Mormon Church, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Body of Christ

14 November

d-todd-christoffersonRecently the Mormon Church made changes to their handbook for bishops, stake presidents and other church leaders. Such changes include:

Placing “same-sex marriage under the definition of apostasy and as a circumstance that requires the convening of a disciplinary council”. It “also clarifies that the ordinance of naming and blessing a child may not be performed for children living with a parent in a same-gender relationship.”

Also a child living with parents of the same sex can’t become members of the church until they are “of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.” The child also must disavow the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage” before they can become members of the church.

There are many thoughts running through my brain as I think about this, so bear with me as I share some thoughts with you, and then share with us anything that comes to your mind on this issue.

This is a difficult issue, isn’t it? If you listen to the world they say that to even think that homosexuality is a sin is a form of bigotry. They see the bible as outdated, and view anyone who stands firm on God’s definition of marriage as being on the “wrong side of history.” The world uses terms like intolerant, homophobic, and bigoted, and so on, as a way to shut down and shut up anyone who doesn’t see the issue as they do.

It seems like, at least from my perspective, that it’s getting harder and harder for Christians to find a church that sticks to the precepts of the Bible. Many Christian churches are going the way of the world by accepting same sex marriage as they do traditional marriage, and choose to scoff at the notion of calling homosexuality a sin.

Time and time again I hear different people say they can’t find an actual bible believing church in their area. From Seattle, to Pittsburgh, Christians are looking for a church they can call home, but they can’t find it. Why is that?

This shouldn’t be that hard, “it’s not rocket science” as they say, yet it’s a struggle for many to find a church that does one thing, “look at the world through God’s word”.

My concern, (and I admit this may be a stretch), is that with this new policy Christians who are searching for a place to belong will look at the Mormon Church as being closer to the word of God, than their church who is now performing same sex marriages. If a church that claims to be Christian, but isn’t following God’s view of marriage, is it really Christian?

Another thought I had on this is, what did Jesus say? He said let the little children come to me (Luke 18:16). I say this with A LOT of resistance because the last thing I want is to see people, especially children join the Mormon Church, but if it’s truly a Christian church why are they forbidding children from being baptized and joining?

Not long after the Supreme Court came out with their ruling on same-sex marriage, I watched a sermon by John MacArthur titled “We will not bow.” I posted a link to part one of his sermon below if you’d like to check it out. (Its closed caption for those who are deaf or hard of hearing)

In it Pastor MacArthur gives an excellent perspective of why we as the body of Christian can’t bow to the world. I really enjoyed watching this because I feel it’s something all Christians, and pastors need to hear. We can’t bow to the world and accept what they do, because if we’re truly in Christ we’re not of the world.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

The world is an enemy to God, we can’t follow it even if that means we’re looked at as being unkind, or not Christ-like by people who (coincidentally enough), don’t follow Jesus. We’re in a battle, and the body of Christ needs to step up to the plate, put on the armor of God, and not be afraid to take a stand on the word of God.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes

References:

Desert News

John MacArthur: We will not bow

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