This simple idea has thrown me for a loop. Then, what of trials? Aren't we taught from the Book of Mormon that "God give[s] unto men weakness that they may be humble; and...if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27). Clearly, God gives men trials to remind them of His goodness and His grace.
Then comes Boyd K. Packer saying, "Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone?"
So, the questions arise,
- Why would He do that?
- Is homosexuality a trial, or just a temptation?
- Are trials and temptations the same thing?
- Should we even care where homosexuality comes from?
Now, dear friend and loyal reader, I do not disagree with the Christ's teaching that homosexuality is wrong. I do, however, disagree with the way Boyd K. Packer presented his argument. He called those who struggle with homosexuality, "impure and unnatural". Any young teenager who was listening or viewing that talk feels even more unworthy or abnormal than before. What if that young child was or is contemplating suicide? Has this talk just added one more brick to the burden that is weighing so heavily upon that son or daughter of God's shoulders?
We must all take a stand to remind our gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and transgender brothers and sisters that they are loved.
We must all take a stand to remind any church member that all trials come from God. These trials may be given to us from birth or later on in our lives. The idea that these trials are not given by God should be evaluated on an individual basis.
Boyd K. Packer may have set the Church's progress on accepting those who experience same-gender attraction back a few years. In order for us to make sure that we continue forward, is to spread the knowledge of love, appreciation and care for those who experience these God-given trials. They must know to make the best of their lives in whatever circumstances that they choose to live.
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ReplyDeleteChrist NEVER taught that "homosexuality is wrong," Andy. And the only reason it's a "trial" is that organizations like the LDS Church insist on making it one and imposing the difficulties artificially. In and of itself, being gay is no trial at all. It is natural and normal and none of the things Packer said.
ReplyDeleteYou'll notice that the one equally tenable premise Packer rules out as unthinkable is that these "tendencies" aren't "impure and unnatural" at all, but are in fact pure and natural for some of God's children who were made in a way Packer obviously can't comprehend.
Thank you Rob!! I was just about to make that same comment. Ditto on the rest.
ReplyDelete@Rob and Sean,
ReplyDeleteI know that Christ never said that homosexuality is wrong in the Bible or in the Book of Mormon, but don't we, as members of the Church believe that "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same"?
So, even if Christ didn't say that homsoexuality is wrong, doesn't it mean that He really did say it through His prophets?
(I'm not trying to spark a debate; I'm just curious about your thoughts)
President Packer's talk has put me through a minor identity crisis these past few days. I need Jesus to come down and tell me that I can still go to Heaven if I have different political ideals from my church leaders. James and I have stayed up until 2am for the past couple of nights talking about it. I left this comment on a blog last week (before conference):
ReplyDelete"This is such a horrible tragedy. I am a member of the Mormon church (or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), one of the most commonly perceived "gay hating" churches. I want to clear up that misconception. Some of my best friends are gay. I am okay with gay marriage. My husband is a member of LAMBDA (see lambda.org). We will always teach our children to love others and accept others no matter what. Bullying is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Period.
Yes, we believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. But what I believe and practice within the walls of my own home should never make anyone feel that they are a victim of discrimination. I will never push my religious beliefs on anyone else. I believe in a separation of church and state."
Here's a link to the post if you're interested:
http://nobabynoblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/gay-is-ok.html#comments
My husband reminded me a few days ago that President James E. Faust was a prominent democrat. This is slightly comforting, though I still don't know where he would have stood on the issue of gay marriage.
I've been searching the church archives for something that will give me comfort and reassure me that I'm not disqualified from the Celestial Kingdom if I am in favor of legalizing gay marriage (among other things, like marijuana). Even though I would never choose those things myself, and even though I will teach my children that they are wrong, I just believe in giving people their agency. I've found these talks:
http://bit.ly/9AJPnw
http://bit.ly/cDDS77
http://bit.ly/bpP96f
But they're not quite what I'm looking for. I've been praying fervently for some reconciliation. I'm still trying to figure it out.
@Mrs. Potts,
ReplyDeleteWow. I didn't even think how this would affect other members of the Church with more "radical" ideas. I am really glad that you posted this. It makes me feel less "abnormal" for freaking out.
When I first heard the talk, I was feeling okay. And then I read into it some more, and I realized how "damning" it all sounds.
I don't think that you will be "disqualified" from the Celestial Kingdom. Sometimes, we have to remember, that the things said from the pulpit can sometimes be things that are said from the persons own opinion and judgments and not God's.
I mean, what about all the bigotry and hate found in Mormon Doctrine about blacks? What about the mean and hateful things sad about gays in "The Miracle of Forgiveness"? Boyd K Packer is from an older generation of members of the Church. Maybe if Elder Bednar spoke about this it would have been a little easier to swallow.
Who knows?
I just wanted to point something out here, Andy. You asked Rob and Sean:
ReplyDeletedon't we, as members of the Church believe that "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same"?...So, even if Christ didn't say that homsoexuality is wrong, doesn't it mean that He really did say it through His prophets?
And then you told Mrs. Potts:
Sometimes, we have to remember, that the things said from the pulpit can sometimes be things that are said from the persons own opinion and judgments and not God's.
Seems to me that maybe you answered your own question.
"Some suppose that they were “preset” and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural. Not so. Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember, he is our Father.…You can, if you will, break the habits, and conquer the addiction, and come away from that which is not worthy of any member of the Church." -Packer
ReplyDeleteMany have taken this to mean that it is not possible for LGBTs to be born with those addictions, tendencies, or feelings. That is not what he says. He says that many use their belief of being "preset" to assume that they cannot change or overcome those things. According to the Christian belief that God will never give us a temptation that we are unable to bear with his help (1 Corinthians 10:13), what he says is accurate. Regardless of your personal belief on how those who are LGBTs came to be in their position, God promised in the Bible that we can overcome any temptation with his help. President Packer never said that it wasn't possible that someone could be "born gay"; he just says that we shouldn't use that belief as a reason we cannot change. Ultimately, God has given each of us our agency. We do not choose the circumstances that we are born in or challenges that we are born with, but do choose what we do with those things. He says our Heavenly Father loves us and would never give us a challenge or tendency we could not overcome with His help. He promises that you can "break the habits, and conquer the addiction, and come away from that which is not worthy of any member of the Church.