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

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinguishes homosexuality between homosexual inclinations, feelings and behavior. According to the view of the Church, homosexual inclinations are not a sin and there are no ramifications from the Church for those with these inclinations. [1][2] While everyone has feelings that they did not choose,[3] it is taught that homosexual feelings can and should be overcome “through faith in God, sincere repentance, and persistent effort”. [4] As is any other sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage, homosexual behavior is considered a serious sin and may result in ex-communication if not repented of. [4]

Gordon B. Hinckley, the current President of the LDS Church summarized the church’s position as follows: “Now we have gays in the church. Good people. We take no action against such people – provided they don’t become involved in transgression, sexual transgression. If they do, we do with them exactly what we’d do with heterosexuals who transgress.” [5]

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Church doctrine differentiates homosexual inclinations and behavior.[6] Inclinations themselves are not considered sinful if they are not acted out or dwelled upon.[2][7] Gordon B. Hinckley, the current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has stated that the church does not consider itself "anti-gay" but instead "pro-family."[8] Church leaders assert that homosexuality is a problem that can be resolved and disciplines members who are involved in same-sex marriages or relationships.[8][2][7]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not approve of or permit homosexual behavior within the membership of the church and has actively opposed efforts to legalize same-sex marriage or civil unions.[2][7][9] 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.

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.

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:

Members who have homosexual tendencies are urged to not act on 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. The church teaches that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all inclination to sin can be changed and individuals can experience lasting peace.[10][11]

The use of reparative therapy, using aversive techniques at Brigham Young University occured in the 1970s.[12][Quotation from source requested on talk page to verify interpretation of source] In Chapter 3 of Max Ford McBride's dissertation, it states that “seventeen male subjects… were used in the study, 14 completed the treatment.”

In recent years, other individuals have come forward alleging they agreed to undergo reparative therapy, from the counsel of Evergreen International or the bishop of their congregation, to help eradicate their homosexual urges.[13][14][15] 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.[13][14][15]

The president of the university in 1997 denied any knowledge of the acts.[16] A statement posted on the website of Evergreen International also denies the allegations they advocated aversion therapy.[17] 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.[18]

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.[17]

  1. ^ Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman
  2. ^ a b c d Hinckley, G. (1998, November). What Are People Asking about Us? Ensign, 71.
  3. ^ Oaks, Dallin H., (1995), Same-Gender Attraction
  4. ^ a b Understanding and Helping Those With Homosexual Problems
  5. ^ Lattin, Don (1997) Musings of the Main Mormon
  6. ^ lds.org, Same-Gender Attraction: What is the position of the Church on same-gender attraction and same-gender marriage?, Viewed 2007 January 12.
  7. ^ a b c 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
  8. ^ a b CNN, December 26, 2004 Interview, Viewed 2006 November 05.
  9. ^ 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
  10. ^ Oaks, Dallin H., (1995), Same-Gender Attraction, http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1995.htm/ensign%20october%201995.htm/samegender%20attraction.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0
  11. ^ Scott, Richard G., (2006), The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/2006.htm/ensign%20november%202006.htm/the%20atonement%20can%20secure%20your%20peace%20and%20happiness.htm
  12. ^ McBride, Max Ford, Effect of Visual Stimuli in Electric Aversion Therapy. Dissertation presented to the Department of Psychology of Brigham Young University, August 1976. Provo, Utah, 1976.
  13. ^ a b 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
  14. ^ a b Schow, R. (2000, August 14). Jayce Cox. Retrieved November 20, 2006 from http://www.isu.edu/~schorona/jayce.htm
  15. ^ a b Schow, R. (2000, August 14). Mike Summers. Retrieved November 20, 2006 from http://www.isu.edu/~schorona/mikesummers.htm
  16. ^ Harker, B. Personal communication. (1997, April 9)
  17. ^ 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
  18. ^ "Supershrink" (2006, August 12). Question ID#: 27629. Message posted to http://theboard.byu.edu/?area=viewall&id=27629

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