Standing Alone

It's not easy to go it alone, but it's worth it.

I was having a conversation with my mom this afternoon about standing up for things, even if it means you have to do it alone. Little did I realize I'd find myself doing that exact thing the same day. Lucky for me, I have people around me with great moral character.

While I can't necessarily remember completely how we got onto the subject that we did, me and my mom still had a conversation that led to courage. I have a great mom, the best mom in fact. My mom has that perfect balance of parent, and friend. I respect her and would do anything to make her proud, but I can talk to her like an old friend. While she scolds me and parents me when necessary, she gives me advice and jokes around with me like a friend. I think everyone needs a friend like that.

Anyways, we had a conversation today about the LDS church and the stand we took against Prop 8 a couple of years ago. Proposition 8 was a law in California that banned homosexual marriage in the state. Now, unless you live in a cave, you know that gay rights are a very hot button issue in America right now. My mom and I were looking at why the church was so bold in the stand they took. Why would a church that's trying to put out a good image to the world jeopardize it over something like this? The answer is much simpler than you'd think.

Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.

I have a good friend that has denounced his beliefs. While he grew up LDS, he has recently declared himself  as a "nondenominational christian". Most of his views on things are neutral and on the fence, or they're on the side everyone takes, as to not step on any toes. He believes that as long as we believe in Christ and have faith in Him, we will be saved. I once asked him why he believed in these things. His response was that his works will show his faith, and thus save him.  Looking at that statement, and his views on issues such as gay marriage just don't add up. I believe that he's right, faith without works is dead. I also believe that one of the greatest acts of faith is defending what Christ has taught us. I was talking to another friend about this who is closer to my good friend than I am and he told me that "he's having a really hard time because he feels he's alone." 

Now it all makes sense.

But it's not justified.

Just this last October, President Thomas S. Monson perfectly illustrated what I'm trying to explain:

"As we go about living from day to day, it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not. Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone? As holders of the priesthood of God, it is essential that we are able to face—with courage—whatever challenges come our way. Remember the words of Tennyson: 

'My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.'"

Couldn't have said it better myself.

The reason the church took such a bold stand against gay marriage is because we believe in the Family. The family is a sacred and critical component to our Heavenly Father's plan and we must boldly defend that sacred vessel amongst the onslaught of opposition.  We have a duty as disciples of Christ to defend the family, and that's what the church did. Do we hate homosexuals? No. Do we belittle them and cast them out? No. But are we going to compromise our stand on something we hold so sacred?

Never.

Standing alone is hard. But it's meant to be that way. Tonight I was hanging out with my friends. We started to watch a movie that happens to be one of my friend's favorites. We started watching the movie and I had a feeling that I need to check the rating. I asked them what it was rated and they told me "R". I have been raised my whole life to not watch R rated movies. I don't look down on anyone at all if they do, it's a personal choice. I know that most of my friends were not raised that way, again, I don't look down on them at all. But here I am, sitting with my best friends, and I have to make a decision: do I just sit here and watch the movie, or do I leave? I am risking friendship, I'm risking being made fun of, I'm risking being looked at as  a wimp, etc. Eventually I remembered the example of my sister, who years ago was at a party where they watched a movie that she didn't feel comfortable with. Even though she was made fun of, she called and got a ride home. She had the courage to stand up for her beliefs and leave the party. Eventually I finally said that I didn't want to ruin the party so I was just going to head home.

Without hesitation, my friends immediately said "hey, we'll just change the movie man. We want you to stay." I apologized for making them change the film, but one of them even said "no man, thanks for having the courage to speak up."

Wow. Those guys have some character to them. I really feel blessed tonight to have such great friends that didn't waste a second to accommodate my standards, silly as they may be.

President Monson went on to say,

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven."

"When you are forced to stand alone, 

you realize what you have in you."

AMS