In Defense of the Family: Same-Gender Attraction

The following post is part of a series of posts, entitled "In Defense of the Family." The purpose of this series is to inform readers of various aspects of the document "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," as well as to encourage readers to consider their own beliefs regarding the purpose of families. Furthermore, I would invite all readers to prayerfully consider the teachings set forth in The Family Proclamation.

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This will be a brief post because I'm going to direct you to some helpful resources by the LDS Church in case you want to know more.

Unfortunately, many hold the view that Mormons are "anti-gay" or "homophobic." Even if someone has had an experience with an LDS Church member who did act in a way consistent with those labels, it is inherently wrong and frankly ignorant to label every other member in that way.

In fact, in the LDS Church, we believe and teach that all people should be treated with kindness and respect. We believe that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God," and that homosexual behavior is wrong in the eyes of God. Now, don't misunderstand me here! We do not believe it is a sin to experience feelings of same-sex attraction. (We honestly don't know why some individuals do--nature, nurture, a combination, neither?) However, acting on homosexual feelings is a sin.

We believe that engaging in sexual behavior before marriage is wrong no matter your sexual orientation. The Law of Chastity is not sexual-orientation-specific. Any person who violates the Law of Chastity and thereby makes a mockery of God's precious life-giving gift to man is in the wrong and must repent to receive a remission for the sin.

I hope I've made it quite clear: feelings of attraction are not sinful. Acting on them inappropriately is.

When a person experiences unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction, it is the opportunity and obligation of Church members to extend love, mercy, and non-judgment toward that individual.

Finally, the Church does not believe that those willingly involved in homosexual behavior are loved any less by God, nor do we believe that they deserve to be mistreated. The Church has actually advocated for gay rights in terms of housing, employment, hospital rights, and other areas. As long as the rights of the traditional family and freedom of religion are not infringed upon, those supporting or practicing homosexuality also deserve certain fundamental rights, and they should not be discriminated against.

These are just a few of my perhaps poorly worded thoughts. For more information, please visit https://mormonandgay.lds.org/. Here are a few more resources, too:

https://www.lds.org/manual/god-loveth-his-children/god-loveth-his-children?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/10/same-gender-attraction?lang=eng
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/same-sex-attraction
Children of same-sex couples and baptism: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/handbook-changes-same-sex-marriages-elder-christofferson