To All Members and Friends of The Church of Jesus Christ, with Headquarters in Monongahela, PA
On June 26, 2015, in a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment requires all states to license same-sex marriages in the US.
The Court’s decision does not change God’s commandment that marriage is a Holy union between a man and a woman ordained by God.
In Defense of Holy Matrimony
The following portion of our message has been prepared for all members of the Church to affirm God’s plan for marriage and that a religious marriage also referred to as being “united in the bonds of HOLY matrimony”, should be between a man and a woman only. The Quorum of Twelve Apostles believe that it is now more important than ever for The Church of Jesus Christ to reiterate and amplify our position of supporting the Biblical basis for marriage. A legal contract or now, with this Supreme Court ruling redefining marriage, laws made by man can bind together same sex unions but that is very different from the principles of marriage taught by Jesus Christ. We, who believe in the Bible, must support the institution of religious marriage. The Church of Jesus Christ will adhere to the commandments of God and His son Jesus Christ.
Marriage as Instituted by God and Reaffirmed by His Son Jesus Christ
The Church of Jesus Christ, accept the teachings of God and His Son Jesus Christ’s position on marriage. We have approached this as believers in the Word of God as written in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
We realize that some may reject the Bible’s teaching on marriage, others may try to justify same sex marriage. Marriage is a sacred vow between a man and woman and the Bible offers many verses that offer guidance to married couples, husbands, wives, and newlyweds. The Bible teaches us about marriage in relation to God and Jesus Christ, that a marriage between Man and Woman is sacred.
We have accepted a belief system based on God’s Word (Genesis 1 and 2) and the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 19) that marriage is between a Man and a Woman. Genesis is very clear on how Adam and Eve should be “fruitful, multiply and replenish the Earth’
We do not agree that the Biblical description of marriage should have been redefined to include same sex unions. We also do not intend to try and interpret the legal status of unions formed by any one in our society. All of God’s creation has Freedom of Choice.
We use the following scriptures to support our position on marriage:
Genesis 1
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 2
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Matthew 19
1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
It is clear that Jesus emphasized God’s ideal for marriage: That He intended that a man and a woman choosing to be joined together do so in the bonds of HOLY Matrimony, for life; that they become one flesh; and, that they will never be separated by their own individual desires.
It is important that our Church continues to support and promote the Word of God in all things regardless of changing opinions over time. Jesus said, “continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed…” and He proclaimed that “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Let us always hold the Word of God in our hearts
May God bless us as we follow His commandments.
Quorum of Twelve Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ