What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?
In the Bible Paul preached to the Romans that homosexual behavior was sinful (see Romans 1:24-32). In Old Testament times Moses included in his law that homosexual relations were against God’s law (see Leviticus 20:13)
Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued the following statement about homosexuality: “We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the Lord (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” which was written by twelve modern Apostles through inspiration from the Lord).
“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.
“We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).
Sometimes if people know I am Mormon, they believe that I will not be friendly and accepting to those who practice a different lifestyle than mine. The truth is MOST of my dear friends do not share my lifestyle. I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I don't watch R rated movies.
And, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.
Does that mean that I don't want to be friends or on a committee with someone who is gay or lesbian? Not any more than I would avoid a person who smokes or drinks or watches R rated movies. While I don't choose to participate in those activities, I have many friends that I cherish dearly, including friends who are gay and lesbian, who view political and religious issues differently than me. I don't "tolerate" them. I adore them. And, thankfully, for me, they don't tolerate me either. We respectfully disagree on various political and religious issues, but there are so many other important things that bring us together as friends and community members. One of my most cherished friends, who identifies as a lesbian, told me the other day, "Michele, before you, I had a stigma about Mormons. You have changed that. I cherish you." Her remark is dear to my heart. It says she knows I love her, but even more, it says something about her that she gave me a chance when others told her not to. I am grateful she was willing to give me a chance because I gained a very special friend - a sister of my heart.
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Every one on this earth encounters their own set of challenges. It is through opposition that we grow, opposition is the reason we where sent to this earth so that we as individuals could make choices, gain experiences, and realize our divine potential. We are all Gods children we have all made the choice to come to this earth because we knew and loved God.
Each of us must learn how to overcome our own personal and unique set of challenges that we will inevitably face in this life; to some it may be an addiction, others may struggle with depression or constant need to compare. There are endless challenges and trials we will face. Amongst these challenges some will and have faced the challenge of same sex attraction. Does this mean that they are damned, unclean, broken? Absolutely not, it means that they are human. To take full advantage of this life we must learn to gain control of our bodies and to overcome the natural inclinations of our bodies. By so doing we begin to reach and see our divine potential, we realize that we are truly spiritual beings living in a mortal world with mortal challenges. But these challenges will last "but a small moment" and if we are able to endure them to overcome them we will leave this life and recieve our divine heritage of eternal life.
As members of the church we share a message that can and will help you improve the quality of your life no matter who you are where your from or the challenges you face this message will help you.
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For me, God's plan for us is about families, a husband and wife and kids. But all people are children of God who deserve love and respect, including those who have different views about same sex marriage. However, when I really don't know, I turn to what prophets of God have said.
“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.
“We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).
When I think of how hard this must be for many, I think of our faith in Jesus Christ. He loves us and has given us guidance through prophets, we just need to follow.
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First, I wholeheartedly believe in the "Official Church Answer" to this question. Homosexual behavior is, as the scriptures clearly state, against God's law, just as fornication and adultery are against God's law. There are no exceptions, but there is always repentance.
God loves all of his children. Christ died to redeem all of God's children. To these statements there are also no exceptions. I am firmly conviced that whether a person experiences same gender attraction or not, he or she is still a child of God. God's love for us is constant, but that does not mean that He will always approve of our choices or our behavior.
Through the atonement of Christ, all of our hurts and pains, all of our sorrows and anguish, will be taken away. All of our sins will be forgiven on condition of repentance. All these are His. He paid the price for them, and we have no right to hold on to them.
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In the Church we follow the Saviour's teachings on sexual purity. Before marriage no one, male or female, straight or homosexual, is to engage in any sexual relations. Within marriage we are to be completely faithful to our spouse in both thought and action.
Marriage is the union of a man and a woman. Marriage was institued by God in the beginning when Adam was married to Eve in the Garden of Eden. The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal happiness of all of His children. One of the main purposes of the gospel is to unite families so that they may be together even after death. For this to be, a husband and a wife must be sealed (an eternal marriage) together.
In the Lord's eyes and in the eyes of His church, marriage is only between a man and a woman. Government legislation does not, and never will, supercede moral laws that have been set by God.
We are to love all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Nothing I have ever learned in the church has taught me to persecute, judge, or harm those who have same-sex attraction. I strive to love them as my brothers and sisters. Homosexual intimacy is sinful, just as heterosexual intimacy before marriage or outside the bonds of marriage is sinful. The Lord's church is opposed to sexual sin, not the people who commit the sin.
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The Bible is very clear and unequivocal in stating that sexual behaviour with someone of the same gender is wrong. Much as society might like us to accept this as a form of love which doesn't harm anyone else, we believe in the Bible so we are tied to what says, much as other Christians are.
We believe that those who honour God and believe the Bible will not engage in this behaviour as a matter of personal conscience. We greatly admire and support those who identify as gay but who choose to live chaste lives in order to keep this commandment, just as we admire and support straight people who live chaste lives because they never have the opportunity to marry.
Marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God as a lifelong union between a man and a woman. We don't have the right or authority to redefine what God has put in place, especially not to attempt to use it to validate something which God has said is wrong.
However, none of this means that we will be in any way rude, judgemental or unkind to those who do not share our beliefs. We strive to be respectful and loving to all people, including those who are in a gay relationship. We recognise that not all people share our beliefs, and do not judge them based on their private sexual behaviour any more than we would for drinking coffee.
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While I do not condone it, I will never look down on anyone for living a homosexual lifestyle. One of the greatest things God has given us is the right to choose, and I work hard not to judge anyone for the choices they make. I believe the church feels the same way. While not condemning those people who live said lifestyle, according to ancient and modern prophets, God has never condoned such a way of life. Therefore, the church continues to preach relationships and marriage between man and a woman, and families consisting of such an organization.
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My father is gay and I have many friends who are gay. Though we have some differing opinions and beliefs, we have a great relationship - each respecting the other's right to choose their own way. Its no secret that the Church does not support gay marriage. We believe that God's plan for the family is, always has been and always will be a man and a woman and their children. However, the perception that the church is anti-gay is inaccurate. We support the rights of all men and woman to exercise their free agency and be entitled to the same legal rights as anyone, as long as they don't erode the principles on which our country was founded - freedom of religion. The scriptures affirm that homosexual behaviors are a sin, but I believe Christ understands the extreme difficulty that a gay person would experience refusing to act upon their same-sex attraction. I also believe that through Him, all things are possible and that no person is unworthy or undeserving of His love and the benefits of His atonement.
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I grew up in California and was in the middle of the same-sex marriage debate. The Church believes that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that children have the right to be brought into the world with a mother and father who love and honor each other and their marital vows. I agree with this doctrine, so I, along with others of my faith, supported Prop. 8 in 2009. Any time I spoke with someone, I explained that we all, regardless of our side on this issue, are motivated by love. Love of mankind, of God, of society, etc. So much of the debate turned to hatred, but it's important to remember that love is always our initial motivation. I know people, good friends, who live a homosexual lifestyle. They've shown love to me, and I love them, but I believe their lifestyles are contrary to the will of God. That doesn't mean that I can prevent them from doing what I think is wrong, but their liberty does not translate into license. Liberty in America has never been about license to do whatever we choose. When we, as a people, believe something is wrong, it is our democratic right to enact laws against such things. Likewise, if we believe something is divinely inspired, like the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, it is not only our right but our duty to stand up for it. If we don't, I'm afraid that America will lose the protective hand of God that has embraced us for so many years.
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I am sexually attracted to other males. For awhile, I struggled with how a loving Heavenly Father could allow for me to be attracted to other males, and then ask me to abstain from same-sex relationships. However, as I have tried to deal with my attractions in a Christ-like manner, I have found that He really does love me. I have grown so much spiritually as I have learned to deal with my same-sex attractions. I now understand that everyone has challenges in this life. I am no different.
The Church has a high standard on morality. The only sexual relationships that are permitted are between a man and his wife. This may prove difficult for both people with same-sex and opposite-sex attractions. However, I believe that by obeying this law, we can gain greater peace and happiness. God does know what is best for us, and He gave us this law to bless us.
Same-sex marriage distorts what marriage is all about. It is based on the lie that because you are attracted to the same sex, you need to be in a same-sex relationship in order to be "true to yourself". Many members of the Church can testify that this is not true. Some have found peace and joy in celibacy, and others gone on to have faithful and fulfilling marriages. For a long time, I thought I couldn't get married, but the Lord has blessed me to develop a sexual attraction to a beautiful woman and we have a wonderful marriage.
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