Preserving the Institution of Marriage

I attended a broadcast by our church leaders last night in which they discussed the importance of doing our part in fighting to preserve the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. They have some wonderful tools on http://lds.org/ under the newsroom link, http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-readies-members-on-proposition-8 as well as a new website, http://preservingmarriage.com/ featured on the right column of this blog. Here in California, this issue is on the November election ballot as Proposition 8. For more information, see http://protectmarriage.com/

I wasn't sure how I felt about this issue at first, believing that I was being tolerant of homosexuals' right to choose whom to marry, and that it wouldn't affect my family. But as I have researched the topic, I realize that this issue is more about preserving the definition of marriage for four reasons: 1) I believe that God has created this earth for his children to come inhabit it. They should have the right to be born into families with both a mother and a father, married, as God, (or if you prefer, nature,) intended. 2) I want my children to be taught in school that marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman, and not in any other way 3) I want churches to be able to exercise their religious beliefs and choose not to marry gay couples in their buildings if that is what they believe without losing their tax-exempt status, and 4) I want adoption agencies to be able to choose whether to place children in homes of gay couples without fear of lawsuits.

These negative effects of gay marriage have already been occurring in Massachusetts, a state where same-sex marriage is legal, as this clip shows what happens when parents opposed the new school curriculum:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1815820715/bctid1822459319

Here's another thought: whether you support Obama or McCain, they both feel the same way on this issue. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJhQBZ1La0w Since the definition of marriage has always been determined at the state level, neither candidate will support a national constitutional amendment, so it is up to the states.

I have never thought of myself as a political activist, but the potential far-reaching effects if this proposition fails have prompted me to push fear of rejection aside and declare my beliefs here in cyber-space. I urge all those in California, or who have family or friends in California, to help get the word out and REGISTER and vote this November.

Yes on Proposition 8!