Two Basic Questions

First Question:

If God personally directs each Church, how come religious organizations are the last to accept social equality—each person regardless of place or circumstances of birth with inalienable rights? Why aren’t churches leading in social justice? Why do they lag 20 years behind? And why do they file lawsuits that demean people?

“And he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” ( 2 Ne 26:33) The brotherhood of man is literal. We are all of one blood and the literal spirit offspring of our eternal Heavenly Father. Before we came to earth we belonged to his eternal family. We associated and knew each other there. Our common paternity makes us not only literal sons and daughters of eternal parentage, but literal brothers and sisters as well. This is a fundamental teaching of The church of Jeus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Howard W. Hunter).
"Who, then, are our neighbors? All men everywhere who need our help. Whether they be across the street, across the continent or over the ocean, whether they be friend of foe - they are our neighbors, if we can help them. And we will not ask whether they belong to our family, or our church, or our country, or our party, any more than wer would if someone were crying for help from a burning buildfing. If they need our help, they are our neighbors." Elder Hugh Be Brown (1958).

 “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” -- Joseph Smith

I'm assuming that includes everyone in the LBGT community, immigrants, the handicapped, those who are sick and tired.

"Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35)

Second Question:

If God is love; how come the brethren are so mean to certain members who through no fault of their own are on the road less traveled? Why do they want to hurt those who are already hurting? Why don’t they listen carefully when people talk; show respect and tolerance for differences?

Our Church sends out around 80,000 missionaries to convert people to the Gospel. It seems to me that if they would just be kind to their members, everyone would see how happy they are and would flock to hear the Gospel. Instead, they control and dictate ultimatums for no good reason that rob people of their heart’s desires and happiness; making faithful members feel isolated, invisible, worthless.

Why spend $20 million (or whatever – much more than they reported) to block gay marriage in one state? How do Gay Marriages harm my family or the sanctity of the family?  After listening to a couple of podcasts, one where gay parents talk about the joy their adoptive son has brought into their lives and the inclusion of the birth mother and father into their circle of love; and another where a guy who was bullied throughout his school years and is now an activists for LBGT rights speaks so lovingly of all others. It sort of reminds me of the way Jesus was treated and even crucified, yet he spoke tenderly of everyone. Do you have to suffer excruciating pain and be abandoned to really be like Jesus? Maybe we can’t do it by just keeping the commandments in the comfort of our normal unchallenged lives. Disabilities, illness, accidents, and being born out of the norm are perhaps the refiner’s fire. Maybe they are the only ones who will enter the Kingdom of God. For sure, they will show us the way.

Rather than the religions of the world, the disenfranchised are talking about our need to be strong, to work together; to find empathy, regardless of age, skin color, handicap, sexual orientation or any other schism; with compassion and respect for each other. To walk in each other’s shoes. Shouldn’t that message be coming from God?  Maybe it is.