woman. It isn't about taking away their rights because they already have the same rights as a married couple. I can understand that they are angry with the LDS church for putting so much time and effort and even money into getting this passed. But to violently do things against us and against our temple is very disheartening to me. We were not the only people that voted yes for Prop 8 but I guess we are an easy target. Seven out of 10 African American's vote yes. The majority of Hispanics vote Yes. As I read an article about it today I just broke down and cried. If people really knew what our religion was about. If people only knew how much peace and calmness is inside the temple. If people only knew that we are trying to save families and help the future by voting yes on 8.

By nature I am a bit of a fight back person. Seriously, to have angry people outside the LA Temple harrassing the Mormons (by they way we are not the only group that voted yes on 8) and writing on the outer walls and putting hate signs up??????????????????????????????? When people get in the way of the church I sometimes want to fight back and get angry. I know that is Satan's way but sometimes I just let myself go and get pretty darn ticked. In the article it also talked about some Hispanic ladies who are not even memebers of the church went down the the Temple grounds removing the hate signs all while in tears. The mobs got angry and started beating the ladies down.

After reading this quote from the article it helped to open my eyes more. I know we need to pray for these people and I know we need to pray for the anger to stop. Here is the quote:

In a recent article on Christian Courage , Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote, “I would say that one of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively – to put up our dukes . But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior's example. Remember, Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi's dream, those coming to the Savior also endured ‘mocking and pointing … fingers' (1 Nephi 8:27). ‘The world hath hated [my disciples],' Jesus said, ‘because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world' (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.


“To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).”

We have often been instructed to love our enemies, and despite the current horror of our trials, this is no time to do differently.

I know that this Church is true. I have no doubt in my mind about it. I also know that it will go forth. Nothing can stop it. The Lord is in charge and as much as Satan wants to put a stop to things he has no power over the truth. It is going to get harder I PROMISE YOU THAT. So I know for myself I have to get moving on strengthening myself and my family so we can withstand it all. There will come a time in this life that we will be begging for the second coming to come.

I know there will come a time (it is happening now) that we may all have to face the pointing of fingers and be singled out for being members of the church. Our children will have to endure it even more. But I know that if we raise our children up in such a way that they can stand strong despite everything that goes on around them they will be stronger for it. Remember everything that Joseph Smith had to endure? Yet, he stayed strong and even died for the progression of the church. Christ was the greatest example. Being spit upon, whipped, stuck with thorns and more, HE still stood for what was right and yet during it all, HE also prayed that they would be forgiven. What a great example to us all. I encourage everyone that has read this blog to pray for those in California. Look at how hard we prayed to get Prop 8 passed. Now lets pray just as hard to have the horrible hate feelings softened.