A Long Time Coming

I've had a little debate with myself over what to say or how to write this post or if I should ever write it at all. I've never wanted to get political or religious on my blog because I know that many people who read this, people who I care about, have very different ideas and opinions from mine. Alas, here it is so I guess I've decided to write it.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am LDS, a Latter-Day Saint or a Mormon. I'm aware that among many there is great misunderstanding about what that means and what I do and don't believe. For those searching to know more I beg of you to not "google" Mormon and go on believing anything you see because many of the people writing those things don't know anymore than you do about it. Here is an honest and reliable site for information.

I don't want to go into great, boring detail but I just have a few personal beliefs I'd like to share:

I believe in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Heaven and repentance.

I believe that there is a living Prophet of God on the earth today.

I believe that families are central to God's plan as well as to a successful, moral and well functioning society.

I believe that the Book of Mormon is just as true as the Bible and that "...the Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

Why am I blogging all of this you might ask? Well, that answer goes along with the 2nd belief I have listed above. Because I believe that there is a prophet on earth today, I listen to his counsel and the counsel of the living apostles. Members of my church have been urged to speak out about what we believe, including using blogs specifically, to expose people to the Gospel and to aid in understanding.

I also blog about it because of the example that others have set for me. Friends who have said what they believe and have been chastised for being closed minded, prejudice or mean spirited.

I ask you, how am I any more prejudice for thinking your act is a sin than you are for thinking my faith is silly?

I don't want to be embarrassed or timid to tell people how I feel. I believe that homosexuality is a sin. I've stated that families are central to God's plan and I know that to be true. I'm fortunate to live in a state where marriage will likely always be defined as being between a man and a woman. However, I'm not fortunate enough to live in a country where the same will always be true.

Don't get me wrong, I would never treat someone poorly for being homosexual just as I would never deny someone friendship for being a smoker or a drinker or doing anything that I abstain from. I understand that not everyone believes as I do. I will however stand up for what I believe in and urge others to do the same. If you have a chance this election day, help save the purity of families.