Mormon position on homosexuality
As a gay Mormon, I construct my home in the borderlands. In a theology that says every man must be married to a woman in arrange to be with God and progress in heaven, gay Mormons are anomalies. No one quite knows what to do with us.
For a while, the address was to serve a full-time mission, marry a woman, reveal no one, and let things work themselves out.
When that approach led to tragedy and broken families, the answer became celibacy, which is less of an answer and more of a holding pattern in a religion that declares the family to be &#;the most vital unit in time and in eternity.&#;
Every question, from &#;How can I be happy with no possibility of finding a companion?&#; to &#;Will I still be gay after this life?&#; seems to be met with official answers amounting to &#;Have faith. It will work out in the end.&#; And, yet, despite these difficult and unanswered questions, I choose to continue to participate in my Latter-day Saint congregation and community.
So if I don&#;t belong, why stay? There are plenty of affirming faith communities where queer people and their families
Gay Rights and the Mormon Church
About the Author
Gregory A. Prince's avocation in history has led him to write dozens of articles and three books, including the award-winning volumes David O. McKay and the Climb of Modern Mormonism (coauthored with Wm. Robert Wright) and Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
1. Alta Club
2. Genesis
3. The Cure, &#;&#;&#;&#;
4. Spencer Kimball and The Miracle of Forgiveness
5. The Memorandum
6. Hawaii
7. Backlash,
8. Proposition 22&#;
9. Amendment 3
The Cure, &#;&#;&#;&#;
A Constitutional Amendment&#;&#;&#;&#;
Dallin Oaks and the Interview&#;&#;&#;&#;
God Loveth His Children
What about Lesbians?&#;&#;&#;&#;
Proposition 8
Backlash,
The Kiss
Hollingsworth v. Perry
Three Men, Two Messages&#;&#;&#;&#;
Bridges to Somewhere
Kitchen v. Herbert
SB
The Last Domino&#;&#;&#;&#;
Religious Freedom
The Policy
Trans
Intersex
Suicide
The Scarlet Letter&#;&#;&#;&#;
What’s Next?
Notes
Bibliography&#;
Index
Gay
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that same-sex attraction is a sensitive issue that requires kindness, compassion and understanding. The website reinforces the reality that, in the words of one Latter-day Saint scripture, God “loveth his children” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to help everyone better know same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.
The Church does not take a position on the cause of same-sex attraction. In , Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction.”
Feelings of same-sex attraction are not a sin. Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the exposure of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not select to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and comprehending, the Church reaches out to al
Same-Sex Attraction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that same-sex attraction is a sensitive issue that requires kindness, empathy and understanding. The “Same-Sex Attraction” section of reinforces the reality that, in the words of one Latter-day Saint scripture, God “loveth his children” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to help everyone greater understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.
The Church does not take a position on the produce of same-sex attraction. In , Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction.”
Feelings of same-sex attraction are not a sin. President M. Russell Ballard said: “Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex actual world for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do opt how to respond to them. With love an