Fortunately, there is strong evidence that the younger generation of Mormons sees the hypocrisy and isn't buying into it, as evidenced by a number of recent letters to editor of the BYU student newspaper (similar to the positions taken by the Baylor student newspaper editor, and letter writers, who also clearly see the need for distinction between one's own religious beliefs, and what one should advocate having codified into law). The best of the BYU letters dug up a quote from an early LDS Church publication, the Millennial Star, in which the then President/Prophet of the Church railed against the evils of monogamous marriage:
MORMONS HAD WEIRD MARRIAGE CUSTOMS TOO
http://www.newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/49110
I found it interesting to see a recent author resorted to accusing Jennie Hyde of being under the influence of Satan for her seemingly reasonable position regarding same-sex marriage in the recent letters to the editor on gay marriage. As Jennie correctly points out, as Mormons we are in no position to attack unconventional marriages when our early leaders themselves had no qualms about engaging in marriage practices that the culture of that time found distasteful.
The religious rhetoric used to justify banning same-sex marriages is eerily familiar to statements from 19th century church leaders, who likewise blamed the downfall of earlier civilizations on marriage practices. Then, however, it was not same-sex unions that were blamed but heterosexual monogamy!
President John Taylor stated that "the one-wife system not only degenerates the human family both physically and intellectually, but it is entirely incompatible with philosophical notions of immortality; it is a lure to temptation and has always proved a curse to a people" (Millennial Star, Vol. 15, p.227). Brigham Young and Orson Pratt expressed similar sentiments.
The author fails to provide a reasonable explanation of how the sanctity of heterosexual relationships is threatened by same-sex marriages. Her justification that it presents a bad example for our children is not adequate. By similar reasoning, one could argue that we as a church should push for legislation that outlaws coffee, NFL football games on the Sabbath, and Bay Watch!
As a community, I feel that it would behoove us to show a little more introspection, tolerance, and compassion.
Dean Leavitt
Alpine
It may not be adequate to you or the author but it is more than adequate for a large majority of America.
By similar reasoning, one could argue that we as a church should push for legislation that outlaws coffee, NFL football games on the Sabbath, and Bay Watch!
Not worth commenting on.
As a community, I feel that it would behoove us to show a little more introspection, tolerance, and compassion.
As a nation we have shown introspection, tolerance and compassions. We draw the line at worshipping sodomy and having unelected courts demand we encourage defects in behavior or birth.