Secret's in the Telling

In 1996, during the Clinton Administration passed a law called the Defense of Marriage Act. It has two main components, the first implies that same-sex marriage was not federally recognized and that states have the ability to allow for civil unions within their own states (and/or territories), but that other states do not have to recognize or accept those unions. 
To me, this makes sense, if one state is wholly opposed to gay marriage, they should not have to accept the decisions of another state with entirely different people living in it. That seems fair, and vice versa as well, if one state is particularly desirous to allow civil unions within their state, then they should not be limited by what other states want. 


The second portion defines the term Marriage. It explicitly states that "the word `marriage' means

only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, 
and the word `spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is 
a husband or a wife.'

The act text in its entirety

This particular section is the most controversial (or celebratory, if you're me). Because it excludes marriage to goats. kidding.

At any rate, the Act passed both the house and the senate with a landslide majority (342-67 in the House and 85-14 in the Senate). But has been challenged heavily since its inception. 

Most recently, the Obama Administration has announced that they will no longer defend the DOMA because they question the constitutionality of the act and find it horribly unpopular to defend an act tthat upholds marriage. 

However, with that statement came Obama's personal opinion that, “support for actual marriage is not bigotry, but instead an eminently reasonable, common judgment affirming the foundational institution of civil society.”

That sounds like a man who is being swayed by the loudest voices. 
In every single poll I was able to find, there has always been a higher percent opposed to gay/lesbian marriage that those in favor.
http://www.pollingreport.com/civil.htm
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118378/majority-americans-continue-oppose-gay-marriage.aspx

Why then, are we letting the loudest voices dictate the way we live? 

At the end of February, Attorney General Eric Holder sent this note to Speaker of the House John Boehner informing him of Obama's decision that the DOMA was unconstitutional. Since when was it this one man's job to decide that? Presidents of the United States have never had that power. 


On Friday, March 4th the Republican party announced that they would continue to support the DOMA and uphold it against critical review. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/us/politics/05marriage.html?_r=2&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto

Never have I been more proud of the men and women who legislate for our country. It was incredibly brave for them to take a stand for the people of America. To listen to the voices who are not nearly as loud. To be firm even when it was uncomfortable.


Not as much can be said for the President of our country. 


Let me explain why I believe that marriage and protecting the definition of marriage is important. 


I firmly believe that marriage is a religious ceremony representing a joining of a man and a women with God. Together they three form a union where both the man and the women can grow, develop and become more like their Heavenly Father. 
I understand that not everyone believes this and not everyone treats marriage the way it deserves to be treated. There are plenty of straight couples who disrespect the intentions of marriage, this does not make gay marriage okay, it simply makes violating good marriages wrong. 


The purpose of marriage is to create families that will also learn and grown and (hopefully) make good decisions as they strive to become good people like their father in Heaven. 
Gay marriages cannot fulfill this purpose because they cannot create. In truth, they can adopt and adoptions are good but in actuality adoptions are not creation. The ability to create bodies and give life to them is one of our Heavenly Father's most treasured abilities. It is his supreme ability and his fondest hope is that we become like him; thus he has given us that ability as well. 


In truth, I know without a doubt that my religious convictions have everything to do with the way I feel about gay marriage. This is not a bad thing. No one ever said that we have to separate the two and I prefer not to.


The Mormon church does not hate the gay community. We do not hate people who are gay. We do not label them as sinners and outcasts. We do love them and we do want them to be happy. However, we do firmly believe that acting on gay tendencies is not appropriate. I  firmly believe that. I believe that same-sex marriage mocks the purpose of marriage, which is to create families. Thus I am grateful that Congress is willing to protect the definition of marriage so that it may remain sacred to those of us who believe in its sanctity.


The leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are outspoken about gay marriages. But just listen to them. They aren't mean spirited, they are good and loving, but very clear. 


“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are" - Gordon B. Hinckley


 "We do not reject you… We cannot reject you, for you are the sons and daughters of God. We will not reject you, because we love you" - Boyd K. Packer

"Not long ago I received a letter from a man in his early 30s who struggles with same-gender attraction. His struggle has not been easy, and he has not yet married. But, he wrote, 'the Lord has helped me face my current circumstances, and I am content to do my best and leave my life in His hands.'

<sup>I weep with admiration and respect at the faith and courage of such a man who is living with a challenge I have never faced. I love him and the thousands like him, male or female, who “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12). I commend his attitude to all who struggle with—or who are helping others who struggle with—same-gender attraction" - Jeffrey R. Holland


http://lds.org/ensign/2007/10/helping-those-who-struggle-with-same-gender-attraction?lang=eng</sup>
http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng

It cannot be said any better than that.