New questions emerge about LDS Church Prop 8 contributions

We all have our faults, and differences. From what I've read and understand Heavenly Father would like us to lead by example. You are right in that Christ taught love. As I have loved you love one another, by this shall men know ye are my diciples...I do know that GOD loves all His children. I do have a testimony of that. I wondered at one point if I loved certain children of mine more then the others, I lost a child in a car accident and wondered if it would of been up to me to choose which of my children I would of rather had die would it of been different. What I learned was that while I loved each child in different ways...I didn't love them any less and I couldn't pick any of my other children who I would want to live without either. Of coarse the choice wasn't mine and I have to deal with the loss, but because of that experience I do know just how great the worth of each soul is to our Heavenly Father regardless of the choices they make for themselves. He is always there. Hang in there Miss Diana there is a reason why you are in Utah and I do know that there are many great members out there, who really do want to be good God fearing people. They struggle with issues just like everyone else. I have many wonderful friends who did try to do the right thing. Remember no body is perfect. I came across a statement the other day that's given me much to ponder and reflect on. Especially since the first commandment is to Love God with all your heart might mind and strength, and the second is like unto it...Love thy neighbor as thy self.... keeping that in mind.. here is the statement.. Love is not a feeling or an emotion. It is a spirit of self sacrifice. It is a willingness to meet anothers need, even if it means sacrificing something we need or possess. No wonder love is so hard to give! Peace to you ?

Dragonfly, I am glad we can at least understand each other a bit here. I am very much the minority here in Utah Valley. People refuse to talk to me once they find out I am not a member, though they have no issue with me in any other way. They see me as nothing more than an evil apostate, and it is frustrating and alienating. I have lived in other states (California, New Mexico, Georgia, and Idaho) and no where else have I been treated with such distain. The closest experience is when I had a run in with a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses while I was tracting as an LDS missionary. MOST people are more tollerate than Utah Mormons. And let me make it clear, I am straight. I don't think all people should be gay or that marriage between a man and a woman is wrong. To each their own. Not all people are the same, and they shouldn't be. I think I get upset on the part of the homosexual cause because I have experience, first hand, of the righteous indignation from religious zealots. I don't think people who are different are treated fairly here in the midst of a Majority of Mormons. And yes, I was a member, and I was once on the other side of this argument. When I resigned from the church I was forced to form new views, since I no longer accepted what the church had outlined for me. Right and Wrong are now much fuzzier terms, and I don't see what harm it could cause for two people, who love each other, to have a legally binding relationship. I KNOW the LDS standpoint on that, believe me, I've heard it. I think there is a lot more harm for people to segregate themselves into categories (eg. member/ nonmember) and to try to control each others lives, thus creating animosity. I thought Jesus taught "Love One Another" not "Change everyone so they are just like you, and if they don't change insult and belittle them...then say 'I love you... but you need counceling you ridiculous moron'". I can't believe God means us all to be ONE way.

ABC4 Chris Vanogar is clearly pro gay! Whatever!! You gay people can "deceive" as many people as you like. It will never change the minds or help us (common sense/normal people) "see" that it is OK to marry, be able and OK to adopt children, or have any form of sex with members of the same sex. Why are there boy's "and" girls??? Is this not common sense? Of course it is!! This is not LDS thinking. It's common sense thinking!!! Wake up! If everyone "saw your point of view" the human race would cease to exist! Boy.. that's so hard to see! How could "straight"/"normal" people be so closed minded? Give me a break!

Miss Diana.. You need to get a clue!! Society the(people)(law) "NOT" just members of the LDS church say it's wrong to steal.. to molest children.. murder.. etc. ..and for people of the same sex to marry!!! Not only is that illeagl, but "MOST" people (that's most "PEOPLE" not just Mormons!)also think and believe it's wrong to have sex with a member of the same sex!!! ..Now, just because you want/choose to do so.. it doesn't make it right! ..or make anyone "look" or "believe" another point (yours) of view!! There are people who steel, murder, and molest children who "feel" they should be entitled to do so as well. ..Does that change the minds (or convince the rest of us to see "another"/"your" point of view) of those (MOST) of us who "believe" and "know" otherwise! Absolutely not!!! Again.. counceling!! Lots and lots of counceling!!!

I have to say that there was a point that I wondered if you were being cryptic...but then some of the comments were really not very nice at all...I don't live in Utah so I don't deal with Happy Valley syndrome....I will say that Utah Mormons are unique especially those born and raised in Utah who've never lived any where else and who've had nothing but member friends their whole lives. It is very different living other places. It's easy to be a Mormon when you live in Utah and all your friends are LDS. You are not challenged and don't have to go out of your comfort zone to get to know others who are not of our faith because all your neighbors and the people your kids go to school with are in your ward. I lived there over 10 years. I didn't have friends that were non-members. We now live in a small branch in a small town and I actually love it. My children have had to face just what you're talking about. Many people in this little town think the church sent us out here to live. They've had all sorts of questions asked them not only by other students but by teachers. It's nothing new for my husband and I but it is for our children and I don't regret this test that they have to go through, because it does teach them much from being the minority, to belonging to a group who is greatly misunderstood(my oldest daughter was told that it was still legal to kill mormons in MO), along with them having to decide and develope their own testimonies...anyway....I do sympathize in many ways and it's difficult in this setting to be able to voice them all. This has been a real test of faith to many members because they deal with family who face these trials...I can't even imagine and pray that I don't have to. I feel this is just a test of things to come. The parable of the wheat and the tares comes to mind, and the harvest is fast approaching.

Are you people not smart enough to figure out that I am trying to help you see another point of view? Since you obviously can't sympathize I was making it personal. Putting it in perspective. If a group of people who have nothing to do with you, swept in and excercised their power of speech to vote on how you live your life you would not be happy. But you can't even say, "Wow, you know, it really does seem harsh that we think we know better and get to control their lives." I don't know why I would be suprised by your lack of sympathy toward your fellow man.

Temper tantrums in toddlers are funny, but in adults it's down right scary! We agree on something.

OUCH! you give enough rope to a person and they'll hang themselves with it. "Me and all my gay amd athiest friends will rally together, make a coalition with the KKK, and Neo Natzees (it won't let me post the correct spelling) and we'll make sure you do what WE think is right." This is the mentality that all the gay activist seem to have. Respect us and if you don't watch out!!! Temper tantrums in toddlers are funny, but in adults it's down right scary!

How dare these Mormons use their power of free speech. Only people who agree with how I feel should be allowed to speak. Only non-profits I agree with should be allowed tax exempt status. How dare those people try to express themselves in the open media (go back to your closets).

I think more we can all agree more money & time needs to be spent on the real problem.