Tradition of Their Fathers

In section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord sets out His definition of truth, and the way to enlightenment and receiving of the fullness of the Father.  But then He gives a warning in verse 39.

"And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers."

I think it's fascinating that disobedience is only one of the ways we can be cut off from light and truth.  The other is the tradition of our fathers.  What traditions do we perpetuate that keep us from light and truth?  I propose that there are many.  Ideas of racial superiority/inferiority certainly apply here.  Traditions of slavery.  Traditions of women be subject to men, or even the property of men, definitely count.  These traditions are so strong that they have become part of scripture -- particularly the Law of Moses in the Old Testament and the epistles in the New Testament.  As the church has slowly shed these traditions, we have become more open to receiving light and truth from the Savior.

I believe that the ban on gay marriage may be another of our traditions that may be keeping us from light and truth.  The only places in the scriptures that proscribe homosexuality are in the Law of Moses and the epistles.  It's not even mentioned in the gospels, or anywhere in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or the Pearl of Great Price.  And even where it is mentioned in the Bible, it's talking of gay promiscuity, not gay marriage.  Heterosexual promiscuity is also proscribed.

Could our opposition to gay marriage be keeping us from light and truth?  It seems to come from the tradition of our fathers, and not from scripture.

An Allegory

I recall hearing an interview with a paraplegic individual who was asked if they would like to turn back time and prevent the issue that caused their disability.  Their response was that while they would love to be healed, if the cost was to forget all the lessons they learned, it wouldn't be worth it.  The person they became was deeply intertwined with their experiences in overcoming their challenges, and they wouldn't want to lose who they became.

I feel similar in many ways.  The person I am has been greatly influenced by my experiences and overcoming my challenges and hardships.  I love my amazing wife and my wonderful children and I wouldn't want to give them up, or lose the lessons I learned along the way.  But taking the paraplegic analogy a little further, I never lost the use of my legs -- rather I was not allowed to use them.  I was required to either to live life in a wheelchair and let my legs atrophy despite their being perfectly healthy, or to leave my community -- alienate myself from my friends and family.  I think that's an apt description of what it feels like being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, yet having a gay orientation.