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Lesson 3 - Defending Traditional Marriage

“We … solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God…. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan…. We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I remember when this proclamation went out to the world. I remember thinking the principles contained in this document were obvious. Why was there a need to publish a proclamation about something so common as what constitutes a family? Fast forward twenty years, and it’s clear that these leaders were acting prophetically in their pronouncements.

In my limited view, I could not see the attacks that would come on traditional marriage. In 2015, the United States Supreme Court guaranteed the right of same-sex couples to marry. This ruling (Obergefell v. Hodges) requires all states to license and recognize marriages of same-sex couples in the same way they recognize traditional marriages between a man and a woman.

After reading the ruling, I was struck by the dissenting opinions. They discussed several issues that are addressed by the Proclamation on the Family. After asking what constitutes marriage, “or – more precisely, who decides what constitutes “marriage,” Justice Roberts answered his own question: “Therefore, for the good of children and society, sexual relations that can lead to procreation should occur only between a man and a woman committed to a lasting bond. Society has recognized that bond as marriage.” This dissenting opinion is in harmony with my beliefs and the Proclamation.

Another example comes from the dissenting view of Justice Scalia. He expressed discontent in the fact that the court was redefining marriage. In defining liberty, the majority of the court stated, “History and tradition guide and discipline [our] inquiry but do not set its outer boundaries.” This implies a fluid definition of liberty and in this instance, a fluid definition of marriage away from the traditional definition. Russell M. Nelson, a signer of the Family Proclamation said, “Marriage was not created by human judges or legislators…. Marriage was created by God!” (Disciples of Jesus Christ – Defenders of Marriage, BYU Commencement, August 14, 2014).

The ruling of the court is, as stated by Justice Alito, “[focused] almost entirely on the happiness of persons who choose to marry.” Marriage isn’t only about the happiness of two individuals. Yes, we want to be happy in our marriages, but it’s so much more. We join as man and woman in order to procreate. This cannot occur with same-sex marriage. Justice Alito noted that “the tie between marriage and procreation has frayed.” In God’s eyes, the standard has not frayed or changed.
"We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." (Family Proclamation). 

I do not agree with the majority ruling of this court. It is quite unsettling to consider how quickly wrong can be made to appear right in our society. However, it is still wrong. In my view, this decision was making a wrong appear right. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. In the words of President Russell M. Nelson, “We cannot condone efforts to change divine doctrine.” I know that President Nelson is a Prophet of God. As such, I will follow him because I know that when I am following him, I am truly following Him, my Savior, Jesus Christ. Of course, we continue to love everyone as our brothers and sisters, but we need to stand for the eternal principles taught by Christ including those regarding gender and marriage. The voice of the people was silenced by five judges who chose to put their own agenda ahead of God’s plan. “All Americans, whatever their thinking on [this] issue, should worry about what [this court’s] majority’s claim of power portends.” (Justice Alito)

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