This week we studied Obergefell v. Hodges, from 2015. For a quick overview, nine Justices from the Supreme Court were given the task of deciding whether states had the right to decide if same-sex marriages should be legal or recognized in their individual states. Out of the nine, five voted to force the states and four dissented or disagreed. We studied this topic this week and read a lot of information. Some of it helped me understand the plight of the of gay and lesbian couples; other information helped me understand the importance of holding to traditional values. If I'm completely honest, I've always had a hard time knowing my own firm opinion on topics like this. I have a bit of a bleeding heart and when I hear someone's story, my heart hurts for them. Yet I'm also firm in my faith that God is at the helm of all that is transpiring on this earth. And if, through His prophets, that I have faith in, He says that marriage needs to be between a man and a woman; that's what I'm going to follow.

I actually felt the desire to keep watching/reading the extra articles and videos offered but not required in this week's study. In an article called, "Dear Justice Kennedy: An Open Letter from the Child of a Loving Gay Parent," (Link below) I was extremely touched by the things the author, Katy Faust, had to say. She loved her lesbian mother, her mother's partner, and all their friends and was very supportive of the gay/lesbian community, still she had this to say, "Take it from the adult child of a loving gay parent: redefining marriage promotes a family structure in which children suffer."  She expressed how difficult this subject is to those who both, "love our gay parent(s) and oppose gay marriage." She went on to say, "This debate, at its core, is about one thing. It’s about children. The definition of marriage should have nothing to do with lessening emotional suffering within the homosexual community. The Supreme Court has no business involving itself in romance or interpersonal relationships."
She went on to express that procreation is between a man and a woman. When children are brought into homosexual relationships, she explained that, "Each child is conceived by a mother and a father to whom that child has a natural right. When a child is placed in a same-sex-headed household, she will miss out on at least one critical parental relationship and a vital dual-gender influence. The nature of the adults’ union guarantees this. Whether by adoption, divorce, or third-party reproduction, the adults in this scenario satisfy their heart’s desires, while the child bears the most significant cost: missing out on one or more of her biological parents."
I hadn't really thought about this topic in this way before. While I do believe that people of all walks of life deserve to be treated as children of God, I feel like President Nelson is right in saying, "The day is gone when you can be a quiet and comfortable Christian. Your religion is not just about showing up for church on Sunday. It is about showing up as a true disciple from Sunday morning through Saturday night—24/7! There is no such thing as a “part-time” disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ." (Link to talk below)
I think Katy Faust showed a lot of bravery when declaring that marriage should be between a man and a woman because it does matter, especially for children coming into this world. I know how controversial this topic is, and I want so badly for everyone, including the LGBTQ community to be treated with respect and love. That is the Savior's way. I will continue to teach my kids to be tolerant, respectful and kind, while also standing up for the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman.

https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2015/02/14370/?utm_source=The+Witherspoon+Institute%20utm_campaign=782782f4d4-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN%20utm_medium=email%20utm_term=0_15ce6af37b-782782f4d4-84114781

https://speeches.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Comm_2014_Aug_Nelson.pdf