[Admin Note:  The following post is currently posted over at Patheos.com.   For those who have not visited Patheos, you can read about the site in this review at Times and Seasons, and of course visit Patheos yourself and see their content.   They are also running an opposing view point by Nate Oman.   If you are so inclined to comment, please do so over at Patheos, as I have closed comments for this post over here.]

There are many religious-based reasons to support the institution of Man-Woman marriage. Most of Christianity looks to traditional biblical support, including both Old and New Testament sources – and there are many others. For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it goes beyond biblical precedent. One of the core doctrines that sets us apart from other Christian denominations is the principle of continued and direct revelation between man and God. It was the Rock upon which Christ (Matthew 16:17-19) built His Church both during His earthly ministry and at the inception of the Restoration of His Church in modern time.

The core document describing the doctrinal foundation of Mormon belief about men, women, family, and marriage is The Family: A Proclamation to the World. LDS believe this document is divinely inspired from modern Prophets, Apostles, Seers, and Revelators, whom we believe speak for God on earth. Some, with good reason, sustain the Proclamation as scripture, meaning “the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4). Such proclamations are rare. This one was issued in the united and unanimous voices of the Quorums of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency, the highest governing bodies in the Mormon Church.

It establishes:

1. Its principles are vital to the happiness and well being of all families;

2. Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God, and essential to His eternal plan;

3. The family is central to God’s eternal plan for mankind;

4. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose;

5. We are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth;

6. Power of procreation is to be used only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife;

7. Children are entitled to be born into the bonds of marriage and be reared by both a mother and a father;

8. The disintegration of the family will bring well-prophesied calamities upon individuals, communities, and nations.

These Divine guidelines are plain, precious, easily understood, and unambiguous. They form the basis of why Mormons believe marriage is reserved for men and women only. Expounding on the Proclamation, the Church has noted that marriage is much more than just a civil contract between any number of consenting adults forming a genderless union:

Marriage is not primarily a contract between individuals to ratify their affections and provide for mutual obligations. Rather, marriage and family are vital instruments for rearing children and teaching them to become responsible adults. While governments did not invent marriage, throughout the ages governments of all types have recognized and affirmed marriage as an essential institution in preserving social stability and perpetuating life itself. Hence, regardless of whether marriages were performed as a religious rite or a civil ceremony, married couples in almost every culture have been granted special benefits aimed primarily at sustaining their relationship and promoting the environment in which children are reared. A husband and a wife do not receive these benefits to elevate them above any other two people who may share a residence or social tie, but rather in order to preserve, protect, and defend the all-important institutions of marriage and family.

These revealed teachings are fundamental to the core Mormon religious beliefs about men, women, marriage, and the family. As such we hold those beliefs to be the most protected of beliefs under our constitutional system of government. Yet, our very right to maintain and assert these beliefs has come under vicious assault from genderless marriage militants, who would deny Mormons the most fundamental and protected of rights – Free Exercise of Religious Belief.

Compromising on genderless marriage compromises the most core and fundamental Mormon religious beliefs. Yet there is an unabated assault on those religious values by a certain segment of society, hostile to anything but full societal acceptance of a lifestyle that millions, not just Mormons, believe is contrary to God’s laws and divine design for the family.

This hostility to well-established religious belief and its free exercise was clearly evident in the Proposition 8 campaign, including its lead-up and aftermath.The Church and its leaders have urged compassion, understanding, and tolerance. Mormons for the most part heed that counsel and are compassionate, understanding, and tolerant individuals; however, in return the other side requires Mormons to sacrifice and compromise their most fundamental religious beliefs and doctrines by acceptance of a lifestyle clearly at odds with modern revelation on men, women, marriage, and the family. The insistence on the sacrifice and compromise of such core and fundamental foundations to Mormon belief will continue to keep both sides living in separate realities with little common ground.

O’re the Land of the Free, and the Home of The Brave.

Happy Birthday America.  You are still the World’s last and greatest hope.

I guess there was a “Utah Pride Parade today in Salt Lake City (sorry I missed out on that one).   The Salt Lake Tribune has a very nice write up in an article titled Gay Rights Advocates Strut Political Clout in Salt Lake. From the looks of the Tribune photographer, Scott Sommerdorf’s excellent photos, that’s not all they strutted:

Not exactly on a par with the Days of ‘47 parade –though interesting.  A couple of money quotes:

Jones just a few minutes earlier had stirred up the festival’s crowd by thanking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its president, Thomas S. Monson, for helping bring the LGBT community together with its support for Proposition 8.

“We thank you for unifying us as never before. We thank you for teaching our young people that they must be prepared to fight for freedom,” Jones said, predicting that Proposition 8 will be a short-lived victory and recorded in history as a turning point in the battle for gay rights.

Yes, I’m certain that’s exactly what The First Presidency and Quorum of the Tweleve had in mind.  And, if I were Mr. Jones, that’s probably how I’d spin it as well.

In an accompanying Tribune article, Mr. Jones called for a massive March on Washington this October:

An activist who worked alongside slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk on Sunday announced plans for an Oct. 11 march on Washington to demand Congress act to establish equal rights for the lesbian, gay and transgender community.

Cleve Jones said the march will coincide with National Coming Out Day and kick off a grass-roots campaign for equality in each of the nation’s 435 congressional districts and launch a new chapter in the gay rights movement.

Jones, 54, made the announcement Sunday during a rally at the annual Utah Pride Festival.

The event’s grand marshal, Jones stirred up a crowd of thousands just blocks from the Salt Lake City headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was part of the coalition of conservative groups that worked to pass Proposition 8 in California last fall.

Such language, of course, is meant to conjure up images of the Civil Right’s movement of the 1960’s and the massive March on Washington in 1963.  Even the reference to “slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk, is undoubtably a reference to Martin Luther King, Jr. who was slain in his quest for Civil Rights for Blacks in the 1960’s, and who led the original march on Washington.

And, who knows, perhaps this march of October 2009 will equal or exceed the original march of August 1963 where some 200,000 to 300,000 Americans converged on Washington D.C. to fight for basic civil liberties for Black Americans.   We’ll see.

Unfortunately for the “new” civil rights movment, there are few if any factual similarites between these movments, despite the desperate attempts of some to invoke the language, images and causes of the 1960’s.    Even in the post Proposition 8 dark ages, here in the most intolerant of states, California, no one is sitting at the back of the bus.  No one is drinking from separate drinking fountains.  No one is denied the right to vote.   No one attends separate schools.  All our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers out here in the back woods of California are afforded the exact same bundle of rights as are married spouses of opposite genders.  But, of course, none of those facts are ever brought out in the splashy front page articles or blog posts.

So, with an eye towards this October, we will all anxiously await the new march and movement towards “equality” for all.

Update 06/08/09 5:33 p.m. Just for kicks, if you want to see how kindly our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers are speaking about this post and those ideas expressed therein, feel free to jump on over to this link and check out their comments.  It’s always enligtening to see how well received we are over there.

Photo Tom Smart Deseret Morning News

The Deseret News is reporting that Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson, and possibly other LDS Church leaders were robbed in Mozambique:

Elder Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Wendy, were among church leaders robbed by armed assailants Friday evening in the Mozambique Maputo Mission home.

On a church assignment in Mozambique, Elder and Sister Nelson were having dinner with Elder William W. Parmley of the Quorums of the Seventy and the church’s Africa Southeast Presidency and his wife, Shanna Lee, and with mission President Blair J. Packard and his wife, Precinda, said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter.

“We don’t have complete information yet, but we understand Sister Packard’s arm was broken,” said Trotter. “In addition, she and others suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises.”

Elder and Sister Nelson will continue their assignment over the weekend as planned, he added.

Local authorities are investigating the matter.

The LDS Church was legally recognized in Mozambique, a southeastern Africa nation, in 1996, with the first branch created in the capital city of Maputo. Missionaries arrived in 1999.

The Mozambique Maputo Mission was created on Jan. 1, 2005, the church’s 339th mission.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports a similar story:

A group of armed robbers attacked LDS Church Apostle Russell M. Nelson, his wife and four other people during a dinner in a Mozambique home Friday evening.

A group of armed robbers attacked LDS Church Apostle Russell M. Nelson, his wife and four other people during a dinner in a Mozambique home Friday evening.

Nelson, 84, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was visiting Maputo, Mozambique for a church assignment when the assault happened, said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter.

Nelson and his wife Wendy were dining at the home of Mozambique Maputo Mission president Blair Packard, along with Elder William and Shanna Parmley of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, Trotter said.

Robbers entered the home and assaulted the group. Trotter said Packard’s wife Cindy suffered a broken arm during the attack.

Detailed information about others injured was not available Saturday, but Trotter said others “suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises.”

He said it’s not clear what was taken from the home during the robbery. Maputo police are investigating the incident.

Nelson and his wife will “continue their assignment over the weekend as planned,” Trotter said.

Nelson was ordained as an apostle in 1984. He has a bachelor of arts and medical degrees from the University of Utah and also graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is an accomplished surgeon and medical researcher, according to www.lds.org.

Nelson’s wife, Wendy Watson, was a professor of marriage and family therapy at Brigham Young University before she retired in 2006. She has authored several books, according to www.lds.org. The couple married in 2006.

Kevin Barney over at BCC has also posted the news account.

KLS’s report is here.

Mormonism Unveiled has an informative post as well, with some links.

God Bless all those men and women who have served, continue to serve, and will serve, wearing the uniform of this nation, even a land of promise, choice above all other lands, the Cradle of the Restoration, whose people will worship and serve Jesus Christ, or will be swept from its face.   God Bless America.

The media is buzzing about President Obama’s selection of Jon Huntsman, Utah’s current governor to serve as the next Ambassador to China. I first heard about this yesterday from David Sundwall’s Tweet about it.  I think David has some inside sources he has alluded to–but regardless, it was very welcome news, and in my view just a politically brilliant stroke of genius by President Obama.  Why?  It immediately takes a very serious Republican contender out of the 2012 race, and as an Obama supporter, I like that.  Governor Huntsman is also eminently qualified to serve as Ambassador to China being fluent in Chinese, having already served as an Ambassador to Singapore, and having served an LDS mission in Taiwan.   If ever we need an experienced, savvy and well connected envoy to China it is now.  China sits on the brink of becoming the next great world power, and Jon Huntsman certainly brings some impressive credentials to this job. The selection also cements Obama’s bipartisan outreach to a tattered GOP.

There are also some big pluses if you are a Republican.  President Obama, statistically speaking, will likely be re-elected in 2012.  I also think time will bear this out.  He will be a popular president.  (He’s already off to a great start).  So, the likelihood of a successful GOP 2012 White House bid is, in my view, unlikely.  Governor Huntsman can now serve his country (by the way did you hear his news conference–this guy’s the real deal–country before self)  and still position himself for a future Presidential run.  He will glean all kinds of international experience, beefing up his already impressive Asian credentials, and stand as some of the tallest and strongest Presidential Timber of 2016.  Vice President Biden is unlikely to run–at least successfully in 2016, and Hillary will still be too divisive.  Mitt Romney I think will be eclipsed, probably having twice lost a Presidential bid by that time.   Enter Jon Huntsman, as a fresh new GOP face, ready to lead them back from political exile?  Who knows–but it’s a plausible scenario–even though eternities away in political time.

The appointment is good for the Church as well.  Just look at the Huffington Post screen shot above–that’s right Huffington Post.  Great, positive, and accurate PR for his Church service as well as his government and country service.  Governor Huntsman is a much more reasoned and moderate political figure than what many so called GOP want to be leader front runners are–think Sarah Palin here, for one.  He’s even got more money than Mitt, and has a wonderful family and background as well.  Overall, I think he is an outstanding example to the world (Babylon) of what a successful and active, believing Latter-day Saint can be.  It’s an acknowledgment of the highest levels of our current government of this man’s qualifications–a man shaped in large part by his religious experiences, background and beliefs.   Yeah, there is that University of Utah, blemish in his background–but we can’t all be Cougars.

I give President Obama very high marks on this appointment.  It is good for the country, good for Jon Huntsman, and may even be good eventually for the Republican Party–who knows.  Some other posts and articles of note:

Bloggernacle:

Huntsman, Mission and Language Skills at BCC

Utah’s Huntsman Named China Ambassador at Mormanity

President Obama Apoints Huntsman at A Soft Answer

Obama To Appoint Utah Girl at As if From the Dust

In the Main Stream Media (and political blogs) check out:

The Huffington Post

New York Times

Politico

Deseret News

Salt Lake Tribune

The Washington Post

Reuters

Remarks at President Obama’s news conference by President Obama and Governor Huntsman:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I am here to announce today the distinguished public servant I’m appointing as our nation’s new ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. I’m making this appointment mindful of its extraordinary significance. Given the breadth of issues at stake in our relationship with China, this ambassadorship is as important as any in the world — because the United States will best be able to deal effectively with global challenges in the 21st century by working in concert with China.

There are few countries in the world with a past so rich or a future so full of possibility as China. With a vast population, a growing economy, and far-reaching influence, China will have a crucial role in confronting all the major challenges that face Asia and the world in the years ahead.

And that’s why we’re working with the government of China to stem the financial crisis that’s devastated economies around the world and help lay a foundation for sustainable growth and lasting prosperity on both sides of the Pacific. That’s why I’ve spoken with Chinese President Hu Jintao about a number of regional threats, including the situations in North Korea and Pakistan. And that’s why we will continue working together with China on a whole host of global challenges — ranging from energy and climate change to public health; from nuclear non-proliferation to terrorism and violent extremism.

I believe there’s much to be gained from a closer, working relationship with China. But improved relations with China will require candor and open discussion about those issues where we don’t always agree, such as human rights and democracy and free speech. And it will require that each of our nations play by the rules in open and honest competition.

And that’s why this ambassadorship takes on such importance. I can think of no one better suited to take on this assignment than the Governor of the great state of Utah, Jon Huntsman.

When I asked Jon to accept this critical post, I knew it would require a sacrifice on the part of his family, and I want to thank Mary Kaye and all of their children for making this possible. I knew it would require a sacrifice from Jon — who will be giving up a seat as a popular governor, having just been reelected to a second term. And I hope the good people of Utah will forgive me and understand how proud they should be of their governor for his willingness to answer his nation’s call.

Finally, I knew that because Jon is not only a Republican, but a Republican who co-chaired my opponent’s campaign for the presidency, this wouldn’t be the easiest decision to explain to some members of his party.

But here’s what I also know. I know that Jon is the kind of leader who always puts country ahead of party and is always willing to sacrifice on behalf of our nation. That’s what Jon has always done. Throughout his career, Jon has shown a willingness to move beyond the old ideologies and stale debates that all too often bring progress to a standstill. Time and again, he’s brought people together across party lines to overcome our common challenges and to move our nation forward.

What Jon brings to this post isn’t just a steadfast commitment to advancing the interests of the American people; it’s a lifetime of knowledge and experience that will help advance this important partnership. Jon brings to this post experience as a former ambassador to Singapore, who’s intimately familiar with many of the most pressing challenges confronting Asia. He brings experience both in the private sector and as Deputy United States Trade Representative to Asia and Africa, where he stood up for America’s economic interests abroad. And Jon is well prepared to build a partnership that reflects a new understanding between our two countries because he’s lived in Asia three times and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

That’s the kind of ambassador we need in China — an ambassador who has a respect for China’s proud traditions, who understands what it will take to make America more competitive in the 21st century, and who will be an unstinting advocate for America’s interests and ideals. With Jon Huntsman representing the United States in China, I’m confident that we will launch a new era of partnership between our two nations that will advance our shared dreams of opportunity and security in America, in Asia, and around the world.

So I’m extraordinarily pleased to announce that Jon Huntsman will be our ambassador to China, and I can think of no more important assignment than creating the kinds of bridges between our two countries that will determine the well-being not just of Americans and Chinese, but also the future of the world.

So, with that, I’d like to have Jon say a few words. Thank you, Jon.

GOVERNOR HUNTSMAN: Thanks, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

GOVERNOR HUNTSMAN: Well, Mr. President, thank you for those very kind and gracious words. I never expected to be standing here under the inquisitive gaze of George Washington, and equally inquisitive gaze of my wife. Nor did I expect, as national co-chair of Senator McCain’s presidential campaign, to be called into action by the person who beat us.

But I grew up understanding that the most basic responsibility one has is service to country. When the President of the United States asks you to step up and serve in a capacity like this, that, to me, is the end of the conversation and the beginning of the obligation to rise to the challenge.

I stand here in my final term as governor with plenty to do. I wasn’t looking for a new job in life, but a call from the President changed that.

So, Mr. President, I humbly accept your call to service, and I understand that doing so will carry with it some unique challenges.

So, first and foremost, I want to recognize my wife and best friend, Mary Kaye, and my family, many of whom are here today, who have always been willing to heed the call of public service. I am here today solely as a result of their love and support.

Second, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the people of the greatest state in America. Life’s greatest honor has been to serve the people of Utah as their 16th governor.

Finally, I must thank you, Mr. President, for your trust and confidence in me and my family’s ability to contribute meaningfully to one of America’s most important strategic bilateral relationships. You have my commitment that we will take the U.S.-China relationship to new heights, focused not just on that which divides us, but more importantly, on that which unites us, knowing that this will be critical for lasting peace and prosperity for citizens on both sides of the Pacific.

I’m reminded of my favorite Chinese aphorism. It goes something like this: (Speaks in Mandarin Chinese.) “Together we work, together we progress.” This, more than anything else, I think captures the spirit of our journey going forward.

Thank you so very much.

Very impressive.

(Frank and Patsy Jackson stand in their basement food storage room surrounded by cans and boxes they’ve stockpiled at their home in Leeds, Utah Feb. 10.  By Jud Burkett, The Spectrum)

And, better yet, would you have to radically change what you eat?  A story in USA Today by Brian Passey, a reporter for the St. George Spectrum writes about a family that actually lived on its food storage for a month, without skipping a beat–or more importantly a meal:

During a recent church meeting, Susan Sutton of Rexburg, Idaho, took up a challenge to go two weeks without buying anything from a store. She had to feed herself, her husband and her three children with only the food she had in home storage.

Sutton met the goal and then some.

“I went a whole month without going to the store,” says Sutton, a 42-year-old kindergarten teacher. “The kids had no idea. Our diet didn’t change.”

That’s pretty impressive–not going to the store for an entire month, and not changing diet or eating patterns, just living off food storage.  That’s a very good goal, one we been counseled on now for years and years.  How many of us could do the same?

James Goodrich, manager of LDS Welfare Square near church headquarters in Salt Lake City, says the welfare program was established for members of the church, but leaders also assist families of other faiths.

Kara Coop, director and CEO of Dixie Care and Share, a food bank and shelter in St. George, Utah, says the LDS Church’s welfare program lessens the burden on local food banks. She says organizations like hers work side by side with the church to meet the needs of the less fortunate.

Coop also says the church’s emphasis on self-reliance is a “wonderful idea.”

“It’s a good plan for anybody to have food storage,” she says.

Goodrich says those who receive welfare help are given the opportunity to repay what they are given through volunteer work. A recipient might volunteer at a church storehouse, clean a church building or even babysit for another member of the congregation.

“We don’t make a business out of it and try to match dollar for dollar,” Goodrich says. “People receive according to their needs. They work according to their ability and circumstances.”

I like that, each according to their needs–sounds familiar–take note.

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued their Easter message today.  In it, The Brethren testifed of the physical reality of the Resurection of Jesus Christ–not a metaphorical message, a symbolic story–but the physical reality of His death, burial, and triumphant Resurrection from the dead:

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

Because of the Savior’s resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

These Brethren are called and set apart as special witnesses of Jesus Christ.  They have, by reason of their special calling spiritual insights and experiences that qualify them beyond any others currently living to bear this simple yet powerful testimony.

The Living Christ:  The Testimony of The Apostles

An Apostle’s Easter Thoughts on Christ

(Update 04/09/09 7:15 a.m.  Kaimi has apparently responded, appropriately over at Adam’s new blog.  I’ve closed comments on this thread, and don’t have anything more to say–but wanted to link to Kaimi’s response).

The “Truth Will Prevail” motto appears to be going through some tough times over there at Times and Seasons. Adam Greenwood–one of the original founding members of the blog has now resigned, and opened shop over at Junior Ganymede. Most troubling, however, is his post relating why he has resigned from Times and Seasons. It’s only one side of the story; but, on its face it’s a troubling story–and there appear to be some facts and links in support. It’s a bit saddening for me, because my first initiation to the “Bloggernacle” was through Times and Seasons, many years ago. It appeared to be place where the Spirit and the Intellect co-existed in harmony–and all those really, really smart kids on the block–with all that higher education–appeared to all be very, very faithful Latter-day Saints. (And, I’m not suggesting any, some or all aren’t–that’s not my job). It is a bit saddening to read all is/was not at all well in Times and Seasons paradise. I wish them well over there, and hope they work through it all. And, Adam Greenwood–best of luck to you in your new endeavor.