Concerning abortion. I think abortion is wrong. As far as the political connotation goes, I am not pro-choice but I hate the term. People who are politically pro-choice aren't really pro-choice but against accountability. However, even though I feel abortion is wrong I have a cynical view of making abortion illegal based on history and statistics. Making it illegal did not decrease the amount of abortions but increased fatalities because of people using dangerous methods to attempt abortions. So I think it should be legal because making it illegal doesn't seem to help like I wish it would. So I believe abortion should be legal but I want people to teach that it's wrong or pass measures that discourage abortion. So I want fewer abortions, but I feel we'd have to do something different besides making it illegal.
Also, the talk was very clear that in our homes and dedicated places we teach what we know to be right but sometimes politically the right thing is different because we believe that everyone should have agency. We have to allow others to live how they choose, as long as it is not harmful to others or infringes on other people's rights. This does not mean we teach that things such as drinking which is legal, is right, but we allow others the right to choose for themselves. Since drinking can harm others if they get behind the wheel, there are laws about drinking and driving. What we know to be best is what we teach, but politically I feel there is sometimes a different line to simply allow others to choose for themselves. We cannot force the public to live according to what we believe (or know) to be true when they do not also believe the same way. If we did then we would be like Satan, forcing everyone to keep the commandments and take away choice and agency.
As far as homosexuality goes- I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. The danger of changing that definition legally has already been demonstrated with religious adoption agencies which had two choices: to be forced to change their beliefs concerning what makes a family unit or to close their doors. Legalizing marriage could affect religious institutions regarding whether or not they can refuse to marry a couple, even if it's against the minister's beliefs. But there are legal benefits that are granted to marriages that are not given to homosexual couples. So legally, I think the best option is for the government to recognize only civil unions and to step back from marriages. Allow religions to marry as they see fit and separate government and religion. In saying this, I'm not saying homosexuality isn't a sin. Even if the law said marriage was between a man and a woman, it does not stop homosexuality- it only prevents them from defining their union by the same legal terms. So by acknowledging that the government's best solution is likely to recognize both heterosexual and homosexual unions as the same, does not mean I will teach that they are the same, or that they are.
Dallin h.Oaks, " In dedicated spaces, like temples, houses of worship, and our own homes, we should teach the truth and the commandments plainly and thoroughly as we understand them from the plan of salvation revealed in the restored gospel. Our right to do so is protected by constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and religion, as well as by the privacy that is honored even in countries without formal constitutional guarantees.
In public, what religious persons say and do involves other considerations. The free exercise of religion covers most public actions, but it is subject to qualifications necessary to accommodate the beliefs and practices of others. Laws can prohibit behavior that is generally recognized as wrong or unacceptable, like sexual exploitation, violence, or terrorist behavior, even when done by extremists in the name of religion. Less grievous behaviors, even though unacceptable to some believers, may simply need to be endured if legalized by what a Book of Mormon prophet called “the voice of the people”".
I guess my point is that we should teach what is right and wrong, but sometimes the laws are different. There is sometimes a fine line between what is right and what others should also feel is right and abide by. Abortion, though a very important topic, I (cynically) believe that making it illegal won't help. But that doesn't mean I want people to think I believe it's OK, because it's not. With homosexuality, I have very strong opinions but the country as a whole does not feel it's immoral. I can't force them to live by what I feel is moral or immoral, I can only teach what I feel is right and wrong and hope to influence others to live more righteously.