Rendering unto Caesar: Being Mormon and supporting marriage equality

(Note: Although I am an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my lifelong participation necessarily informs my knowledge, beliefs and opinions, these comments are solely mine. They in no way reflect official or unofficial positions of the Church.)

Shortly after Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and cleansing the temple (his Father’s house) of the money changers, the Pharisees planned to “entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:15-17). They assume they have him – right after his most visible and violent angry outburst against those that would pollute the holy sanctuary for profit with currency marked with the state’s insignia, how can the man that just chastised many for making the temple a “den of thieves” (Matt 21:13) now either deny God (and risk his soul) by paying tribute or be deemed a traitor (and risk death) by denying Caesar his lawful tribute?

But he knows what they are up to and chides them: “Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matt 22:19-21).

As I’ve thought about the political issue of marriage equality over the past few years, this story has returned to me repeatedly. Many might claim that the story is not applicable, that marriage is not a political or legal construct. And ideally, I would say that’s true because I’m an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I do believe that God has ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman. This belief is rooted in doctrine known within our Church as the Plan of Salvation, which I know to be true. It makes sense to me; it’s what keeps me in the Church, despite cultural issues.

Unfortunately marriage ceased to be primarily a religious contract in a broad sense when an ambitious father first offered his daughter as a means to solidify peace, gain land or procure monies (though certainly on an individual basis it can and does retain its religious significance).

So when I hear talk of protecting the institution of marriage, I have to wonder which institution are we discussing? The one recognized by the state? The one that might be rendered to Caesar? Or is it the one ordained of God? Because I feel we’ve done a very poor job thus far of protecting the latter – adultery, premarital sex, teen pregnancy, pornography. All accepted parts of our current society – all far more detrimental, in my view, to the traditional religious definition marriage and family than legal marriage equality.

Even though as a single Mormon woman I’m not immediately affected either way, my close friends (both Mormon and not) who are gay are impacted by the outcome of this national discourse. And I feel I must weigh my responsibility to my religion and my responsibility as a citizen carefully. They are rarely discordant, but this is an exception. For purposes of my religious beliefs and my church, marriage is ordained of God to be between a man and a woman. And all marriages in churches and temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will reflect that doctrine. I neither expect nor wish this to change.

However, marriage legally serves as a key declaration of commitment and dedication between adults in our society. It bears rights of inheritance and the potential to provide a home for children that might not have one otherwise. It also indicates all people are of equal worth, regardless of sexual orientation. And I think I have an obligation to recognize and support those individuals’ rights. There are times when individual rights take precedence over the special interests of groups, even if I align myself with one of them.

This is one of those times. My brothers and sisters deserve no less than my support.