Challenges & Opportunities
There are many different types of abuse that can happen and all people regardless of race, religion, and financial standing can stand at risk. We can learn from studies, research and the gospel principles as to what it is true. I think that is an important aspect for us to understand in always coming back to the gospel and the foundation of Christ because through His Atonement, we can receive healing from all things.
Transitional characters are people who discontinue the wrong practices of their ancestors or parents and choose to end that continuation of bad behavior in the family. We see many examples of this in the scriptures and we can apply it directly to this topic of abuse. Through study, we can learn that people who were sexual offenders or abused children or their spouses often did so because they were victims themselves or grew up around that kind of behavior. We have the agency to overcome those bad experiences, find healing and forgiveness through the Atonement, and move on with our lives, discontinuing those hurtful and abusive practices. |
We can make sure that our own families are informed and educated about these things as we strive as parents to be good examples to our children. We can help them understand what to do if they are ever caught in a situation like those describe in the book and teach them correct principles of the gospel in which we can find peace, joy, healing, and comfort. Another way we can teach and protect family members from abuse is to be good examples to them. We cannot let the natural man overcome our power of agency. We must control our emotions and set a good example for the children. We must treat each other with kindness, respect and love. Together, families must cultivate a good environment in the home so that the Spirit can dwell and continually bless the family. We are blessed to have the knowledge of the gospel and of the Atonement, which we can apply in our lives to avoid and understand these kinds of situations.
|
Articles & Videos
A manual distributed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding same-gender attraction.
An article by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland who discusses how we can help those who struggle with same-gender attraction.
Official statement of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding same-gender attraction through an interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman.
Questions people may ask The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about their beliefs. (See "Question: 2")
An article by Elder Neil L. Andersen titled, "Trail of Your Faith."
A link to LDS Family Services.
An article by Elder Dallin H. Oaks regarding same-gender attraction.
An E-Book published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
|
|
As a church and as stated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we believe that the family is central to the Creator’s plan. We are to honor the family and do all we can to reach that eternal goal. The family is vital not only to the church but also to society as a contributing unit. The family is where we can receive so much happiness that cannot be found in any other unit. Marriage is the first step in creating an eternal family and we believe that through obedience and faithfulness, we can have all of the blessings that God intends for us. We hope to build families under a mother and a father who have been sealed together for time and all eternity under the correct authority of God in His holy temple. When circumstance prevent otherwise, we hope to bring children into the world and provide them with all of the blessings they are entitled to under a family, sealed together for time and all eternity. |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has developed a wonderful adoption organization to place children under the care of loving, endowed, and temple-worthy parents. We learn through research and study that adopted children go through many emotional and psychological stresses because of their situation. What a blessing it is to have the church set up an organization to help them live a life within a family who has the teachings of the gospel as their foundation. We believe that all children should have this blessing. In the Proclamation it says, “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.” We believe the optimal environment for a child is to be nurtured and reared by both a father and a mother who are united in the bonds of matrimony. Children are entitled to this blessing. It is the best environment for them to grow and develop under the principles of the gospel and receive those blessings through the priesthood. |
Public Policy
The world is changing drastically and more liberal ideas are being widely accepted. One specific idea that has been changing the most is the institute of marriage and the family. Through application of gospel principles combined with research of society and government, we can learn that the family perpetuates society. Pope John Paul II once said that, “As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.” Gordon B. Hinckley also said, “A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families.” I believe these statements to be true. The family is also the fundamental center to Heavenly Father’s eternal plan. We learn that in the Proclamation. We need to stand firm in our beliefs of the family and set the example for others. We need to prepare and do all we can to build and sustain a strong marriage and grow a family. It is hard to do so when so many opposing views think otherwise. There are many different factors that hurt the family unit such as abortion, gay marriage, same-sex attraction, and government policies. We need to inform ourselves of these things so that we can teach others and stand up for our beliefs. We need to uphold our rights as citizens to participate in causes that coincide with our gospel beliefs that are being debated in politics. We need to inform ourselves so that when we are faced with these challenges, we can overcome them and know what we should do so that we uphold our beliefs and the teachings of Christ. |
Same-sex attraction is a huge issue that is debated amongst all people. It is a sensitive subject to some and many people hold strong viewpoints. We first and foremost must remember to respect others and to not judge them. We need to love all people and understand that we all have different beliefs. As members of this church, we must listen and follow the counsel of our church leaders who teach about this challenge. We need to inform ourselves so we address the issue with respect and without ignorance. We need to know where the church stands regarding this issue. Gay marriage is something we read about in those online articles and is being debated all across the nation. We need to understand the affects gay marriage has on the institute of marriage and the family as well as Heavenly Father’s eternal plan. There are huge consequences for children who are adopted into same-gender couples. We know that children are entitled to be raised a nurtured by both a father and a mother who are united together under marriage. That is the best environment for them to learn and grow. We will face these issues all throughout our lives but what I think is most important is to know where you stand and what your beliefs are. We need to be prepared before we are faced with these challenges so that we are firm in our beliefs. |