OPINION: LGBTQ Protests at BYU Show Lack of Understanding of God's Plan

(OPINION) The change to BYU's honor code sparked both outrage, comfort, and confusion to many. A lot of the outrage came from those in the LGBTQ community, who felt that the Honor Code was disruptive and non-inclusive, and forcing individuals to feel shame and hide who they truly they are. With that being said, there is one thing I feel that we haven't discussed at all in this conversation of the Honor Code, The Church of Jesus Christ, and the LGBTQ community. 

Before I state my main point, I want to make two things very clear. (1) I believe that everyone should have the right and opportunity to express themselves and be the kind of person that they want to be. (2) I also believe that BYU, as a private institution, should be allowed to manage the school however they want. Students sign a contract with the school to follow the rules that are laid out. So with all of that on the table now, my main point is this:

The LGBTQ Protests at BYU show a lack of understanding of the Plan of Salvation. Here's what I mean. 

If you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then you believe that we have had, and will have, three stages of life: Pre-Mortal Life, Mortal Life on Earth, Life After Death.

In the Pre-Mortal life, we were part of the Council of Heaven in which two plans were created. One plan was created by Satan and the other was created by Heavenly Father and championed by our Savior Jesus Christ. Two-thirds of the host of Heaven chose God's plan and came to Earth to receive mortal bodies and to be tested. If we remained faithful and did the best that we could to follow the Gospel and the commandments, our reward would be to become an Exalted being like our Heavenly Father. 

That's the goal. That's the reason why we are here on Earth. Our goal is to become an exalted being like our Father in Heaven, and we can only do this by following the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living the commandments. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an institution created to help guide the children of men back home to their Heavenly Father. The Church's leadership, led by the Prophet, is at the forefront of receiving revelation. Their main responsibility is to let us know what Heavenly Father wants us to do, and to create the right programs and directives in order for us to succeed.

So with that being said, if BYU is an institution run by the LDS Church, why would they allow principles contrary to the beliefs that they hold? Why would they allow actions contrary to the Plan of Salvation that would eliminate people's opportunities to reach the goal of becoming like Heavenly Father?

While the Church is constantly evolving and more and more revelation is being given to us by our leaders, one thing we need to continue to remember is that in the end, all revelation and doctrine will forever point to the GOAL of becoming an exalted being like our Heavenly Father. In all of these conversations that always tie back to society and the Church, I am often confused why the Plan of Salvation is never discussed, as it is one of the biggest core beliefs in the Church. 

All things, all doctrine, and all revelation points to both the Savior and the Plan of Salvation. Continue to mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who are in need of comfort. It might be easy to get angry at the Church as an institution and believe that it is stuck in the dark ages.