In October 2015 General Conference, Elder Perry gave a talk entitled, "Why Marriage and Family Matter--Everywhere in the World".
Let me comment on the talk title: this suggests both the importance of marriage and family, but also a global, even universal power to common interests in marriage and family that Elder Perry shares.
Elder Perry mentions an invitation to attend a colloquium on marriage and family at the Vatican. Religious, geographic, and presumably ethnic diversity is immediately brought up: "In attendance were religious representatives from 14 different faiths and from six of the seven continents, all of whom had been invited to express their beliefs on what is happening to the family in today's world."
Elder Perry starts his summary of the colloquium by quoting the Pope's remarks, speaking against the prevailing "culture of the temporary" and its attendant fruits of "spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable." He quotes the Pope's statement of hope that "the rising generation" will "'seek true and lasting love, going against the common pattern'", becoming "'revolutionaries'" by so doing.
There is a tone of unity and hope as Elder Perry hears "the widest imaginable variety of worldwide religious leaders...agree completely with each other...on the sanctity of the institution of marriage and of the importance of families as the basic unit of society." He continues optimistically, "I felt a powerful sense of commonality and unity with them....It was remarkable for me to see how marriage and family-centered priorities cut across and superseded any political, economic, or religious differences. When it comes to love of spouse and hopes, worries, and dreams for children, we are all the same."
I found the ecumenical tone of the first part of this talk very uplifting and edifying. As brothers and sisters of varying religious traditions, we can support each other in basic beliefs and perspectives on marriage and family.
Of course the religious world is not one monolithic whole. Differences exist. Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says Elder Perry, "Have the eternal perspective of the restored Gospel." Specifically, "The entire theology of our restored Gospel centers of families and on the nea and everlasting covenant of marriage." Distinctive LDS beliefs, doctrines, rituals, and cultural practices reflect this.
Elder Perry returns to the theme of working with others to strengthen marriage and family, even making this somewhat surprising assertion, "We know that it is not only those who are actively religious who share common values and priorities of lasting marriages and strong family relationships. A great number of secular people have concluded that a committed marriage and family lifestyle is the most sensible, the economical, and the happiest way to live."
I struggle to think of any General Conference talk that speaks praise to consensus from "the widest imaginable variety of worldwide religious leaders" and even "secular people," those not "actively religious." And yet Elder Perry here does so.
The above only makes the popular backlash against this inspired Apostle and his wonderful talk equally parts befuddling and tragic.
Towards the end, Elder Perry martials the Saints, "We want our voice to be heard against all of the counterfeit and alternative lifestyles that try to replace the family organization that God Himself established. We also want our voice to be heard in sustaining the joy and fulfillment that traditional families bring. We must continue to project that voice throughout the world in declaring why marriage and family are so important, why marriage and family really do matter, and why they always will."
Unfortunately, many LGBT activitists felt that Elder Perry was speaking accusingly at them as if from a Rameumptom.
However, in the context of the talk, I find it difficult to believe that this is what Elder Perry was referring to. What does he mean by "counterfeit and alternative lifestyles"? I suggest that the best clue is from several paragraphs earlier:
"Much of the media and entertainment that the world shares does not reflect the priorities and values of the majority. For whatever reasons, too much of our television, movies, music, and Internet present a classic case of a minority masquerading as a majority. Immorality and amorality, ranging from graphic violence to recreational sex, is portrayed as the norm and can cause those who have mainstream values to feel like we are out of ate or from a bygone era."
In this paragraph, I see no mention or even a hint of same-sex marriage or same-sex relationships. Only condemnations of "Immorality and amorality, ranging from graphic violence to recreational sex" are specifically called out.
To me it seems far more likely that Elder Perry is referring to a whole host of enemies to marriage and family. He is not referring to LGBT individuals, even obliquely, as opponents or fence sitters. LGBT Latter-day Saints are not called to task or taken to the mat in this talk from what I can see. And I see no reason why any LGBT Latter-day Saint cannot see the wisdom in Elder Perry's condemnation of "graphic violence", "recreational sex", "immorality", and "amorality".
Elder Perry closes the talk with his testimony, with expressions of gratitude for family members, and with a call to unite with "other faiths", stating that "It is around marriage and family that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the greatest opportunity to be a light on the hill."
So ends a classic talk by and the final talk of Elder L. Tom Perry.
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