In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Church, there are members who are homosexual. The stand of the Church is that inclinations are not sinful, and those who do not act out upon their same-sex attraction have not committed sin. There are many members of the Church who have attraction to the same sex, but who are members in good standing, worthy to attend the Mormon temple, and to participate in all aspects of service in the Church. Some have married a good friend of the opposite sex and are raising families. Others, who have participated in same-sex relationships, have repented and become active members of the Church. The leadership and church members express sympathy and charity toward those who experience same-sex attraction and struggle with gender issues.
There are other gay Mormons who resent the commandments of God and do not see why the Church cannot change its policies on doctrine to fit their own view of life and chosen lifestyle. Thus, they leave the Church and fully engage in the gay lifestyle.
The Mormon Church is led by a living prophet and twelve apostles who are also seers and revelators. Because the Church is led by a prophet, doctrines are revealed by Jesus Christ Himself, who is the true head of the Church. Although patterns of running auxiliaries, building programs, charitable programs, etc., evolve to meet the needs of the growing church and its international membership, doctrine does not change. Mormons are bound to do their best to keep the commandments of God as they receive them from the source, God Himself. Thus, those who hope that the Church will change its stance to condone extra-marital sex, whether heterosexual or homosexual, wait in vain.
The leaders of the Church have issued a Proclamation to the World on the family. It reads as follows:
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim 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.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Mormon Church does not participate in politics or come out in favor of political candidates. However, it does participate in support of or against social issues that affect the world’s morality. Therefore, the Church has spoken out against gay marriage, while supporting programs and laws enabling gays, lesbians, transgenders, and bi-sexuals full rights under the law. In Utah, the Church encouraged laws offering all rights to gays in civil relationships, while stopping short of the title of marriage.
Gay Mormons face difficulties not unlike others who want to marry but never have the opportunity. They too, must remain celibate to keep the law of chastity, and it’s difficult. Others who have been married lose their spouses and must continue for years in celibacy. Gay Mormons have the additional challenge of not being attracted to someone of the opposite sex, thereby not even desiring a traditional marriage, which is central in Mormon doctrine. Again, the Church and its members try to show compassion. They are not “haters,” but are sworn to uphold the commandments of God for the eternal good of all His children.
Additional information about Mormons with LGBT tendencies.