Most of you probably heard that the LDS church, especially Elder Packer of the Apostles were petitioned by gay rights activists last week. Below is the Church’s official response and can also be found at this website.
My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign.
While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men. We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society.
This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment – to love one another.
As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.
Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.
The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.
The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.
There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.
Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.
God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity. We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another.
We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.
8 comments
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October 14, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Cal
I think the Church’s statement above is very good.
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October 14, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Nate
The church has to tread carefully on this one, which it is obviously doing. On the one hand they have a premier, senior apostle who believes homosexuality is a choice, which can be overcome through faith, and on the other hand they have statements by Elder Oaks and others indicating that homosexuality may be genetic may not always be overcome, even with faith in Christ.
Even if the brethren as a whole may be moving away from Elder Packer’s dogmatic stance, they have to respect his authority, office, and experience. Hence the very careful language of this statement. They use the words “feelings and inclinations” to describe what gays would call their inborn sexual identity. The vagueness of these words can be interpreted either as: “homosexuality is a temptation, not a genetic reality” or it could be interpreted as “homosexual feelings are not necessarily a choice, so you don’t have to feel guilty about them.”
However, if the church wants to promote greater tolerance and understanding among it’s members, it will probably have to be more specific eventually. Does the church believe homosexuality is a choice, or is it sometimes the result of genetic or environmental factors beyond the person’s control? Does the church believe that all homosexuality can always be overcome through faith in Christ or not?
Once the church clarifies their position in an articulate, clear way, then the lay membership can start dealing with the obvious paradox this presents to their faith, and which is but one of many paradoxes we have to face in this vale of tears, where so many of God’s children are denied blessings and given unspeakably horrible trials.
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October 17, 2010 at 9:28 pm
ama49
Nate,
You make some very good points. I recall reading back in the day most apostles were not opposed to blacks having the priesthood and it was just a couple of apostles’ biased opinions that held them back from giving it to them. Perhaps this is the same situation with homosexuality.
However, even if it is a genetic disorder, I do not see the church giving homosexuality a green light. First, in the Proclamation they define marriage as between man and woman. Secondly, being sexually pure before marriage is essential as well. If one is a homosexual they are out of luck because they are breaking commandments if they choose to practice without being married and they are also breaking commandments if they enter into a homosexual marriage.
I think the church is pretty clear on where they stand. I think what they need to do though is provide support for homosexuals to get together and express feelings, etc. I don’t struggle with this issue personally, so it is hard for me to offer suggestions.
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October 15, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Ken
This is no doubt a most difficult subject. I agree with Cal that this statement by the church is well put. One thing to keep in mind is the fact that by no means does the church single out any group or person. The Lord has set the bounds for what is right and wrong. The church spends a great deal of time reminding everyone what bounds the lord has set regardless of what sexual orientation a person may have. Even within heterosexual desires the bounds are set and we are continually reminded of the lines that must not be crossed. Pornography is one such limit that the church is continually reminding the members is a line that should not be crossed. The desire for this form of satisfaction afflicts many people including members of any church you will find. The need to satisfy this desire is as strong as any other sexual craving any person can have.
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October 18, 2010 at 3:43 am
Doug
I appreciate the stand the LDS church has taken on this most difficult issue and wish my own church was as clear in what its stand is. I found the reference to the persecution experienced by the early Mormons and how that applies to their understanding of this issue quite touching. Believing, as I do, in original sin-and the fact that we have inclination towards different types of behavior in no way changes whether the behavior is right or wrong. It is my firm conviction that homosexual behavior is not the Lord’s intention for humanity-however those who struggle with same sex attraction should sense our genuine love for them. The response of so many Christians is to either reject homosexuals completely or welcome them with open arms and open doors-we need a third option! What resources do Latter-day Saints who struggle with same sex attraction have? A ministry popular with evangelicals is Exodus International-are any of you familiar with this ministry? What do you think of it?
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October 18, 2010 at 1:23 pm
ama49
Hi Doug,
I’m not familiar with Exodus International. Do you have a link to their official site? What do you know about the organization?
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October 20, 2010 at 4:14 am
Doug
Hi Ama,
Exodus International has been around for quite a while and has a good reputation-you can check them out at http://www.exodusinternational.org
I’ll be interested in knowing what you think.
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October 21, 2010 at 2:21 am
Cal
Sorry to go off subject, but how’d your talk on Sunday go, Ken?
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