Homosexuality
There are many new resources from the church about Homosexuality directly. Understanding what we DO know is vital to filling in the gaps about things we do not yet know. Below are a few important links to help you in your research about what the Lords church has said concerning the matter. I have tried to connect these link to conversations and questions that the prophets have directly responded to.
For example, a few years back the church handbook was modified slightly to state that:
This policy revision caused tremendous discussion among members and non-members alike. The question being asked was effectively:
"How is it fair to children being raised in these homes to not be able to be baptized or receive the priesthood."
For many, this policy change felt a little un-Christlike. And, with very little study or discussion this served as the catalyst for some to leave the church.
The following link is the explanation given by Elder Christofferson 2 days after the policy was changed:
Incidentally, Elder Christofferson is perhaps the most qualified apostle to lead this discussion since he has a Gay brother. (Read a little about his story here.) or (Read his book here.)
PERSONAL FEELING: I personally feel like the change is the most compassionate position the church could possibly take. Effectively, this change moved the age of accountability to 18 for those being raised in these homes. It eliminates the responsibility that church leaders have to teach these young children that their parents way of life is discordant with God's instruction, and it eliminates the regular contact and visits that come with church membership. While these are reasons I have attributed to this change (SOME OF WHICH ARE MENTIONED BY ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON) the real reasons for the change are so that GOD can be as merciful as possible to those who have no choice but to be raised in these environments. I am grateful for the very Christ-Like perspective that the brethren have taken on this issue.
SO... what else is there?
The church has even gone to the effort of creating a website dedicated as a venue for those struggling with same sex attraction and those who know someone with that challenge. There are many instructive elements to this sight, but perhaps the most enlightening for someone NOT struggling with this issue is the video stories of those who do!
The website is a central hub for things that have been said, and many of the things below are taken from research done there. I have taken the liberty of describing some of the ways those resources might be useful below...
Finding answers when they don't seem to be there -
As we seek to find answers to questions that God has not explained, it is helpful to step back and try to re-frame the question with an eternal perspective.
For example, here are a couple of questions that are pretty standard question one might have:
"Why does God allow for some people to have Gay tendencies?
Or
It doesn't seem fair to ask someone to live their entire life celibate because they didn't find love in the right type of person?"
In response to the first question; When trying to find answers to questions like this we quickly realize that we do not know enough to even debate the basics. President Oaks has said:
"...in less than 1 in 100 cases does The Lord give reasons for a command."
If we find ourselves asking questions about a commandment that God has not given a reason for, we can merely ask the question and the debate is over. God has not given us enough information, and we are on dangerous ground when we try to put reasons to revelation when God himself has not done so.
Considering the second question; We can go a little further down that road since the question is formulated around something we can quantify - fairness! However, we can not pick and choose what groups of people we select to apply the commandments to "unfairly".
The question itself assumes that all commandments are equally fair to all people... That the law of chastity is just as easy for me to live as it is for you, and that the conditions surrounding my life put me on equal footing as you in trying to live that law.
Consider the exact same question if it were being applied to an elderly sister who never found a spouse. Is the law of chastity void for her? Is the law of chastity removed for a man or woman who finds themselves alone again after years of marriage, whether through divorce or through death? What about those who have bodies that cannot enjoy sexual relations, or those teenagers with raging hormones who have not yet reached an age to marry. Isn't it equally "unfair" to those groups of people to ask them to live a celibate life? When posed like this the question must be broadened and we again find ourselves putting reasons where God has not. "Well, the law of chastity is intended to keep people monogomous or to keep people from using sex as a play thing or... whatever (you fill in the blank)."
In fact, statistically there are ANY MORE people being asked to live the law of celibacy than only those who are gay. And yet, we do not seem to remove the commandment from their lives so easily. So, we cannot selectively decide to whom God's commandments are to be applied. His children are equal in his sight and His commandments are "...unto all." (A reference to this idea is found here: Elder Cook speaking about the eternal nature of chastity.)
So how do you re-frame from the very beginning?
With all this in mind, perhaps in our attempt to study the unknown it is more instructive to ask similar questions that can be answered? This requires some patience and a little humility to back away from the question we want to have answered and accept the answers to questions we can answer. Stepping back and re-framing the question within what we do know about the plan of salvation or even with an eternal perspective may help us find answers, or at least be comforted until answers are given from above.
As an example, consider the questions asked above (in orange and red). Those 2 questions require that we:
1. Either have direct reasons given from God
or
2. That we separate one group of God's children out and consider their situation irrespective of others.
However, if we step back from the emotional question about fairness and simply re-frame the question within the sphere of the eternal plan the question becomes more answerable:
"How does God fit homosexuality into His eternal plan?"
Elder Bednar explains how it is true that "...there are no 'GAY' members of the church
or
"Could redefining marriage to include homosexual partnerships fit into God's eternal plan?"
These questions can be studied and can help us come to conclusions that solidify what we can KNOW and help us process what do not!
Prophets will lead the way...
When legal systems make law that is directly contrary to the commandments of God, prophets have a duty to speak out against those laws. Theirs is a divine mandate to hold God's children accountable to God's laws:
After the supreme court ruled in favor of gay marriage in 2015, the prophets and apostles gave the following response:
A Letter to Bishops From the First Presidency -
TO: General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; and the following leaders in the United States and Canada: Area Seventies; Temple, Stake Mission and District Presidencies; Bishops and Branch Presidents
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
Enclosed is a statement by the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve in response to the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. The statement also pertains to the situation in Canada. Local leaders are asked to meet with all adults, young men, and young women on either July 5 or July 12 in a setting other than sacrament meeting and read to them the entire statement.
Also included is background material which may be helpful in answering questions that arise.
Stake presidents are asked to see that bishops receive copies of this letter and the enclosures.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Because of the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court and similar legal proceedings and legislative actions in a number of countries that have given civil recognition to same‐sex marriage relationships, the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints restates and reaffirms the doctrinal foundation of Church teachings on morality, marriage, and the family. As we do, we encourage all to consider these teachings in the context of the Plan of Salvation and our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children.
Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well‐being of society. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27‐28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and vital to eternal salvation.
A family built on marriage of a man and a woman is the best setting for God’s plan of happiness to thrive. That is why communities and nations generally have encouraged and protected marriage between a man and a woman, and the family that results from their union, as privileged institutions. Sexual relations outside of such a marriage are contrary to the laws of God pertaining to morality.
Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We invite all to review and understand the doctrine contained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same‐sex marriages. Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they respect our standards of conduct while there.
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility—even when we disagree. We affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same‐sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully. Indeed, the Church has advocated for rights of same‐sex couples in matters of hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment, and probate, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.
The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.
As members of the Church, we are responsible to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to illuminate the great blessings that flow from heeding God’s commandments as well as the inevitable consequences of ignoring them. We invite all to pray that people everywhere will have their hearts softened to the truths God established in the beginning, and that wisdom will be granted to those who are called upon to decide issues critical to society’s future.
NOTICE
The brethren used the pattern of re-framing the issue within the context of God's plan of salvation and what we do know and understand to teach correct principles about things we may not have all of the answers to. (see red above- color added)
The church also gives more data to church leaders so they can speak intelligently about the issues to those they serve:
The Church has provided a statement dated June 29, 2015, prepared by the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same‐sex marriage in the United States. The response reaffirms the divinely‐revealed reasons and proper doctrinal context for the Church’s unequivocal position regarding matters of morality, chastity, marriage, and the family. As the response notes, the Church’s teachings on these subjects are grounded in the scriptural declarations of God’s eternal plan for the salvation and exaltation of His children and are framed in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” While the statement stands on its own, below is additional information that may be helpful to you in responding to questions that may arise.
For much of human history, civil laws have generally been compatible with God’s laws. Unfortunately, there have been notable exceptions to that pattern. For example, it is legal in the United States to perform an abortion on an unborn fetus. However, this practice is not morally acceptable before God. (See Handbook 1, 17.3). The consumption of alcohol, while contrary to God’s law, is legal in most nations of the world, but the physical and social toll for doing so is a painful matter of record. So, too, with issues of unchaste sexual behavior, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual in its orientation. As the First Presidency has previously said and as this current response affirms, “Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society” (First Presidency letter on “Same‐ Sex Marriage,” January 9, 2014).
What is the Church’s Policy on Homosexual Relations?
“Homosexual behavior violates the commandments of God, is contrary to the purposes of human sexuality, and deprives people of the blessings that can be found in family life and in the saving ordinances of the gospel. Those who persist in such behavior or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline. Homosexual behavior can be forgiven through sincere repentance. “If members engage in homosexual behavior, Church leaders should help them have a clear understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, the process of repentance, and the purpose of life on earth.
“While opposing homosexual behavior, the Church reaches out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender. “If members feel same‐gender attraction but do not engage in any homosexual behavior, leaders should support and encourage them in their resolve to live the law of chastity and to control unrighteous thoughts. These members may receive Church callings. If they are worthy and qualified in every other way, they may also hold temple recommends and receive temple ordinances” (Handbook 2, 21.4.6).
Does the authorization of same‐sex marriage affect my right to religious freedom?
Our individual right to religious freedom is protected by the First Amendment to the United States’ Constitution and by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As we exercise that right, we must also exercise tolerance and respect toward others’ rights but do so without condoning behavior that goes contrary to the laws of God. “While we strive for the virtue of tolerance, other commendable qualities need not be lost. Tolerance does not require the surrender of noble purpose or of individual identity. The Lord gave instruction to leaders of His restored Church to establish and maintain institutional integrity—‘that the Church may stand independent’ (D&C 78:14)” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” April 1994 general conference). How do I respond respectfully to those who consider the Church’s position on this matter unchristian? Our objection to same‐sex marriage is not based on animosity toward anyone, but on our understanding of God’s purposes for His children. For us, the issues are not simply “tolerance” and “equality.” The issues are the nature of marriage and the consequences of redefining a divinely established institution. In addition, redefining marriage in the law can have profound consequences for society, particularly for children. Mothers and fathers matter, and they are not interchangeable. “On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should . . . be good listeners and show concern for the sincere belief [of others.] Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. We should be wise in explaining our position and, in doing so, ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Loving Others and Living with Differences,” October 2014 general conference).
What if I have reservations of my own regarding the Church’s position on this subject?
“Members who . . . have doctrinal questions should make a diligent effort, including earnest prayer and scripture study, to find solutions and answers themselves. Church members are encouraged to seek guidance from the Holy Ghost to help them in their personal lives and in family and Church responsibilities.
“If members still need help, they should counsel first with their bishop. If necessary, he may refer them to the stake president. “. . . Stake presidents who need clarification about doctrinal or other Church matters may write in behalf of their members to the First Presidency” (Handbook 2, 21.1.24).
The Adversary leads AWAY...
There was an article written in 1987 by gay activists. These were faithless people trying to push an agenda onto the american people who maintained faith. This was largely done before many of us had even considered homosexuality as a staple in our communities. Essentially, it's
the "game plan" for desensitizing straight Americans to
homosexuality. The article below was later expanded into a
book:
THE OVERHAULING OF STRAIGHT AMERICA
THE OVERHAULING OF STRAIGHT AMERICA
As we study difficult questions such as this, may we remember that while the adversary has a game plan, so does the Lord. In the grand scheme, we know who wins the game!
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