More Prop 8 Thoughts, Part II.

This post is a continuation of my last post about Proposition 8, directed to members of the Church who may still have reservations about the Church's involvement. Here is a quote from my sister Laurie about it (I hope you're OK with me quoting you Laurie):

"I think the Lord knew this would be a trial of faith for many people. [Some in the Church] don't see why the Church got involved or how it was worth it, [and] don't see any immediate threat to the church [with the legalization of same-sex marriage], but isn't that why we sustain the Prophet as a seer? -If [we] did see, it wouldn't be a trial of faith (which I think everyone will have in their own way). I don't think that going through a trial of faith is the same as being apostate."

Here is my response to what she said:

"Well said Laurie. If we totally agreed with everything we are asked to do, it wouldn't really test our faith. I know that this whole thing has caused an increase in members leaving the Church, and may pose some danger to our missionaries here in California. It does seem kind of self-destructive for the Church to have gotten involved. The fact is, though, that the goal of the Church has never been primarily to recruit more members or to increase our popularity in the eyes of the world. If it was, we would have renounced the Book of Mormon and joined the Christian Coalition long ago. Sure, we want to be understood and accepted too, but that has always been secondary to standing for what is right and true. Standing up against slavery in the early days of the Church incited much greater persecution than what we are experiencing now. This is nothing new! It's just been so long since we've had to deal with anything this hard that I think we have forgotten that it's just part of the package. We always hear in testimony meetings about how much we admire the early saints for enduring physical and social hardships. We aren't anywhere near that level yet, but honestly, I'm kind of proud to be taking the heat for standing up for what is right. No, I wouldn't wish this on us. My ward temple night was canceled last night because of the protesters. Because of threats and specific posts on some blogs, I am worried that when we show up to Church on Sunday, there will be a group of people on the corner cursing at me as they do at General Conference, but that now it could be every Sunday. Maybe we will need a police officer at our building. Am I glad about this prospect? No! But I will gladly take the persecution if that is what I am called upon to do."

For those who continue to have reservations, I want to speak to you now. I think it's OK for you to have reservations, but we still need to trust the prophet. I worry for you that that this could become a wedge inside of you if you don't eventually resolve your feelings about it. Looking at examples in Church history, it is easy to see how something like this can lead to bigger problems. How many faithful saints have become bitter and left the Church over small reservations that festered over time and became truly bitter in the end? There was a recent and timely article by Elder Eyring about this in the Ensign just a few months ago. Please read this article, it is so powerful and relevant to this issue. I'm not saying that you or anyone has to totally understand this right now, but please try to gain a testimony about this. I have a testimony that this is exactly what the Church should have done. When you see how the opposition is reacting now that they have lost, you can say with a great deal of confidence how much they would have honored their vows that this would not be taught in our schools or used to take away religious rights. It seems pretty far-fetched right now, but I can see how this issue could ultimately lead to the toppling of churches and religion in general in our society. I really, really, know that the Church leaders considered how many members would be tested by this, and how much persecution would arise. They did not make this decision in ignorance, so I must conclude that it was worth it.