Thoughts from Thursday on Standards.
I have been thinking a lot about standards lately and I even had a conversation with Henrietta the other day about this. Well it was more like a half conversation. Okay not really a conversation at all.
That is why I need your opinion.
Don't be too shocked that this is kind of churchy. What can I say, I'm kind of a churchy person.
The thought/question here is: Is it okay to have a standard just because the church has that standard? You know what I mean?
For example: Gay marriage. Is it okay to be against gay marriage just because the church is against it?
Do you need to know more about the topic in order to back you up?
If the only reason you have a standard is because the church has that standard, will that be good enough? Good enough for the other person and/or good enough for you. Will it stand strong?
When someone says to you, "Why in the crap are you against gay marriage?" Is it okay for you to just say, "Because I am Mormon and that's just what we are." Or you could even explain why we are what we are.
But anyway.
I always thought that this is what is so great about being Mormon. Sometimes they just tell you the right side of an argument and then you don't have to do the research or really think because they already told you, you know?
But now I'm wondering: Is that good enough?
You know how they always say, "Know what you are going to say before you get in the situation or else you will give in when the situation actually comes up." Is that how it is when you have a standard because that's the church's standard? You know, like will you fall easier if that's the case?
Does this make any sense???
This applies to any standard really, like word of wisdom, abortion, etc.
Is it okay to just do it because that's what the church says? Or do you need something more.
I. Do. Not. Know.
Interesting you should bring this up, because it's something I think about A LOT. In my personal opinion, to just believe that whatever the church says is right without really knowing anything about it is really just being led around like a stupid sheep. You can still be mormon and disagree with the church's stance on gay marriage. I would advise you to set the church aside for a moment and research gay marriage and whatever else and decide if you really think it's right or not. Honestly, if you think about America and all of our awesome rights, it seems kind of unconstitutional to me to deny people a right to marriage, even if it's gay marriage. I don't agree with gay marriage, but I don't think there should be a law against it either. Hmmm. You decide.
ReplyDeleteFunny this came up. It goes with my recent YW lessons AND my personal stance on the church and issues we are taught. First, it is always best and safest to go with the prophet, even if you don't understand why. He is who God has decided is most fit to lead His people on Earth, whether its a spiritual or temporal issue. If the prophet has made a stand on an issue, stand with him. Secondly, and just as important as the first, is GET YOUR OWN TESTIMONY ON IT. We are expected to pray and get an answer on every topic/principle we are taught. We are NOT expected or suppose to say/do whatever the church says blindly. That goes completely against our belief in personal revelation. So it is not only our RIGHT but it is our RESPONSIBILITY to know for ourselves. Thirdly, its ok to be for/against something simply because it is what you believe is right. You don't have to have a politically acceptable/justifiable reason for what you believe is right/best. To someone else your reasoning may be completely insane. Just as theirs may seem insane to you. Its good to be socially/politically informed but your final stand on any issue/decision must come from God.
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