PRISONERS OF ZION- the Road for Temporal Equality
By Katerina du Lac
January 20, 2012
SAN
FRANCISCO- Temporal Equality is part of Heavenly Father’s plan for
peace on earth as well as the plan of Heaven. Chaos, hate, violence,
indifference, bigotry and discrimination have no room nor is it in the
plan of happiness. While Saints are no stranger to these things, it does
not give us the right to continue placing the focus onto others and is
not in Heavenly Father’s blueprint for the Saints in the restored
church. As Saints we fought persecution, riots and mobs as the church
moved westward and yet we now in latter days raise these mobs and riots
upon our own people and families.
I
believe solely that we have the restored gospel and that we are built
upon the doctrines and principles of Christ’s church; therefore we need
to stop resting our qualms, theories, and policies from the false
interpretations from the Old Testament an human infallibility of our
leaders regardless their true calling and authority by the keys Heavenly
Father has given them Himself.
As
a society and church we still act as victims of our westward trek,
which in reality taught us the importance of family and coming together
as a people, united for the preservation of Zion while brought together
in commonality to stand for one another and our church; thus finding
ourselves tearing apart the very fabric of preservation of all Saints
choosing not to live by the greatest commandment and foundation of the
church, love thy neighbor as thyself. Love one another and yet after the
inception of the doctrine and principle of this church we push our
loved ones to drugs, suicide, and exile from church and family because
of our take on how we feel about Human Equality to our LGBTQQIAA
brothers and sisters. The lives and callings the children of Heavenly
Father are living are because of the choice the made in the preexistence
with their contract and convenant with Heavenly Father. Even in the
basic fundamental principle taught in missionary lessons, we tend to
forget, that we came down to earth to live, to be a gift and light to
all people that we may learn to be trusted with the great things of
heaven. Who better to reach out to LGBT Community than that of our LGBT
members. However, we chose to abuse the great things of Heaven given to
us temporally, one another.
Over
100 years later the LDS church still faces persecution among societal
and religious sects, especially in America, and yet we aren’t able to
learn form our own suffering as we cause others top suffer by our words
and actions.
We
are losing precious souls in the fight for Human Equality, where we
need to take a stand, as a church, for one another embracing each other
and lifting them up in love and support so they have the strength and
hope against the pressures outside of the church. We pushed and caused
to many souls to fall away because of our policies. Do we have a
conscience about how we harm one another. It’s easy to say No LGBT
Mormon would choose their life. Every spirit child chooses their life
before we came to this earth, and the suffering they will face from
societal pressures, however where we expect to find refuge non is found.
Not only the refuge of the Temple denied to most, the refuge and
foundation is also absent in the families of those who are LGBT.
How
will the church survive without another divide among the church, when
her body is torn on the LGBT, or Human Rights issue. If we as a church
took a stand for all people, we would truly find peace in Zion on the
earth as we become the ultimate beacon and light to all people
worldwide, member and non member alike. For we already possess the
blueprint in the law of Consecration, Service, and Hospitality for when
there is peace among the people, peace among the enemies can begin.
As
a LGBTQQIAA member of the church I hold fast to my baptism and temple
covenants. I bear witness to the doctrine and principles of the church
and sustain our priesthood leaders, and I don’t blindly accept all our
policies.
A
quote from a favorite book of mine, “the Stallion Warriors,” forever
remains true on the road to temporal equality; “To be a LGBT Mormon is a
tremendous calling. The only way that I can explain it is to think of
them in this way: God’s angels, with incredibly enduring spirits.”
Until
we as a church, as a great people can stand for the weak and torment,
we will keep ourselves and our brothers and sisters prisoners form the
great and true blessings of Heaven. Ask ourselves how we can deny rights
to others and block people from fighting for their rights, when Joseph
Smith told the Saints to stand your ground and we as people have
rights-fight for them in court if need to but stand your ground. The
precious souls of those who are LGBT and allies will continue to fight
for Temporal Equality for all God’s children.
