Week 3: Obergefell v. Hodges

My topic this week is definitely a sensitive one in society today. I feel so strongly the importance of talking about and speaking of marriage between a man and a woman. As Latter-day Saints, we believe in marriage solely between a man and a woman. The family is the primary unit in society and has been from the beginning of time. 

In the case of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the questions being debated were whether a state must recognize a same-sex marriage liscenced and performed in a state which doesn’t recognize it, and whether states are required to liscence a marriage between two people of the same sex. One of my favorite quotes from the justices came from C.J. Roberts who said “when sexual relations result in the conception of a child, that child’s prospects are generally better if the mother and father stay together rather than going their separate ways. Therefore, for the good of children and society, sexual relations that can lead to procreation should occur only between a man and a woman committed to a lasting bond.” I love how simply he said that children are better off when they are born to a mother and a father committed to one another. I think the reason that a traditional marriage is between a man and woman is because it is most beneficial to the child. 

Russell M. Nelson, who is the president of the Church, gave a beautiful talk based on marriage. He said that husband and wife form the most significant partnership of all. I love that he mentions this because so many things in this life work because of others. However same sex marriage does not fulfill the commandment that we have been given to multiply and replenish the earth. He brought up the point that mothers and fathers are not interchangeable. Men and women were literally created to be different beings. They have completely different skill sets and men were created to be more of the provider while women are more naturally nurturers. It’s not easy to change our innate nature to fit that of the other gender. The last point of president Nelson that I love was when he said disciples of the Lord are defenders of marriage. I definitely agree with this statement and as society is changing and redefining the meaning of marriage, it is vital that we hold onto the truths of marriage we have learned within the church. Those who will stick up for and protect marriage between a man and woman are true disciples of the Lord.