It is 'Height of Presumption' to Substitute Our Own Rules

    Families are a social issue, and I blog about social issues, and so I think to consider some of the talks from the past weekend's General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
    Today, I choose Elder L. Tom Perry's talk. Perry taught that the strength of families is declining "at an alarming rate," causing much damage to society. I pay note to that. Elder Perry might not have spelled out the ways that the deterioration of the family is taking place, but he does say the result is damaging our society. If a thing damages society, then perhaps society has reason to resist it. As a society, then, we have reason to support measures that make the family strong.
   Was Elder Perry speaking of one-parent families? Was he speaking of divorce? It would seem he probably was. What other matters of the family he was speaking of we might also wonder. Some would say there is no causation, that just because certain negative things are happening, it does not mean the condition of the family is the cause.  
   But, Elder Perry says, "I see cause and effect."
   I find that significant. If an apostle of the Lord sees cause and effect, I place much value in his judgement. "As we give up commitment and fidelity to our marriage partners, we removed the glue that holds our society together," Elder Perry says.
   The values the world has for marriage differ from those of God. Elder Perry taught that it is "the height of presumption" for man to substitute his own rules for the laws of God.