Originally published in the Deseret News.

 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers —

That perches in the soul —

And sings the tune without words —

And never stops — at all —

— Emily Dickinson

This week I joined a large group of interested Utahns who gathered in the Gold Room at the State Capitol as legislators, leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and representatives of the LGBT community gathered to announce landmark legislation that balances religious freedoms and protections against discrimination of LGBT people in the workplace and housing. It was a monumental moment of civility, compassion, freedom and fairness that elevates Utah to a better place. This compromise represents the best of Utah, and I want to publicly thank the leaders of our state.

I spent 19 years on Capitol Hill and have experienced many Gold Room moments. Adorned in marble, beautiful woods, fine tapestries and gold leafing, the Gold Room is the most prestigious public gathering space in Utah and reserved for only the most important state occasions. Presidents, ambassadors, prime ministers and even the Dalai Lama have attended functions in this room, but never in my experience has the mood been as moving and the actions as pivotal as this week. Utah found a better way forward in a major culture war. In doing so, our leaders set a high standard of understanding and respect. It is a standard that distinguishes Utah and sets a model for other states and faith traditions to follow.

Here is what I witnessed. Members of the Utah Legislature, the LGBT community and two apostles and a Young Women leader of the LDS Church stood side by side and announced support for SB296, a bill that grants protections for religious freedom and fairness in housing and employment. Their actions affirmed that discrimination is wrong. Equally wrong is the denial of a person’s right to believe as their conscience dictates. They proved it is possible to have civility and compromise despite differences.

The public commentary at the event was simple and powerful.

“God loves all his children,” said Rep. Brad Dee with a brevity and plainness that spoke volumes.

From the only openly gay senator in the Utah Legislature, Jim Dabakis, “I’m proud to be a Utahn. My heart is full.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, who has an openly gay brother, spoke with a pragmatic tone: “Despite the challenges and difficulties, the complexity of negotiations, a spirit of respect and goodwill has allowed all involved to respect the differences of one another to bring about Senate Bill 296.”

Elder L. Tom Perry chose to quote Abraham Lincoln, who said, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with a firmness in right as God gives us to see the right.”

Sen. Steve Urquhart, who more than any other elected official has led out on this issue, said: “People of faith can act like people of faith. They can talk like people of faith.”

And then there was the Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams, a former LDS missionary, who drew from Mormon scripture in his commentary: “Mourn with those that mourn; comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” Reflecting on his missionary experience, he said, “If the 20-year-old in me could have seen this day, I would have felt tremendous hope for the future.”

I view hope as a life-sustaining quality. It’s what gets us up in the morning, sustains us throughout the day and propels us into tomorrow. Hope is really about the future, and it’s only when hope dies that life loses its flame. It’s one of the three Christian virtues — faith, hope and charity — and forms a foundation for moral life.

I don’t know why God has made all of us so different. I suppose it’s so we can learn something from the differences. I’ve learned that discrimination is wrong. I’ve also learned that we all have the absolute right to deeply held religious beliefs. Both lessons need to be put into practice. This week Utah found that balance and defined the right path forward. I’m a grateful Utahn.