To Love is the Greatest Gift

Today, 12 Oct 2010, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued an official statement regarding the HRC protest and the recent slew of gay teen suicides. The article is well written and deserves to be read by anyone who wishes to understand the current position the LDS church has on the LGBT community.

Speaking confidently about the recent suicides, the Church spokesperson said, "Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another."

He goes on to adamantly declare that using the Church's doctrine of marriage to belittle others who do not believe the same teachings should"... never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down." The members of the Mormon religion who use Christ's doctrine of marriage revealed to His ancient and modern prophets in order to hate, belittle, or be cruel to any person is completely wrong. In essence, this statement simply says, "If you're Mormon and someone doesn't believe what you believe...then that's fine. You can't use Mormonism to bully."

Lastly, the spokesperson focused on love. He said, "The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential."

Some people who are opposed to the Church will undoubtedly take the Church's response and dissect it until it becomes words of hate. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a gospel based off of the teachings of Jesus Christ who ultimately taught to love one another.

And everyone, regardless of belief or sexual identity, needs to learn how to do the same.

Read the full text of the statement, here.