Same-sex marriage in California

Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother—

You have said that it is not good for human beings to be alone.
You have encouraged us to lay before you the desires of our hearts.
You have promised that when your children ask for bread, you will not give us stones.
You have promised to pour out new light and knowledge on your people—to reveal things that have never been known since the creation of the world.
You have given me the grace to find joy in a same-sex partnership.

I am both grateful and uneasy about the California ruling on behalf of same-sex marriage.
I remember how frightened I was a few years ago when San Francisco began performing marriages for same-sex couples—afraid that it would prompt an overwhelming political backlash.
At the same time, I remember the sheer joy I felt every time I looked at photos of those marriages.

I give thanks for the nations that protect sexual orientation as a question of human rights and that have given legal recognition to same-sex partnerships.
I give thanks for an increased willingness on the part of the American courts and in public opinion to recognize same-sex relationships as morally equivalent to heterosexual relationships.
I believe that is your will; I believe it is the working of your Spirit blowing across the face of history.
I hope that, anyway. I place my hope in you.

I pray that the step forward which has been made in California will not be undone.
I pray that I will live long enough to be able to marry my partner in a federally recognized union.
I pray for new understanding among Latter-day Saints about this issue.
I pray for gay/lesbian people living in places where religious opposition to same-sex relationships is even more repressive and violent.

In Christ's name, amen.