Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ - Revision history

SpencerMarsh at 14:37, 2 April 2026

2026-04-02T14:37:36Z

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	<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] \| <span style="color#7BB375">Homosexuality</span></small>		<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] \| <span style="color:#7BB375">Homosexuality</span></small>
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SpencerMarsh at 14:37, 2 April 2026

2026-04-02T14:37:19Z

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	~~{{Main Page}}~~		<small>[[Mormonism and gender issues\|Social Issues in the Church]] \| <span style="color#7BB375">Homosexuality</span></small>
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	'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the Church's approach to relations with the LGBT community. This page responds to those questions.		'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the Church's approach to relations with the LGBT community. This page responds to those questions.

SpencerMarsh at 15:04, 31 March 2026

2026-03-31T15:04:05Z

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	'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the Church's approach to relations with the LGBT community. This page responds to those questions.		'''Summary:''' Several questions have arisen regarding the Church's approach to relations with the LGBT community. This page responds to those questions.
	----		----
	==General Questions About Identity==		====General Questions About Identity====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = ===Can a person identify as gay or lesbian and still be a member of the Church in good standing?===		\| title = ===Can a person identify as gay or lesbian and still be a member of the Church in good standing?===
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	Research seems to indicate that adopting a gay identity may have a negative impact on youth and married men.		Research seems to indicate that adopting a gay identity may have a negative impact on youth and married men.
	}}		}}
	==Scripture and History==		==== Scripture and History ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === Why wasn't the prohibition against same-sex relationships rescinded when the rest of the law of Moses was rescinded? ===		\| title = === Why wasn't the prohibition against same-sex relationships rescinded when the rest of the law of Moses was rescinded? ===
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	The FAIR Wiki contains an analysis of this book's claims, with links to further reviews and resources: [[Specific_works/Same-Sex_Dynamics_Among_Nineteenth-Century_Americans:_A_Mormon_Example\|here]].		The FAIR Wiki contains an analysis of this book's claims, with links to further reviews and resources: [[Specific_works/Same-Sex_Dynamics_Among_Nineteenth-Century_Americans:_A_Mormon_Example\|here]].
	}}		}}
	==Challenges==		==== Challenges ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === What are some of the unique challenges or difficulties faced by Latter-day Saints with same-sex attraction? ===		\| title = === What are some of the unique challenges or difficulties faced by Latter-day Saints with same-sex attraction? ===
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	Just because it is better to have close friends with similar standards does not mean that we cannot ever associate with people who have different standards than we do. We are commanded to be "in the world, but not of the world" {{nc}}. Even if we have a family member, friend, or coworker who is inappropriate in their sexual display, that does not mean that we cannot ever associate with that person. There is a way to maintain our own integrity while interacting with people who have different standards. We simply need judgment and self-awareness to know which influences will be unhelpful for us at certain times of our lives.		Just because it is better to have close friends with similar standards does not mean that we cannot ever associate with people who have different standards than we do. We are commanded to be "in the world, but not of the world" {{nc}}. Even if we have a family member, friend, or coworker who is inappropriate in their sexual display, that does not mean that we cannot ever associate with that person. There is a way to maintain our own integrity while interacting with people who have different standards. We simply need judgment and self-awareness to know which influences will be unhelpful for us at certain times of our lives.
	}}		}}
	==The Causes of Homosexuality==		==== The Causes of Homosexuality ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === What have past and present Church leaders taught about why some people are attracted to the same sex? ===		\| title = === What have past and present Church leaders taught about why some people are attracted to the same sex? ===
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	Thus, President Kimball is not saying that masturbation causes one to have a homosexual ''orientation''. President Kimball says that masturbation could lead to the ''practice'' of homosexuality. The church rarely (if ever) talks about the causes of a particular sexual orientation. The church is much more interested in learning to control our thoughts, feelings and behaviors rather than sexual orientation. Many other leaders have also cautioned about preoccupation with sex and about arousing sexual feelings that should only be expressed in marriage. Masturbation arouses sexual feelings outside of marriage. This could lead to sexual acts performed outside of marriage. If a person has opposite-sex attractions, it may lead to the practice of heterosexuality outside of marriage, which is considered just as much of a sin as the practice of homosexuality.		Thus, President Kimball is not saying that masturbation causes one to have a homosexual ''orientation''. President Kimball says that masturbation could lead to the ''practice'' of homosexuality. The church rarely (if ever) talks about the causes of a particular sexual orientation. The church is much more interested in learning to control our thoughts, feelings and behaviors rather than sexual orientation. Many other leaders have also cautioned about preoccupation with sex and about arousing sexual feelings that should only be expressed in marriage. Masturbation arouses sexual feelings outside of marriage. This could lead to sexual acts performed outside of marriage. If a person has opposite-sex attractions, it may lead to the practice of heterosexuality outside of marriage, which is considered just as much of a sin as the practice of homosexuality.
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	==Post-Mortal States==		==== Post-Mortal States ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = ===Does the Church teach that same-sex attraction will persist in the next life? ===		\| title = ===Does the Church teach that same-sex attraction will persist in the next life? ===
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
	}}		}}
	==Legal Protections==		==== Legal Protections ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === Since the Church teaches that homosexual conduct is sinful, does this mean it opposes efforts to protect those who engage in homosexual acts? ===		\| title = === Since the Church teaches that homosexual conduct is sinful, does this mean it opposes efforts to protect those who engage in homosexual acts? ===
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
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	==Suicide==		==== Suicide ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === Is there an "epidemic" of suicide among gay Latter-day Saints? ===		\| title = === Is there an "epidemic" of suicide among gay Latter-day Saints? ===
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	*2007: "You are a son or daughter of God, and our hearts reach out to you in warmth and affection. Notwithstanding your present same-gender attractions, you can be happy during this life, lead a morally clean life, perform meaningful service in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with your fellow Saints, and ultimately receive all the blessings of eternal life." [http://lds.org/manual/god-loveth-his-children/god-loveth-his-children?lang=eng]		*2007: "You are a son or daughter of God, and our hearts reach out to you in warmth and affection. Notwithstanding your present same-gender attractions, you can be happy during this life, lead a morally clean life, perform meaningful service in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with your fellow Saints, and ultimately receive all the blessings of eternal life." [http://lds.org/manual/god-loveth-his-children/god-loveth-his-children?lang=eng]
	}}		}}
	==Bullying and Ostracization==		==== Bullying and Ostracization ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === What did President Boyd K. Packer say during the October 2010 general conference of the Church on homosexuality? ===		\| title = === What did President Boyd K. Packer say during the October 2010 general conference of the Church on homosexuality? ===
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
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	==Recommending Heterosexual Marriage for Those with Same-Sex Attraction==		====Recommending Heterosexual Marriage for Those with Same-Sex Attraction====
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	\| title = === Do Church leaders recommend marriage as "therapy" for those with same-sex attraction? ===		\| title = === Do Church leaders recommend marriage as "therapy" for those with same-sex attraction? ===
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	{{statements}}		{{statements}}
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	==Alleged Hypocrisy and Potential for Change in Church Teachings==		==== Alleged Hypocrisy and Potential for Change in Church Teachings ====
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === Is it hypocritical for the Church to oppose same-sex marriage, when its members practiced plural marriage? ===		\| title = === Is it hypocritical for the Church to oppose same-sex marriage, when its members practiced plural marriage? ===
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	==Aversion Therapy==		==== Aversion Therapy ====
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	\| title = === Did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) ever conduct aversion therapy? ===		\| title = === Did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) ever conduct aversion therapy? ===

SpencerMarsh at 15:52, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T15:52:13Z

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	= This explains why Latter-day Saints often refer to homosexual/gay/lesbian issues with such terms as "same-sex attraction" =		==== This explains why Latter-day Saints often refer to homosexual/gay/lesbian issues with such terms as "same-sex attraction" ====

	Latter-day Saint doctrine emphasizes that people are not the sum of their desires, temptations, or sins. Secular evidence suggests that those who self-identify with their desires in this way are more likely to engage in acts which the gospel of Christ teaches are sinful.		Latter-day Saint doctrine emphasizes that people are not the sum of their desires, temptations, or sins. Secular evidence suggests that those who self-identify with their desires in this way are more likely to engage in acts which the gospel of Christ teaches are sinful.

SpencerMarsh at 14:48, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T14:48:29Z

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SpencerMarsh at 14:20, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T14:20:14Z

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	=== Missionary covenants ===		=== Missionary covenants ===

	All members of the Church are expected to observe the law of chastity. This means that no sexual activity outside of marriage is permitted. Furthermore, missionaries attend the temple prior to going on their missions, where they reaffirm this commitment. ~~<ref></ref>~~ As noted above, missionaries further promise to not even engage in dating or other romantic activity while in full-time Church service.		All members of the Church are expected to observe the law of chastity. This means that no sexual activity outside of marriage is permitted. Furthermore, missionaries attend the temple prior to going on their missions, where they reaffirm this commitment. As noted above, missionaries further promise to not even engage in dating or other romantic activity while in full-time Church service.

	=== #3: Examining the story ===		=== #3: Examining the story ===

SpencerMarsh at 20:19, 3 February 2026

2026-02-03T20:19:25Z

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SpencerMarsh at 20:02, 3 February 2026

2026-02-03T20:02:54Z

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	{{Main Page}}		{{Main Page}}
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	{{Navigation:Social issues}}{{blankline}}		{{Navigation:Social issues}}{{blankline}}
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SpencerMarsh: /* Scripture and homosexual behavior&mdashThe New Testament */

2026-02-03T20:02:19Z

Scripture and homosexual behavior&mdashThe New Testament

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	==Scripture and homosexual behavior&~~mdashThe~~ New Testament==		==Scripture and homosexual behavior—The New Testament==
	{{CollapseHeaders		{{CollapseHeaders
	\| title = === Why wasn't the prohibition against same-sex relationships rescinded when the rest of the law of Moses was rescinded? ===		\| title = === Why wasn't the prohibition against same-sex relationships rescinded when the rest of the law of Moses was rescinded? ===
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>
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	==Early Latter-day Saint History==		==Early Latter-day Saint History==
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SpencerMarsh at 20:01, 3 February 2026

2026-02-03T20:01:53Z

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