A message from K. Merkley and the More Good Foundation:
Mormons practice fidelity before and during marriage. What, then, does “Gay Mormon” mean?
Within every faithful group of practicing Saints, there are those who struggle with feelings and inclinations towards those of the same gender. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) recognize that these temptations are real, and that those so challenged by them are sons and daughters of God, like everyone else.
There are Mormons–just as there are Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, and others–contending with these issues. One struggling with this issue in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a Mormon challenged by enticements towards those of the same gender. As long as they do not act upon those inclinations, they are free to progress in every way in the gospel and participate in every way in ordinance work.
In that sense, “Gay Mormons” may be seen as those struggling with same-gender attraction who are willing to overcome it.
Clearly, however, those who persist in a lifestyle contrary to that which is ordained by God–without desiring help to overcome the tendencies some face in this direction–lose fellowship until they are willing to engage the struggle and turn to the Lord for deliverance. There are many, however, who opt for relief through the atoning power of the Savior and who are able to overcome those feelings and live fulfilling heterosexual lives.
It’s clear that homosexuality has been identified by many as an acceptable normal way to live. Gender is often declared a cultural construct. Many have gone so far as to have their child select their gender, and it is clear that media and films are creating images and sending messages to children and teens that adrogyny and trans-sexual behaviors are normal. Huge movements in national schools to advance these doctrines under the guise of “sexual education” classes, continue to perpetuate the homosexual agendas by those who advocate them as approved and mainstreamable lifestyles.
Mormons do not accept that stance. Homosexual, transgendered, and bi-sexual associations are not divine. They are not merely a matter of social preference, a matter of taste, a matter of entitlement. They are actually violations of the divine order. Gender is eternal. The doctrines of the Church are clear on these moral issues, as reflected in a First Presidency statement:
“The Lord’s law of moral conduct is abstinence outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between husband and wife, appropriately expressed within the bonds of marriage. Any other sexual conduct, including fornication, adultery, and homosexual…behavior is sinful. Those who persist in such practices or influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline.”
We reach out in compassion to anyone so struggling and invite them to come back to us, and to the Lord. President Gordon B. Hinckley (late Mormon prophet) welcomes those with same-gender attraction into the fold and said:
Nevertheless, and 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 [homosexual]. 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 (“Why We Do Some of the Things We Do,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 54).
In a media interview with several leaders of the “Mormon Church” (The Church of Jesus Christ), Elders Oaks and Wickman respond to a number of frequently asked questions about how we view and assist those struggling with same gender attraction.
