VOTE YES on PROP 8 and Get INVOLVED for 4 wks

Last night Jared and I attended a Proposition 8 Broadcast from the General Authorities. It was overwhelmingly certain that this issue on Prop 8 is more important and more influencial on our families and values than most of you probably realize. The ripple effect of this not passing will have very negative reprocussions that will influence our ability to protect and teach the values we so strongly believe in, to our children. I want to reach out and challenge each of you to please take an active role to promote what we believe and how protecting marriage will maintain the core of our society and God's plan of happiness. In the broadcast they asked members within California to get involved as best you can to promote, stand-up, and teach about this to all you can. They asked each of us to dedicate 4 hours a week to this through organized methods for the next 4 weeks. This is our time to show our faith and to do the things the lord has asked of us. Many times I think we can forget that just going to church, staying within our little member community, and living the gospel is not always enough. What is needed is a voice- a loving, respectful, freindly informed person, reaching out to those who are indiferrent or un-knowing of what we believe and the values that drive our beliefs, and the positive influence those beliefs will have if they join us in our cause can help promote and protect that which is good and right.

Elder Oaks stated "This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach. "

I invite you all to stand with me, in California or not, make a difficult sacrifice this month, and dedicate 4 hours a week to help teach about Prop 8 to your friends, communities, and be brave enough to speak out in the grocery line, or in stores you go to, inviting kind friendly discussions with strangers about family, getting involved and these values, and ask them for a YES vote on PROP 8. Go to http://www.protectmarriage.com/ to find ways you can contribute. Best of Luck to you all.

Visit http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/ to watch a few clips and highlights from the bretheren on Prop 8.