Messenger and Advocate

I had an opportunity to visit Temple Square over the Thanksgiving weekend and took a couple of shots, which don’t really do The Square justice this time of year–but here’s a sample: (more…)

The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Proposition 8 challeges, and defenses over the course of the next few months.  The court issued its order this afternoon, which you can read here.  The briefing schedule outlined in the order begins now and goes through January 2009.  It is unclear when there might be oral argument and a decision.  The Los Angeles Times reports: (more…)

For my other Tolerance posts see Tolerance I, Tolerance II, Tolerance III.  Well, its been almost two weeks now since election day, and amazingly one issue remains in the news cycle on an almost daily basis since that time:  Proposition 8 and the Mormon Church. That’s right, the Mormon Church, its members, and other persons of faith have been singled out and targeted for engaging in the exercise of an actual constitutionally protected fundamental right–the right to vote and participate in the political process.  The vitriol, hate, intolerance and lawlessness in some cases exhibited by those who disagreed with Proposition 8 supporters has been frightening and should give pause to those who truly cherish our democratic institutions and the rule of law.  See also S.P. Bailey’s These Cultural Wars post over at A Motley Vision.  And, there is Marc Bohn’s Rhetoric, Ideology and Prop 8 over at Times and Seasons.

Meridian Magazine has two articles with incredible photos, that if you have not seen, you should.  The two articles are: The Hypocrisy of the Tolerance Movement and In the Face of Hatred.   Both are well done, and you should read them both.  The photos accompanying the second article are truly remarkable and alarming.  The author, Paul Bishop of this article is an LDS LAPD veteran, who makes some good points.  Because I think the photos are particularly powerful, I repost them below, for those who may not get over to the Meridian website on a regular basis: (more…)

I’m all for political protest.  Unlike some recently judicially created rights, free speech and political protest is actually a fundamental right, with a long and well respected history of Constitutional protection, both at the state and federal levels.  I’ve watched, as I’m sure many have, the political upheaval and fallout from California’s citizens exercising their fundamental right to amend the constitution of their own state.   That is still a protected fundamental right isn’t it?–the right of the people to vote, to express their mandate at the ballot box.  That’s still a protected fundamental right, reserved by the people to define the social and political mandates of society?  I’ve tried to channel some thoughts in response to all this protest–in no particular order of importance: (more…)

The ACLU, LAMBDA, and of course the ubiquitous Gloria Allred, among others have filed three lawsuits with the California Supreme Court seeking an injunction against its implementation.  I have not read the entire petition, which you can see here:   Proposition 8 Petition.  (more…)

Congratulations to President Elect Obama.  This is an historic evening.  I’m not sure I have anything profound to add.  I feel grateful to be alive to witness the Cradle of the Restoration elect the first African-American President in its Divine history.  For those who think God no longer has a hand in America’s future–think again.  He raises up wise men still. I am proud to be a Californian.  I am proud to be an American.  I am proud to be one of  the weakest of those who are or who can be called a saint.

I am optimistic for America’s future.  God does Bless America.  May He continue to shed His Grace on this great land in the coming weeks, months and years.

Vote for Change, For Hope, For America.

Vote for the Family

The No on 8 proponents now revealed its Anti-Mormon religious bigotry in their latest ad:

See David’s write up over at A Soft Answer.  See also Marc’s post over at T & S.

If ever there was any question that so called “gay rights” and religious liberties are set to clash–that question has now been answered.  Don’t think that these anti-Mormon zealots won’t use the force and weight of constitutional law to shut out, marginalize and destroy those of religious persuasion—well, think again.  So, I guess its just fine to defame a Church and its missionary program for doing its job–speaking out on the moral issues of the day.

Make no mistake.  This is a cultural and religious war–one waged by anti-religious bigots and zealots who define their entire existence by their sexual lifestyle.  And, it’s being waged against those whose religious beliefs disagree that lifestyle.  No question now which side has sunk below the gutter and sewer out of which it has crawled.  Check out Daily Kos for those who so proudly claim responsibility for this slime.

As I have watched the genderless marriage debate rage in California since the Ides of May, 2008 I have been amazed–perhaps even impressed at the effectiveness of the genderless marriage proponents to convince the electorate that this is an equal rights or fundamental rights issue.  While I vigorously disagree with that proposition (as I will explain in greater detail in this post), I think the genderless marriage proponents have done a incredible job of wrapping the debate in the cloak of equal protection and fundamental rights. (more…)