We can do this with love.
We must stand fast against the values and practices that draw us away from
the Lord’s teachings and our covenants, privileges, and obligations.
We can do this with love.
You can look to the example of Jesus Christ in His patterns of standing fast
with love. Rather than condemning others,
we should simply proclaim what we know and what we believe
and invite others to follow the Savior. It is their opportunity to choose,
not ours to compel.
We can trust in the great promises of the Lord.
If we are prepared, we shall not fear.
The Lord has prepared a way for us to accomplish what He desires us
and commands us to do. Today I have mentioned five ways to help you stand
fast with love in proclaiming the truth:
Avoid overly contentious settings. Love others even when we disagree.
Hold to truth even as we reach out to others. Be a light to the world.
And stay anchored in Jesus Christ.
We must start in dealing with this subject by recognizing
the very real challenges of racism by condemning ongoing racial prejudice
and by strengthening those who continue to face unfair biases.
On this point, we are aligned with
and can learn from many secular efforts to reduce racism.
We have done this in our efforts to work with the NAACP
and other community organizations.
A gospel-centered approach to combating racism empowers all parties to support,
apply, and teach the power and light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are well acquainted with students of diverse social
and cultural backgrounds in the Church.
The Church Educational System is helping all of its students succeed in
ways that embrace their different backgrounds, cultures, and races.
Let us turn next to issues related to same sex attraction. Here, too,
there are some untruths we should lovingly oppose. Through its support of
the Fairness for All initiative,
the Church is supporting rights for LGBTQ individuals in housing
and health care, while we also preserve our own basic rights of conscience
and freedom of religion. Showing respect does not mean we walk away from
our beliefs and fundamental doctrine on the family
and its importance to God’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children,
As revealed in the Family Proclamation.
There is a difference between experiencing same sex attraction
and acting in ways that violate our covenants.
Individuals or groups who do not treat our LGBTQ members with empathy
and charity are not aligned with the teachings of
the Church of Jesus Christ.
At the same time, ignoring God's laws has never been the Savior's pattern
for showing love. I know God loves all of His children. We welcome you.
We want you to feel a sense of belonging
as we work together to be true to the teachings of
the Church of Jesus Christ.