What does Proposition 8 (Protect Marriage Act) mean to me?

I feel it is our duty as citizens of a free nation to vote- to exercise the freedoms that so many other people do not have. We do not all agree on politics or certain ideas- however, one should take the opportunity given to go and put forth an effort to support whatever it is that he/she believes to be true and right.

In November of this year I plan to vote YES on proposition 8- the Protect Marriage Act. This is a touchy subject among many in California at this time. Many think those that are for prop 8 are against gay/lesbian relationships- I have friends/family who have chosen to live an alternative lifestyle whom I love and want nothing more but the best for them.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have a proclamation that was written by the first presidency of our church - The Family: A Proclamation to the World -and it states-

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

I believe that marriage IS ordained of God and it IS designed ONLY for a man and a woman. I believe that if that changes and a man can marry a man or a woman can marry a woman then it demoralizes our society and the plan that was given us well before we came to this earth. It will give our children, their children, and so on and so forth- no sort of guide for morality and continuity. It may not seem (if Prop 8 fails) at first that anything has changed- but I think we would see things in the future change- for the worse. I will NOT have my child going to a school where he is taught things that go against the plan of my Heavenly Father.

In the end- He will be the judge of us all and how we have chosen to live our lives and how we chose to stand for things that we believed in that made us a stronger people.

How many times in the scriptures does it say- "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence"?


Here are some facts from www.protectmarriage.com- you can of course decide for yourself.



Proposition 8 protects the people’s will and overturns activist judges.
In 2000 over 61% of Californians voted in favor of Proposition 22 to reaffirm that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. However, because this language wasn’t put into the state Constitution when it was approved, four activist judges from San Francisco wrongly overturned the people’s vote. In November 2008, Proposition 8 gives California voters the opportunity to reverse the court’s decision and restore the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in the state Constitution.

Proposition 8 is simple and straightforward.
Proposition 8 contains the same 14 words that were previously approved in 2000 by over 61% of California voters: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” By putting these words directly into the state Constitution, the court cannot strike them down as unconstitutional.

Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage; it’s not an attack on the gay lifestyle.
Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits from gay or lesbian domestic partners. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits” as married spouses. (Family Code §297.5.) There are no exceptions to this. Proposition 8 will not change this.

Proposition 8 protects our children.
Proposition 8 protects our children from being taught in public schools that same-sex marriage is the same as traditional marriage. In health education classes, state law requires teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. (Education Code §51890.) If the same-sex marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

Proposition 8 protects marriage as an essential institution of society.
Proposition 8 protects marriage and the important role of a traditional family. While death, divorce or other circumstances may prevent the ideal, the best situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father.

YES on Proposition 8 does three simple things.
It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and human history has understood marriage to be.

It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.

It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage.