Living in a Fallen World

A few years ago, my son's band was playing a show in Las Vegas and my husband and I decided to go see it. As a Californian, it seems strange that I had never been to Las Vegas but it's true; this was my first trip. We were staying at the Mirage in the center of the strip and there was pulsating action all around us. I will never forget the overwhelming sadness that I felt as I surveyed my surroundings. It is no wonder that it is known as Sin City; here was a place that openly catered to and celebrated every human weakness and selfish desire known to man. Gambling, pornography, alcohol, and immorality were showcased in flashing lights, illuminating the dark side of human behavior for all to see.

But I know that Las Vegas is also home to a large population of church members who are good and righteous people; they even have a beautiful temple there. It stands over the city with towering white spires, beckoning all to come unto Christ. Las Vegas serves as a perfect example of how we can live in a fallen world while staying true to the principles of the gospel.

Holding to Principles

It is difficult to figure out how to navigate the Supreme Court gay marriage decision as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We hold dearly to the belief that only marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. It is difficult to teach our children this principle when the world is constantly screaming that we are bigoted and hateful for our beliefs. But when we really stop to think about it, nothing has changed. The world has been in a fallen state since Adam and Eve transgressed in the Garden of Eden and it continues to be so today.

Religious Liberty

What is really at stake here is not marriage but religious liberty. It does not matter that the world has given its stamp of approval on gay marriage; it already approves of abortion, pornography, cohabitation, etc., so it should come as no surprise that the definition of marriage has been distorted. Our hope and our strength rely on our ability to worship as our conscience dictates and therein lies our fight.

Alexander Dushku

Alex Dushku (my son's former Weblos leader!) gave an excellent talk on how we can preserve and protect our religious freedom and thus retain our beliefs regarding marriage. He states that, much like those who are pro-life (excluding radical activists who harass and commit crime,) we cannot and should not be intimated into silence. We must defend our beliefs with thoughtfulness, civility, and respect. We must be the highest and best examples of what we believe and provide living proof of the benefits of traditional marriage. It is only in this way that we can be influential in retaining our liberty to worship and marry as God has ordained. (Dushku. 2015)

Beckoning Light

Until Christ comes again to reign, the world still is and always will be in a fallen state. Our job is to live by gospel principles, obey the commandments, teach our children, and love one another no matter what happens around us. Let us be like the temple in Las Vegas, a shining white light, beckoning all to come unto Christ.

References

Dushku, A. (July 7, 2015). The religious freedom implications of the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage in Obergefell V. Hodges. Religious Freedom Annual Review (Conference). Brigham Young University. Retrieved from https://www.iclrs.org/content/events/111/2130.mp4