Knock, knock, knock....
Creeeeeek. (An over-weight, bearded man scowls from behind his door).
Jeremy: Hi, we're walking the precincts today to encourage people to vote on Proposition 8. My wife and I live nearby.
Guy: Oh, hi. (He steps closer to us and lets his dog out to lick our hands)
SarahLynn: Have you heard of Prop 8 before?
Guy: Uh, a little. Which one is that again?
Jeremy: It's the proposition about protecting marriage.
Guy: Oh really? What's wrong with it?
SarahLynn (trying not chuckle): Well, back in 2000, 61% of California voters said that they wanted a law that said "Marriage is between a man and a woman in the state of CA." Recently, some San Francisco judges said that the law wasn't constitutional. So now we want to help put in our state constitution to say that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is recognized in the state of CA."
Guy: Oh yeah. I'll vote for that. You know it says that in the Bible.
Jeremy: Yeah, we feel the same way. Would you be willing to put a sign in your yard about it?
Guy: Well, I don't know. I don't want any tootie frooties gettin' mad and comin' to my door.
Jeremy: Ha, ha. Okay. Do you have any other registered voters in your home?
Guy: Well my wife, she agrees with me, but she doesn't vote much, ya know.
SarahLynn: Well, it's going to be a really close vote, so we encourage both of you to vote this fall about it.
Guy: Don't you worry, dear.
Jeremy: Thanks for your time!
(After the door closes, Jeremy and I give another high-five to each other. Still, no one that has said they disagree!)
The prophet has asked, and we are following. It's been amazing to see the overwhelming support for protecting marriage here in our HB neighborhoods. Everytime I come home from walking, I feel energized and joyful, the same way I do when I come home from Enrichment or helping the missionaries. That's another testimony to me that what we're doing is right!
But some people have said they aren't sure about walking door-to-door to get support for Prop 8, or that they aren't so sure about the church taking such a strong stance on protecting marriage (notice that the focus is about protecting marriage, not about people with same-gender attractions). To those who doubt whether or not we should be doing this, I say: Where is your faith?! Our prophet, Thomas S Monson, has been told by God to ask that we do this. Where is your testimony of the prophet and of God's Plan?!?!
I use to think that if people wanted to have same-sex marriage, then they should have that right. It's not my business. But when I went to the temple and prayed about it, it was made very clear that God separately created man and woman for a divine purpose- to multiply and replenish the earth, which is the main purpose of intimacy, and the power to procreate is a sacred gift given to us to use only in the bonds of matrimony as husband and wife. Homosexuality is not in His plan, just like murder, pornography, alcohol, swearing and drugs are not in His plan. Although we have agency, this does not justify sin. People don't have a right to participate in sexual immorality without facing Heaven's judgement. And since immoral behavior has negative effects on society and families, it IS my business. I can certainly condemn this sin and vote to keep it out of society without condemning the sinner. Tolerance is to offer love to all people, not to condone all that people do.
For those who struggle with same gender attraction, my heart and the hearts of our church leaders go out to them. I know that our Saviour has prepared a way for them to be healed of their problem so they can have joy in participating in a proper marriage. Our church provides much help and support to these people and their families.
If you are still unsure about supporting marriage between a man and a woman, or if you are afraid to talk with people about supporting Prop 8, I invite you to get on your knees and seek God's will concerning marriage. Once you have a firm testimony that marriage is ordained of God and that it should only be between a man and a woman, you won't have any reason to fear the philosophies of men. You will be able to follow our prophet's request with love and boldness. You will have strength to fight the unpopular battle.
There are some mormons forming groups and saying they don't agree with the Church's stance on marriage. I am disappointed in their pride and lack of faith. Don't become one of them!! This is exactly what happened in Alma 53 when some of the members broke away from Captain Moroni. It is the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy that the Saints will lose faith and rely on their own understanding, which will lead to the time when our constitution will hang by a thread because of our own wickedness.
If this proposition doesn't pass, it will be because of our lack of faith. Teachers will be required to teach tolerance for same-sex marriage in all CA schools (including pre-school). Also note that currently same-sex domestic unions in CA already benefit from ALL the rights that married people have.
We must defend the truth! Get out there and talk with people! If you live in CA, donate your money to the cause because the prophet and your bishop have asked you to!! Don't worry about the "tootie-frooties" that probably won't come to your door arguing about your sign. They are in the minority and they don't have God backing them up! "Who's on the Lord's side, who? Now is the time to show!!"
To learn more about Prop 8 go to protectmarriage.com (see our website list)
If you want to read the Church's teachings about marriage, read The Family- A Proclamation to the World (also in our website list)
9 comments:
hey, thanks for saying all that! i agree 100%. i really hope the proposition passes for you guys in CA.
I am glad you put in this what you said at the door. i think it will help people to get a good idea of what they can say. (Like me!)
I told my mom about you going out on weeknights and that sounded like a great idea to her too.
They told us the polls are actually showing 50/50 on this, so all your work and getting folks to vote will really help.
love ya Mom Z
I was invited to attend a special meeting for just bishops and stake presidents with Elder Ballard, our newest apostle Elder Christophersen and Preisdent Clayton of the presidency of the Seventy. Most of the four-hour meeting centered around the spiritual and economic welfare of the members, but toward the end we had a short discussion about Prop. 8. They only had time for a few questions, and I interrupted Pres. Clayton once so he could see I really wanted my question answered!
I asked: “Some members are not getting fully engaged in fighting for this proposition because they believe this is not a winnable war. Is this winnable?”
President Clayton started to respond by saying, “This is a winnable war. We’re neck and neck …”
But, before he could finish, Elder M. Russell Ballard shot up out of his chair, pushed President Clayton aside and said:
“My answer: We are standing for the Lord Jesus Christ and his eternal plan. The only acceptable marriage union in His plan is between a man and a woman. …
“The issue of whether this is winnable or not doesn’t matter. We stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we do what he wants us to do, he will smile upon on our efforts.
“So, whatever happens at the end, whether Proposition 8 passes or fails – We stand for the Lord.”
I recently came across a scripture that goes along well with this battle. It's in Ephesians, Chapter 6, verses 11-13:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Notice the fight is NOT with flesh and blood. Our fight is to protect marriage as the eternal unit between man and woman.
In the end, if we do all we can, I'm sure our efforts will be rewarded in more ways than we can imagine.
-- Bishop Z.
Some people who I don't even know are giving me flack for writing the term "tootie frootie" on this post. I hope you realize that both times I mention it, I am quoting what SOMEONE ELSE said.
You will find that I always refer to people with same sex attractions in a respectful way. You are getting the wrong idea and missing the entire purpose behind prop 8 if you think that I or anyone else that supports prop 8 is trying to demean homosexuals.
The issue here is not about homosexuality. It's about recognizing marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman!!!
As for my views on homosexuality, I do not hate the people, I hate the action--just like with people that drink or smoke.
The reason why Jeremy laughed when the man said "tootie frootie" is because he was a little caught off guard and glad that no-one else was around to hear it.
If you were glad no one else was around to hear it, why would you relay it when it is entirely irrelivent to the conversation. And yes you did refer to them at the end of your blog as tootie frooties, whether you were quoting or not it did need to be said. I completely understand the measure and what it stands for. If you want to do some real missionary work how about calling people out when they make comments like that rather than letting them slide...
I notice you didn't post my response, only your response to me... afraid people might agree?
To my anonymous friend,
I first relayed the term in the conversation part to show that some people still have no reservation to say what they think about homosexuals. I myself was surprised and thought it would be interesting for others to note. Kind of how its interesting that people in North Carolina still call blacks the N word. But that does not mean that I condone name calling. Why didn't I call him out right then and there? I admit it didn't occur to me at the time that I should. I'd never heard anyone say that term before. The guy was a huge man, had a big dog, and even though he agreed with us on Prop 8, there was still a level of uncomfort talking to a total stranger about a controversal issue. When you try talking to people at the door about any issue, you'll realize how your mind runs wild and how nervous you get. I'm sorry I'm human.
I wrote the term in quotes a second time to help people not be fearful of left wing extremists. Shoot me.
I did not publish your first comment to me because it was entirely false and unkind. However, I did address many of your arguments in answer to my friend, Sharon's question in my post Join All Candidates in Supporting Traditional Marriage.
I'd like to know who you are and would not be surprised if you are related to me or are a member of a previous ward. I realize that although many of your comments are not true, your intentions are pure and I appreciate the dialogue. But if you are as confident as you try to be, then why not tell us who you are?
Sarah, You don't know me, your blog was forwarded to me for my input. I would like to respond to the section on Prop 8.
You indicate that President Monson has asked us to go door to door to support Prop 8. Granted, I don't live in California, I live in Oregon. But when a similar measure came up on our ballot here we received a letter, read from the pulpit to stand firm in our beliefs when the subject comes up we were never asked to go out and knock on doors. Perhaps you are being asked to do more?
I agree that immoral behavior has negative effects on society and families - that's why I keep it out of my living room. I do all that I can, through our voting system, to make my beliefs known, my friends, co-workers, children and grandchildren all know where I stand on these issues however, I have not gone across the street to hammer on the door to tell that couple that they should not live together. They have 4 children, have lived together for more than 15 years and go to work everyday. While I might wish they were married it is between them and the Lord not them and me.
Unfortunately, people do have the right to commit sin - that is what that council in Heaven was about. I don't have to participate.
My sister had a same sex partner for over 20 years, they were together the day she passed away. They cared deeply for each other and the members of their families. They worked, paid taxes, and kept a Bible by the bed. I will leave the judgements up to our Heavenly Father.
I still stay in contact with my sister's partner and always will, she is a part of my family. I'm afraid that if anyone were to call this wonderful woman a "tootie-frootie" I would be inclined to forget my Christian attitude and show my displeasure in a way that could not be misunderstood.
Vote your convictions, let those you come in contact know where you stand but please leave the judging of others up to the Lord.
Yes, we are being asked to do more than perhaps Oregon voters were. We were told that "time and means" is to be understood as walking door to door and donating. Our dear stake president and area authorities have been forthright about this in Stake meetings and conferences. Each stake in CA was told to make a goal of money to collect, our stake making the goal to raise $250,000 to protectmarriage.com, of which we exceeded several fold. My Dad's stake in Sac raised $48,000, so it obviously depends on income levels of the members. But the money raising was directed by church authorities. Granted some bishops have probably allowed announcements about walking door to door to be had over the pulpit when it was supposed to be done in RS and preisthood, but that doesn't change the fact that we are being asked to walk and donate.
Also, if prop 8 doesn't pass, you might have the choice to keep its negative effects out of your living room, but not out of your child's school, not out of your profession or business, not out of public or private housing, not out of adoption agencies and even keeping it out of our own faith will be challenged.
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