on "same-sex marriage" and predictions for the future

The theme of the week for the SCOTUS seemed to be "give the powers that be what they want". The good news (with "SSM" and the ACA): We can see how these things will play out-- and my guess is that both will be quite mild, despite the rhetoric on both sides and what they tell us is at stake. (People usually forget that such things are far more than legal. And in the case of the ACA, there are a number of relatively obvious, practical benefits.) 

With "SSM", my educated guess is that there will be a flurry of activity from activists and those who are passionate about the topic and the freedom. After that, there will be disappointments with personal/public ripple effects (e.g., divorce, child custody) and unsavory moments (e.g., Brittney Griner's recent problems), but mostly apathy-- that will reveal how little was actually at stake for *most* of the relatively few people involved. (There are *real* issues for some of those involved, but that's a relatively small part of what seems to be going on here-- and those could have been handled through more-modest means than SSM.)

The legalization of polygamy (polyandry and polygyny) is a much easier legal case to make-- than what has happened over the past decade with "SSM". There will be fewer people interested in making the case publicly-- from whatever motives (e.g., true love, the op to be famous, legitimate or semi-legitimate financial considerations-- e.g., health insurance). But all it takes is one good litigant-- and it'd be easy to win, given legal precedent. The SCOTUS seems to be into politics quite a bit these days, but who would oppose this? Feminists. LOL! Christians? Nope, this would be much more consistent with a Biblical worldview. As a result, I'd guess that they'll be legal within a few years. (A really interesting side question: If so, will polygamy return to a place of vital significance within LDS theology?)

Church-level responses to "SSM": As a result of the SCOTUS ruling, the litigiousness of American culture, and the intolerance of faux liberals, I'd expect at least theologically-conservative churches to make these adjustments in short order (if they have not done so, already): 

1.) institute significant pre-marital requirements for weddings at their building and through their ministers; 
2.) restrict such weddings to members; and 
3.) tighten membership requirements considerably. 

It also seems likely that churches and state legislatures will move to separate civil from sacred/religious marriages. These legal and church choices would have benefits and costs-- and quite arguably, the benefits would (easily) outweigh the costs. 

For disciples of Jesus, the challenges are the same: live out your own marriage and family as well as possible; strive for community within the Church and church that uplifts marriage and family; work to fulfill the Great Commission-- making disciples who can make disciples; minister to our "neighbors" as there is need; and so on.