I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Most informed citizens know about the issues being debated in California right now and some even realize the repercussions they will have across the nation. Right now, we as Californians are trying to pass a constitutional amendment that states that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. While some people believe this is purely something for the state of CA to deal with, it will ripple out and effect everyone. We need the support of out-of-staters, neighbors, friends, and anyone who believes that this is a huge moral battle that we must win. I am a volunteer in the coalition and in charge of donations. I am asking for your help to meet our goals and ultimately ensure this amendment passes.
The opposition on Proposition 8 will undoubtedly out spend us, they have huge corporations backing their campaign. McDonalds, Dreamworks, Ford, and many others are all contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in order for us to fail. we must answer back and not go out without a fight. To see who is opposing this very important moral issue, check out this website: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-moneymap,0,5374284.htmlstory
A huge coalition has been formed with many organizations to get word out about Proposition 8, which will appear on the November 2008 Presidential ballot. Many non-profit organizations, churches, family & community companies have joined their efforts. And the Saints in CA have joined in this cause to mobilize and canvas neighborhoods to get the info out and ensure our neighbors that they are not alone and that we must stand as one. We have been a silent majority and it is time our voice is heard. In order to have a chance to pass this proposition we will need the funds to make commercials, lawn signs, radio ads, and billboards.
In a letter to the Saints, from the First Presidency, read in June during sacrament meetings across the state, the brethen called us: "We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage". Will we answer that call? Will we give all that we can? I implore you to make this a matter of prayer in your homes and ask your Father in Heaven to know what sacrifices your family can make in order to help this cause.

Some of the major consequences of this amendment failing are:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.

The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)

Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. States that do not allow same sex marriage will be required to recognize the marriages that are performed in California, thus leading to some very expensive lawsuits that the taxpayers will be funding. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.

7. This opens a door for anyone to be married. How do we tell polygamists that it is illegal to marry if they are consenting parties? What about victims of incest? Or any other kind of marriage that is not traditional? Once this line is redrawn, it will just have to keep moving.

I know his has been a lot of information. Thank you for taking the time to read through it and thank you for looking within and finding how much you can do. I know times are hard for everyone, expenses are up and incomes aren't rising to meet those expenses of families however there are ways to donate to the cause. Hold a garage sale and send the proceedings in, claim exempt on a paycheck and send the extra in for support, sacrifice eating out this month and put that money aside for the cause. Dig deep, find out what you can do. Everything makes a difference. We have been asking ourselves, if our donation is the difference of Proposition 8 passing or failing, how much could we do? I know the Lord will bless us in our efforts and I have a testimony that this is the first of major battles in our time. I'll leave you with this.

Finding his liberty threatened, a great man once sought to rally the people to his cause, creating the Title of Liberty. It read, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children”.

Today we find our liberty threatened again. Not by an attempt to overthrow our government, but by an equally disturbing attempt to overthrow the institution our country was founded on – the family.

Our land needs more men like that general of old who prayed mightily and then cried to his people, “Whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them."

In response, the people of the land came RUNNING - ready to defend their freedom. Undoubtedly, this was not easy for them. Many members of the church had even been deceived by the flattering words of their opponents. Like us, they had friends and neighbors who did not agree with them. Like us, it was neither easy nor convenient for them to put their lives aside to fight for a cause; but history has proved them wise in their decision, and victorious in their efforts.

A similar choice faces us now, in this moment. Covenants are being broken in our land which we have been warned will bring upon us and our neighbors heartbreaking calamities. It is in our power to stop it.

Let history judge us kindly and let our children be able to proclaim that when our liberty was threatened, we likewise came RUNNING……………

Volunteer TODAY at http://www.protectmarriage.com/ or e-mail oldfield.protectmarriage@gmail.com for more information on how you can make a difference.

To make a monetary donation, please visit http://www.protectmarriage.com/ and please pass the word on to friends and family.