The Stakes of Speaking Up

The first way we can understand how to defend marriage is to understand the threats presented in today's world. In the 2015 Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges, gay marriage was legalized. It's not like this in it of itself is a bad thing. After all, in a world where its people are entitled to their most basic civil rights, it should probably be expected that a gay couple can get married.

What is the real issue, then? 

It sure seems like supporters of man-woman marriage are on the wrong side of history. The issue isn't one of "gay people are evil." No. The real issue here is that men can't be mothers, nor can women be fathers. The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that "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" (Paragraph 8). The proclamation states directly that men and women are to work together to preserve the family that God intended. Not only is man-woman marriage ordained of God, but children are entitled to be reared by a father and a mother. By allowing and encouraging a culture of gay marriage and disrespect for the man-woman marriage supporters, we are putting our children at risk.

There is no mistaking the true pain that our attackers feel as they fight for their right to marry. “Far from seeking to devalue marriage, the petitioners seek it for themselves because of their respect—and need—for its privileges and responsibilities. And their immutable nature dictates that same-sex marriage is their only real path to this profound commitment” (p. 4 of Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case 2015). What's more important? The civil rights of children to be raised correctly, or the rights of us to marry whomever we please?

Well, what is marriage, and why is it so important?

It is the belief of the Supreme Court that marriage's "dynamic allows two people to find a life that could not be found alone... a marriage becomes greater than just the two persons. Rising from the most basic human needs, marriage is essential to our most profound hopes and aspirations” (p. 3 of Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case 2015). What a great statement! Marriage can enlighten us as we move forward to improve one another along with the world around us.

Russell M. Nelson also speaks of the importance of man-woman marriage. He states that “Male and female are created for what they can do and become, together. It takes a man and a woman to bring a child into the world. Mothers and fathers are not interchangeable. Men and women are distinct and complementary. Children deserve a chance to grow up with both a mom and a dad” (Nelson, Russell M. (Aug 2014). “Disciples of Jesus Christ- defenders of marriage.” BYU Speeches. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson_disciples-jesus-christ-defenders-of-marriage/). It's wonderful to think that man and woman was created for the purpose of marrying and bringing up the next generation, and bringing them up in the light of Christ. Man-woman marriage is essentially part of God's eternal plan for our progression.

To me, marriage is a little more than the way to get back to God, and a little bit more than achieving our best selves. Marriage is a partnership. It's a man and a woman who make up for each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to provide the world with the best of each other, and more importantly, the best for the children.

What do we lose out on when we don't contribute our voice to the fight?

In a conference regarding religious freedom, the 2015 Supreme Court Case Obergefell v. Hodges was reviewed by Alexander Dushku. He compares the court case to ones of a similar nature. He mentions Roe v. Wade and Loving v. Virginia. In Loving v. Virginia, the culture of racists was overturned, and racists were treated as social outcasts as racist acts lost the support of the court. (Dushku, Alexander (July 7, 2015). The religious freedom implications of the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage in Obergefell V. Hodges. Religious Freedom Annual Review (Conference), Brigham Young University). In Roe v. Wade, abortion was legalized, but people who are Pro-Life don't become social outcasts. If they hadn't raised their voices, the Pro-Life movement might have died out, and the people who support the Pro-Life might be treated like bigots and social outcasts.

If we don't contribute our voice to the fight, the children of the future lose the unalienable right to be parented by a father and a mother (not just two adults), and our voices will become silent, as we turn into social outcasts, bigots, who are on the wrong side of history. There is only one way to defend marriage, and that is to speak up, and take actions to make your side heard.

There are so many lies regarding the opinion of the majority. In all reality, it seems that the majority lies in support of man-woman marriage. The real issue here is that we won't speak up. There is an incentive to speak up. We are in the majority here. Don't let the courts and the media tell you who's opinion is more popular. The only opinion that matters here is you're own, and it's your unalienable right to share it.