Family - God's Government

The Family is and always has been the most fundamental and influential form of government.  All other forms of government should focus on sustaining stable family units.  They are the basic building blocks of all good society.  As such, they are not a coincidental occurance set in order by biological necessity.  They are the result of divine design.  It has been solemnly declared that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children" (The Family, A Proclaimation to the World; First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; hereafter quoted FPW).  



This sacred establishment of marriage must be properly understood and guarded.  Some would have you believe that those who would stand on principle should be ashamed of their perspective and that they are in some way weilding a tyrannical influence on their fellow human beings and should be disposed of accordingly.  It is true that contention and enmity occur in these debates, though it is often perpetrated by those influenced by fear of the others perspective and influence (fueled by ignorance) instead of a love and dedication to their own cause.  For where love is, fear and contention are absent.    

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose" (FPW).  I don't know or understand why some individuals feel compelled to diverge from the divine appointment of marriage between man and woman though I do understand that the influences are compelling.  God would have us love one another.  The pure selfless love of one man to another or one woman to another is divinely inspired.  These sentiments should be nurtured and cultivated.  We should find joy in the joy of others, bare one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of our comfort.  This divine influence is, however, nullified when extended to physical intimacy outside of God's law.  This ought not to be.  It is a mockery before God and His plan for His children.  God, through His servants has stipulated that the procreative power is to be exercised only between a man and a woman joined together in holy matrimony.  The abuse or mockery of the procreative power (God's power), applies to sexual relations of same gender partners, heterosexual relations out side of marriage and all attempts to subvert the consequences of the aforementioned abuses through abortion or public influence.  "But man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral" (Dallin H. Oaks, No Other Gods, October Conference 2013). 

Everyone (individuals) should be treated with respect regardless of their perspective.  I feel a desire to treat all mankind with respect.  I am likewise obligated by covenant to support divinely appointed principles while refraining from enabling, supporting or otherwise condoning unrighteous behavior.  

I stand, without shame, and say marriage (as instituted by our God) is between a man and a woman.