Category: LGBTQ

  • Disclosure

    Disclosure

    Excerpt from the LDS published, Homosexuality, Welfare Services Packet 1, 1973: 1

    ‘Involvement of Others: Since homosexuality is possible only with others, disclosure of sexual partners is considered an essential part of repentance. The purpose is to help save others. Priesthood leaders must be careful not to reveal their sources as they make contact with those whose names they are given.’

     

    References

  • Confirmed Homosexual

    Confirmed Homosexual

    Excerpt from a 2011 presentation to various high ranking LDS church officials regarding cyber security. 1

    In discussing Chelsea Manning Apostle Dallin Oaks asks:

    “But he is confirmed homosexual?”

    “The reason I ask the question is not related to this presentation. But I’m suspicious that the news media cover up anything involving homosexuals when it would work to the disadvantage of the homosexual agenda and so on, and I just wondered if there was some of that in this.”

     

     

     

    References

    References
    1 Apostles obsess over Chelsea Manning’s sexuality, Mormon Leaks – https://youtu.be/CpVh24_wGoY
  • Vital Parts

    Vital Parts

    Excerpt from the 1973 Homosexuality: Welfare Services Packet 1, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Quote is attributed to Apostle Mark E. Petersen): 1

    “Masturbation is a sin because it is basically an act of self-debasement and abuse, but it is not homosexuality when practiced alone. When a person masturbates another, it is a homosexual act. While self-masturbation is not in the category of homosexuality, it should be dealt with kindly but firmly so the person can put it behind him or her and build a clean, self-controlled life. There are specific steps that the person himself can take. The first, of course, is fasting and prayer to enlist the support of the Lord to put oneself in a teachable position. Elder Mark E. Petersen has listed some steps in private correspondence after many years of experience in helping those with this problem. While these are focused on the adolescent, they can also apply to adults.

    1. Never touch the intimate parts of your body except during normal toilet processes.
    2. Avoid being alone as much as possible. Find good company and stay in this good company.
    3. If you are associated with other boys (or girls) having this same problem, you must break off their friendship. Never associate with other persons having the same weakness. Don’t suppose that two of you will quit together. You never will. You must get away from people of that kind. Just to be in their presence will keep your problem foremost in your mind. The problem must be taken out of your mind, for that is where it really exists. Your mind must be on other more wholesome things.
    4. When you bathe, do not admire yourself in a mirror. Never stay in the bath more than five or six minutes — just long enough to bathe and dry and dress and then get out of the bathroom into a room where you will have some member of your family present.
    5. When in bed, if that is where you have your problem for the most part, dress yourself for the night so securely that you cannot easily touch your vital parts, and so that it would be difficult and time consuming for you to remove those clothes. By the time you started to remove protective clothing you would have sufficiently controlled your thinking that the temptation would leave you.
    6. If the temptation seems overpowering while you are in bed, get out of the bed and go into the kitchen and fix yourself a snack, even if it is in the middle of the night, even if you are not hungry, and despite your fears of gaining weight. The purpose behind this suggestion is that you get your mind on something else. You must change the subject of your thoughts, so to speak.
    7. Never read pornographic material. Never read about your problem. Keep it out of mind. Remember — “First a thought, then an act.” “

     

    References

    References
    1 Homosexuality: Welfare Services Packet 1 (pg. 16), 1973 – https://www.scribd.com/document/329384642/Homosexuality-Welfare-Services-Packet-1-LDS-Victor-Brown
  • Wage of Sin

    Wage of Sin

    Excerpt from an April 1969 General Conference address by Apostle Mark E. Petersen, The Dangers of the So-called Sex Revolution: 1

    “That law is irrevocable and inescapable and applies to all, whether we believe in God or not. Everyone is subject to its penalties, no matter how they may try to ignore them, The wage of sin is death (Rom. 6:23)—even to the unbeliever!

    Immorality is next to murder in God’s category of crime, and always brings in its wake both destruction and remorse, even to college students who carry the pill with a mother’s consent.

    This nation was built upon a foundation of morality and spirituality. It is just possible that a rejection of these basic factors may bring about its fall. It was so with Greece and Rome. It can happen to us unless we repent.

    Every one of us would do well to remember that the “mills of the Gods grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small.” No one can flout the divine law with impunity.

    Every right-thinking person should be willing even to die if necessary in defense of virtue, whether that death be physical or social.

    “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Ex. 20:14) will forever stand as an immutable law to all human beings. This generation may rationalize itself into complete intoxication with sin and proclaim to high heaven that it is old-fashioned to be clean, but it will yet wake up to the stem reality that God does not change and that the moral laws are his and not man’s to shift with every whim.

    Adultery is still next to murder in the Lord’s category of crime (Alma 39:5).

    Homosexuality was made a capital crime in the Bible (Lev. 20:13).

    It was the Almighty who decreed that men and women must cover their nakedness by wearing proper and modest clothing (Gen. 3:21).

    No amount of rationalizing can change God’s laws. No amount of fashion designing can turn immodesty into virtue, and no amount of popularity can change sin into righteousness.

    Once again we Latter-day Saints affirm the reality of the existence of Jesus Christ. Once again, as his humble servants, we define his law of personal purity, and solemnly declare that sex sin is an abomination in the sight of God (Jacob 2:28).

    No one on earth can ever cancel the divine command that says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Ex. 20:14).

    To this I humbly testify in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

    Leviticus 20:13, The Holy Bible: 2

    13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

     

     

    References

    References
    1 The Dangers of the So-called Sex Revolution, Apostle Mark E. Petersen – http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1684
    2 Leviticus 20:13, The Holy Bible – https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/lev/20.13
  • New Horizons for Homosexuals

    New Horizons for Homosexuals

    Excerpt from Spencer W. Kimball’s 1971 pamphlet ‘New Horizons for Homosexuals’:1

    So long as you tolerate this “gay world” and its degenerate people, you are in a very desperate situation and you are playing with fire just like a child who might be pounding a bomb with a hammer.

    Homosexuality can be cured if the battle is well organized and pursued vigorously and continuously.

    References

  • Depopulate a Nation

    Depopulate a Nation

    Excerpt from ‘Principles to Govern Possible Public Statement on Legislation Affecting Rights of Homosexuals’ – LDS Apostle Dallin H. Oaks, August 7, 1984: 1

    One generation of homosexual “marriages” would depopulate a nation, and, if sufficiently widespread, would extinguish its people. Our marriage laws should not abet national suicide.

    …

    ‘Summary
    In summary, and for the reason discussed above, I recommend that the Church:

    (1) Tailor is communications on this subject to take account of the formal difference between the condition or tendency of so-called homosexual persons on the one hand and the homosexual practices on the other.

    (2) Take no position on laws changing the extent to which there are greater criminal penalties for homosexual behavior than for illicit heterosexual behavior.

    (3) Oppose job discrimination laws protecting homosexuals, unless such law contain exceptions permitting employers to exclude homosexuals from employment that involves teaching of or other intimate association with young people.

    (4) Take no position on laws barring other types of discrimination against homosexuals, unless there is a secular basis (persuasive public policy) to justify such discrimination.

    (5) vigorously oppose the legalization of homosexual marriages.’

     

    References

    References
    1 Principles to Govern Possible Public Statement on Legislation Affecting Rights of Homosexuals. – http://www.christopherrandallnicholson.com/uploads/4/9/4/8/49486603/1984_oaks_position_paper.pdf
  • Don’t Expect Us

    Don’t Expect Us

    Excerpt from a 2006 interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: “Same-Gender Attraction”:[footnote]Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: “Same-Gender Attraction” – LDS Newsroom[/footnote]

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS: At what point does showing that love cross the line into inadvertently endorsing behavior? If the son says, ‘Well, if you love me, can I bring my partner to our home to visit? Can we come for holidays?’ How do you balance that against, for example, concern for other children in the home?’

    ELDER OAKS: That’s a decision that needs to be made individually by the person responsible, calling upon the Lord for inspiration. I can imagine that in most circumstances the parents would say, ‘Please don’t do that. Don’t put us into that position.’ Surely if there are children in the home who would be influenced by this example, the answer would likely be that. There would also be other factors that would make that the likely answer. I can also imagine some circumstances in which it might be possible to say, ‘Yes, come, but don’t expect to stay overnight. Don’t expect to be a lengthy house guest. Don’t expect us to take you out and introduce you to our friends, or to deal with you in a public situation that would imply our approval of your “partnership.”


    Crash Course:

    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths
    Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: “Same-Gender Attraction” – LDS Newsroom

  • Incriminate Themselves

    Incriminate Themselves

    Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:[footnote]Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

    Q. How do you handle a temple recommend interview with individuals who claim to support the brethren but the individual is clearly supportive of issues that are against the teachings of the prophet such as same-sex marriage?

    A. Elder Perry: This is difficult for many people, as they are sympathetic to a loved one who struggles. I do not believe they are born with it. It is a temptation like any other. As long as they keep their support of that loved one within their family, leave it up to them. Elder Tanner taught us how to ask questions in the temple recommend interview. Ask them the questions and if necessary they will incriminate themselves. Put the burden on them. They have to come forward and if we ask the questions the right way I think they will. Say to them “now on this recommend there are three signatures, the first will be yours. As a witness in front of these other witness and God himself, if you feel comfortable putting your name on this recommend then we will join in recommending you as worthy to enter the House of the Lord. The laws of marriage will not change. Homosexual marriages will always be sin in the eyes of the Lord and they will be judged accordingly for living that way.


    Crash Course:

    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths
    Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks

  • Showing Affection

    Showing Affection

    Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:[footnote]Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

    Q. How should you address a same-sex couple in a Sacrament Meeting who are showing inappropriate affection?

    A. Elder Perry: Refer to the Jan 9th letter issued by the Senior Brethren. We do not turn anyone away from Sacrament Meeting, but all are to behave appropriately while there. I would invite them to come into my office right after and let them know how they were out of line. I would let them know that repentance is possible. The scriptures have not changed. Adultery is still adultery. Fornication is still fornication. We should continually warn those living in sin that they are jeopardizing their eternal salvation. Sin is sin. There is no way they can develop laws which will change the laws of the Lord. We must show them now that we believe in the right type of marriage and use the Proclamation to teach this. This is what we have always believed in. This is what all the prophets and the Savior himself believed in. We must be on the strong side of defending marriage and defending God’s plan for His children. This evil will divide out nation in half. We have to be more vigorous. We have to be certain that our legislature protects the Church. you know they [evil] never stop. They move one inch at a time until they have forced upon all. you would be amazed at the network we have among other religious organizations to protect religious freedom. Unfortunately the Supreme Court is listening to the voice of the people through the administration that is currently in place. The individual members of the Church must step up and get involved. It must come from the people, not the general authorities. As local leaders you have a fine line to walk between dictating and teaching the doctrine so that there will be a revival of lay members stepping up to fight for God’s cause. So that people in important positions and courts will see that the majority voice of the people will always be in favor of the Lord. If we do not follow him you can expect calamities to come. he will not let this go forward to destroy the basic family unit He has created for the progression of His children. We have a great responsibility on us and I hope you take it seriously. Teach correct principles and doctrines of what the Lord has established.

     


    Crash Course:

    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths
    Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks

  • Manly Things

    Manly Things

    Excerpt from Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference, February 15, 2014:[footnote]Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

    Q. How do you help a young man or young woman who comes in and says “I think that I’m gay“?

    A. Elder Perry. Give them association with manly things, strong men that represent the ideal of relationships, a man who is vigorous and knows the power he holds.

     


    Crash Course:

    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths
    Utah Layton Priesthood Leadership Conference – Mormon Leaks

  • Courage

    Courage

    Image: Video of 12 year old gay Mormon youth sharing her testimony, told to ‘sit down’ after coming out to her congregation (Mormon Leaks). 

    Savannah’s testimony:

    My name is Savannah and I want to share my testimony with you.

    I believe I am a child of heavenly parents. I don’t know if they talk to us, but I feel in my heart that they made me and that they love me. I believe I was made the way I am, all parts of me, by my heavenly parents.

    They did not mess up when they gave me brown eyes, or when I was born bald. They did not mess up when they gave me freckles or when they made me to be gay. God loves me just this way because I believe that he loves all his creations.

    I do believe he made this way on purpose, not part of me is a mistake.

    I do not choose to be this way, and it is not a fad. I cannot make someone else gay and being around me won’t make anyone else this way. I believe that God wants us to treat each other with kindness, even if people are different, especially if they are different. Christ showed us this.

    I believe that we should just love. I believe I am good. I try my best to be nice to each other and stick up for those that are hurting. I know I’m not a horrible sinner for being who I am. I believe God would tell me if I was wrong.

    I hope someday to go on dates, go to school dances, to hold hands and to go off to college. I hope to find a partner and have a great job. I hope to get married and have a family.

    I know these dreams and wishes are good and right. I know I can have all of these things as a lesbian and be happy. I believe that if God is there, he knows I am perfect, just the way I am and would never ask me to live my life alone or with someone I am not attracted to.

    He would want me to be happy. I want to be happy. I want to love myself and not to feel shame for being me. I ask you…

    At this point the first counselor of the stake presidency cut Savannah’s microphone and told her to “sit down“


    Crash Course:

    12-year-old girl comes out to her Mormon congregation – CNN
    How one Mormon girl’s brave coming out started a national conversation – Mashable
    Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality – Rational Faiths

  • Proposition 8

    Proposition 8

    Image: Elder Lance Wickman – LDS General Authority

    Elder Lance Wickman in a 2012 interview speaking about the LDS churches involvement in the California Proposition 8 amendment against marriage equality: [footnote]Elder Wickman – Thoughts on Proposition 8[/footnote]

    “The first thought that comes to my mind is the shear heroism of our members in California, and others who stood up with them to defend marriage. They truly were heroic, metal of honor service as far as I am concerned. Almost in the same vein, contrary to what some may think it was the members not the church, yes the First Presidency of the church sent a letter that was read in sacrament meeting urging members to get involved, and thats all that was needed and they were galvanized by it.”

    From The Daily Dot, March 23, 2017[footnote]The long crusade: How the Mormon Church continues to war against gay marriage – The Daily Dot[/footnote]:

    New documents released by the transparency website MormonLeaks allege that LDS leaders did more than give their members pizza to encourage them to volunteer: The church’s leadership was directly involved in ongoing efforts to block marriage equality. And it continues to advocate for discrimination against the LGBTQ community, here and abroad, even despite recent attempts to build bridges with queer people.

    Training materials, presentation documents, and emails shared exclusively with the Daily Dot suggest even stronger ties between the Mormon Church and anti-marriage efforts than what has previously been alleged. After conservatives successfully passed Prop 8, a report from the Wall Street Journal claimed that the LDS Church provided volunteers and financial donations to the campaign. But the new materials suggest that the effort was directly supervised by members of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, its highest leadership board.

    Titled “Proposition 8 Grassroots Program,” a PowerPoint presentation leaked to the site was what leaders used to train supervisors assigned to man phone-banking and door-to-door efforts. An organizational chart in the document suggests that Elder John C. Dalton, a member of his area’s Quorum of the Seventy, directly facilitated political organizing for Prop 8, serving as state chairman. In his role, Dalton oversaw campaign leadership, as well as communicating with bishops and the presidents of local stakes, the LDS term for a group of churches that share the same district.

    Directly supervising Dalton were two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook. L. Whitney Clayton, senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy, also served as his superior.

    On Oct. 28, 2008, Dalton reached out directly to the team just days before the campaign to wish them luck and tell volunteers to press onward. It is this email that speaks directly to these leaders’ direct involvement in Prop 8 organizing.

    “We have been able to make hundreds of thousands of phone calls, rallies, bus tours, outreach programs on campuses and a host of other community activities,” Dalton wrote. “And all this has been done by your volunteer efforts and the members of your wards, branches, and institutes. I congratulate you on your dedication and faithfulness. Each evening as Elder Clayton and the statewide leadership conference call on Prop 8, you are uppermost in our minds and hearts. How proud we are to be associated with all of you.”

    The “Operations Manual” for the Prop 8 campaign further points to constant contact between elders and local churches to compel voters to show up at the ballot box that November. The manual, which was specifically for the Santa Monica area, opens with a quote from Edmund Burke—which was previously invoked by President Gordon B. Hinckley in a speech condemning pornography and “sex perversion.” It offers a statement of purpose for the campaign: “All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.”

    Image: Page from the LDS “Proposition 8 Grassroots Program” training presentation – Organization Chart[footnote]‘Proposition 8 Grassroots Program’ Training Presentation – Mormon Leaks[/footnote]

     

    Crash Course:

  • Homosexual Addiction

    Homosexual Addiction

    In 1981 Elder Hartman Rector, Jr. Of the First Quorum of the Seventy gave an address titled ‘Turning the Hearts'[footnote] Turning the Hearts, Elder Hartman Rector, Jr. – LDS.org [/footnote].

    The more controversial elements such as birth control and homosexuality were later censored from the textual version of the address on LDS.org, though the audio version remains complete. Some of the discrepancies include:

    “I consider it a great honor and a privilege to greet you this afternoon *in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.*” The *part* was edited out.

    At 1:21 (after the words “very serious attack today all over the world”), he talks about birth control and the destruction of families. About 53 seconds of the talk was cut out of the text.

    At 2:24 (after the words “the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”), another 24 seconds is missing from the text. He remarks on the destruction of families by “those who represent the so-called ‘alternate lifestyle’” and decries vasectomies.

    At 4:58 (after the words “keep it from being ‘wasted’ when the Lord comes”), 28 seconds was edited out of the text. He said: ‘I have often wondered how or why the earth would be wasted if children’s hearts are not turned to their fathers. Today, it’s very clear for all to see. When the Lord comes, if He finds nothing but birth control, abortions, sterilizations, and homosexuals, the Earth is wasted.’

    At 6:46 (after the words “when they see what a great blessing they were to you,” which are different in the text for some reason), another 28 seconds was edited out of the text. He said: ‘If children have a happy family experience, they will not want to be homosexuals, which I am sure is an acquired addiction, just as drugs, alcohol, and pornography are. The promoters of homosexuality say they were born that way, but I do not believe this is true. There are no female spirits trapped in male bodies and vice versa. He who made them made them male and female. Every form of homosexuality is sin, said the living prophet Spencer W. Kimball.’

    Crash Course:

    Turning the Hearts, Elder Hartman Rector, Jr. – LDS.org

    Mormon and Gay – Official LDS Website

    MamaDragons – We are a supportive group of mothers. We are shelter for their children. We are champions of faith, family, and LGBTQIA communities.

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