Tolerance

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is someone I have really come to look forward to hearing from at General Conference. In “The Divine Institution of Marriage,” a Mormon Newsroom article, I appreciated this definition he gave of tolerance, "Tolerance does not require abandoning one's standards or one's opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination." This topic is something I’ve pondered on quite a bit recently, and I really loved his words. I can be tolerant of others and still stand up for what I know to be right. I always think of the Savior and love the words of the primary song that states, “Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too.” I want to be like my Savior and love everyone, treat them kindly, but I always want to stand up for what I know is right, just as our Savior did. He loved the sinner but did not condone the sin. While the, “Church unequivocally affirms that marriage should remain the lawful union of a man and a woman,” (The Divine Institution of Marriage, page 6) that doesn’t mean that I should shun those who engage in same-gender relationships. I can treat them kindly and show love to them. As the National Review article, “Marriage: Where Do We Go From Here?” article states, “We must continue to witness to the truth about marriage;” Page 2, of that article, states, and “... those who defend marriage as the union of a man and a woman will prove to be prophetic.” However, we can “defend marriage as the union of a man and a woman” without being rude or mean. The Divine Institution of Marriage article states, “The Church’s affirmation of marriage as being between a man and a woman “neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians.” We must remember the commandment to “Love One another,” and treat our brothers and sisters with kindness, love, and compassion. (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-same-sex-marriage-votes) In a National Review article titled, “Marriage: Where Do We Go From Here?” Ryan T. Anderson states, “Whatever happens, it is essential to take the long view, and to be ready to bear witness to the truth even if law and culture grow increasingly hostile.” As the world gets more and more wicked and angry, we must be cautious to not allow ourselves to become angry. We must hold firm to the iron rod and be Christ-like in all things. We mustn’t be hostile to those around us who feel differently than we do.