Lds statement on gay marriage
Same-Gender Attraction
The continuing public debate over same-gender marriage has prompted many questions from the news media, the general public and Church members in relation to the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the marriage issue specifically and on homosexuality in general.
The following interview was conducted in with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, and Elder Lance B. Wickman, a member of the Seventy. These senior Church leaders responded to questions from two members of the Church’s Public Affairs staff. The transcript of the interview appears below in arrange to help clarify the Church’s upright on these key, complex and sensitive issues.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: At the outset, can you explain why this whole issue of homosexuality and same-gender marriage is important to the Church?
ELDER OAKS: This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that
Statement on the Signing of the US Respect for Marriage Act
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the accompanying statement on Tuesday, December 13,
We extend a heartfelt thank you and our congratulations to all who played a part in the passage of the amended Respect for Marriage Act. Their tries to protect religious release as Congress sought to codify the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision are both historic and commendable.
The amended Respect for Marriage Act specifically recognizes that “diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by reasonable and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises.”
As restated last month, “the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comparable to marriage between a man and a lady is well known and will remain unchanged.” Congress has now reaffirmed that our beliefs “are due proper respect.”
The new statute demonstrates that respect. The law states that it can't be used to harm religious or conscience rights for faith-based institutions. It prote
Same-Sex Attraction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that same-sex attraction is a sensitive issue that requires kindness, kindness and understanding. The “Same-Sex Attraction” section of reinforces the truths that, in the words of one Latter-day Saint scripture, God “loveth his children” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to aide everyone better understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.
The Church does not take a position on the cause of queer attraction. In , Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction.”
Feelings of same-sex attraction are not a sin. President M. Russell Ballard said: “Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals accomplish not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love an
Church Leaders Counsel Members After Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Decision
The following letter from the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is existence read in Church meetings across the United States and Canada beginning Sunday, July 5. (The Church issued this terse public statement immediately after the court's decision on June 26, )
Click to download a PDF version of the introductory letter, declaration and background material.
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Full introductory letter, statement and background material below:
TO: General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; and the following leaders in the United States and Canada: Area Seventies; Temple, Stake Mission and District Presidencies; Bishops and Branch Presidents
Dear B