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2006-06-05
The Federal Marriage Amendment, a trojan horse
I just read an article by Deanna Spingola called The Federal Marriage Amendment, a trojan horse and found particularly interesting this quote from Ezra Taft Benson, former President of the LDS Church (1985-1994) and United States Secretary of Agriculture (1953-1961):
"I believe that God has endowed men with certain unalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression."
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I also found this good Ezra Taft Benson quote at http://www.latterdayconservative.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=73 along with scores of others of a similar flavor:
There is no excuse that can compensate for the loss of liberty.
Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet and hence keep the priesthood off balance, ineffective and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning. . . .
The cause of freedom is a most basic part of our religion. Our position on freedom helped get us to this earth and it can make the difference as to whether we get back home or not. . . .
Now part of the reason why we do not have sufficient Priesthood bearers to save the Constitution, let alone to shake the powers of hell, is, I fear, because unlike Moroni, our souls do not joy in keeping our country free and we are not firm in the faith of Christ, nor have we sworn with an oath to defend our rights. ("Our Immediate Responsibility" 10-11; also in Enemy 313-15)
The church should be front and center opposing this proposed amendment (it's just Bush trying to boost his approval ratings anyway). Whatever happened to the Council in Heaven and the granting of agency to make our own decisions as to how we behave. I thought Satan was the one who proposed forcing everyone to tow the line of righteousness. The church is way too worried about appearing mainstream.
Caveat: I am not a good Mormon.
RocketJam, what you said is obvious to many people. I am unconvinced that the First Presidency did not consider the multitude of scriptures and statements which seem incredibly clear on the correct choice to pursue in matters such as this. Maybe they knew this was going to fail from the start, and were using it as a catalyst to get people talking on an important subject. But, I am relatively uncomfortable with them voting the side of evil to fulfill such a task? It seems to have made people go more extreme. Those for discrimination have gone even MORE toward discrimination, viewing the Church as endorsing them, and those for human rights and free agency went even more extremely that direction. I don't know of anyone that flipped sides in this.
So what is the purpose of driving in this wedge? Maybe we'll find out in the future.
Your comment leads me to believe that your are a good Mormon but have been led to believe otherwise. At least you seem to have a better understanding of some things than many church leaders I've known.
Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Church leaders aren't called to understand, and they aren't called to be theologians. They are called to lead.
Even the General Authorities are mortal, fallible people. Perhaps the promise in Official Declaration 1 that "The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God." requires a deeper reading than most give it. Perhaps "it is not in the mind of God" means that the Holy Ghost will not allow it. If we are obedient to the scriptures, including the words of the Prophets, and the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can not be led astray. No matter where the Church organization meanders.
Most of the LDS apostles who served with Ezra Taft Benson couldn't stand him. He was even censured once back in the 50s or 60s or something. He would constantly give political speeches when he was s'posed to be out giving spiritual talks and the other apostles were pissed.
Well, that makes me appreciate ETB even more.
Agreed.
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