Because of the discussion on Proposition 8 in California and because of some friends who have declared themselves gay, I have been thinking a lot about the homosexual issue.

I have so much compassion for individuals who are challeged with this trial. It would be difficult. But, like those of us (which I this is most people) who have challenges keeping chaste outside of the bounds of marriage, I firmly believe that these trials can be overcome and that good, happy, and fulfilling lives can be led.

I have found this interview conducted between a member of church public affairs and Elder Oaks and Elder Wickman. I find it very informative.

Here is a particularly good exerpt that could serve as a summary:

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: So you are saying that homosexual feelings are controllable?
ELDER OAKS: Yes, homosexual feelings are controllable. Perhaps there is an inclination or susceptibility to such feelings that is a reality for some and not a reality for others. But out of such susceptibilities come feelings, and feelings are controllable. If we cater to the feelings, they increase the power of the temptation. If we yield to the temptation, we have committed sinful behavior. That pattern is the same for a person that covets someone else’s property and has a strong temptation to steal. It’s the same for a person that develops a taste for alcohol. It’s the same for a person that is born with a ‘short fuse,’ as we would say of a susceptibility to anger. If they let that susceptibility remain uncontrolled, it becomes a feeling of anger, and a feeling of anger can yield to behavior that is sinful and illegal.
We’re not talking about a unique challenge here. We’re talking about a common condition of mortality. We don’t understand exactly the ‘why,’ or the extent to which there are inclinations or susceptibilities and so on. But what we do know is that feelings can be controlled and behavior can be controlled. The line of sin is between the feelings and the behavior. The line of prudence is between the susceptibility and the feelings. We need to lay hold on the feelings and try to control them to keep us from getting into a circumstance that leads to sinful behavior.
ELDER WICKMAN: One of the great sophistries of our age, I think, is that merely because one has an inclination to do something, that therefore acting in accordance with that inclination is inevitable. That’s contrary to our very nature as the Lord has revealed to us. We do have the power to control our behavior.

And:

ELDER WICKMAN: There’s really no question that there is an anguish associated with the inability to marry in this life. We feel for someone that has that anguish. I feel for somebody that has that anguish. But it’s not limited to someone who has same-gender attraction.
We live in a very self-absorbed age. I guess it’s naturally human to think about my own problems as somehow greater than someone else’s. I think when any one of us begins to think that way, it might be well be to look beyond ourselves. Who am I to say that I am more handicapped, or suffering more, than someone else?
I happen to have a handicapped daughter. She’s a beautiful girl. She’ll be 27 next week. Her name is Courtney. Courtney will never marry in this life, yet she looks wistfully upon those who do. She will stand at the window of my office which overlooks the Salt Lake Temple and look at the brides and their new husbands as they’re having their pictures taken. She’s at once captivated by it and saddened because Courtney understands that will not be her experience here. Courtney didn’t ask for the circumstances into which she was born in this life, any more than somebody with same-gender attraction did. So there are lots of kinds of anguish people can have, even associated with just this matter of marriage. What we look forward to, and the great promise of the gospel, is that whatever our inclinations are here, whatever our shortcomings are here, whatever the hindrances to our enjoying a fullness of joy here, we have the Lord’s assurance for every one of us that those in due course will be removed. We just need to remain faithful.

This is how I feel...

...on gay marriage rights.

But this is organized, and already written.

Aren't I lazy.

Doing some mad linkage here...

Maybe someday I will convince you all that I have at least one original thought in my head, but right now here is another link to something I think is funny and pertinent to Prop 8.

This gal cracks me up.

Good Commentary

Oh my gosh.

This is one of the best articles ever, but I say that about most of the posts on this site.

So I'm just going to put the site in my side bar and encourage everyone to read.

Hilarious, sobering, enlightening stuff that resonates with me.

Thanks.

General Conference

Can I tell you how much I enjoy General Conference?
So far it has effectively served to inspire me to want to be less cynical.
Oh the irony. I think of myself as a very positive and happy person, but when it comes to things I write about on this blog I find the words come so much easier on topics I feel very negatively about. What flaw in my character makes the myriad of joyful topics I think about difficult to articulate and yet lets me unleash the biting words when I get angry?
I will have to ponder that a bit and then make a concerted effort to change.

Let's start with the specific things that I have loved about conference so far.
I love that the leadership in the church is reflecting the increasing diversity of the church. For an example of what I mean, we had Sister Allred (from El Salvador), Brother Aidukaitis (from Brazil), and Brother Causse (from France) all speak today.
I loved the primary chior that sang in the second session.
I love the very apparant, sincere love that the apostles have for each other and everyone else.
I love that Elder Wirthlin still gives talks even though he cannot stand and it is obviously getting hard for him to see. His talks are always some of my favorites. He has this dry humor that always has me rolling.
I am so excited for the 5 new temples that were announced, and was especially shocked/happy (along with everyone else) about the Rome, Italy temple.
I don't usually cry. I am pretty callous sometimes. But I have a soft spot for children, and the story Elder Holland told about a 7 year old boy hit me hard. Possibly because I could visualize my just-8 year old brother in a situation like that and reacting like that. At any rate, it hit a trigger and the tears flowed. Perhaps Elder Holland's delivery of the talk had something to do with it too. He is one of the best orators I've ever heard.
I love all of the additional insight and the overall desire to ponder that I feel now.

So that is my day in a nutshell. I am looking forward to tomorrow.

I was very, very wrong...

For you see, when they voted last time I thought it actually meant something.
Oops...what actually happened was these corrupt, self-serving, sorry excuses of human beings called "representatives" were just holding out until a few b.i.l.l.i.o.n. could be added for their pet special interest causes hassle free.

Well isn't that nice.

I sure hope they feel good about themselves now, defying their constituents and all. Taking the high road of "we're doing it for their own good, they just aren't smart enough to know what that is".

I am so impressed.

But then again...maybe not.