This last weekend was General Conference. As a result of one of the talks given, I made two posts on Facebook. Post 1 Post 2 You can also read the text of the posts at the end of this post.
First, let me be very clear that at no time was there any question in my mind whether I should love James, my son, or not.
Second, I know Jesus. I have seen Him on more than one occasion. I know that He lives. I know that His Gospel is true.
It is hearing one of His servants say something so contradictory to that Gospel which caused me such pain. It was at His request that I wrote those posts. It is at His request that I write this.
I wrote those posts so that those of you who don’t know this pain can feel it. So that you can know what hundreds and possibly even thousands of parents were feeling this weekend. I can’t even begin to imagine what our children were feeling. I know for one young man in Provo, it was too much and so he ended his life on Saturday night.
Third, Jesus is, has been and always will be my friend, confidant and teacher. I have never known Him to ask anyone to oppose anything. He specifically said,
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
He also said,
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” See Matthew 5:38-45
Christ’s commandment has been and always will be to love one another. To love our neighbors. To love our enemies. Is there anyone that does not cover?
If marriage is the absolute most important thing we should focus on, why did Christ never teach about it during his mortal ministry? Why did he teach only love? Might it be possible that marriage isn’t the absolutely most important thing we should be focusing on?
Elder Oaks is correct in saying that growing up, eternally speaking, to be like God requires marriage between man and woman. God said so. Elder Oaks is also correct in saying that there are kingdoms prepared for those do not have such a marriage as their goal. This is true within the celestial kingdom itself.
The highest degree of the celestial kingdom requires entering into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. The third degree of the celestial kingdom is reserved for those who qualify for the highest degree of the celestial kingdom but who remain single. We are told absolutely nothing about the second degree of the celestial kingdom.
It would seem that if the only qualifiers are marriage and not marriage, then there would be no need for a second degree. Is it quite possible, that we don’t know as much as we think we know? See Doc & Cov 131
Finally, Elder Oaks is incorrect in saying that this knowledge requires us to oppose anything or anyone. Again, Christ never asked us to stand opposed to anything. He commanded us to stand for something at all costs. He commanded us to love. Why aren’t we arm and arm with one another, walking each other home?
What does any of this have to do with yoga? This is a beautiful example of what happens when you believe the illusion of separation.
Yoga has taught me that it doesn’t matter what my destination is or your destination is, what matters is that we walk together. Put another way, Love has taught me that it doesn’t matter what my destination is or your destination is, what matters is that we walk together.
Jai Bhagwan
PS
Yes, I have stated some things in this post which will likely cause me trouble. Wait until you read Part II.
Post 1
“Our knowledge of God’s revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose current social and legal pressures to retreat from traditional marriage and to make changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women. We know that the relationships, identities and functions of men and women are essential to accomplish God’s great plan.” Dallin H Oaks, 6 Oct 2018
Someone explain to me in no uncertain terms how I should implement this in my family. My youngest child is transgender. According to the above, I should oppose that.
Does that mean I should force my youngest child go by their birth name and identify by their gender at birth?
Does that mean that every night I pray my child doesn’t attempt suicide because I know that LGBTQ children who aren’t accepted by their families are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide (that’s an 800% increase in the chance they’ll attempt suicide).
Does that mean I need to throw my child back into the anxiety that imprisoned them in my home for 3 years even WITH affirming parents?
DOES FOLLOWING THIS COUNSEL MEAN I NEED TO DESTROY MY FAMILY TO BE A GOOD LATTER-DAY SAINT?
Because I sure as hell can’t imagine any way to keep my child alive and mentally healthy if I follow the words of this prophet.
So tell me, brothers and sisters, how do I do it. How do I follow the words of a prophet and not sacrifice the life of my teenager?
TELL ME!
Post 2
It seems my last post wasn’t clear enough.
“Our knowledge of God’s revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose . . . changes that confuse or alter gender . . . .” Dallin H Oaks, 6 Oct 2018
These words specifically direct members of the church to oppose anything that alters gender.
As a father of a transgender child, I have to make a choice: Follow a prophet and oppose my child or support my child and, just by doing that, stand against a prophet.
There is no way to reconcile this.
I will never abandon my children.