On Saturday Sept 30, 2017, Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spoke on behalf of the LDS church and their God during a morning session of a broadcasted conference. In his speech Oaks reiterated the LDS church’s stance on marriage and family as stated in LDS doctrine given by their living prophets.
“We have witnessed a rapid and increasing public acceptance of cohabitation without marriage and same-sex marriage. The corresponding media advocacy, education, and even occupational requirements pose difficult challenges for Latter-Day Saints,” Oaks said. “We must try to balance the competing demands of following the gospel law in our personal lives and teachings even as we seek to show love for all.” Oaks then went on to cite the religion’s 1995 document – “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” – and explained that it will not be changed. Despite Oaks statement many still have hope that the LDS church will receive what leaders call “new revelation” on such matters that the document discusses. Many famously known revelations to be announced at General Conference include news about the afterlife added to the Doctrine and Covenants, secluding Monday nights for the family, the first organization of the Quorum of the Seventy, allowing African-Americans to hold the priesthood, the revision of the Book of Mormon in 1982, a lowered missionary age in 2012, multiple revisions of “For the Strength of Youth” and smaller temple sizes despite the previous standard of 60 cubits. Throughout the years many other things have changed in the LDS church, one of the few religions to adapt throughout the years. (Despite being less than 200 years old.) Some of these changes include polygamy, women’s issues, modesty, youth programs, caffeine, birth control, the 3-hour block, imminence of the second coming, dating, piercings, faith healing, evolution, the closing of church farms, and even garments. It isn’t a strange belief to think that the LDS church will change again however, Oaks’ statements leads us to believe that the “family proclamation” is concrete. So, what’s in it? In this blog, I will go through the document one paragraph at a time to see what is and isn’t stated and offer commentary and speculation based on my own beliefs. As an agnostic ex-Mormon, my views are shaped by the belief that neither I or any church leader is correct in what we say because the afterlife and God are unprovable and that’s why religion works. I love religion for the good that it can do in this world but when talking about specifics my commentary is purely speculative. Let’s begin: “WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim 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 first paragraph quickly states that the only marriage God recognizes is between a man and a woman. This is doctrine that has long been taught in the LDS church and I fully believe that anyone who supports same-sex marriage should not be aligned with the church. Separation of church and state is something that LDS leaders continuously overstep on by supporting or fighting laws such as Proposition 8. Men and women are said to belong together because of the ability to procreate and give souls the chance to have bodies. Being part of a family is a bond that will remain after death, which makes sense when God is also referred to as “father.” I fully believe this is PART of God’s plan but it is evident that humans can only interpret so much of what God tells them and God constantly uses humans as examples. (See: the flood, Martin Harris, Adam and Eve) President Gordon B. Hinkley was non-negotiable on the words he wrote If family is so important, it’s very likely that we will recognize our lineage in Heaven, but we all will be a heavenly family. I believe that the plan has always been to streamline as many children onto the earth as possible so that we each have a chance to sin and return to God. I also believe that when God says, “man and woman” he is referring the part of the plan that we can understand right now, like teaching a primary child something complicated in simple terms. It is being scientifically disproven that we need a man and a woman to create children and as we unlock the secrets of stem cell research, artificial wombs, and chromosomes, the human body will continue to evolve. (An evolution and science which was created by God and is understood by God, even if humans in the 21st century haven’t unlocked these understandings.) We may one day understand that sexual organs were a primitive way to classify gender and that the contents of the soul are shrouded by the veil. I would also like to point out that the blessings of eternal family are only applicable if the marriage is done in God’s temple. This leads me to further believe that “family” is a much bigger element than the divisions we have here on Earth. We are all family in heaven. “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.” This is the only paragraph that mentions gender. The entire document otherwise refers to man/woman and sons/daughters. Transgender individuals do usually identify as male or female so even if one is transitioning, they STILL are a child of god and they STILL have a divine destiny because they chose are one of the two options being offered by the church. No other mention of trans issues have been discussed by church leaders. If by these margins being non-gender conforming is a sin, state it. For now, I don’t see any issue with gender in society because no other cosmetic surgery, hormone -altering drugs, or mental states are condemned by the church. If “giants among men” are saved for the last days maybe these individuals are going through trials and reaching higher understandings than we are currently. (For more on trans issues see my blog post on 09.24.17.) God is either Homo Sapien or Homo Sapien Sapien due to the fact that man is made in his image, however, my guess is that it’s the first or an even more prehistoric version of man. I guarantee that God looks different than modern man. “IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.” Again, it says families will be together forever if you make covenants in the temple. “THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” I’ve always found it funny that some church-goers really believe that it was a literal piece of fruit that Eve ate. Eve had premarital sex with Lucifer and Adam in the garden and this lead to a new knowledge of life. The LDS church can believe whatever it wants and chastity is one of these things. Anyone who had sex before marriage, has a child out of wedlock, cheats on their spouse, gets divorced, or masturbates should be considered apostates though. Repentance is given to single mothers but gay couples with children go against what is defined as a “family.” (Note I believe there are chances to be admitted in heaven for everyone, including gay people, so my bashing of divorcees and single mothers is strictly to highlight the religious hypocrisy not Gods.) “WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan. HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.” Despite the reiteration, this paragraph is reasonable and I have no problems with what is said. “THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.” Divorce is wrong. Premarital sex is wrong. Children should be aborted in these situations because their birth is not “entitled.” That’s what this paragraph says. Single women can’t raise a child. Two men can’t raise a child. Happiness comes from religion. Men should protect and provide. Women should nurture. This seems like it was written in the 60’s and I’m not going to complain about any of it. Everyone should do what they need to make their family work and that’s that. If Mormons want it this way, all power to them. “WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” Reminder, chastity refers to sex out of marriage. You can be an agnostic, gay, transsexual, sinner in this church but don’t have sex and you’re fine. In fact, you are considered “brave” for giving yourself to god rather than the world. WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. Finally, the worst sentence in this entire proclamation from a man who is supposed to speak for god, in a religion that says we should be subjects to kinds and magistrates. “Responsible citizens and officers of government” should promote our beliefs because we think it’s what makes a family the best. Okay, sure. Whatever. Overall, the intent is good and supports every Mormon married in the temple, keeping the law of chastity, raising their children in the 60’s and devoting themselves to the religion. Any other variance of what “family” could be must check themselves. Most LDS member has no issue with this proclamation and they usually hand up these words in their household. I support the freedom of religion no matter their believes but I do have to ask anyone who may not fit into this family model, why are you pretending that you will be “together forever?”
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Erick L. Graham Wood
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