NonDeviant

I believe this is the case in my extended family situation. There are so many that bend over backwards to please others, and want everyone to be happy. Since i did not extend a hand of fellowship to the new part of this family, I am somehow the one that is wrong. There is a lot of pressure to be tolerant towards these kinds of situations. The more we show tolerance towards sin, the easier it is to condone it.

Earlier this month a family female relative was married to another woman. This individual was using facebook to determine who in the family she would invite to the wedding. Those that were giving her likes and making positive comments to her about her upcoming marriage were ultimately given wedding invitations, Most of the family (all LDS) were giving her positive feedback, on the basis that showing LOVE meant supporting her on her special day. Out of about 100 people, only a couple of us (myself being one) were not supportive of what was happening. We didn't speak out against it; we were just silent. The wedding took place (I was not there, but saw pictures and videos, and was told about it). . It was a big celebration. Many people attended including Families with children, all showing their support for the newlyweds. The parents of the bride now have a new daughter, fully accepted by them into the family, (and a grand daughter, as the new spouse had a teenage girl). Other family members now have new nieces, cousins, grand daughters, great grand daughters and aunts. There will be many family gatherings where the newly weds and their daughter will be present, Of course, they will need a place to stay as they travel to these events. And, as family we always try provide rooms in our homes for them to stay when coming from out of town. I remember when my son was living with his girlfriend, and one time asked if they could spend the night in my home. I said NO that would not be appropriate. My son understood and didn't hold it against me.. Now, that my son is married to his girlfriend, I have no problem with them spending the night. Now, if my niece and her same-sex spouse come to my part of the country and stop by to visit with the hope of having a place to stay; What do I say? I expect many in the family will give them a bedroom to stay in. I mean, how can you show your support for their marriage and accept them into the family and then say it's not appropriate for you to share a bedroom in our home? I have to say, it is really black and white for me. I was so glad when the Church came out with the handbook changes, it said that same sex couples that get married are apostates and are ex-communicated. The children have to wait til the age of 18 and must disavow their parents marriage in order to get baptized. The church has not done this to show hatred towards anyone. On the contrary, these rules are a way to show forth love and compassion to those that have gone astray. They are always welcome back, but must follow the Savior's requirements. The Atonement is available to all that repent. It logically follows that if the children have to disavow their same-sex parents as being married, then shouldn't the same reasoning apply to parents that have a child that gets married to another person of the same sex? If the child must disavow the parents marriage, shouldn't the parents disavow their child's marriage to a person of the same sex. I worry that in our rush to show forth love, we are inadvertently condoning sin and showing our acceptance to a very evil practice that has invaded our society and our church. And, I believe this evil poses the biggest threat and greatest danger to all involved. Love the sinner but not the sin. Do not be fooled into thinking that you can show love to the sinner by supporting them in their sins.