Protect the Family

Over the course of the last week, we have studied about the importance of protecting the family. Elder Ballard had some great insight on this topic. In Elder Ballard’s talk, he encouraged us to “speak out and encourage a more uplifting, inspiring and acceptable media.”  I reflected upon the events of recent involving the Duggars (19 Children and Counting) and the Robertson family (Duck Dynasty), reality TV families that portray Christian values on air. People were offended by comments/actions and chose to try to force these families’ shows off of the air because of conservative viewpoints being expressed by members in each of these families. Now I don’t have cable TV and haven’t seen any of the Duggars’ shows, but my understanding is that they are pro-marriage and pro-family. One of the daughters recently married and posted a picture on Instagram. She took some heat for it because it apparently seemed “racy”. So her parents posted a photo of them kissing and asked for others to post pictures of them kissing their spouse. A gay couple posted a picture on their site (I believe it was a facebook page or some sort of social media) and they took the photo down. Because of this, a few were outraged because they felt that the Duggars were discriminating and wanted TLC to take their show off of the air, so they started a petition. The thing that I found interesting is the overwhelming support the Duggars received from other Christians that feel that marriage is between a man and a woman. They too had a petition started to keep them on the air. This petition gained more support than the first. To me it showed that people appreciate the more “uplifting” media, as they are consistent with their morals and values, and want those programs to stay.

As a society, we need to not be afraid to defend marriage according to God’s laws. At the same time, we need to still be loving and tolerant towards those with differing views. Elder Oaks gave a great address about this in 2011.  Oaks described tolerance as “a friendly and fair attitude toward unfamiliar opinions and practices or toward the persons who hold or practice them.” He talked about diversity and how it both enriches and complicates our lives. He also shared three absolute truths that are shared by believers.

1. All persons are brothers and sisters under God, taught within their various religions to love and do good to one another.
2. Living with differences is what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us we must do.
3. Our tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs does not cause us to abandon our commitment to the truths we understand and the covenants we have made.

As I thought about these things, it made me think and ask where do I stand?  Am I protecting my family from negative views on Christian values and principles?  Am I being an advocate – speaking up when I have the opportunity? Or am I silently just watching things from the sideline?