Stokes Sounds Off: LDS Church Approves Electronic Method to Submit Tithes and Other Charitable Donations/Supreme Court Hearing Arguments on Same-Sex Marriage

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

LDS Church Approves Electronic Method to Submit Tithes and Other Charitable Donations/Supreme Court Hearing Arguments on Same-Sex Marriage

Two major things I want to discuss with this post. First, the Church has approved an electronic method for members in the United States to pay tithes and other offerings. Also, the United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments on same-sex marriage. Let's get down to business!

The Church has approved an electronic method for members in the United States to pay tithes and other offerings. This method has been beta tested in areas of the United States and will soon be available for all members in the US. Local leaders will be informed when it is available in their area. This is an exciting development. It means that tithing and other offerings can be paid from a bank account in addition to the old-fashioned method of cash, checks, and currency. It will cut down on the work the ward financial clerk has to do. As a former ward financial clerk myself, I can't begin to articulate what this means to me. It will eliminate the need for clerks to try and read different types of handwriting. Of course, members can still submit their offerings the old-fashioned way. But this will be a more effective method of tracking donations. And this isn't just for members. Anyone with an LDS account in the United States, member or not, can donate to any of the Church's funds. I can't predict how many not in the Church will take advantage of this, but I do hope that someday this may be a Church-wide development. More to come on this as information becomes available.

Also, the Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on the legality of same-sex marriage and determining whether it should be an issue decided by individual states or not. Most of you know that I am in favor of traditional marriage between a man and a woman and that I believe this is the only type of marriage sanctioned by God. I believe the Bible when it says, "For this cause shall a MAN leave his father and mother and cleave unto his WIFE and they twain shall be one flesh." I would be pleased if the court decided that this issue should be left in the hands of individual states and voters to decide. A majority of Utah voted for traditional marriage  when the issue was decided here, but a federal judge took it upon himself to reverse the majority decision and make same-sex marriage legal in 30 states, whether that ruling was wanted or not. I believe that a majority of people in the United States favor traditional marriage. This belief has been solidified by the fact that the LDS Church was just ONE of several entities, religious or not, who joined together to send an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of traditional marriage. The church's position is firm and will not change, no matter what the world does or what the court decides. Utah leaders have appealed to the court of last resort to not have to recognize or perform same-sex marriages. But that appeal has failed. This issue will have nation-wide impact. Whatever the ultimate outcome is, I hope we can all be respectful in our discourse about the issue. I hope I have not offended anyone by stating my opinion. If I have, though, so be it. I don't believe I should have to keep silent on an issue important to me simply because it might offend someone. And since I am using this blog to "sound off" about important topics to me, I wanted to give my perspective on a potentially life-changing and game-changing issue. You can be sure to find the latest on this issue here.

I am grateful for these two important developments. I was anxious to share my opinion on both with this post. And now I have. I think I have "sounded off" enough for today. I will try to post on Saturday, if not before, with a general update. So much has happened since my last general update that I need to fill all of you in on. But life has caught up with me in a major way and I haven't had much time to write that update. So hopefully I will get to it then. Until I write again, all the best!

1 comment:

  1. I feel like I should voice my opinion about same sex attraction:
    I hate depression. I hate it. I also hate Cigarettes. And I especially hate pornography. I guess I can be called a hater then. Do I hate people hooked on cigarettes? Or people who struggle with pornography? Do i hate people who have depression? No! No! No! Rather the opposite. I love them. They very much need our love and help. Should we say that chain smokers, addicts to pornography, or people with depression, are lost? That they should just accept that, and give in to their bad desires? Should we say there is nothing they can do, they are forever just the way that they are? No. If you truly love someone, with your whole heart you will try your best to keep them safe, away from harmful things. Parents, have a solemn duty to protect their children, and keep them from danger. Parents should teach their children what will make them happy, and what will make them unhappy. Good Parents will not force their children to choose the right. This is what God does.
    Here is the point: We have Heavenly Parents. God has continually warned us by scripture, modern prophets, and by his own son Jesus Christ, that all sexual impurity such as homosexuality will lead to pain, suffering and unhappiness to us, and those around us. We all have to learn to control our physical desires. Everyone. Is It fair that some should have to go their whole life controlling physical attraction and desires? No. It's not fair! This is a very hard thing that many people get stuck on, and don’t understand. But Is it possible? Yes! But why should we have to control these desires? Why should someone choose to go through life enduring this? Isn’t that too harsh? Many people have gone through life suffering. Loss of family, poor health, extreme emotional distraught. Loneliness. All manner of pain. People have been unjustly enslaved, raped, and murdered. Is this fair? No. It is painful to even talk about. But God is real. He knows our sufferings. His son Jesus Christ descended below all things, and felt all this suffering so he could know how to succor us. (Alma 7:12) If you believe in God, believe that he will help those who struggle, and that he would not give any trial, any challenge, that cannot be won. Those who struggle with same sex attraction, will be given help from the Savior, if they seek it. We all need help. We all have problems.
    Now what is the meaning behind the strict commandment God has given concerning sexual purity? There are many. We are sent to earth to learn and grow, to overcome weaknesses and have them be made strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Our trials will not last forever. We are meant for happiness and success! But, perhaps the most beautiful reason we go through life is Eternal Families. We are literally God’s own Kids. We are meant to have all that God has, and to become like him. (Romans 8:16-17) We are all part of his family, and his plan includes us having the joy of creating our own families too. I know this is true. I would like to end with a scripture that has always given me comfort:
    “ 17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
    18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.
    19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (Doctirine and Covenants 78:17-19)
    I hope that our Father in Heaven will answer your questions quickly. I know he has blessed my life. I owe every drop of happiness to my Savior, and my family. I know that families are sacred and so wonderful! I am so happy, and blessed because of my loving heavenly parents. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    ReplyDelete

In addition to my life-long love for the subjects which I cover in the posts of this blog, I have long held the belief that we can disagree without becoming disagreeable. Differences of opinion are natural, while being disagreeable in expressing those differences is not. And in that sense, I have no desire to close the door on anyone who earnestly desires to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on subjects covered in the posts on this blog.

At the same time, however, I recognize that we live in a time when incivility, discourtesy, unkindness, and even cyber-bullying has regrettably become part of online interactions. With that in mind, while anyone who wishes can comment on anything if they choose to do so, I hereby reserve the right to immediately delete any comments which are critical, unkind, lack civility, or promote prodcuts, services, and values contrary to either the Church, or to the rules of online etiquette.

I'd also like to remind all who comment here that I try to respond personally to each individual comment as I feel is appropriate. Such replies are not meant to end the conversation, but to acknowledge earnest feedback as it is submitted.

And in order to better preserve the spirit and pure intentions for which this blog was established, I also hereby request that anyone not commenting with a regular user name (particularly those whose comments appear under the "Unknown" or "Anonymous" monikers, give the rest of us a name to work with in addressing any replies. If such individuals do not wish to disclose their actual given names, a pseudonym or nickname would suffice.

Any comments made by individuals who opt to not give a name by which they can ber identified may, depending on the substance and tone of such comments, be subject to deletion as well. I would respectfully ask that all of us do all we can to keep the dialogue positive, polite, and without malice or ill-will. May the Lord bless us all in our discussion of these important matters.