To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
Earlier this week the church sent through normal priesthood channels some updates to Handbook 1 providing clarification to two important issues. Unfortunately these updates were provided to the media by someone with less than honorable intentions. Consequently, there has been quite an aggressive reaction by people calling the church pretty unflattering names. We would like to address these issues in a spirit of trying to help you understand them so that you can feel comfortable with them yourselves as well as feeling comfortable explaining them to any who may question you about them.
The recent legalization of same sex marriage in the United States as well as the growing support in the country for the same, has caused the Brethren to feel it necessary to make sure that there is no ambiguity in the Lord's position on this issue. So one of the updates was simply to establish that if a member of the church enters into a same sex marriage, it is to be viewed as apostasy. That has pretty much always been the case, but the updates just states it clearly.
The second update is the one that has received more of the negative attention. It clarifies that children who have a parent living in a same sex relationship (whether married or cohabitating) are not able to be blessed (a name and a blessing) or be baptized until they have turned legal age. The national media has tried to create a perception that not only do we hate gay people (which has been a popular theme for them over the last 7 years), but now we hate their innocent children too. The fact is, nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that this policy is to help protect the child and preserve harmony in the home.
If we look in Chapter 12 of PMG, you will find that minors have always had to receive consent for baptism before they can be baptized and married women who desire to be baptized always need the consent of a spouse. The church has required this because of the high esteem in which we hold families. The reason this is a little different is that even if the same sex parent(s) were supportive of baptism, the child would still have to wait to be baptized. That is simply to avoid them feeling torn between the lifestyle they see at home versus the one required by membership in the church. We don't want to create conflict in the home. In fact, this has always been the policy for children of polygamous homes for the very same reason. Then need to wait until they are 18 to be baptized and they need to disavow the practice of their parents (Note: they don't disavow their parents, just the practice that is contrary to the Lord's plan).
Because these are sensitive subjects, it is important that we deal with them with a great deal of sensitivity and love. Many of us know people who may feel hurt by these policy updates. We need to be understanding of these feelings and reassuring to them of the promises that have been made to the all of Gods children. Nothing will be held back from those who love Him. That said, we are living in a day where the Lord's doctrine and the philosophies of the world will grow further and further apart. This will undoubtedly lead to the fulfillment of prophecies stated by the Lord in John 6:53-68, by the angel speaking to Nephi in 1 Nephi 14:9-14 and by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in our day. In his talk, given at BYU in 1978, he prophetically stated:
“Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. (See 1 Kgs. 18:21.) President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had ‘never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ! We are now entering a time of incredible ironies. Let us cite but one of these ironies which is yet in its subtle stages: We will see a maximum, if indirect, effort made to establish irreligion as the state religion. It is actually a new form of paganism which uses the carefully preserved and cultivated freedoms of western civilization to shrink freedom, even as it rejects the value essence of our rich Judeo-Christian heritage.
"Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.
"Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, ‘summer is nigh’ (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!” Neal A. Maxwell Oct 10, 1978 (Meeting the Challenges of Today - BYU Speeches)
The Regional Conference we attended today provided us great counsel on this topic when Elder Corbridge stated that Christ build His church upon the rock of revelation. We are the church. If we follow the prophets and the revelation they receive, the gates of hell will not prevail against us. (Matt 16:19)
This is an exciting time to stand for truth and righteousness; a time that has been prophesied by all of the prophets from the beginning. We have been preserved for this day. What a blessing! We love you and feel blessed to stand with you in spreading the only message that will bring peace and hope and light to a fallen world!
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
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| Temple Trip with departing missionaries |
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| The sisters |
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| Departing Testimony Meeting |
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| Elder Gray has worn himself out! |
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| Our Hillcrest graduates |
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| Twinners! |
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| Ready to go. |
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| Last Goodbyes |
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| Well done. We will sure miss you! |
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| Here come our new missionaries! |
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| They are ready and excited to work |
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| Here are our Hermanas from the Mexico MTC |
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| The whole group together! |
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| A visit to the temple grounds to remind us that the temple is the goal for those we teach. |
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| Our wonderful trainers |
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| Awaiting our trainers |
The following are pictures with the new missionaries and their trainers. They are all in great hands!
We attended District Meeting in Huntsville and felt a great spirit in that district. Elder Perkins did a great job training and inspiring all in attendance.
The Chappells hosted another wonderful Senior Conference on Saturday at their beautiful home. It was wonderful to get together and enjoy each others company. This mission could not function without the consecrated service of these missionaries. We love them so much!
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| The Wolfleys leave us this week. They've been here in Houston since President Mortensen and I arrived. It's hard to imagine this mission without their love and support. We will miss you! |
