A warning voice to the United States

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that California's Proposition 8 (the voter-approved measure that outlawed gay-marriage there in 2008) was unconstitutional on the grounds that it "lessen[ed] the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California" (Michael De Groote, "Reaction swift to latest Prop. 8 ruling", Deseret News, Wednesday 8 February 2012, A1).  In view of the above statement made by Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the 9th Circuit, The Mormon Eagle feels to raise a warning voice to the people of the United States at large concerning the decrees of God on the subject of homosexual activity, and the fate of the United States of America if she does not keep the commandments of God as revealed through ancient and modern Prophets and Apostles.

Homosexual Activity Wrong

The Eagle must first here state that God views all individuals as His children, and has an infinite love for them.  However, He has given commandments through His Prophets against certain actions, homosexual activity being one of them.


The Lord said through His servant Moses, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" (Lev. 18:22).  1,500 years later, the Apostle Paul taught, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet" (Romans 1:26-27).  The Apostle Jude taught, "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 1:7).  Lastly, President Boyd K. Packer explained that "there are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature. . . . To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil will not prevent the pain and penalties that will follow as surely as night follows day" ("Cleansing the Inner Vessel", October 2010 General Conference).

Now, before one calls me a bigot, I must here state that I am not a bigot.  I try to love all people, no matter their sexual orientation, for that is what the Savior Jesus Christ did.  However, my stating what Prophets and Apostles in both past and current dispensations have said does not make me a bigot.  One is free to do as he will, but neither he nor the United States can escape the consequences, both here and in the hereafter.

Fate of the United States on her present course

The United States of America faces a dreadful fate if she continues rejecting the words of God's Prophets and Apostles.  The Prophet Moroni taught, "And thus the Lord did pour out his blessings upon this land, which was choice above all other lands; and he commanded that whoso should possess the land should possess it unto the Lord, or they should be destroyed when they were ripened in iniquity; for upon such, saith the Lord: I will pour out the fulness of my wrath" (Ether 9:20).  Elder Mark E. Petersen warned that "no people can fight God and live!  Every nation will feel a chastening hand if it turns its back upon the Ruler of Heaven and violates his eternal precepts" ("O America, America", October 1979 General Conference).  President George A. Smith gave the most stern warning of all.  Said he, "When God has a Prophet on the earth, and that Prophet tells the people what to do, and they neglect to do it, they must suffer for it.  I bear witness before you, this day, in the name of the Lord God of Israel, that no people can treat lightly the sayings of a Prophet of God, whom He places on the earth to direct His people, and prosper. I know it is impossible" (Journal of Discourses 1:193).  President Brigham Young said of America and the Civil War, "If [the United States] had hearkened to the counsel of [the Prophet Joseph Smith], this nation would have had no wars; there would have been no division in the Government, but it would have gone on in harmony and prosperity" (JD 12:120-121).

The actions of the people of the United States will turn to her destruction unless the people repent and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith the Prophet and currently taught by President Thomas S. Monson, the Lord's representative on Earth today.  I know this is hard to hear, but it is true.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Repeal of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act bad news for USA

On Thursday 10 November 2011, CNN wrote, "Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to repeal the federal law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman."  For those non-Jurists, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is the body of eighteen members through which all issues to be voted upon by both the House and the Senate must first pass.  Therefore, since the majority (ten Democrats) on the Committee voted "yes" to the repeal of DOMA, it is now able to pass onto the floor of the 100-member Senate, then in to the House of Representatives.  The repeal would need a two-third majority vote in both the House and the Senate for DOMA to be repealed.

Since The Mormon Eagle exists to help promulgate and defend correct doctrine, I quote Mr. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council.  He pointedly states why defending marriage is so important.  Since the Latter-day Saints assimilate all truth, the Eagle puts Perkins' statement in because it is true.  Said he, "Marriage is not some prize that liberals can award to a small, vocal and already well-off special interest group.  Marriage between one man and one woman was created prior to the formation of any governments and is given benefits by governments because it uniquely contributes to a productive society."

The Way of Sodom and Gomorrah
If the Federal Defense of Marriage act is repealed, its repeal effectively legalized gay-marriage nationwide, and no State's rights arguments can be used against it.  CNN writes, "Democrats said the repeal would not require states to legalize same-sex marriage or otherwise impede on a state's rights on the matter.  Republicans said the repeal would alter the institution of marriage between a man and woman, and also would increase the cost burden on the federal government by expanding the number of eligible beneficiaries."  Remember, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the evils of homosexual relations.  The United States of America has a Divinely inspired Constitution, and has received Divine protection in the past, but only because the majority of people living within her borders kept the commandments of God.  If this nation accepts as normal, right, and proper certain things condemned in both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, God will no longer hold His protective hand over her, but will destroy her.

The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth, So Help You God
The Mormon Eagle must declare the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help it God.  Therefore, as an unofficial source for correct doctrine, the Eagle declares what Prophets and Apostles have always declared.  Modern Prophets and Apostles have warned,  

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . . We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. . . . The family is ordained of God.  Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. . . . We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.  We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World", General Relief Society Meeting, 23 September 1995).

 

The Prophet Moroni warned what would happen if the United States rejects the commandments of God in favor of the evils of the world.  Said he,

And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them.  And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.  For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God.  And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. . . . Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written (Ether 2:9-10, 12).

Isaiah taught, "For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory.  The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not.  Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves" (Isaiah 3:8-9).  Isaiah here declares the reason Israel as a nation would be taken into captivity nearly one hundred years after Isaiah's time (around 588 BC's Babylonian captivity).  The reason was because the people as a whole rejected the words of the Prophets, and fell into homosexuality.  

The Bible declares the consequences of the evils of homosexuality, the Book of Mormon declares what will occur if America does not think straight (pun intended), and living Prophets and Apostles warn us anew today.  I know what I have said is true, and that the Divine institution of marriage is the glue that will hold the American society together.  If it goes, so does America.  Let us heed the words of the Prophets and Apostles and all Holy Writ, both ancient and modern, so that the anger of God is not incurred upon our heads.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mormon Theology no. 12 - Homosexuality and the LDS Church

Sean P. Means recently wrote an article in the Salt Lake Tribune about a documentary made by an ex-now-turned-anti-Mormon about the LDS Church's stance on Proposition 8, which Proposition banned gay marriage in California in the summer of 2008.  The film maker's name is Reed Cowan.  The article states: "It may be the friendliest audience Reed Cowan will get in Utah.  Cowan received two sustained standing ovations Sunday for his documentary '8: The Mormon Proposition,' which harshly criticizes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its campaigning for California's ban on same-sex marriage."

Notwithstanding the fact that same sex marriage is condemned by the LDS Church, it is nevertheless also condemned by God and by both ancient and modern prophets.  We will discuss the LDS Church's stance on this issue, and persuade those erring in doctrine as well as in practice to come to repentance and back into the Sheepfold.

When Elohim created the earth, He said to Jehovah His Son, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Gen. 2:18).  The Holy Bible continues, "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in the stead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man" (Gen. 2:21-22).  Here we see that God gave to the first man a woman, showing that the union of man and woman (whether physical, spiritual, or emotional) is ordained of Him, and no other type of union.

To illustrate this face further, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire and brimstone from Heaven on account of their sexual deviance, including, but not limited to, homosexual activity, which is seen when the men of the city said to Lot concerning the Angels, "bring them out unto us, that we may know them" (Gen 19:5).  The Biblical term "know" speaks of sexual relations, such as when the Holy Bible states that Adam knew Eve and she had a son from that union.

Homosexual activity was also condemned with the death penalty by ancient Israel: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" (Lev. 18:22), and also Lev. 20:13, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

Well did Paul the Apostle say that the Roman "women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet" (Romans 1:27).  His fellow brother in the Quorum of the Twelve, namely Jude, says, "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 1:7).

We have seen herein, insofar as we have traveled this road of scripture, that the Bible clearly condemns acts of homosexuality.  Likewise also does the Book of Mormon, with clearer words.  Hear the words of the Lord through our beloved Brother Jacob: "Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts" (Jacob 2:27-28).

The Doctrine Set Forth
Notwithstanding the fact that the LDS Church is hounded by accusations of hating gays, the word of the Lord through Joseph Smith the Prophet has this to say on all matters regarding sin: "Thou shalt live together in love" (D&C 42:45).  Also the Lord in the Book of Mormon says, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.  Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away" (3 Nephi 11:29-30).  Our beloved Brother Paul admonishes us, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).  Homosexual activity of any kind whatsoever is wrong and against the commandments of God.  In a letter dated 14 November 1991, the First Presidency said, "There is a distinction between immoral thoughts and feelings and participating in either immoral heterosexual or any homosexual behavior.  However, such thoughts and feelings, regardless of their causes, can and should be overcome and sinful behavior should be eliminated" ("Office of the First Presidency, letter to all members of the Church", Eternal Marriage Student Manual).  However, the Lord also does not condone gay-bashing.  The people of the Church are to love all people and to persuade them to come unto Christ and resist sin, no matter what it is.

Hope in the Hope of Israel
Notwithstanding the hardness of the doctrine, there is hope, coupled with knowledge revealed to a living Prophet and Apostles.  Like Nephi of old, the LDS Church knows that "[God] loveth His children; nevertheless, [we] do not know the meaning of all things" (1 Nephi 11:17).  However, Elder Lance B. Wickman of the Seventy has taught that "same-gender attraction did not exist in the pre-earth life and neither will it exist in the next life.  It is a circumstance that for whatever reason or reasons seems to apply right now in mortality, in this nano-second of our eternal existence" ("Same-Gender Attraction",2006, Interview between LDS Public Affairs, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Lance B. Wickman of the First Quorum of the Seventy).  I boldly bear witness to this truth.  The temptation to be attracted to the same gender will go away in the next life.  We just need to keep the commandments.  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful.  By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it" (History of the Church, 5:361–62).

I know this is true.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.