Question: Do Mormons deny the reality of a persistent orientation, which minimizes the effect the law of chastity has on people with a minority orientation?

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Same-sex attraction: persistence

This section is a chronology of statements from primary and secondary sources. Sources may be viewed by following the citation links.

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Same-Sex Attraction
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Main page Distinction from behaviors Terminology How to treat Treating with respect Associating with them Accepting family members Nondiscrimination ordinance Psychological Aspect Origin Persistence Not eternal in nature Difficulties Suicide Aversion therapy Identity Being openly gay Being closeted Denying a gay identity Marriage As therapy As a possibility Requirement for exaltation Specific works Packer Oct 2010 conference
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Questions

• Critics claim that the Church denies the reality of a persistent orientation, which minimizes the effect the law of chastity has on people with a minority orientation.

The Church believes everyone has a the freedom to choose their actions. However, actions are very different from orientation. The Church teaches that same-sex attractions run deep, and are a core part of a person, but not the only part. The Church counsels against giving it undue weight, or basing your identity around it, but that is different than saying it does not exist.

Quotes from leaders

Speaking of same-sex attraction, Elder Packer said in 2000:

That may be a struggle from which you will not be free in this life.[1]

Elder Wickman was asked in an interview about how to respond to a son who said that he was gay. He responded:

We live in a society which is so saturated with sexuality that it perhaps is more troublesome now, because of that fact, for a person to look beyond their gender orientation to other aspects of who they are. I think I would say to your son or anyone that was so afflicted to strive to expand your horizons beyond simply gender orientation. Find fulfillment in the many other facets of your character and your personality and your nature that extend beyond that. There’s no denial that one’s gender orientation is certainly a core characteristic of any person, but it’s not the only one.[2]

While he emphasizes that you should not let your orientation dictate your choices, he does say that it is a core characteristic for a person.

Elder Holland expressed a similar feeling when he said:

Same-gender attractions run deep, and trying to force a heterosexual relationship is not likely to change them.[3]