Politics or Church What Takes Priority When the head of Spiritual Organisation decides to Take on a political Role
Westminster 2017 GE Tory Party candidate for Stirling Stephen Kerr, is passionate about the need for a more honest approach to politics.
He believes that principle-centred leadership would do much to restore popular trust in the political process.
Stephen has another calling as First Counsellor, Scotland/Ireland Mission Presidency – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
An observer might wonder that Stephen supports and actively promotes the aims, aspirations and society norms of a party whose values are so much at odds with his beliefs.
But it takes all sorts I suppose.
The Family
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – A Proclamation to the World
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God.
Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.
Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the pre-mortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.
The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.
Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.
We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.
We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.
We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.
“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.
Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God.
Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.
Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honour marital vows with complete fidelity.
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.
By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.
Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.
In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.
Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfil family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.
Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
3 replies on “Stirling Candidate For Westminster – Stephen Kerr – First Counsellor – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What Takes Priority When the Head of Spiritual Organisation Decides to Take On A Political Role As An MP?”
He will likely answer to his church before his constituents – http://www.wweek.com/news/2016/10/03/mormon-leaks-video-features-former-u-s-sen-gordon-smith-r-ore/
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Answers the questions I raised. He was elected and clearly my words fell on deaf ears. I hope the people of Stirling do not suffer from decisions he makes that are at odds with their wishes
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I sense a level of pre-judgement. The guy hasn’t even warmed a green seat in the Westminster chamber yet. I’ve never voted Tory, in fact I prefer to vote for the person not the party, but if I felt good about the man or woman seeking to represent me and they happened to be a Tory then I would. At least he stands for something that includes a moral code. And how come when a religious-minded person stands for election there is an automatic question about loyalty? I don’t see how spiritual life and political life should be an either/or when it comes to doing what is right, especially when someone is open about what they believe. After all, everyone comes with a background that could be seen as a conflict of interest; be it career, lifestyle, values and more. Give the guy a chance, or better still go speak with him at a surgery.
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