Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Homosexuality within the context of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is considered a negative inclination. A physical act of homosexual behaviour is considered a sin and violation of the law of chastity within the church.

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[edit] Church's official views on homosexuality

Gordon B. Hinckley, the current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made public statements on the topic of homosexuality.

During a CNN interview with Larry King on Larry King Live[1]:

"Well, we're not anti-gay. We are pro-family. Let me put it that way. And we love these people and try to work with them and help them. We know they have a problem. We want to help them solve that problem."

In the LDS periodical the Ensign[2], and also published on Mormon.org, a website maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[3]:

"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.

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."

[edit] Same-sex marriage

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has actively opposed efforts to legalize same-sex marriage or civil unions[4]. LDS doctrine holds that heterosexual marriage is one of many requirements for entry into the "highest degree of glory" of the Celestial Kingdom, the highest of the three heavens mentioned by Paul in the New Testament.

Marriage between a man and a woman is not only required but is considered an essential part in the LDS belief of attaining that heaven. Therefore, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe a family is the fundamental unit of society in this life and in heaven.

[edit] Gay Mormons

No sources have ever denied that homosexual individuals are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many individuals have come forward through different support groups or websites stating their homosexuality and concurrent church membership.

[edit] Organizations

Organizations not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have spawned worldwide. Some are in tandem with teachings & doctrines of the church while others may be in complete opposition and may have even been instrumental in creating new religions. Some of these organizations include:

[edit] Church counsel to homosexual members

Members who have homosexual tendencies are urged to suppress such feelings. The inclinations themselves are not considered sinful, however any acts of homosexual behaviour are. Because, according to the church, homosexual behaviour is a violation of the law of chastity, it would be dealt with in the same way as adultery or premarital sex.

[edit] Allegations of aversion therapy at Brigham Young University

In recent years, several individuals have come forward alleging they agreed to undergo aversion therapy at Brigham Young University, from the counsel of Evergreen International or the bishop of their congregation, to help eradicate their homosexual urges[5][6][7]. These individuals, including Jayce Cox, Don Harryman, and Mike Summers, recount different parts of their experiences in different ways.

Generally, the individuals describe being shown an image portraying some type homosexual behaviour, followed by the application of a negative stimulus. Next, they were shown an image of a female, followed by the withdrawal of that stimulus. Statements on whether or not the images were pornographic vary as well as the negative stimulus used. One account states that the stimulus was a shock to the fingers or penis while another describes that ammonia was sprayed into the nose of the individual.

The president of the university in 1997 denied any knowledge of the alleged acts (Brent Harker, personal communication, April 9, 1997). A statement posted on the website of Evergreen International also denies the allegations they advocated aversion therapy.[8]. However, according to a 'question and answer' article posted on the Brigham Young University website, a faculty member states that aversion therapy may have taken place at BYU when he was an undergraduate student, but only in rare circumstances[9].

In, 2000 the Provo, Utah municipal police department and the chief investigator of the Utah Department of Commerce initiated an investigation into these claims. The investigation has since closed after none of the stories could be corroborated[8].

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ CNN, December 26, 2004 Interview, Viewed 2006 November 05.
  2. ^ Hinckley, G. (1998, November). What Are People Asking about Us? Ensign, 71.
  3. ^ Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2005) What is the Church's attitude toward homosexuality?, Retrieved November 20, 2006, from http://www.mormon.org/question/faq/category/answer/0,9777,1601-1-60-1,00.html
  4. ^ Jarvik, E. (2006, May 27) LDS to push marriage amendment, Deseret News Retrieved November 20, 2006, from http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635210773,00.html
  5. ^ Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons. With All Thy Getting, Get Understanding, Retrieved November 05, 2006, from http://www.affirmation.org/learning/with_all_thy_getting.shtml
  6. ^ Schow, R. (2000, August 14). Jayce Cox. Retrieved November 20, 2006 from http://www.isu.edu/~schorona/jayce.htm
  7. ^ Schow, R. (2000, August 14). Mike Summers. Retrieved November 20, 2006 from http://www.isu.edu/~schorona/mikesummers.htm
  8. ^ a b Evergreen International, Inc. (2006, October 01) Does Evergreen Practice Unethical Therapeutic Techniques?, Retrieved November 20, 2006, from http://www.evergreeninternational.org/aversion_therapy.htm
  9. ^ "Supershrink" (2006, August 12). Question ID#: 27629. Message posted to http://theboard.byu.edu/?area=viewall&id=27629
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