Nevertheless

Nevertheless- adv. & conj. ...  in spite of this

When I hear the word, nevertheless, I think of Adam being told...thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself... (Moses 3:17)  

Given counsel and yet still being able to choose.  The word nevertheless stuck out to me in two statements on the Church news website.  One on alcohol and one on same-sex marriage/homosexuality.  The excerpt statements below, to me, are about us learning to conduct ourselves as LDS people, while behavior we don't agree with is being legislated as legal and we know/feel/believe that it's immoral.  

 ON ALCOHOL:
The Church also believes strongly that alcohol policy in Utah is closely tied to the moral climate of the state and legislation should not enable, promote or contribute to an “alcohol culture.”  Nevertheless, the Church does not contest the fact that alcohol is socially acceptable in our society and should be available to those who want it.  (Church Website)

ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:

Just as those who promote same-sex marriage are entitled to civility, the same is true for 
those who oppose it. The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ constitutionally 
protected right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and 
morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its 
standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.

Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their 
ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, 
and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used 
for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same-sex marriages.  
Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they 
respect our standards of conduct while there.  (Church Website)

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Church apostle Elder Quentin L. Cook stresses that-- "Latter-day Saints, who devote their 
lives to following Jesus Christ’s teachings, should be an example to the world of expressing 
love and hope for those with same-gender attraction."

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paragraphs below from  --No Other Gods by Dallin H. Oaks here 

"There are many political and social pressures for legal and policy changes to establish behaviors contrary to God’s decrees about sexual morality and contrary to the eternal nature and purposes of marriage and childbearing. These pressures have already authorized same-gender marriages in various states and nations. Other pressures would confuse gender or homogenize those differences between men and women that are essential to accomplish God’s great plan of happiness.

Our understanding of God’s plan and His doctrine gives us an eternal perspective that does not allow us to condone such behaviors or to find justification in the laws that permit them. And, unlike other organizations that can change their policies and even their doctrines, our policies are determined by the truths God has identified as unchangeable."

"Our twelfth article of faith states our belief in being subject to civil authority and “in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” But man’s laws cannot make moral what God has declared immoral. Commitment to our highest priority—to love and serve God—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place."

"In this determination we may be misunderstood, and we may incur accusations of bigotry, suffer discrimination, or have to withstand invasions of our free exercise of religion. If so, I think we should remember our first priority—to serve God—and, like our pioneer predecessors, push our personal handcarts forward with the same fortitude they exhibited."

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Talk about a challenge for an attitude adjustment!  To reconcile our conduct towards those that embrace what we don't believe in.  To remind ourselves that it's not sin to be homosexual- it's only sin if you act on it.  Even acting on it doesn't give me license to tar and feather anyone.  For some, this will be like taking down their own personal Berlin Wall.  Seemingly as large and impossible a task as that feat was outwardly and we will deal with that inward battle.  We can't fool God.

I've mentioned before, as far as I know in our family, we have no one dealing with this issue.  I have friends that have that challenge and one thing I see is often there is estrangement and families are fractured.  Siblings want nothing to do with them and if there are nieces/nephews they will not allow them to be around them.  Parents sometimes will not allow there own child to come into their home.  Excluding them from family reunions/Christmas etc. 

I think it was last conference that someone mentioned that children should be welcome in their own family.  Don't have it right here, right now, but I do have this statement by Elder Cook.....

" No family who has anybody who has a same-gender issue should exclude them from the family circle. They need to be part of the family circle. Do we teach the Proclamation on the Family, do we teach Heavenly Father’s plan, do we teach the first chapter in the second handbook, yes we do. We have a plan of salvation. And having children come into our lives is part of Heavenly Father’s plan. But let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach to those and lets not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender. I’m sorry, I feel very strongly about this as you can tell. I think it’s a very important principle."

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(Handbook 2  21.4.6)   
While opposing homosexual behavior, the Church reaches out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender.

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So here we are preparing ourselves for yet another last day battle.  chinking our armor.  ultra-sounding our thoughts and picking out bad seeds that are revealed through such close introspection.  Avoiding Ward civil wars over who is right and who is wrong.  Following the Prophets and figuring out that the 11th article of faith covers this subject also doesn't it?  Sort of?  Somewhat?  Don't you think it's about unconditional love?

Why on earth is the word Gay used?  I see nothing gay about anything homosexual. 

Gay adj. --lighthearted and cheerful, happy and full of fun. 

A new descriptive identifying word is needed.  Anyone that I know of that is gay would not be described as a dictionary Gay adj.  Misnomer for sure!!

As Thumper was taught by his mother in Bambi--if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

Me.  Hushing up.