Spiritual Literacy
Last year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints changed their policy concerning same-sex marriage. These changes mandated that members in same-sex marriages would be considered apostates and would face excommunication. In addition, children of same-sex couples would have to miss out on church practices like baby blessings and baptism in their youth. Instead, they have to wait until they are 18 to experience these religious rites, but not until they denounce their parent's marriage. This new change brought on a huge uproar from members of the church, both liberal and conservative in their beliefs. Members were offended and thought of these new requirements to be insensitive because of the consequences it would have on so many LDS families. In addition, they felt that this only isolated gay members even more than they already feel. For a church who's gospel claims to be full of love and acceptance through Jesus Christ, this statement was hard for many to swallow without questions or concerns.
After the statement was made, and the backlash was given, Elder Christofferson, an Apostle in the LDS Church, gave an interview with Michael Otterson, the Director of Church Public Affairs. In the interview, the Christofferson touched on the controversial changes and offered to bring to light some understanding. His most poignant statement included that,
"It’s possible and mandatory, incumbent upon us as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, to yield no ground in the matter of love and sympathy and help and brotherhood and serving in doing all we can for anybody; at the same time maintaining the standards He maintained. That was the Savior’s pattern. He always was firm in what was right and wrong. He never excused or winked at sin. He never redefined it. He never changed His mind"
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/handbook-changes-same-sex-marriages-elder-christofferson
Christofferson, who even has a gay brother, was able to provide more context to the new changes. But despite his efforts, there were many members who still had questions. Many members, including myself, experienced a crisis of their faith. In a Salt Lake Tribune article, the author quoted a gay man, who is a former member of the church and now a leader of an LGBT rights group in Utah, named Troy Williams. He said,
"This policy has reopened a lot of wounds that we've been trying to heal".
For those who have a hard time accepting these new policies, it would be important to remember the character of God and how He communicates with His children. The Lord doesn't ask His Children to follow Him blindly. Instead, He invites and expects His children to seek for themselves what is true. God, who is all-knowing will confirm truths to those who honestly seek, through the Holy Ghost.
Hard questions and policies that members must adhere to, don't have to be accepted just because the Prophet said so. God has given His children agency, the ability to act for themselves, and with this comes the responsibility to seek out what is right and wrong, rather what God sees is right or wrong. But individuals won't be able to know of these surety's unless they are willing to ask questions. For a faith who's whole beliefs rely on faith, this can be hard for many to accept. Jeffrey R. Holland, another Apostle of the Church shared these thoughts years ago. He said,
"Revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question—not always, but usually. In that sense, it does provide information"
Holland teaches an important principle, that understanding begins with inquiring. In other words, the Lord expects us to utilize our spiritual literacy. Spiritual literacy is similar to media literacy. In communications, the idea of media literacy is that of criticizing and analyzing media. It invites individuals to choose for themselves how they will perceive messages sent to them and encourages them to ask questions; an idea that is taught within the LDS Faith. In a world so loud as ours, it can be easy to get lost in the messages, especially when the question at hand is one of spirituality. It is important that members of the LDS Faith ask questions and come to conclusions, with God, who is the source of all truth and knowledge.
Concerning this policy on same-sex marriage, there will be there who will leave the faith they once loved and knew because their understanding of God's purposes is blurry to them. But then there will be those who will struggle with their faith but will remain in the Church because they ask questions and receive answers from the Spirit. God awards those who act in faith. This means that those who are willing to act on the revelation will be able to more readily receive direction from God. Members of the church might not always understand fully this policy change on same-sex marriage, but they will be able to have peace, trusting in the answers they receive from Heaven.
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