California's Prop. 8

The presidency is not the only thing at stake in this election. Also to be decided is the definition of marriage for over 10% of the population of the United States.

Proposition 8 - on the ballot in California - will, if passed, define marriage as between a man and a woman. If this sounds vaguely familiar, it should. California already passed such a proposition a few years back (Proposition 22 in 2000). The state supreme court recently overturned that one in a decision that reads like a newspaper editorial rather than a legal decision.

So this time the definition of marriage will be placed in the state constitution, where it will be immune (in theory) from judicial redefinition. 31 other states already have such amendments. All but 4 states define marriage in the traditional way in either their constitutions or in state law. There is a clear national consensus on what marriage is. I hope the citizens of California are not shamed into believing they are bigots because they want to preserve the foundation of our society.

To those in California: don't be afraid to stand up for what is right. Just because you're told gay marriage will be harmless doesn't mean it will be harmless. In fact, there is much research and opinion to the contrary.

I've be helping out a site called 'What is the harm?' We've collected information, arguments and research in defense of traditional marriage. There is likely something there to help you respond to any argument you may hear. At least it will give you the chance to see the well-written, well-reasoned, but under-reported arguments for preserving marriage.

(Start shameless plug)
I also have a legal paper posted on the site. On the menu, click on 'Arguments' then scroll down till you see "Is Marriage a Right?" It's probably boring to non-lawyers, but I think it makes good points (obviously, I wrote it).
(End shameless plug)

Don't let local issues get lost in the fever of the presidential race, sometimes these local issues can have huge consequences, even beyond the borders of the state.

President Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008

President Hinckley passed away yesterday evening. I'll miss him, but I'm glad he'll be reunited with his wife. What an incredible life!

I'll miss his sincerity and candor. His words always made me feel a desire to do more and to be better. Listening to him in many Priesthood sessions, I always got the sense that he keenly understood the consequences of sin, and had faith in the ability of each of us to repent, to arise and be men of God.

He showed that you can be humble, meek and righteous, and yet speak with candor, humor and divine authority.

When I go, I hope I go like Pres. Hinckley, quickly and in relatively good health, and I hope to be half the man, half the servant of Christ that he was.

Article about the Church in Africa on MSNBC.com

An interesting article on the church is up on MSNBC.com today. they do a pretty good job being fair and open-minded. There are very nice quotes form Nigerian members of the church too, and glimpse into what the church is like over there. Also a few interesting statistics. (I'm quoting from the article):

• The church has more than 250,000 members in Africa, including almost 80,000 in Nigeria
• More than 8,400 Mormon churches or meetinghouses abroad, with a new one built nearly every day.
• Among the places the church says it is particularly vibrant are Brazil and Mexico which have about 1 million Mormons each, and the Philippines, with nearly 600,000.
• More than 220,000 people a year [are] baptized abroad into the Mormon Church -- four times the 54,000 annual baptisms in the United States.

One of the members had some particularly good things to say:

Joshua Matthews Ebiloma . . . said the Mormons offered him "peace of mind" he had not found anywhere else.

Nigeria is half Muslim and almost half Christian, and proselytizing foreigners, from the United States to Saudi Arabia, are pouring millions of dollars into the African nation of 135 million to expand their faiths.

Ebiloma has sampled a range of them. He was born into a pagan family and still bears the scars of tribal markings carved into his cheeks when he was young. After attending Muslim schools as a child, he tried various Christian churches before finding what he described as "happiness and peace" in Mormonism.

Now, Ebiloma nodded and smiled as fellow Mormons told their stories. [in testimony meeting]

"It is quiet and more organized in here," Ebiloma said later. "In other churches, people are shouting at the top of their lungs, sweating so much they need a hanky. One thing I know for sure: God is not deaf." . . .

Ebiloma said that five years ago, curious about this new church, he jumped off a city bus and walked into the buildings of tile and marble. He immediately liked what he heard inside, especially that no one preached that people of other faiths were going to hell. He had soured on the many Christian pastors he saw growing rich on collection-plate cash and admired the fact that Mormon church leaders are largely unpaid and support themselves with other jobs.

Abstinence from alcohol, another church practice, was a tougher sell. But gradually, with the help of his favorite part of the church -- regular home visits from missionaries and other members -- he abandoned Guinness, his favorite drink and one heavily advertised in Nigeria.

Now, the affable father of two said, he even tries to obey the church's no-caffeine rule. Tugging proudly at his belt, he said he had dropped 50 pounds and now weighs a trim 165. "I am so happy," he said. "I am at peace."

"If you are bereaved or you have a new baby or you don't have money to pay your hospital bills, church members rally around you," he said, smiling. "You tell me: Is this a church I should leave?"

Amen.