I recently had a discussion with another Latter-day Saint about gay marriage. She was of the opinion that we should allow gay marriage, in order for these people to be happy, because God wants his children to be happy.
Now if this were the case, then God could just allow us, his children, to live in all types of sin, because that is simply what we, the natural man, want to do - sin. But, since God knows that we have a greater purpose, than just to have joy in our sins, which is not true joy, He has commanded us not to sin. But, to prepare ourselves for the hereafter. This life is but a preparatory state. A time for us to be tested as mortals, to see if we will chose good over evil. But society tries to teach us that things which are contrary to God's command are to be accepted. Right now, the big debate is legalizing gay marriage. But this is an oxymoron. It's simply self-contradictory. It's like saying we need to now call oranges apples, because being an "orange" makes them unhappy. Well, we can't change what marriage is. Marriage is between a man and a woman. That is what marriage is. It's the institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments and often religious ceremonies. It is ordained of God and ultimately the whole reason for our being here on earth. We are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.
Some gay activists say that this is just a temporary thing in the Church, and that eventually the policies will be changed just like with the blacks and the priesthood. Well, unfortunately we are not talking about the same thing here, and that is a false belief. In order to understand this, we must look at both cases through an eternal lens. The blacks not being blessed with the priesthood did not exist in the pre-existence. They had every right that anyone did. Upon earth, there was a curse given to a certain people, where the priesthood was taken from them. This happened on a global scale during the Great Apostasy. The whole earth was cursed because of wickedness, and the priesthood was removed from the earth, and we went into the dark ages. But with the eternal lens, we knew the priesthood would come back to earth, and would exist after this life.
If we look at this through the eternal lens at marriage, rather than the current worldly view, we can understand how marriage can never be between a gay couple, because that simply isn't marriage. Even if you call it marriage (calling an orange an apple), it won't be marriage. Through the eternal lens we see that before coming to earth, we were male and female. We came to earth to multiply and replenish the earth, and to have joy in our posterity. After earth, as part of the plan of salvation, or plan of happiness, our families will continue on forever. The family unit is central to the plan of salvation. Gay marriage would indeed frustrate the plan of salvation, because man and man, nor woman and woman can procreate and have children. God did not place Adam and Adam on the earth, but Adam and Eve.
"Every Latter-day Saint knows that God has forbidden all sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage... Attraction between man and woman was instilled by the Creator to ensure the perpetuation of mortal life and to draw husband and wife together in the family setting he prescribed for the accomplishment of his purposes, including the raising of children. In contrast, deviations from God’s commandments in the use of procreative powers are grave sins." Dallin H. Oaks, Same Gender Attraction, Ensign Oct. 1995
The Family: A Proclamation to the World is the clearest document we have to explain why the Church does not support gay marriage. It simply is not ordained of god, and is a sin. I will quote it in its entirety.
"WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council ofthe Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriagebetween a man and a woman is ordained of Godand that the family is central to the Creator’s planfor the eternal destiny of His children.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are createdin the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son ordaughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, eachhas a divine nature and destiny. Gender is anessential characteristic of individual premortal,mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons anddaughters knew and worshiped God as theirEternal Father and accepted His plan by which Hischildren could obtain a physical body and gainearthly experience to progress toward perfectionand ultimately realize his or her divine destiny asan heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happinessenables family relationships to be perpetuatedbeyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenantsavailable in holy temples make it possiblefor individuals to return to the presence of Godand for families to be united eternally.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave toAdam and Eve pertained to their potential forparenthood as husband and wife. We declarethat God’s commandment for His children tomultiply and replenish the earth remains in force.We further declare that God has commanded thatthe sacred powers of procreation are to be employedonly between man and woman, lawfullywedded as husband and wife.
WE DECLARE the means by which mortal lifeis created to be divinely appointed. We affirm thesanctity of life and of its importance in God’seternal plan.
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibilityto love and care for each other and for theirchildren. “Children are an heritage of the Lord”(Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to reartheir children in love and righteousness, to providefor their physical and spiritual needs, to teach themto love and serve one another, to observe thecommandments of God and to be law-abidingcitizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountablebefore God for the discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage betweenman and woman is essential to His eternal plan.Children are entitled to birth within the bonds ofmatrimony, and to be reared by a father and a motherwho honor marital vows with complete fidelity.Happiness in family life is most likely to beachieved when founded upon the teachings of theLord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and familiesare established and maintained on principlesof faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect,love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreationalactivities. By divine design, fathers are topreside over their families in love and righteousnessand are responsible to provide the necessitiesof life and protection for their families. Mothers areprimarily responsible for the nurture of their children.In these sacred responsibilities, fathers andmothers are obligated to help one another as equalpartners. Disability, death, or other circumstancesmay necessitate individual adaptation. Extendedfamilies should lend support when needed.
WE WARN that individuals who violate covenantsof chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or whofail to fulfill family responsibilities will one daystand accountable before God. Further, we warnthat the disintegration of the family will bring uponindividuals, communities, and nations the calamitiesforetold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officersof government everywhere to promote thosemeasures designed to maintain and strengthenthe family as the fundamental unit of society."
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at theGeneral Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
This is an inspired document, revealed to the members of the Church back in 1995 before the gay marriage debate had heated up. I do not see how any member of the Church, knowing its teachings, and reading this document, can hold on to the false beliefs that the Church will someday change its position on gay marriage. It's as likely to change its opinion on this as it is to change its doctrine concerning chastity, adultery, and fidelity.
Every teaching found in the modern-day revelations and in the ancient scriptures says that homosexual behavior is a sin when acted upon. Now having the desire is not a sin. The natural man causes us to have desires outside the bonds of marriage. That is something we can't help, whether they be homosexual or heterosexual desires. But, the moment we act on them, it becomes a sin when outside the bonds of marriage. And marriage is between a man and a woman. Some take the truth to be hard. Some do not want to hear that they might be living in sin. They want God to change his ways, rather than humbling themselves and following God's plan. But this will not lead them to true happiness. God has given us the plan of happiness, and if we follow it, we will be married, man and woman, and have children, and in them will will find our true joy, our true reason for being. For some this joy may not come in this life, but it does not mean that they should live a life outside of God's laws. The joy will come.
I bear my testimony that I have never felt so much love and joy before having children. They have given me more true meaning to life, more reason to be good, and more of a witness of God's love for us His children, than any other experience I could have as a mortal man. I know that God is good, is full of love an mercy, and wants us to experience the joy that He freely gives when we follow His commandments and submit our will to His, overcoming the natural man, and live by His laws. Then we will know peace and happiness as we follow and live the plan of salvation.
JB
Want to get involved in the debate in California? Go to www.protectmarriage.com
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Abortion is an Abomination (Obama-Nation)
Let me get this straight. It's not your body. Let me be clear. It's not your body. Let me make sure that there is not a shadow of a doubt. IT IS NOT YOUR BODY! It is another body inside your body. You put it there through the miracle God gave us in creating children. But, I'm sorry, it is not your body. I know it makes it easy if it is your body. Then you're just getting rid of a wart or a mole. But, the truth is, it is another human being, living in the protection of your female body.
Abortion is not about women's rights. Women, you have the right to your body. Go ahead and lop off your arm if you want. Don't like that ear or your liver? Go head, remove them both! But, that baby (and yes, I said it, BABY, not the impersonal fetus like so many like to call it), that baby inside you is another body. Last time I was in science class, a human body has 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 eyes, one nose, and one mouth. So, this baby in you has her own set of eyes, ears, toes, etc. You think just because she's living in you, that you have some right to murder her? (Yeah, I'm busting down these myths left and right. It is murder.) Murder defined: "The killing of another human being." Pretty straight forward.
So what does this Abomination (abortion) have to do with the Obama-nation? Well my friends, Obama is pro-abortion to the extreme. Though he has children, he says "I don't want them to be punished with a child if they make a mistake." Punished with a child? Are you kidding me? Is this what the world has come to now? That children are viewed as a punishment. God cursed the earth with loving children? Have you ever held a child in your arms? Have you ever felt the unconditional love of a child? This man wants to lead One Nation, Under God - the greatest nation ever, The United States of America? In God we trust. The nation built for the freedom of religion? So all men might live free from oppression... Unless you are a helpless baby.
Obama is for late-term abortions. If you were sitting on the fence on early-term abortion, how can anyone with a soul be for late-term abortions? Have you heard what they do to these children? Have you heard how many survive so they have to kill them once they are outside the womb? Why aren't we protesting in the streets, taking up arms, and burning down buildings in protest? Would we let them do that to our 1 year old children as in Egypt of old? What have we become as a nation, where we are so prideful to think that whatever we want is more important than the life of a child? We in America sit by as 1.2 million children are slaughtered "legally" in America. 50 million world-wide every year.
Obama on Partial-Birth Abortions:
Q: What us your view on the decision on partial-birth abortion and your reaction to most of the public agreeing with the court's holding?
A: I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions. They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy
Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
You can find out how he's voted on the issues here: http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm
I call it like it is. Abortion is murder and an abomination in the eyes of God, who loves all of His children, including the unborn. Obama is for abortion and sees children as punishment if the parent wasn't planning on getting pregnant and fully supports abortion in every respect.
Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes. “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” 2 Nephi 15:20
Au revoir
JB
Abortion is not about women's rights. Women, you have the right to your body. Go ahead and lop off your arm if you want. Don't like that ear or your liver? Go head, remove them both! But, that baby (and yes, I said it, BABY, not the impersonal fetus like so many like to call it), that baby inside you is another body. Last time I was in science class, a human body has 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 eyes, one nose, and one mouth. So, this baby in you has her own set of eyes, ears, toes, etc. You think just because she's living in you, that you have some right to murder her? (Yeah, I'm busting down these myths left and right. It is murder.) Murder defined: "The killing of another human being." Pretty straight forward.
So what does this Abomination (abortion) have to do with the Obama-nation? Well my friends, Obama is pro-abortion to the extreme. Though he has children, he says "I don't want them to be punished with a child if they make a mistake." Punished with a child? Are you kidding me? Is this what the world has come to now? That children are viewed as a punishment. God cursed the earth with loving children? Have you ever held a child in your arms? Have you ever felt the unconditional love of a child? This man wants to lead One Nation, Under God - the greatest nation ever, The United States of America? In God we trust. The nation built for the freedom of religion? So all men might live free from oppression... Unless you are a helpless baby.
Obama is for late-term abortions. If you were sitting on the fence on early-term abortion, how can anyone with a soul be for late-term abortions? Have you heard what they do to these children? Have you heard how many survive so they have to kill them once they are outside the womb? Why aren't we protesting in the streets, taking up arms, and burning down buildings in protest? Would we let them do that to our 1 year old children as in Egypt of old? What have we become as a nation, where we are so prideful to think that whatever we want is more important than the life of a child? We in America sit by as 1.2 million children are slaughtered "legally" in America. 50 million world-wide every year.
Obama on Partial-Birth Abortions:
Q: What us your view on the decision on partial-birth abortion and your reaction to most of the public agreeing with the court's holding?
A: I think that most Americans recognize that this is a profoundly difficult issue for the women and families who make these decisions. They don't make them casually. And I trust women to make these decisions in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy
Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
You can find out how he's voted on the issues here: http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Barack_Obama_Abortion.htm
I call it like it is. Abortion is murder and an abomination in the eyes of God, who loves all of His children, including the unborn. Obama is for abortion and sees children as punishment if the parent wasn't planning on getting pregnant and fully supports abortion in every respect.
Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes. “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” 2 Nephi 15:20
Au revoir
JB
Monday, August 11, 2008
Obama and I Kissed a Girl
Have you ever been "listening" to the radio, but not really been listening. You like the tune, it has a good beat, but you're really not listening to what is said. There is a song out currently by Katy Perry called "I kissed a girl." Without listening to the words, it has a catchy tune and a beat that you'll tap your toes to, but once you listen to the words, the song becomes very offensive. Yeah, I said it. OFFENSIVE. Now some will roll their eyes about some Mormon Utah County dude getting offended at some little thing. I'm not that guy. But, I do have morals. I do believe that some things are wrong and sometimes you need to stand up and say something. And this is one of those times when I'm not going with the crowd because this song is WRONG. I have had to ban all radio stations at the office that play this song because it's offensive to my customers. I have to ban the radio stations that play this from my car so my kids will not listen to this garbage.
So why not do more you say? Well, I did write all the station managers locally that are playing this song... Here is what happened:
To general manager of a local Salt Lake radio station:
"We've had to ban your radio station from our warehouse and front office because of one song that you play a lot that is offensive to our customers. "I kissed a girl, and I liked it." As the owner of the company, I can't have that playing at my company while I have customers here. It really is an offensive song. I regret that I've had to instruct everyone to quit playing your station. We really liked all the other music.
Sincerely -JB"
Response from general manager of local Salt Lake radio station:
"THANKS FOR YOUR EMAIL...unfortunately, I think most of the radio stations play that song, so you're probably going to have have to resort to CD's...
I appreciate your concern, but it's obviously not offending all that many people, since it's the #1 song in Salt Lake City, and has been for almost 9 weeks.
I guess the good news is that it's getting to a point that it's getting burned out, so I know we'll stop playing it within the next month or so, due to that. Hopefully for your sake, the other stations will too, but I wouldn't count on it.
Thanks again for your email"
My response:
"Thanks for responding to my email. I didn't expect you to change your programming just because of my email, but as a business owner, I know that I'd like to know what the reason is for losing a long-term customer (listener).
You're right about other stations playing that song. I found that out after we switched all the stations and then again heard it. So, we've had to change over to Pandora.com where we can give a song a thumbs-down if it isn't right for the work environment. We had to ban X-96 several years ago because of offensive music, but that isn't so surprising. I thought that we were safe with your station.
I'm not an uptight guy, but when it comes to what songs my customers are hearing in our office / warehouse and what songs my kids are hearing when they are in the car, I have to careful and I'll shut the radio off or change the channel.
Best regards - JB"
So there you have it. Apparently I'm the only one that finds this song offensive and doesn't want his kids listening to this trash. Has nobody else complained? Are you just "listening" without really hearing what is being said?
This reminds me of our Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama. Not because he is talking about lesbian make out sessions, but because on the surface he sounds great. He is a great speaker. I enjoy "listening" to him speak. But then I analyze what was said and I'm shocked. (not so much offended). Like his plan to send out "stimulus" checks to every American, then sending the bill to "Big Oil" because of their "windfall profits." Excuse me? Is that not the idea of capitalism in America? Are we supposed to limit our profits? As a business owner, I don't want the president sticking his hands in my pockets every time I show a big profit. I'm in business to have profits. If I can have big profits, even "windfall profits" then I'm doing something right, and I'm probably employing a lot of other Americans. It makes me sick to think of this communist philosophy of taking money from corporations to pay to others. America is the land of the free. A capitalist nation built on principles of freedom, not communism. Let's listen and HEAR the words in the music and in the speeches our presidential candidates are giving.
"You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string. Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name. You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." - Aaron Tippin
Don't just stand by. Stand for something.
Au revoir
JB
So why not do more you say? Well, I did write all the station managers locally that are playing this song... Here is what happened:
To general manager of a local Salt Lake radio station:
"We've had to ban your radio station from our warehouse and front office because of one song that you play a lot that is offensive to our customers. "I kissed a girl, and I liked it." As the owner of the company, I can't have that playing at my company while I have customers here. It really is an offensive song. I regret that I've had to instruct everyone to quit playing your station. We really liked all the other music.
Sincerely -JB"
Response from general manager of local Salt Lake radio station:
"THANKS FOR YOUR EMAIL...unfortunately, I think most of the radio stations play that song, so you're probably going to have have to resort to CD's...
I appreciate your concern, but it's obviously not offending all that many people, since it's the #1 song in Salt Lake City, and has been for almost 9 weeks.
I guess the good news is that it's getting to a point that it's getting burned out, so I know we'll stop playing it within the next month or so, due to that. Hopefully for your sake, the other stations will too, but I wouldn't count on it.
Thanks again for your email"
My response:
"Thanks for responding to my email. I didn't expect you to change your programming just because of my email, but as a business owner, I know that I'd like to know what the reason is for losing a long-term customer (listener).
You're right about other stations playing that song. I found that out after we switched all the stations and then again heard it. So, we've had to change over to Pandora.com where we can give a song a thumbs-down if it isn't right for the work environment. We had to ban X-96 several years ago because of offensive music, but that isn't so surprising. I thought that we were safe with your station.
I'm not an uptight guy, but when it comes to what songs my customers are hearing in our office / warehouse and what songs my kids are hearing when they are in the car, I have to careful and I'll shut the radio off or change the channel.
Best regards - JB"
So there you have it. Apparently I'm the only one that finds this song offensive and doesn't want his kids listening to this trash. Has nobody else complained? Are you just "listening" without really hearing what is being said?
This reminds me of our Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama. Not because he is talking about lesbian make out sessions, but because on the surface he sounds great. He is a great speaker. I enjoy "listening" to him speak. But then I analyze what was said and I'm shocked. (not so much offended). Like his plan to send out "stimulus" checks to every American, then sending the bill to "Big Oil" because of their "windfall profits." Excuse me? Is that not the idea of capitalism in America? Are we supposed to limit our profits? As a business owner, I don't want the president sticking his hands in my pockets every time I show a big profit. I'm in business to have profits. If I can have big profits, even "windfall profits" then I'm doing something right, and I'm probably employing a lot of other Americans. It makes me sick to think of this communist philosophy of taking money from corporations to pay to others. America is the land of the free. A capitalist nation built on principles of freedom, not communism. Let's listen and HEAR the words in the music and in the speeches our presidential candidates are giving.
"You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string. Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name. You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." - Aaron Tippin
Don't just stand by. Stand for something.
Au revoir
JB
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