Leading or following: seriously, what's happening?

Lately I have felt somewhat burdened and disheartened by some of the weaknesses of humankind I have had the misfortune of witnessing. I'm amazed at the number of people I know, by acquaintance and otherwise, that have so easily succumbed to caving on (what I believed and understood to be) their values and morals. I'm also just wondering if it's possible to take a stance about an issue based on a core belief system, without being considered small-minded, bigoted, uneducated, judgemental, etc.? I have become so frustrated by a society that accepts pretty much anything, and in some cases, even promotes and encourages any and all behavior, if it makes a person "happy".
Some of my readers may or may not know of my faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a member of the church, and a Christian, I personally look to the leaders of the church for guidance and instruction when it comes to modern issues. This is not to say that I am a mere lemming, as some perceive those who follow an organized religion, to be. Most of the time I rely on my heart and the whisperings of the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me remain on a path that I feel will bring me and my family the most joy, not only in this life, but in the one to come. During the past year, there has been so much debate about so many issues (because of the election and change of leadership in the country), and particularly issues that bring into question one's belief in something, anything, greater than ourselves.
The Mormon church, in particular, has taken a lot of heat because of it's stance opposing same-sex marriage. During an interview regarding this topic, one of the church's leaders, Elder Lance B. Wickman (of the Seventy), said this: "One of the great sophistries of our age, I think, is that merely because one has an inclination to do something, that therefore acting in accordance with that inclination is inevitable. That’s contrary to our very nature as the Lord has revealed to us. We do have the power to control our behavior."
I think he says so perfectly what we are meant to learn through having faith in God, or any other being: this life isn't meant to be easy, it's meant to be a test of our strength and endurance. If we give in to our carnal nature, on any level, we are allowing ourselves an excuse to behave a certain way, claiming we have no control over how we feel. The notion that something that "feels" so right, must be right, has become too mainstream.
In no way do I attempt to charge that I may be any more righteous than any of those of my acquaintances who are now finding themselves at these cross-roads in life. My sadness comes from a place deep inside me, where I feel the broken hearts of the children and loved ones left behind and pushed aside during these tragedies. It is so hard to watch as people put their own selfish needs before their children, with the rationalization that what they've chosen will make them happy, therefore they will be able to be a "better and happier" parent. The reality is that those children will suffer in ways that no one can know or understand now, or maybe ever. It will come for years as they struggle with their own confusion, identity and self-esteem issues.
So I'm just wondering, what ever happened to keeping a commitment, even when it gets boring, dull, monotonous or difficult? What happened to standing up for what you believe, even if it's the unpopular thing or may offend someone? Why does showing concern for a person and their family's long term emotional welfare somehow translate into a person being judgemental and hypercritical?
As my husband and I were discussing these issues recently, we concluded that we are encountering more of these situations because of our ages and stages in life. This, to me, goes on to beg the question, why have so many given up and given in, all for instant and self-gratification?