Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Thoughts on Conference

I thoroughly enjoyed General Conference last weekend, it was so wonderful to be uplifted and strengthened by our General Authorities. I know that President Packer's talk was met with some resistence by several individuals. Our church has definitely received a lot of criticism due to our stance on homosexuality. I can definitely understand why our beliefs are met with such anger and resentment. However, I wanted to say that we have never preached hatred against the GLBT population. On the contrary, we've been told to treat them with love and respect and as sons and daughters of God. Anyone who treats these individuals contrary to that is wrong. I have the utmost respect and compassion for homosexuals. I will honestly say that I'm grateful that isn't my lot in life.

On the otherhand, I am grateful for church leaders that are willing to take a stand and aren't afraid to teach hard doctrine. I have no doubt Elder Packer knew the reprocussions of making such statements, but I fully sustain him as a prophet, seer, and revelator, and I know that the doctrine of marriage and family as taught by our church is the word of God and all that is said in the Proclamation to the World is true doctrine. I'm grateful to know that the leaders I look to for guidance will not be swayed by the views and current issues in the world, but that they will speak according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and neither am I.