Mormons and Homosexuality?

Question

How do mormons actually view homosexuality? I am rather certain that some members of the Latter Day Saints Church are homosexuals, but maybe non-practicing. So is that supposed to be like a personal challenge given to them by God that they need to overcome? I also thought along the lines of....God gives us challenges or trials in life that we can overcome, so is that how mormons view homosexuality? And if they don't get married because well they don't feel an attraction for the opposite sex, does that mean that they won't be able to enter the highest heaven? Wouldnt that be sad? They were born that way, and if they probably had a choice before they were born, they probably wouldn't choose to be a homosexual. And if they choose to be non-practicing homosexuals and marry to enter that highest heaven, wouldnt that be considered cheating?

I think this is really interesting. This is, in no way, an attack. I would appreciate answers from Mormons, thank you.

Answer 1

i am mormon- and i am not anti- gay. I have had gay friends- and i see it as there choice. I do not condone it- and watching intimate moments makes me feel uncomfortable- but i do not judge anyone who is. I don't tell them they are going to hell.- But i do know that a "practicing" gay person cannot be an active member of the church. They can be gay- just not acting upon it. This is becasue it is against the fundamentals of God's teachings for their to be same sex relationships. As far as whether they will have a chance to be in the highest heaven- we do believe that everyone will have a somewhat of a second chance in the after life to accept the gospel and to do the things necessary to enter the highest level. But it's up to our Heavenly Father if someone gets into heaven. Not upto anyone on yahoo, or even the leaders of the LDS church. The leaders are mortal men- they lead us with the revolution as they know it, and guide us based on God's and Jesus' teachings. Anything after that is in Gods' hands. They are only doing what they know to be right. But God has final judgement. Over everyone.

* bast- as far as pregnancy goes- i have met many young women who have become pregnant before marriage and were not kicked out. What happens, is they are not able to participate in certain things, like taking sacrament (like communion) until she has fully repented. And NO one that I have ever seen or heard of as ever had to apologize to the congregation. The most basic thing in the church is that it is not others place to judge, and that the repentance process is between you and your Heavenly Father. We do not owe anything to anyone else- especially not the congregation. The only way that i could see that happeining is if the girls mother made her do that- which would be her mothers own physcotic way of dealing with the problem and in no way a reflection of the church.

Answer 2

There is actually a really good talk given this month in the Ensign by Elder Holland
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e5cbba12dc825110VgnVCM100000176f620a____
It's a very good article and if you have time, you should read it...
I personally view homosexuality as a temptation, not a "born-in" thing. We all have temptations, some it is to drink a lot, some it is to commit adultery, some it is to steal, I don't believe homosexuality is any different - as far as having a temptation to overcome. I also believe that the Lord loves us so much, that he will never let us be tempted above anything more than we can overcome. I do know a few members who were raised LDS, in good LDS homes, and now have those temptations. They have moved out of Utah so I don't know their cicumstances now, but I do not judge them. I do not agree with their lifestyle choices, or that of any person who acts on homosexual tendancies, but that is their own choice and does not affect me. They are still children of God, they just have different struggles than I do.
I do think some people "choose" to be gay because it is such an "in" thing in today's society, like they have to be different or whatever. But I don't think everyone is that way.
I don't know how everything will work out in the end, after this life... I will leave that up to our heavenly Father.
All I can do is love them as a child of God and not judge them.

Answer 3

I think that if you see it as a challenge, then it is a challenge.

Though I am a baptised Mormon, born into a Mormon family, my beliefs differ slightly from that of the organized church. I think that it started out well, but in the corrupt hands of man, it has become...well, corrupt. The church is different from what I believe the true gospel to be.

I think that there is further progression after death, and that even if we do not enter the highest kingdom, we can gain it later in the afterlife.

If you are homosexual, simply don't marry! You don't need to lie to yourself to gain exaltation.

Though I don't agree with homosexuality because it goes against the plan of creation and is unnatural, I don't think you should marry someone you don't love just to progress. That is not true progression.

Answer 4

I have a friend who was highly religious the first 2 years i knew him, he was a Mormon. I always suspected, but never said anything, that he was gay and the 3rd year I knew him he finally came out. After his church found out they kicked him out. They told him that he was going to Hell and that he'd chosen to live this life of damnation. They wanted to "fix" him so he could come back to church. Now he claims to Agnostic. So that's my experience with the church of latter day saints as far as homosexuals go.

I also know a girl that got kicked out for becoming pregnant before she was married and she wasn't allowed back in until she apologized to the whole congregation.

I think it's horrible that they'd do this to young people. These people I'm talking about were only 17 and 16 at the time. Thats two of many reason why even to this day I have a large problem with this religion.

Answer 5

You reported, "easily the scriptures that are "extra stunning than the Bible" might point out "the Sin of Sodom". " The sin of Sodom is without put off referenced contained in the e book of Mormon. See 2 Nephi 13:9. The Bible additionally mentions homosexuality. We evaluate the Bible to be scripture. Sorry, I unquestionably have difficulty believing what you assert. LDS doctrine from the beginning up has been very sparkling that the only sin for which the result's "outer darkness" is that of denying the Holy Ghost. Even murderers may be forgiven. So if enticing in gay acts is meant to be suited decrease than homicide (which i'm not sure it extremely is), then it needless to say would not positioned a individual in outer darkness the two. I undergo in ideas examining the Priesthood manuals from the '90s, and that i don't undergo in ideas something connecting homosexuality and outer darkness. Please cite the instruction manual and web site selection so we are able to ascertain your declare. what's commonly positioned after homicide are sins of immorality (i.e., adultery, pre-marital intercourse, homosexuality).

Answer 6

I am a Jack Mormon. Meaning I am no longer a practicing Mormon, but I was born and raised in the church. I agree there are some closet case homosexuals in the church. I do not believe it is a challenge God gave them and I am sure many would prefer to remain abstinate as oppose to commit the sin of being with the same sex (99.9% of religions consider this a sin not just Mormons.) In so far as going to the highest kingdom of heaven (the celestial kingdom) Mormon doctrine states if you do not marry in the temple you will not reach this plateau. I think it is absolute BS and my father who is in the Bishopric (high priesthood holder and a member 40 years) also doesn't believe there is much truth to this. How can a person who has lived a good clean life be denied going to the celestial kingdom because they failed to marry in the temple? It is not necessarily only a question of a persons sexual preference that they do not marry there could be other factors why the person never married. For me alot of the doctrine was written way too long ago for it to apply today (I am not referring to the Book of Mormon.) Additionally, things that I had witnessed over the years when I was an active member totally said to me this is not the Holy Ghost talking to this person (men) it's just their dumb **** talking nonsense. I believe the gay man or woman would reach the celestial kingdom as long as they keep the Word of Wisdom regardless if they never marry.

Answer 7

I think you have a lot of it right and there are a couple of good answers.

Let me just offer my opinion (not ever heard this in the LDS church -- this is my opinion)

That "being" a homosexual is a flawed concept. This is just a label that is artificially placed on some people (and some label themselves).

Homosexuality is not a "state of being." Our species is Heterosexual, the only other choice is "A sexual" which we are not.

"Being" Homosexual is like "being" an over-eater. Over-eaters desire food and do not limit their own desires. Some over-eaters consider themselves fat by way of genetics "they are born that way" and no matter what they do they will always be fat.

I have lost over 100 lbs after 40+ years of overeating, I just needed to learn what a sensible diet was and exercise every day and then choose to be a master over my desire to eat and be slothful, or continue to be fat.

There is no doubt that we desire what we shouldn't have, some/all of these desires are learned, but some of us have desires for "x" and some have desires for "y" -- the questions is will you give up your power over your desires, or will you become the master of your desires.

D

Answer 8

It is timely that the October issue of the Ensign has an article by Elder Holland. Read this and you will get the actual position of the church, and not an assumed one. Elder Holland basically said that all are treated the same way. If you have sex outside marriage it is wrong. If you are chaste, you have the right to every blessing. A person should give the first designation of his personality as something other than their bedroom behavior.

Answer 9

I dont think they approve! I did a little bit of research and it seems that they do believe that its a sin.

I really dont know how you can outcast the homosexuals in religion because it seems most churches would accept a convicted murderer it they showed their faith for God in a very serious way...I'm just not sure...we also are not supposed to judge, but its all in what people are taught in the church and what they want to believe.

Answer 10

Homosexuality and its practices are abhorrent to the Lord. You are right; the challenges exist for homosexuals to constrain themselves and remain celibate if necessary.

The great Atonement of Jesus Christ and fervent prayer can turn around the practice of homosexuality if the person has the strongest desire to overcome it by exercising faith in the Lord.

Eternal marriage in the temple of the Lord remains the sacred ordinance and the new and everlasting covenant that allows man and woman to enter the highest level of the celestial kingdom. Those entering into this covenant and keeping the commandments received may receive their exaltation. Mortality holds many challenges for us all; homosexuality is but one to overcome.