Elder Neil L. Andersen
“Recently, I spoke with a Laurel from the United States. I
quote from her email:
“‘This past year some of my friends on Facebook began
posting their position on marriage. Many favored same-sex marriage, and several
LDS youth indicated they “liked” the postings. I made no comment.
“‘I decided to declare my belief in traditional marriage in
a thoughtful way.
“‘With my profile picture, I added the caption “I believe in
marriage between a man and a woman.” Almost instantly I started receiving
messages. “You are selfish.” “You are judgmental.” One compared me to a slave
owner. And I received this post from a great friend who is a strong member of
the Church: “You need to catch up with the times. Things are changing and so
should you.”
“‘I did not fight back,’ she said, ‘but I did not take my
statement down.’
“She concludes: ‘Sometimes, as President Monson said, “You
have to stand alone.” Hopefully as youth, we will stand together in being true
to God and to the teachings of His living prophets’” (“Spiritual Whirlwinds,”
Ensign, May 2014, 19–20).
