Historic Day

Jon surprised me a few months ago with a sticker he put on the Burbage. It was just another one of the sweet little things he does to express his love. But lately, I've had a couple people make an interesting comment about it. They basically said I should rethink putting the sticker on our car in case people pass me when I'm driving and think I'm the one who loves my wife. What in the world? Who would have thought?

But today... that became a possibility. The California Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriages went into effect today at 5:01 pm. And unlike in Massachusetts which was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004, California has no residency restrictions. So the county courts are expecting floods of same-sex couples coming in from all over the country to legalize their unions. I found it interesting that the wording on the licenses has been changed from 'bride' and 'groom' to 'Party A' and 'Party B'. It is truly a sad day for supporters and defenders of traditional marriage.

Don't get me wrong. I grew up in the Seattle area, a very gay-friendly city, and was active in professional theater. I have many dear friends and acqaintances who are gay. I have nothing but love and compassion in my heart for them. But I wholeheartedly stand by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their declaration that marriage is between a man and a woman and that they recognize no other pattern for marriage. It's so clear that traditional marriage is what God intended for his children. If everyone followed the practice of homosexuality, the entire human race would be wiped out in one generation!

It's becoming increasingly unpopular to have such an opinion, but I'm just grateful that we have modern-day prophets to guide us in these timely and controversial matters. The Proclamation on the family makes it so clear that "gender is an essential characteristic of individial premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." I think I feel so passionately about this issue for the sake of the children, because they "are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother."

The Proclamation on the family concludes with a warning and a call to action... "We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities fortold by ancient and modern prophets. We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strenthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

This historic action in California is clearly a step in the wrong direction.