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.
Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ
- REDIRECTTemplate:Test3
Questions
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- 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
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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.
Topics
What have Church leaders said about SSA?
Summary: What have past and present Church leaders taught about why some people are tempted by same-sex attraction?Boyd K. Packer October 2010 conference talk
Bullying and unkindness
Summary: Bullying and unkindness towards those with SSAFeelings versus acts
Summary: Distinguishing between having feelings and acting upon themFamily members with SSA
Summary: What does the Church teach about how to treat family members with SSA?Early LDS attitudes toward SSA
Summary: What were early LDS attitudes toward SSA?Non discrimination ordinances
Summary: What is the Church's attitude toward non-discrimination ordinances related to SSA?Terminology
Summary: Terminology related to SSAPersist beyond death?
Summary: Does the Church believe that SSA will persist beyond death?Marriage as therapy?
===Answer
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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.