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Worldwide Prayer, Fast & Vigil Today (Sunday)

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November 7, 2015

A worldwide prayer, fast, and vigil is being organized in response to the change in the LDS Church Handbook of Instruction that requests disciplinary councils be formed when same-sex couples marry and that children of same sex couples are denied blessings, baptism, and other ordinances until they are 18 and denounce same-sex marriage.

The facebook event page holds details of local gatherings. Also, see below for a list of local gathering.

Meetings will take place:

Sunday, November 8, 2015
Worldwide
Actions:
1) Fast & Pray for those who may be suffering and for greater understanding and unity in Zion
2) Participate in a Sunday evening vigil in your city (more TBA)

Local Sunday evening vigils (ordered alphabetically by city; also scroll down to see other gatherings in more cities):

En Español: https://www.facebook.com/events/833953376723969/

Boise, Idaho: https://www.facebook.com/events/195445217455000/

Colorado Springs: https://www.facebook.com/events/915014941918889/

Los Angeles: https://www.facebook.com/events/1521139111538647/

Minnesota: https://www.facebook.com/events/430212027168591/

New York City: https://www.facebook.com/events/854419468005012/

Salt Lake City: https://www.facebook.com/events/1239798386047122/

Seattle: https://www.facebook.com/events/186055341735810/

Tuscon, Arizona:
https://www.facebook.com/events/848420181938515/

Washington, D.C.: https://www.facebook.com/events/702608573173846/

Other gatherings:

Phoenix, Arizona: ALL Arizona gathering of love and support, 4pm through the evening, Sunday, November 8. 1714 E Kramer St, Mesa, AZ. Contact Bryce at [email protected].

Cache Valley, Utah: An evening to come together to support each other. 967 E. 11000 S. Avon, Ut. Contact 435-760-2592.https://www.facebook.com/events/970938756300307/

Please note that these gatherings are not protests, but are an act of coming together as Latter-day Saints to show our love and concern for those who may be impacted by this new direction.

The largest gathering will be in Salt Lake City at 6 p.m. PM at the northwest corner of Pioneer Park (400 West, 300 South).

PLEASE NOTE THE BELOW GUIDELINES FOR VIGILS:

Guidelines for Vigils:
– DO NOT enter the private grounds of a Church meetinghouse or Temple.
– DO NOT enter any private property without express permission from the owner.
– Check your city/county rules before organizing.
– Start the vigil with songs and a prayer
– Ask individuals to step forward and one by one share their messages of love and support for LGBT Mormons
– Participants may bring signs focused on showing their love and support for LGBT Mormons
– This is meant to be a solemn gathering and not one for lashing out or contention. Please avoid any personal attacks or chanting.
– If press/media attend and report on your event, feel free to share the prepared press release available here:

https://affirmation.org/affirmation-responds-to-the-new-han…/
– Tweet about your event to: https://twitter.com/affirmationLDS
– Use hashtag ‪#‎ForbidNot‬ ‪#‎Affirmation‬ ‪#‎LDS‬ ‪#‎Mormon‬ ‪#‎LGBT‬

9 Comments

  1. Maria d on November 6, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    I am in solidarity with all my brother and sisters in same sex/gender Union and their children. I was hit in the center of my soul and in the pit of my stomach when I heard this horrible news last nigh. Earlier in the day I have read Oaks’ speech in Sacramento, CA . Last month on the separation between church and state, and was beaming with pride and satisfaction. His words filled my heart with hope for higher ways of thinking and acting on our differences with a love of Chrst and desire to be like him. I know now these changes in church policy is not the Gospel of the Lord, the Son of God, this is a man made policy to sooth their brused egos. One day, they, the authors of this policy would be accountable for all the pain and suffering they are causing now and will inflict in the future to innocent children.
    We must act in love and obedience to the simplicity of the Lord’s Gospel. Love, loyalty, respect towards each other and protection of the innocent is and should continue our focus.

    • Laura on November 8, 2015 at 5:35 PM

      What I don’t understand is how people want their children to be part of a church that they disagree with.

      Members are supposed to believe in the teachings of the church, and sustain and follow the church leadership. If you have a testimony of the restored Gospel, then you would know that this is inspired and not out of hatred or bigotry.

      How cruel is it to put a child in the middle of the teachings of the church and their parents? No child should have to live in that dichotomy.

      Because I know the church is true, I support this policy change. I see it as 100% in the best interests of the children. Obviously those living in same sex relationships do not want to follow the teachings of the church, so why on earth would they want their children baptized into a church they disagree with?? That just causes confusion and heartache in the minds of these poor children who don’t need to be torn between their faith and their families. This is an act of mercy on their behalf and nothing more.

      That being said, I am sad for those who struggle with this, and it in no way changes my treatment of the LGBT community, and I will continue to love and support and pray for them. Jesus loves everyone, and that is my goal too.

  2. Liz rantz on November 7, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    LDS vigil is appropriate, however a bit later we need a bigger vigil, probably in SLC to include all caring persons. I would gladly be there, my heart is broken for the families, esp the child, the innocents. I am not LDS and have no glbt family, and am still broken by a church, a society, that would accept this.

  3. Kraig Stephens on November 7, 2015 at 5:00 PM

    Whiplash! We as a community seemed to be making great progress until Friday, November 8, 2015. Very sad.

  4. John Minagro on November 7, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    I’m shocked!
    Shocked by what has happened, I tell you.
    Not by what the church did,
    but that anyone thought they wouldn’t do otherwise.

  5. Patxi on November 8, 2015 at 9:05 PM

    I just don’t understand why members of affirmation still hope that church leaders and members would change their mind and perceptions about homosexuality. Its my prayer that you guys would let go and enjoy your life instead of chasing something that may never come…

    Love,

    PP

  6. James F. Cartwright on November 8, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    In the Old Testament, the prophet said one day would come when children would not be punished for the acts of their fathers. This horrible act causes a lot of suffering on the part of the children. Moreover, the parents are not sinning but getting married!

  7. Supporter on November 9, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    I’m not LDS nor LGBTQ, but I am a supporter and ally. I’m not surprised the church is doing this, having grown up nonLDS in Utah. However, it’s very wrong for them to do this. I’m very sorry that this is happening. My heart goes out to all of you and let us hope that this horrible new discrimination is changed. You already face so much and you should have the support of your faith and church. No God would want this. This is WRONG.

  8. Peter Eriksson on November 10, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    Just a thought from a swedish member of the Church who respect and understand your feelings. I like to think of the change in the handbook as a protection of the children-protecting them for choosing between the Church and their parents who live in a gay relationship. So wether we like it or not-the purpose is good but ofcourse we can all have some thoughts about if it is a good change or not. But we can not say that it is an evil thing since the purpose is of good. The change has also similarity to the priesthood and the negros. When the black people were restricted to the priesthood they could think of it in two ways. They could be disappointed and angry with the Church or they could think, as some did, that we as a black people can show our faith as no white man could do. The black people coud show that dispite of the ban of the priesthood, they could still show that they were indeed strong in the gospel and steadfast and be active in the Church. The wite men could not show there faith in that way…so that is an interesting way to look at it..so with the Children who live with parents who are living in a gayrelationship-if they want, they can come to Church and show their faith in a very special way-in a special way comparable to the black people when they did not have access to the priesthood. So it all is allways coming back to faith and trusting the Lord that he knws what he is doing through his appointed leaders..thanks for telling my thoughts…all good to you…

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