Timely Message

Inspiring:



Thank you, President Packer, for saying what I wait every General Conference to hear.  On some issues it just seems that, for whatever reason, the Brethren speak vaguely or generally, their words are twisted and manipulated to meet certain persons' needs and desires.  But in this instance, I felt the purpose and point of the talk were crystal clear.  President Packer's conference address, regardless of the incredible amount of political, social and religious (not to mention hypocritical and pathetic) backlash, was one of humility, compassion and love.  To infer anything else would be willfully and knowingly contrary to the intent and delivery, as would be obvious to any open-minded person who actually bothered to listen to/read the talk.  I've been feeling lately there's a pretty big problem with the rising generation having to do with victim mentality, a sense of entitlement and an overall know-it-all attitude (and I don't exclude myself in said generation).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a doctrine of empowerment and encouragement, perspective and humility, understanding we are basically nothing without Him.  Ignoring all of that would be a huge personal and eternal disservice.

Things are getting more and more black and white these days, for better or worse, and lines are definitely being drawn and sides are definitely being taken.  I believe I said several years ago that this would be the issue that divides the Church, and it breaks my heart to see it happening more and more openly and blatantly.  Sinful tendencies, behavior, or even thought patterns of any kind (that's ANY kind) can and must be overcome.  Such is the state of humanity and the promise of the Atonement.  This is refreshing and necessary to constantly review, and really quite empowering.  Thank you again for the reminder, President Packer.

Open Letter to Mr. Ricky Martin

Dear Ricky,

I don't think you're gay.  I think you are bored, spoiled, oversexualized, probably more than a little bit perverted, and that this is a last ditch attempt to save your floundering career.  Pretty sure you'll be back to straight once you fall into obscurity again.

Regards,

Drew

(I mean, really, why do has-beens feel the need to come out when no one even cares what they're doing in their personal life?  They're not doing any favors to anyone, not even the agenda to which they currently ascribe.  Bleh.  Everyone knows they only play Ricky Martin songs on the oldies stations anymore, right Melody?)

Post-Prop 8 Goings-On

Oh my word... Things have exploded in the world. I have a few very interesting things to post about what's been happening since the people voted and Prop 8 was passed (as well as related propositions in other states), but I recommend people visit Lili's blog, because she has been keeping quite up to date with a lot of brilliant thoughts and damning evidence of intolerance by the No on 8 crowd.

Let me start by saying this: This is a democracy. Concerning socially desired changes of policy, there is a certain protocol that must be followed. Some such issue is brought to the table, the people vote, and that's it. Sometimes there are changes or amendments or whatever, but in general, that is how it works. When a presidential candidate I don't much care for is elected, I might complain as far as my personal and rational sphere allows, but I suck it up, hope for the best, and move on. When Prop 8 was passed the first time (this news surprised my roommate when I told him yesterday... he wondered why they even voted on it again if it's already passed... Good question, Jeff), that should have been it. Instead, the activists pressured and prodded until the powers that be overturned the voted-upon result and another proposition was up for debate. Does this not steam anybody else?? Does the majority vote not matter anymore?? I don't know why anyone's surprised it passed again, when you think of it. It passed last time, and societal morals don't shift that dramatically in just a few years. I will say that, unfortunately, I feel this is a delay of the inevitable, however, since by the time the older generations are gone, the younger, indoctrinated generation of voters will be around. Who knows, though? Maybe tradition and values will play a part even in the malleable minds of the MTV generation.

So, some of the things going around.

This is an outrageous, unfounded and pretty much ridiculous attack against the Church's involvement in the Proposition 8 issue. I mean... seriously?...

Here is an LA Times article citing the absurd protests at the LA temple... I mean, really, what do they expect? That the temple president is going to say, "Hmmm, you're totally right! Your obviously love-motivated actions have made me realize that the Church and dozens of other churches were wrong to promote family values and traditional morals! Since I'm the head of the LDS Church, I'm going to do something about it right this moment!" Please!!! I've never seen such hatred and intolerance displayed than in the articles about these protests. It's like a child having a tantrum because his mom didn't give him a cookie. And when people start blocking entrance and/or exit from MY temples, I am NOT happy. That's infringing on religious liberties, which ARE unalienable constitutional rights.

Then, a little closer to home, this article tells of the pointless and misdirected efforts of those protesting in Salt Lake City. Honestly, when are these people going to realize that there was a VOTE, and the majority spoke? It's stupid anyway, as if the LDS Church is the only one who participated in support of this proposition? Here's an awesome excerpt from the article:

Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, Calif., and former bishop of the Dioceses of Salt Lake City, lent his support to the LDS Church in a statement Friday.

"Catholics stand in solidarity with our Mormon brothers and sisters in support of traditional marriage — the union of one man and one woman — that has been the major building block of Western civilization for millennia," Weigand said in the statement.

"The ProtectMarriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included — but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos."

Weigand called the "bigoted attacks on Mormons" for their part in the coalition "shameful."

"I call upon the supporters of same-sex marriage to live by their own words and to refrain from discrimination against religion and to exercise tolerance for those who differ from them," he said. "I call upon them to accept the will of the people of California in the passage of Proposition 8."

And finally (for now), this is the ultimate expression of intolerance. See for yourself, it'll blow you away. They dare demand tolerance while exhibiting this kind of behavior?? Can it be a joke?...

One good thing I will cite, though, is a news feature about the SLC protests featuring my dad, and the full, raw footage of the interview with Dad, one of the few people willing to stand up against the attacks and against the moral decline of the country, as far as he's able anyway. I applaud anyone who is brave enough to take a stand like this.

In other avenues, WTH?!? First Richard Dutcher, then Stephenie Meyer, and now Steve Young?? Is it at all possible for a Mormon in the spotlight to stand up and be a decent representative of the Church??

"To the One..."

Apparently I was the subject of a most vicious and bitter (and, to borrow a phrase, poorly-constructed yet potentially harmful) blog diatribe back in the midst of my first new-to-the-blogging-world controversy which came to my attention just tonight. I am continually amazed at the passionate feelings this subject elicits, although I guess by now I really shouldn't be. I realize my very being is a threat to a currently popular worldview, but I am who I am. So yeah, according to this blogpost, I exhibit "a limited vocabulary and ... inadequate grasp of grammar", a certain amount of self-loathing, and old-fashioned views. Oh, and my Hmong name is the result of a diet Sprite spill on my computer keyboard (that was actually pretty amusing).

Ummm... I write in general against principles and subjects, never against individuals. Why is it okay for some people to do that?

Link

P.S. the link above contains some swears, but even more dangerous are the falsehoods and tragic story of a misdirected and misunderstood loss of faith. Just so you know.

Coming Out (and Related Stories)...

Well, I hesitated for a moment before posting this, but I figure it's going to be pretty much public knowledge by the weekend anyway, so...


A few related incidents concerning relevant events have happened in the last few days. First, on Monday, Dad went to the Affirmation press conference in Salt Lake City. For those who are unaware, Affirmation is a group of GLBT LDS people which insists that the Church change its time-honored and God-inspired doctrine on homosexuality in the LDS Church. This apostate group promotes false ideals, maintains that the Church is incorrect in its standards on this issue, and are trying their darndest to pressure the General Authorities into changing true doctrine so they can validate and rationalize their indulgent lifestyle and the anti-Atonement doctrine of accepting sexual abnormality as natural and even preferable, rather than believing in the power of and ability (and necessity) to change. They believe in the Church, somehow, yet insist they are mistreated and that the light by which the Prophet et al. are working is incorrect (??). They apparently had a meeting scheduled with Church leaders, and even though it was canceled (could be just postponed), they decided to hold their whiny press conference anyway. Here, as predicted, they responded to press questions and spouted loaded rhetoric and overblown statistics. Dad was in attendance, and was able to observe their false and half-true statements, as well as ask some questions of his own, and they actually revealed a rather significant part of their agenda--the eventual allowance of gays and lesbians to be married and sealed in the LDS temples. As shocking as this may be for some people, remember that this has been a goal of theirs for quite some time, and they truly believe that President Monson is the chink in the armor that they need. With new leadership came a renewed effort to pressure the Lord's kingdom on earth into accepting errant sexual behavior as normal. I feel for these people, and can actually even understand part of their point-of-view, but they need a reality check--it's not going to happen. Read for yourself. Later in the day, after Dad handed out his card to some of the audience, including press, he was contacted by Katy Carlyle of Fox News to do a short interview on the street in downtown Salt Lake (apparently the Church was either unwilling or unprepared to present a statement on the subject at the time...). Part of it appeared on the 9:00 news that night, in a short but positive segment,which can be seen here, and the interview in its entirety later appeared online, which can be seen here. I think people are starting to realize the seriousness of these groups, as well as the ludicrous nature of their demands.


Second, as a result of Dad's appearance at the press conference and on the news, he was contacted by Brandy Vega from KJZZ, asking him, me and Mom to appear on their Sunday morning show, Utah Matters. Apparently, they had a fellow from Affirmation on last July, and it was time to show the other side. Let me say here that such a show of balance is all but unprecedented, as far as we've experienced. We've been interviewed for radio and newspapers and such, and once even were interviewed at length in our own home for TV, but the powers that be always seem to cut us at the last moment ("too controversial", they bleat). Now, at last, it seems that our side is going to be heard! It was a slightly disconcerting decision to remake, trying to decide if I'm going to "come out", literally as out as you can be, appearing on public TV, but I decided that it's worth it. And besides, with the book coming soon, the revelation is ultimately inevitable. (For those who still don't know, our story can be read here.) I think it's time to step out from the shadows, as it were. Heaven knows the Affirmation fellows aren't hiding out. So we had just a short amount of time to get across a lot of our thoughts, but they inform us that we will definitely be aired on the Sunday morning segment at 9:30. For those who are otherwise occupied and are still interested in seeing quite a revealing and truthful bit of TV, it will surely be available soon after on the website for our foundation, The Standard of Liberty. Brandy was quite lovely, and really wanted us to have a chance to get our main points across (refreshing, from the press), and even mentioned the possibility of having us back for future appearances. She was sensitive to the subject, but we assured her we were ready to discuss it. A few plugs for our books, and we'll be on the air! An interesting coincidence is that one of the guys behind the cameras at the studio was Chase Cheney, a longtime family friend. It made it even that much more personal to talk about everything in front of a camera.


And finally, on the way home from the studio, we heard that the Church has released a new official statement on the divine institution and true nature of marriage. It is great to read, and is definitely a step in the right direction. A clear, unambiguous statement regarding the nature of homosexuality is still somewhat absent (meaning, one that groups like Affirmation couldn't possibly twist and manipulate, which, believe me, they do, to further their causes), but it will eventually just have to appear. Elise also found a website that states uncategorically that no one (period) has ever changed from gay to straight. Uh... yeah, do your research.

Again, I really hope the best for people who are troubled by this. My views may seem harsh, but I'm talking about behavior here, not people. And make no mistake--there is help for those who want it, and don't you dare tell me I don't exist.

Chickens, Ducks and... ?

This is an "analogy" I read recently online, regarding homosexuality and its "genetic causes". It's a little blatant and heavy-handed in its convoluted moral, but I present it for your perusal.

One day there is a chicken called “straight”. A born chicken. One day when he was a young adult, he began to fantasize drifting across the lakes with the ducks. He watch some “documentaries” on it. So he made his move and dives into the lake. He felt good for that fleeting moment. Then his legs began to struggle paddling across the lake. It was then he realised it is just not for him. He climbed out exhausted, and with deep pain and the realisation that the lake life is just not for him. Then all the chickens rejoice for him for he had left the lake. He felt good, he felt pleased. So he began to go around spreading the news to every chicken community that the lake lifestyle is horrible, damaging and life threatening. Little did he know that he is disrespecting a duck who was around there.

That duck is called “gay”. He is a born duck. No one believes he is born that way because on the chickenville the land is huge but the lake is small. But he had lived his entire life as a duck, among the small community of ducks nearby. Some of the ducks had ventured into chickenville with the same disasterous consequences of trying to live like a chicken. But they realise they will never be a chicken and returned to the lake. These ducks were scorned by the majority chicken community for not trying hard enough to be a chicken. But the duck saw what happened and realised, ducks will be ducks, chickens will be chickens.

The moral of the story? A duck called gay, even by the pressure of the majority of chickens, can never be called a chicken, and must accept himself in that full affirmation. A chicken called straight may try to venture into the lake lifestyle for curiousity, but can never be a duck. Straights and gays are but two sexual orientations. Respectfully, all must accept what they are born as, and can never attempt to cross over. The evidence is all there. The day ducks and chickens were born, they were born distinctive in characters and will face life as who they are. There may be confusion along the way, but the true self always will mature.

Yes, I found it quite amusing, but at the same time so completely weak and hopelessly flawed as a fable that I couldn't help writing my own (by the bye, in mine ducks mean something totally different):

Once there was a chicken. He was born a chicken, he thought he would always be a chicken. His friends and family were all chickens. One day he saw the ducks floating and swimming across the nearby lake. The idea attracted him, and he found himself innocently drawn to the ducks. Some of his fellow chickens started to tease him, scornfully calling him "ducky" and "duckboy". They ridiculed him for wanting to join and spend time with the ducks. He spent his days thinking about the ducks swimming in the lake and flying overhead. He thought maybe chicken society was right and he was more like a duck than a chicken. After all, he liked the feel of the cool water on his feet and was so captivated with the ducks' beautiful coloring. Once he jumped in the lake and tried to swim. He tried to quack like a duck. He often associated with the other ducks. He started to feel confused.

Eventually, he started to believe the things the other chickens said of him, and started to think that he was actually BORN a duck, or at least with duck-like tendencies and interests, and that God had just made a mistake by putting him inside a chicken's body. He decided to join the ducks. He tried to look and act more like a duck--to make his feet webbed so he could swim with the other ducks; to make his wings stronger so he could join in flying with the other ducks; to adjust his voice box so he could sound like the other ducks; to color his feathers to look more like the ducks. He enjoyed his exciting, if counterfeit, new life as a duck. He met a lot of other chickens who also had realized they were supposed to be ducks, and they became his friends and powerful allies against their former chicken selves, often reminding each other that they were meant all along to be ducks. They flew in interesting patterns and spent their hot summer days in the cool pond. He felt like he belonged, and the other chicken-turned-ducks didn't make fun of him for wanting to be a duck, they welcomed him openly, reaffirming that the other chickens were wrong about him, and unfair to ridicule his new, "true" self.

Then one day, after many years of living as a chicken-duck, the chicken looked at himself and realized that he was simply not happy. He had a lot of fun, but the happiness it brought wasn't lasting, and he saw that he was being dishonest to himself and others. He looked back at the chickens and realized that they were wrong about him. Just because he liked the feel of the water or appreciated beautiful colors did NOT mean he was a duck! He knew he was not being true to himself. He couldn't change what God had made him, no matter what he said or did, and even though the appeal of being one of the ducks had at one time been strong, it began to fade as he discovered and learned to appreciate his true self. All the things chicken society had told him were just not true. He looked at his chicken feet and his chicken wings and knew that he was wrong about feeling he was meant to be a duck. He realized that he was created a chicken, and even though he at first thought it would be more fun to be a duck, he knew that is not who he truly was. It took him a while to change all the chicken-ducklike thoughts he had, but gradually he began to feel those old desires fade. He went back to the chicken colony and finally felt like he truly belonged. The fleeting happiness he felt with the chicken-ducks was soon overshadowed as he contributed and helped the other chickens realize that it's okay to be different and still be a chicken. His old chicken friends were surprised, but learned that he was right. To the chicken's surprise, his former chicken-duck friends turned on him viciously, snapping at him whenever he tried to tell them how happy he now truly was, and beating him with their wings when he said that he was trying to help other confused chickens. They called him a traitor, a liar, a coward and insisted he was even more confused than before--that he was still a chicken-duck. He was surprised and annoyed that these so-called friends who were so supportive of his decisions before were now so unfair to him, ignoring his rediscovered true identity, but demanding he accept theirs.

The chicken soon had to avoid the company of his old, fair-weather friends, and while it hurt him, he knew he had to be true to himself, even if there were a lot of loud, persuasive and powerful birds who tried to convince him otherwise. He knew ducks are ducks and chickens are chickens. Ducks and chickens complement each other, and they naturally are what they are, and they can't pretend to be what they're not. He was more of a chicken than most of them would know, and he had reclaimed his true identity.

There you go! And I didn't even have to explain what mine meant as I went along or include a labelled moral--hopefully it made sense on its own. It's still a little flawed, but much more coherent. And to the one behind the muddled original, thanks for the inspiration!

A couple of thoughts on a relevant social topic...

Yes, today, we have thoughts from both the science and faith camps. Interesting what a little research can do. It's good news to me, anyway.

First, from the scientists--APA changes their stance on the origins of homosexuality:

"In 1998, the American Psychological Association (APA) published a brochure titled 'Answers to Your Questions about Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality.'

"This particular document was ostensibly published to provide definitive answers about homosexuality. However, few of the assertions made in the brochure could find any basis in psychological science. Clearly a document anchored more in activism than in empiricism, the brochure was simply a demonstration of how far APA had strayed from science, and how much it had capitulated to activism.

"The newest APA brochure, which appears to be an update of the older one, is titled, 'Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality.'

"Though both brochures have strong activist overtones (both were created with "editorial assistance from the APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns"), the newer document is more reflective of science and more consistent with the ethicality of psychological care.

"Consider the following statement from the first document:

'There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality.'

"That statement was omitted from the current document and replaced with the following:

'There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles...' " (Source)

And now, from the faith side--Early iteration of something about which we currently desperately need reminding:

"There is some widely accepted theory extant that homosexuality is inherited. How can this be? No scientific evidence demonstrates absolutely that this is so. Besides, if it were so, it would frustrate the whole plan of mortal happiness. Our designation as men or women began before this world was. In contrast to the socially accepted doctrine that homosexuality is inborn, a number of respectable authorities contend that homosexuality is not acquired by birth. The false belief of inborn homosexual orientation denies to repentant souls the opportunity to change and will ultimately lead to discouragement, disappointment, and despair.

"Any alternatives to the legal and loving marriage between a man and a woman are helping to unravel the fabric of human society. I am sure this is pleasing to the devil. The fabric I refer to is the family. These so-called alternative lifestyles must not be accepted as right, because they frustrate God’s commandment for a life-giving union of male and female within a legal marriage as stated in Genesis. If practiced by all adults, these lifestyles would mean the end of the human family" (President Faust, 1995, source).

So... Now and then there is something irrefutable said. There will be those who still argue, but let them! The flailings and rantings of the mistaken are easily clouded and shadowed by the resounding ring of truth.

Some Thoughts on Tolerance….

I guess part of the problem with communication of my blog here lately has been one of misunderstanding of my motives. I guess those who don't know me and my background may have thought my post was a total hate-rant against people who are struggling with a particular issue. This is not the case. As I stated, and have stated many times, I truly believe in the doctrine of loving all of God's children, regardless of the mistakes they make or the opinions they hold. I seriously believe (and I think a lot of people simply cannot grasp this concept) that it's possible to love (read: 'tolerate') someone and not approve of or accept (or tolerate) their behavior or beliefs. Behavior is entirely independent of worth. Nothing can change our innate divine identity and worth, nor God's love for us, though He definitely can disapprove of some of the choices we make, and hopes that we do what it takes to fix it. "Love the sinner and hate the sin" is a very true principle, luckily, or who would love me? This principle is not only true, but necessary to adopt. We are all sinners, and to imagine that our love and respect must be reserved for perfect people only limits our circle of friends significantly.

While I completely disapprove of the homosexual lifestyle and behavior, I have many friends and acquaintances who are currently living it. We don't agree on many things. That doesn't mean I don't love them. And that doesn't mean they're not children of God. And that doesn't mean I'll sit by and say nothing about how I feel on the subject. And that doesn't mean it won't be passionate.

There you go. Believe it or don't.

A Surprising Turn of Events

Wow. My life as an R.M. has taken an unexpected turn. I feel like my standards and principles have remained largely unchanged since I left, except maybe being a little more solidified and centered on the love of God and Jesus Christ and the changing, enabling power of the Atonement, since that has been the focus of my life for the last 24 months. Imagine my surprise, then, when those who I had considered my friends and allies, those who I was so grateful thought like I did on these important and relevant issues, suddenly turned on me! I am totally used to being harassed and called names by the "other side" (who, ironically, exhibit prime examples of the same unsavory adjectives of which they accuse me), but to be turned on like this by people who wrote me and supported me, literally, for years, people who have read my story and know better than most why I feel the way I do is a huge surprise. I am fine with people differing in opinions, though naturally I wish people would think more the way I do on certain key issues (who doesn't?), but there are some I just thought, after all they've told me and shown me, were a little more solid than they now appear to be. I guess times change, and so do people, but some of this is so bizarre. It would be unrealistic to say I'm not just a little bit hurt, but I'm more just sad that they have been taken in by the lies that society continues to feed us. It becomes increasingly difficult to be IN the world, as we are instructed, but not OF the world. Life is so hard and confusing, the only thing to really rely on is Jesus Christ and His Gospel, which I strive to do. It's easy to label my beliefs and behavior as "intolerant" and "bigoted" (oh, how cliche!), but so it is for the entire Christian mindset, if you really want to. There are those who think frowning on any kind of sinful or harmful behavior is "narrow-minded" and "unchristian." (Since, some argue, it is forcing beliefs on people and taking away agency...) So, what is it? What do we do? Do we stand for truth and righteousness or not? Do we argue for the weakness, or do we argue for the strength of the Atonement? (...Referring, of course, to the power of the Priesthood, repenting and changing through the proper channels, process and so on, and not just "saved by faith", which camp I have been accused of subscribing to) Christ may have dined with the publicans and the sinners, but he commanded people to forsake their sinful behavior! He was the perfect example of loving the sinner and hating the sin. He commanded us to judge righteously! He said He would save us FROM, not IN our sins (Helaman 5:10)! As of now, not even a month back into the game and I've already been the target of many hateful attacks and name-calling! And not only from people I barely remember from my past, but good friends as well! I'm only trying to protect the innocent and educate those who just are unaware of the dangers that are out there, based on the things I have learned from the hard times I've been through. And how is this received? With hatred and intolerance! Amazing! It's times like this that verses such as Matthew 5:10-12 mean a lot more to me.

Since when is it weak to argue in favor of the Atonement?

Anyway, just a minor rant for the moment. Of course I forgive these people. Perhaps things like this happen in the heat of the moment? It would be stupid of me to choose to take offense. I'm still just bewildered at this startling turn of events! There are those who turn tail at the first sign of conflict, but just like David (continuing with the earlier analogy, to which I will stick), we who believe in this have to stand firm. Be loving, but unrelenting. Be innocent, but not naive.

Like the Alexander Pope verse says:

"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
we first endure, then pity, then embrace."

I would venture to add "then endorse" at the end. All that is required for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.

... And, for those who are truly interested in why I am so invested in this issue, I might as well tell. Click here for a glimpse at my story.

My first blog tirade - David vs. Goliath

Well, here I am, about to embark on my first bonafide blogged rant. There I was this afternoon, innocently reading a teeny-bopper romance novel (I promised Elise...), actually starting to get into the drama and romance of it, when Mom, talking to Cami about the politics of college life, hesitantly informed me that BYU has changed its Honor Code in favor of homosexuality (story on Deseret News here and the actual text here).

. . . I could think of little else for several minutes after hearing this news. Mom said she hadn't wanted to tell me when I was in Wisconsin because she was sure it would upset me. I read the article--actual, verified, complete with quotes and names. I can honestly say that I am genuinely surprised by this. I remember when I was in college there was a lot of to-do about some students being expelled because of homosexual behavior, and now this? I know the "clarification" merely says that homosexual students/faculty are allowed to participate at Brigham Young University, as long as they don't act out or whatever, but that is absurd!!! They are acting out!!! I have seen it! Entertaining thoughts is behavior! What ever happened to controlling thoughts and changing and becoming? What ever happened to the Savior?? What ever happened to the all-encompassing and enabling Atonement??? Believe you me, these confused students have rationalized homosexual behavior up and down. They think it's only "fair" that they be allowed to do whatever they like, since the hetero students can. In fact, they are so entrenched in the victim mentality that they think they actually have special privileges, and are entitled to even more liberality of behavior. I am aware of the attacks against the Church in recent months and years, particularly in regards to the gay movement and agenda, and I am ALL for loving everyone as a child of God, regardless of their beliefs and opinions, but God's laws are ABSOLUTE, and nothing can change them! Judging wrong behavior as wrong is not judging a person. Why are we these days being so subtly, but SURELY, being conditioned into this? I guess it's fair to say that people who are struggling with this can still go to school, but people who are unapologetically arguing that this is actually WHO THEY ARE? And that we owe something to them just because they identify themselves as "different" and victims? People who have self-identified as someone against the creation and design of God? That is just sad and self-defeating. This is something that can and MUST be overcome, as can be attested in the experiences of thousands around the world (which is a very hopeful and Christ-centered study). In the name of being "tolerant" and "accepting", we are advocating a gospel of hopelessness, allowing our beloved brothers and sisters to walk right into the jaws of hell. We are fighting against the Philistine, but remember how David was triumphant, in spite of the seemingly unconquerable odds. And yes, I have every right to be indignant about this--I am BYU alumnus.

Chalk one up for being politically correct. Even at a private institution owned and operated by General Authorities of the true and living Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For now. . .