Thursday, November 6, 2008

Going outside of my little comfort zone!

I don't like to talk politics, mostly because I feel very uneduacated in that area. I watch the news and talk about it with my husband, and that's about as far as it goes. I've been watching the televison today (something I really don't do to often, ya know with 3 kids, usually it's cartoons). Anyhow, it's been interupted a lot with breaking news of the protests in Califorinia at the Los Angelos temple. Ok, I'm not a real eloquent person so forgive me for not being able to explain myself better.




My heart is truly breaking. I think this is one of the first times in my life I've seen the church and prophet that I love, so publicly ridiculed. I wish people could see the kind, loving, humble man that our prophet is. Is it so wrong for us to fight for what believe to be true? I understand that people have freedom of speech, but the other day I received this e-mail from my sister n' law from an aquaintance of hers in Califorinia, and it made me so sad.




Dear family and friends, Monday Oct. 27, 2008 I had a very disturbing experience yesterday that I would like to share with those of you that live outside of California (or outside of the San Francisco Bay area). This weekend we have stake conference. Our stake conference always begins with a stake temple session on Friday or Thursday night. Early Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric to let me know that there would be numerous protesters outside the temple, and to remind everyone to stay calm and to drive carefully. The beautiful Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco, very close to the city of Berkeley. Apparently the opposition to proposition 8, the amendmant that seeks to make marriage in Ca, between a man and a woman again, has realized the deep involvemant of the church and begun to protest right outside of the temple and harass temple patrons. The fastest way to get to the temple from our house is to take the 680 freeway, but the exit is a bit tricky. The off ramp is extremely short and straight uphill. You then make an almost blind left turn, an immediate right and another left into the parking lot. As we approached the off ramp I realized there would be trouble, there was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the off ramp. As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street, yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the off ramp, ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car. It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to the left and proceed to the temple. I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got to the temple front door. Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving on their own, were crying (which made me snap out of it and go into the RS President mode to comfort them). Later, as I was sitting in the perfect quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people who mocked the Saints from the big spacious building but 'we heeded them not'. It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go through an angry crowd to ge to the temple. As we left late at night, the protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man. Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting kind of scary out here!




As a member of the LDS church I try and be a kind person, and for the most part I believe that can be said for most members. We are blessed to live in a free country with freedom of speech so I don't understand why LDS members in Califorinia are being so ridiculed for standing up for their beliefs. I understand that these groups also have that same right, but the tactics they are using I belive is wrong. They have put untruthful ads on the teleivision about the the LDS Church and LDS missionaries. These young men give up two years of their life to preach our gospel and share it with others, not to go into people's homes and terrorize them. They riot on the temple grounds that we beleive to be a sacred place. They have made it difficult for peaceful LDS church members to go to a place we beleive to be sacred and worship our Heavenly Father and Jesus.



Anyhow, like I said, I wish I was better with words and could share what is in my heart! I'm praying for LDS church members in Califorinia, and also that the hearts of the protestors will be softened and they will come to realize, as Mormons, we do love them, we just believe marriage should be between a Man and a Woman.

I hope nobody will be offended by this post, that was not my intent. I am not trying to push my religion on others. I guess I just want others to understand it. This is something I feel so strongly about and I guess I needed an outlet for my frustrations.

Tommow, I'll be back tommorow with my finished project!

32 comments:

Rae said...

It is so sad how people cannot respect other's views when they differ from their own. I hadn't heard about all the protesting! So sad. So unnecessary! Unfortunately, our vote for a Constitutional Convention (which would possibly overturn our state's supreme court's recent vote allowing homosexuals to marry) did not pass. Sigh...

Felicia said...

Thank you Nicole. I think you said it perfectly.
My sister-in-law was so scared to put signs on her lawn in support of prop. 8 because she teaches violin lessons to people of MANY races, religions, and sexual orientations.
Luckily, she hasn't had any negative feedback from the parents of her students, and she even got one really positive e-mail.

Jessica Jane said...

I love your post. Very well said. I grew up in California and used to go to temple trips at the LA temple. My parents have been telling me all sorts of sad stories. I love the image of large Tongan security outside the Oakland temple--like stripling warriors. All those being tried and harassed are in my prayers too.

Emily said...

Thanks for sharing. Well put! My husband always tells me, don't apologize for the gospel.

Marie said...

I was just thinking on election day what a cool thing it is that I can go and do my civic duty, cast my vote, and not have anyone telling me what I have to choose, or waiting outside to ridicule me for it. Then to hear that things like this are happening is disheartening. Starting to seem like the last days, isn't it?

joelandbecca said...

I had heard about riots at the Oakalnd temple. I cannot believe that it is happening at the LA temple as well! Oh dear! The whole thing makes me so sad.

I have had family and friends who continually had their Yes on 8 signs stolen. Such a violation of 1st ammendment rights.

Beth at Aunties said...

Dear sweet Nicole,
It was eloquently stated. My heart too has ached. It remind me when Christ's church here on the earth was ridiculed.
The scripture "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20)
We will always have compassion and love the sinner, but not the sin.
These aren't man's commandments but God's cpmmandments.
Yes I do think the last days are here and we need to be strong!
Hugs and Hang in there.
Our new daughter in law (soon) is from the Napa Valley area and her mom serves in the O temple. Her dad is in the stake presidency.

Cheryl said...

I appreciate this post as well. I have been so sad by what I have seen and read about these kinds of things. I was on a site earlier where everyone was talking so bad about the church- there were even members talking about how they were going to leave the church over this.
I can't believe that people expect a religion to go against its own principle beliefs and if they don't call it hatred or intolerance. I also think it is so unfair that they are putting it on our church so much when there were so many other religions involved too. As well as the fact that it was the Californians who voted this and there's a pretty small percentage of Mormons.
I just wish everyone could vote their conscience and let others vote theirs without intimidation and cruelty.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I hadn't heard anything about this - probably bc I live in Canada. But I was so saddened to hear about what so many had to do to just go to worship. I commend them for pressing on. You are absolutely right that the rioters should not express their opinions with lies and such outgageous behavior. I will definatly be keeping it all in my prayers. Remember Jesus said ''in this world you will have many troubles but take heart, I have overcome the world!''

onlymehere said...

I think that you said it very well and no one should be offended by this post at all. Isn't it sad that the people of California voted but now a small minority won't accept that. My candidate didn't win but I accept the fact that the majority of electoral votes went to our new president elect and I will respect that and not picket or throw a fit about it. This is just breaks my heart on so many fronts. I actually am working on a post about this too but may not get it posted tomorrow as I want it to be just right and it may take a day or two.

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Well, Im not mormon, but I am Christian, and I think it is so wrong for anyone to riot outside of a Church. I think all we can do now is pray for the poor people that feel it nessesary to harrass others for living a life they believe to be right. You dont see us going to their houses and protesting against them being gay! I just dont understand. But Jesus teaches us to love thy neighbor and to have a soft heart towards the weary.
I pray that everyone, no matter who they are, or where they come from, find salvation in the Lord.
Thank you for posting this, I am praying for all of the people in California!

Megan and Jon said...

Hi, I am a silent looker of your blog because I love you crafty ideas. I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for this post. There is a time when us as LDS people have to take a stand for what we believe and I respect you so much for doing so.. Thank you

Kristi said...

I am so sad to hear about this! The sad thing is that we are going to probably see much worse. Scary- but we have to be strong and fight for what we know to be right. My 12 year old son went to General Conference and there was an Anti there, in a devil suit. Thank you for sharing- I hadn't heard and now I know to pray even harder!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Nicole, I appreciate this post very much. A lot of hard work went into passing Prop. 102 in AZ too. However, the people in CA have suffered so much more for all their hard work and sacrifice to get Prop. 8 passed. There is a very positive YouTube clip about the dedication of those who worked so hard in CA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAvEoXqGuP4 Thanks again for your thoughtful message today.

Mimi Sue said...

You wrote what was in your heart and you wrote it very well. You know the Lord has it all under control. This too will pass. I used to live in Calif. and in 2000 we went through this exact thing with the same result. It was overturned in the courts and added to the ballot again. This will probably be an ongoing battle from now on. A sign of the times, I'm afraid. By the way, your kids were so cute in their Halloween costumes. Mimi

twinkle twinkle baby, twinkle twinkle said...

I am so glad that you posted this today. I was having a pitty party because i feel like im not treated very well at work because i have different standards. My manager makes mormon jokes all the time, and if you dont go party and drink with her after work, she gives you bad shifts and treats you bad. Its funny bacause as Latter Day Saints we dont protest and judge others about the choices and the way they live their lives. Its so true about all of this being the last days.

Cherie' said...

I had seen a glimpse of this on a celebrity blog but had no idea that it was getting this out of hand. That is really heart breaking. It is crazy to me that people are acting so hateful. Don't they realize that everyone has freedom of speech and an opinion. They will all be in our prayers.

onlymehere said...

I've published the post. It was very difficult for me but something I felt I had to do. It's book length so stop by when you have an hour to kill! LOL.

Ruth said...

Hey, I am so proud of you for your posting! It is so amazing to me that they have actually convinced themselves that a handful of LDS are the only ones against same sex marriage. To my understanding almost all organized religions are against it. It's shocking that others feel we have so much influence! When we lived in California we we most definately the minority. Remember, you were the only LDS in your entire school. Anyway, I always taught my children respect and tolerance for others, especially religion and this behavior is so against everything that Christ taught us.
There is someone that I have known since birth and love dearly that is gay, I still love him, I don't approve of his lifestyle, but I don't need to. He is still wonderful, and so are many of his friends that I have met. I still don't believe in same sex marriage though.

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this. I have watched this on the news too and it really saddens me. I live in a small town where about eighty percent of the community is LDS. I can not imagine how hard it would be to be a mormon in California. My heart goes out to those people who have to struggle with this issue. I truly hope things get better for them soon.

Sherri said...

This is all making me sad too!! And today they are having a big protest at the Salt Lake Temple.

I think we may be feeling a bit like the pioneers in dealing with persecution.

One thing that really bugs me is that this Prop passed with a higher percentage than there are LDS Church Members in California. The LDS Church is not the only group/church that was supporting Prop 8 - why are we the only ones that they are protesting?

Melanie said...

Thank you Nicole. You said that very well. Being a member of the church in CA has been difficult through this election, but in spite of all the negativity, it was amazing to see the members of the church pull together and work so hard to help prop. 8 pass. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed the people here for standing up for families and I know that he will continue to do so. I am so grateful to know that members of the church all over the country and world were supporting us as well. I guess times are changing and we will probably be called on more often to stand up for truth and righteousness. Thank you for your kind words and testimony.

tumbleweedsandtwisters said...

Thanks Nicole for your post. As a Mormon in Colorado I hadn't heard about any protesting outside the temples. Your post gave me a real perspective on what is going on and what it truely means to take upon us the name of Christ.

Rue said...

Hi Nicole

I'm sorry about what is happening out there. I didn't realize it was going on until I turned on the news 2 days after the elections. I'm praying this ends...

rue

Anonymous said...

As an LDS member in Southern California, I echo the exact words of Melanie. These were trying times for the past 2 months. We saints were asked to sacrifice and we did, thus we were blessed. The vandilism, the rudeness when we made phone calls, the harassment as we stood on street corners was horrible, yet we prevailed. Today I went to the San Diego Temple with my husband and the Temple Rider Assoc. (Mormon Motorcycle Group) and I must admit, we were worried that there would be protestors there too. Thankfully, it was a peaceful day, and I was able to worship in the most sacred of places. Thanks for your post, it was great. Christine M.

Jo-Anne said...

Well said, Nicole.
Sadly, there will always be protests and anger where there is ignorance. We must always "stand strong and immovable".

Kristi said...

We are all praying for CA to not be setting laws that could move the rest of the nation. Our country is so far from where God intended us to be...

The Berry's Patch said...

I think, I'm not sure but I read this...They are protesting the LDS church b/c they (the LDS church) paid more money than anyone to get Prop 8 passed...something like 8 million dollars. They believe the LDS church is responsible for it passing and putting their beliefs on others.

I'm still working on my blog. I've figured out how to do the 3 column and played with the margins. I'm working on a test blog. How did you do your header? Sorry I keep bugging you but I LOVE your blog. :-)

Regina said...

I appreciate your post! I, too, am a (usually) silent reader of your blog, but as a member in Texas I had heard of all the riots and protests. Only through family, not on the news, of course. It is sad, and the day before I received the email you included in your post I had read about Lehi's vision. It seemed very familiar. People mocking and laughing while we must hold to the rod. Thanks for the post, I am praying with you.

WheresMyAngels said...

Big hugs, I have not followed what has been going on, so I'm not sure about what all you are talking about.

I do know that I have always been impressed with the boys that go out and do the missionary work. I think it says alot about them.

Angela said...

I'm not even LDS (I'm Southern Baptist), but I am truly disturbed by what is happening at your temples in CA. What is so unbelievable is that these people who are protesting and rioting are ones who are always crying "tolerance", but the sentiment seems to be lost when it is they who must be tolerant of differing views. I applaud all of you who are standing up for your convictions and are not bowing down to the opposition.

Laura said...

Thank you for your lovely post and sharing the email you received. There will be much for good people to go through as time progresses, but we can find the peace we desire.