FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ"
(→The Church distinguishes between having same-sex attraction versus acting upon those feelings: link) |
(→{{Endnotes label}}: rm) |
||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
==={{Printed material label}}=== | ==={{Printed material label}}=== | ||
{{SSA print}} | {{SSA print}} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
Revision as of 11:42, 28 November 2010
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Questions
==
- The Church is accused of rejecting people who experience same-sex attraction.
- The Church is accused of rejecting people who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
Related topics
- Mormonism and politics/California Proposition 8
- A FAIR Analysis of: Same-Sex Dynamics Among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A Mormon Example, a work by D. Michael Quinn
- A FAIR Analysis of: 8: The Mormon Proposition
Detailed Analysis
==
The Church's response
I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married.
—Gordon B. Hinckley, “Why We Do Some of the Things We Do,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 52.
The Church distinguishes between having same-sex attraction versus acting upon those feelings
Elder Dallin Oaks notes the distinction between having feelings of same-sex attraction and acting upon those feelings,
[W]e should always distinguish between sinful acts and inappropriate feelings or potentially dangerous susceptibilities. We should reach out lovingly to those who are struggling to resist temptation. The First Presidency did this in their 14 November 1991 letter. After reaffirming the sinful nature of “fornication, adultery, and homosexual and lesbian behavior,” the Presidency added: “Individuals and their families desiring help with these matters should seek counsel from their bishop, branch president, stake or district president. We encourage Church leaders and members to reach out with love and understanding to those struggling with these issues. Many will respond to Christlike love and inspired counsel as they receive an invitation to come back and apply the atoning and healing power of the Savior.
—Dallin H. Oaks, “Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, Oct 1995, 7.
What have Church leaders said about SSA?
For a detailed response, see: What have past and present Church leaders taught about why some people are tempted by same-sex attraction?
For a detailed response, see: Boyd K. Packer October 2010 conference talk
Bullying and unkindness towards those with SSA
For a detailed response, see: Bullying and unkindness
Distinguishing between having feelings and acting upon them
For a detailed response, see: Feelings versus acts
What does the Church teach about how to treat family members with SSA?
For a detailed response, see: Family members with SSA
What were early LDS attitudes toward SSA?
For a detailed response, see: Early LDS attitudes toward SSA
For a detailed response, see: Non discrimination ordinances
For a detailed response, see: Terminology
Does the Church believe that SSA will persist beyond death?
For a detailed response, see: Does not persist beyond death?
Marriage as therapy?
For a detailed response, see: Marriage as therapy?
===Answer
=
The Church does not reject those who experience same-sex attraction. It is possible to experience same-sex attraction and be a faithful member in full fellowship. If those feelings take the form of an intimate physical relationship, then this is considered a sin in the same manner as fornication or adultery between a male and female.