Marriage

Last night we based our FHE lesson on this article.  At home last night were my 8 year old daughter, 6 year old son, 5 year old daughter, 3 year old son, and my husband.  We had a great discussion on this complex issue.  We decided it was time to discuss with our children our beliefs on marriage. My oldest had recently came home from a friends house and told me she learned a new word and it was "gay" and I asked her if she new what it meant, and she told me what it meant. I realized that I can't keep my kids in a bubble for much longer. This is an issue that has been in the news for a long time and I want my kids to know how I feel about it, as well as to learn how they should represent themselves as members of the church.  I felt it was important for my kids to know how to verbalize their beliefs and thoughts.  We also helped them to realize that they can still be friends with those who have other beliefs, but that doesn’t mean that they give up their own beliefs in order to do so. 

We talked about the importance of marriage and how God set marriage up from the beginning with Adam and Eve, and man doesn’t have the authority to change it.  We read Matt 19:4-6 together and talked about every part of the verses.  The scripture teaches us that we were all made male or female, marriage is between a man and a woman, they leave their parents and cleave to each other, and “Let no man put asunder.”  

We talked about how in those states that have legalized same sex marriage how the entire community has to change.  Some states are requiring gender shared locker rooms in middle school and high school.  Some are requiring elementary school worksheets and units on same-sex marriage.  Some allow gay-pride parades that feature naked people.  Some small businesses and churches are being punished and fined for not catering to homosexual weddings.  Same-sex marriage affects the entire community, not just the couple getting married.  It is an issue that affects us all in some way.

The last thing we talked about was the quote by Elder Oaks on tolerance.  It is important to remember that Jesus loved everyone, but not their sins.  We can be kind to others, but that doesn’t mean that we give up our own standards.