Bill answered...

The church invites all of us to change our actions, thoughts, and desires to be in line with God's. Though our sins vary in degree, we are all sinners, and all need to change. Changing actions is usually the easiest step--though it can be very hard. Changing thoughts is even more troublesome. Changing desires is the hardest, and may well be something that we struggle with throughtout life, just as the apostle Paul struggled with the thorn in his flesh continuously. For some, the thorn is anger. For others, impatience. For others, same-sex attraction. Regardless of the source of the sin (nurture or nature), we must strive for change.

The church teaches that sexual intimacy should be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman. This teaching has its roots in our belief about the nature of God, and the importance of families. Marriage between a man and a woman, with the ability to produce life, is an eternal truth, and can continue after this life. Families, and marriages, that follow the pattern instituted by God, can be together forever. Societal norms constantly change; but the sacred nature and eternal potential of families merit efforts to encourage preservation of the traditional family.