I have been saying this will happen (loss of our 501c3 status due to our "discrimination" of a protected group - of which we are one, too are we not????) for well over a decade now and finally someone who frequents this blog dug this up as a form of confirmation that this will occur. The taxes on our properties alone could not be covered with tithing funds - and our assets would be seized for back-taxes, etc. They have been tightening the noose for years now - from bazaars to cooking in our kitchens, we have had our abilities to operate as we saw fit chipped away at, until there is little of the heart and soul of the Church remain that I knew as a young kid growing up. It has been purposeful and consistent until there is little left of the original organ.
Take yourself back to 1890 with the persecution of the Church due to plural marriage. It was under the Edmonds-Tucker Act that Church property was seized/confiscated and the Church went into a state of destitution because we were doing as commanded in living the higher law of consecration, which plural marriage is the capstone of.
Here is something I thought interesting from Wikipedia:
In 1890 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the seizure of Church property under the Edmunds–Tucker Act in Late Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. United States.Interesting the year it was repealed...... Think about the year we suddenly started seeing the "Corporation" back into our legal titles. I had never before made the connection until now.
This act was repealed in 1978.
We are slaves, folks - and truly have never been able to truly live according to the dictates of our own consciences......regardless of how foolish or bizarre those dictates may seem to others outside of our religious circles. In this country, you conform or you die, as the Branch Davidians found out and the FLDS of Texas found out. I do not entirely agree with either group's belief sets, but I think we should defend their ability to be different. Its either fit in, or get out. I mock the concept that we tout true religious freedom in this country. Are we probably still the most religiously free people in the world? Yes! But, do we have true religious freedom? NO!!! Without true freedom - there is no true agency; and, to a degree, God's plan to allow ALL children everywhere to be judged according to their works, is hindered. That, my friends, is the work of the evil one.....
It has been a true revelation to me to allow my teens their full agency. I have learned volumes about Father's plan of agency for His children. I have learned much about myself and my true motivations. I have become well-acquainted with the principles of D&C121.
Back on track - I have wondered if the issue of "gay marriage" will bring about the second seizure of Church property and the shuttering of our Temples. This time, we again will be called the "perverted ones" as good truly is called evil and evil called good. It will swiftly bring about the death knell on this nation - the fatal body blow. I feel violated - and moreso each day and just wish to get it over with already. Lets get through the hard stuff so we can right the ship and sail on smooth waters once again.
Here is that piece I promised from the SL Temple dedicatory prayer:
Salt Lake City Temple Dedicatory Prayer. (Last couple of paragraphs.)
Heavenly Father, when Thy people shall not have the opportunity of entering this holy house to offer their supplications unto Thee, and they are oppressed and in trouble, surrounded by difficulties or assailed by temptation and shall turn their faces towards this Thy holy house and ask Thee for deliverance, for help, for Thy power to be extended in their behalf, we beseech Thee, to look down from Thy holy habitation in mercy and tender compassion upon them, and listen to their cries. Or when the children of Thy people, in years to come, shall be separated, through any cause, from this place, and their hearts shall turn in remembrance of Thy promises to this holy Temple, and they shall cry unto Thee from the depths of their affliction and sorrow to extend relief and deliverance to them, we humbly entreat Thee to Turn Thine ear in mercy to them; hearken to their cries, and grant unto them the blessings for which they ask.
Almighty Father, increase within us the powers of that faith delivered to and possessed by Thy Saints. Strengthen us by the memories of the glorious deliverances of the past, by the remembrance of the sacred covenants that Thou hast made with us, so that, when evil overshadows us, when trouble encompasses us, when we pass through the valley of humiliation, we may not falter, may not doubt, but in the strength of Thy Holy name may accomplish all Thy righteous purposes with regard to us, fill the measure of our creation, and triumph gloriously, by Thy grace, over every besetting sin, be redeemed from every evil, and be numbered in the kingdom of heaven amongst those who shall dwell in Thy presence forever.
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/prayer/
Oh my gosh!!!
This brings tears to my eyes.
Thank heavens that the Lord has promised he would shorten our days, and thank heavens that President Woodruff gave such a thoughtful prayer that included blessings for our day--the last days.
Here is how I see this (I am NOT an insider, but ever since living in Mexico for the last two and a half years what is the United States of America today is WAY different than even two years ago, much less eight years ago or 50 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI see the SCOTUS ruling DOMA inconstitutional, which will by default legalize gay marriage in all 50 states. Current statutes in 30 plus states will be rendered unconstitutional under the equal protection of the laws (this won't happen all at once but I definitely see it happening through 2014.
Tea Party advocates will unseat many Republicans in their primary elections, and will result in being soundly defeated by the Democrats, possibly returning the House to the Democrats and possibly a supermajority in the Senate.
The new Democratic House and Senate will be able to pass new laws unchecked that would determine speaking out against gay marriage to be hate speech. Then they could go after the churches for discrimination when the churches do not want to legitimize a gay marriage. The LDS Church as well as several conservative churches such as the Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and several Evangelicals will be severely persecuted.
Glad I live in Mexico where traditional marriage is respected everywhere (unless you live in Mexico City where gay marriage has been legal for five years) and 80 percent of the population is against gay marriage.