Subject: Speech given at Polygamy Rally
Issue: Polygamy
Date: July 16, 2001
Author: Linda Kelsch

LIBERTY IN DIVERSITY

     I have a vision of peace on earth. I believe we empower ourselves when we look with compassion at the diversity that exists on earth today, knowing that we are not threatened by it. Instead we can honor that diversity in support of the Divine Law of choice. Let us hold the spirit of charity powerful enough to open a dialogue among all religions of this state aimed toward honoring each other’s choices and living honorably within those choices.

     I ask every individual to look deep into your souls. See if you are really willing to give those who seem to oppose you, the same understanding and the same tolerance for their perception of truth that we ask of them.

     If we minorities feel victimized by the majority, is it because we have chosen to separate ourselves from each other and therefore from the ideal that we are children of the same Father? Let us look beyond our differences and see our commonalities.

     I am grateful for the stirring up of these issues that have so long kept us in separation from our neighbors and our fellow man. I see this as a great opportunity for us be stirred up in remembrance of the ideals of Christ and chose to step into that. This fight is not with the state as much as it is with the illusion that suffering and persecution is a necessary part of our purpose here on earth.

     Let us here and now resolve to hold the vision of perfect tolerance in religious diversity. This is what the Kingdom of God and the new Millennium is about. Every citizen has the right to protection by law of religious freedom. Let world peace and human rights begin here in the great state of Utah.

Linda Kelsch, candidate for Utah House District 53