What is This, the 1830-40s?

So I was chuckling to myself about how in my Cooling Runnings post I said I was taking a break from politics, and my very next post was about Conservatism. Well, I'm not done yet. But actually, today its not about politics. Today is about religion (don't they tell you never to talk politics or religion?). In the few days since the election, I have been driven nearly to tears on more than one occasion from the persecution the Church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that is) has faced since Proposition 8 was passed (a big shout-out to California for passing Prop 8!). Anti-Prop 8 folks are giving all the blame (or credit) of the Prop 8 pass to the LDS Church. On election night I was sent a message about a commercial that an anti-prop group (I don't remember their name, something about "courage") made. It depicted two young men, clearly supposed to be Mormon missionaries, knocking on a lesbian couple's door and saying "Hi, we're from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we're here to take away your rights." The commercial went on the show the two 'missionaries' pillaging the home until they found the couple's marriage certificate and tearing it to pieces. I was so furious. So mad it drove me to tears. How come anti-Prop people are allowed to share their opinions, but when the Church stands up for what is right, we are a bunch of bigots?

On Thursday anti-Prop people staged a protest march on the Los Angeles Temple. I watched a video of it at work, and was once again almost in tears. They were shouting hateful things, had signs saying "Go to Hell, Mormons" and were banging, yes banging, on the gates of the Temple. It gave me chills. What is this, the 1830-40s? I was telling C about it, about how they weren't organized or peaceful or respectable, or trying to get a meaningful point across. They were wild and hateful. They were like . . . . a mob? C asked. Yes. That was exactly it. And our Church doesn't have the best history with mobs. Remember Kirtland? And Independence? And Far West? And Nauvoo? This isn't the same, I know, but I've never seen the Church persecuted like this, not right in front of my face on CNN Video. I was sick, watching them bang on the gates of our glimmering white temple. Then I couldn't help but think, could the people inside the Temple hear them? Probably not, they build those temples pretty sound-proof. But can you imagine if they could? Or if you looked out out the window or walked out the door and saw that mob? Talk about leaving Zion and walking straight into Babylon. Then I proceeded to read the comments posted below the video--big mistake. One man said the Romans had it right, all Christians should have been killed a long time ago (what? how is that not discriminatory?). Another man said he lived in Utah--he knew all about that evil Mormon cult and their founder James Smith (not even kidding--he said James Smith). So much hate. And this whole time the Church has insisted this isn't about hate or money or politics or power; its about family.
People who are pro-gay marriage have a right to say so, but do it civilly. Do it gracefully. Not like this:

My father in law said a while ago that he believed this is the issue that would ultimately divide the Church from the rest of the world. I think he's right.

And of course the mainstream media would never mention this, but the Church actually came out with an official statement on the election results. This is an excerpt from the Church's website:

Most likely, the election results for these constitutional amendments will not mean an end to the debate over same-sex marriage in this country.

We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will be well informed and act in a spirit of

mutual respect and civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.

It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has always been about the sacred and

divine institution of marriage — a union between a man and a woman.

Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.

Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact, churches and religious organizations are well within their constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on important issues.

I love the Temple.

I love the Gospel.

The last few days have been emotionally difficult for me. Watching people persecute and desecrate something they do not understand and are never willing to understand. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who will take care of his people, even if it involves challenging them along the way. And I'm grateful for a Prophet who is a Prophet regardless of what the World says. And I'm grateful that when the world is crazy and people are banging on temple gates and seeking to take away testimonies and destroy the family and challenge the very God that created them, I can come home to my loving righteous husband, close the door, and remember who we are and what we know.