I stand firm, but with love in my heart

Today has overwhelmed my brain a bit. Being torn slightly for a moment. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, my view as to what marriage is, seems to be pretty well known. However I believe that some may not understand it completely. While scrolling through my friend's (who I love and care about deeply) posts with the red = sign as their profile picture. My heart hurt. While my beliefs are planted firmly in my faith, for I know it to be true, it has never been my intent to harm or hurt anyone by them. Many people who I have come to love and care about believe differently than me. It has been my plan to just stay quiet, and not say anything as to not offend any of those I hold dear. However I feel a need to share where my heart is. It is my hope that those who feel the same, or different know that even though we have different beliefs, we can always still have love for each other.
Explaining "why" I believe the way I do seems to be a task in itself. Would you believe that it is a fire burning inside of me telling me it is right? Here is where my heart hurts, because naturally I love people just because they are who they are, however my firm beliefs make them feel otherwise. So I had to sit back and ask myself where do I stand on this? I believe that if I have a question, that the only place to get answers is from my Father in Heaven. I have been pouring my heart out in prayer through out the day. The feelings of sadness have been my companion because to believe the way I do, meant to hurt some I love.
A much needed sense of calm has come over me. The conclusion I have come to is that the Lord my Savior has love for all. It does not matter their situation, what they do, what they believe, and so forth. Just pure LOVE. While he as well as our Father in Heaven have an unconditional love, they do not condone all actions that their children do. There are many things that I myself have done, do, and I am sure will do in the future that they would not favor. We are all human, and have our decisions(feelings). It is not my place to point fingers and say another person's are worse than mine. What I can say, is that where I stand, and my beliefs are unshaken, AS WELL as my love for ALL.
It may seem hard to understand to some, and that is okay. What I am hoping comes across the most clear is that even though we may be on different paths, my love is not going anywhere.

Attached is a link to a video of our former beloved Prophet explaining what people of my faith believe to be true. We are not on a mission to hold people back from what they feel life/laws should be, but holding true to our own beliefs. It seems as though it is becoming a fine line.

Love to ALL!


http://youtu.be/aE_hooDhAbU