Prop 102 in Arizona: “One man. One woman. That’s marriage.”

Posted on November 2, 2008 by Brian Duffin

In the short time leading up to historic votes in Arizona, California and Florida, I find myself pondering the issue of same-gender marriage and the counsel from the Brethren to “maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

Here in Arizona, the radio and television commercials in support of Prop 102 proclaim simply, “One Man. One woman. That’s marriage.”

The proposed change to the Arizona state constitution reads, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in this state.”
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Diverging points of view on traditional marriage

Posted on October 12, 2008 by Brian Duffin

I am grateful to hear the Church call for civility and respect for those with diverging points of view on the subject of traditional marriage.

While I support the Church’s position on traditional marriage, I have members of my extended family and a close, personal friend who disagree with the Church’s position. In these cases, although we may disagree on this moral issue, there is no loss of love or respect for one another. Continue reading →

Nah-nah-nah, hey-hey-hey, Good Bayh?

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Brian Duffin

The Drudge Report reports a printing company in Kansas City that specializes in campaign literature is printing Obama/Bayh material. The site also displays the graphic of an Obama/Bayh bumper sticker.

Feel free to discuss the possibility of an Obama/Bayh ticket.

Eventful moments and milestones

Posted on August 6, 2008 by Brian Duffin

I recently took a trip to Utah to visit family and celebrate my grandfather’s 84th birthday.

After serving in World War II, raising six children and working as a cook and a plumber to support his wife and children, he looks remarkably good for 84. His favorite line after each birthday is, “I have just 10 more years to go.”

My grandfather has lived a long and fruitful life. Seeing him last month caused me to reflect on my own life and what I have to look forward to.

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Just a coincidence?

Posted on July 25, 2008 by Brian Duffin

Last Sunday I picked up one of my wife’s books titled “Small Miracles: Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life.” I could not put it down until I had read every page; devoured every story.

The book’s authors note in the introduction:

Coincidences have been variously defined as “luck,” “chance,” “a fluke,” “something out of the ordinary,” or a “random conjoining of inexplicable events that define our sense of the reasonable.

We firmly believe that coincidences are much more than simple accidents or quirks of fate. To us, coincidences are blessings, the spiritual manna that hosts of angles send down to illuminate our Path. They are vivid, striking, awe-inspiring examples of Divine Providence. They are acts of God.

While I read the various stories of “coincidences” in the book, I was reminded of the awe-inspiring examples of Divine Providence in my own life.