A New York Times article on today (10/23/15) by Jack Healy reports on the Mormons take on gay marriage and the law.  Dallin Oaks, described as a high-ranking apostle in the church, said, “Office holders remain free to draw upon their personal beliefs and motivations and advocate their positions in the public square.  But when acting as public officials, they are not free to apply personal convictions, religious or other, in place of the defined responsibilities of their public offices.”

The article is written regarding Kim Davis, the county clerk in Kentucky who has refused to provide marriage licenses for same-sex couples.  The article goes on to quote Jonathon Rauch with the Brookings Institute as saying it’s a pretty big deal the Mormons have embraced compromise over conflict.

Here’s my point.  The Mormons DID NOT compromise.  They followed what the Bible teaches, that we render unto the government what belongs to the government and that we live out our life of faith.  Jesus never called us to fight against government.  That is exactly what the Jews were wanting in a Messiah and Jesus wasn’t that guy.  He told us to love and care for the poor, the hurting, the ones thrown away by society, widows and orphans, the sick.  Never did he tell us to condone sin or make religion a political soapbox but to love and to care for those who need love and caring.

The Mormons are not compromising on same-sex marriage.  They still oppose it and call it sin.  Neither are they compromising on what an elected official of the government should do when required to follow the law.  Sure, fight against the law.  Certainly, speak out against anything that is not of God’s design.  But, when you lose, follow the law.

Kim Davis did what she did from personal conviction and I have no beef with that.  I don’t agree with her decision but it was/is HER decision.  I do not agree with all of Mormon teaching either.  However, I agree with them here;  same-sex marriage is wrong in the eyes of God and should be wrong in the law of the land.  It isn’t so we have to live with it but that doesn’t mean we cannot continue to stand firm and speak our convictions, vote our beliefs and trust God to take care of the outcomes.

Grace and peace.