EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Ministers of the Scottish Parliament hosted a historic meeting with Church leaders Sept. 16.
In a private meeting held in a conference room at the Holyrood Parliament Building, Brian Adam, MSP, Government Chief Whip, welcomed Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, who was visiting Scotland for the first time. Elder Jose A. Teixeira of the Seventy and the Europe Area Presidency; Elder Stephen C. Kerr, Area Seventy; and Douglas Yates Sr., the Church's public affairs director for Scotland, were also in attendance. Other members of Parliament in attendance for the two-hour meeting were Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for the Environment; Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety; Murdo Fraser, Deputy Leader of Scottish Conservative Party; and Michael McMahon.
Elder Bednar began by expressing specific interest in how politicians of faith in Scotland are able to balance religious conviction with their legislative duties. He explained the purpose of their visit was to further relations with members of the Scottish Parliament, to discuss ways that members of the Church residing in Scotland can communicate better with and offer support to elected officials deliberating on the pressing moral issues of the day and, in particular, to highlight the fundamental teachings of the Church on the importance of the family.
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, said, "The evidence is strong that children develop much better in the traditional two-parent family but that evidence can be 'swept aside' in public debate."
Elder Bednar remarked that Church leaders encourage members to utilize their democratic, patriotic duty to speak up as citizens and make their voices heard on family issues that ultimately can have a "huge impact".
Brian Adam, MSP, added that a recent poll of Scots showed a margin higher than three to one in favor of traditional family values.
In relating the high price paid as a result of the decline of traditional family life, Murdo Fraser, MSP, stated, "Research has shown that children brought up in two-parent homes have a far better, stable environment. They do better financially and are less likely to come into contact with alcohol and drugs. The evidence is irrefutable, yet we are in a society where marriage is slowly becoming unfashionable and irrelevant. Governments of all political parties haven't really addressed that." He added that, instead, governments have unwittingly adopted legislation that contributes to family breakdown. "That is quite troubling", he said.
Addressing the importance of individual responsibility, Elder Bednar said: "In our Church, we believe we are all sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. We came to earth to obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience, with agency to act. We are not objects who are simply acted upon. We feel it is our responsibility to help others understand who they are, why they are here and that the family is central to God's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
Elder Bednar praised elected officials who speak out with courage and integrity when faced with prospective legislation that undermines moral values.
Elder Kerr provided copies of some Church literature used to support and strengthen families, including the Family Home Evening Resource Book, which encourages each family to set aside Monday evening each week for special family time. An age-appropriate spiritual message is presented, together with ideas for fun activities and refreshments.
Elder Bednar and the other Church leaders also traveled to Ireland for several Church meetings, concluding a multiple-countries tour.
