I've experienced "same-sex" attractions from a very young age. Mormonism never was silent on them in my experiences. THEY were either my proclivities towards sinning or Satan's influence succeeding on me.

I've watched the very very slow progression from the 80s until now where they have produced this.

https://mormonandgay.lds.org/articles/frequently-asked-questions?lang=eng

Like most things for general public consumption, I doubt these "answers" to FAQs reflect much of an average Mormon's reality but I figure they have softened somewhat on their previously taught "Kimball's Progression" from porn to homosexual pedophilia.

According to one watch group they have actually deemed trying to put their porn genie back into The Bounds The Lord has set bottle "unethical" but that term brings up a whole nother question about the difference between unethical and sinful in Mormonism.

"The LDS Church previously taught that same-sex attraction is a curable condition, but now states that "individuals do not choose to have such attractions" and that therapy focusing on "a change in sexual orientation" is "unethical." "
https://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saint

And then there is the Ron Lafferty experience.

"In interviews, Ron has claimed to be a prophet, endorsed hearing the voice of Christ, and expressed fears about “an evil homosexual spirit trying to invade his body through his anus.” "
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/how-do-you-distinguish-between-religious-fervor-and-mental-illness/

What if I were a believing Mormon and I went to my leaders claiming that Satan in the form of “an evil homosexual spirit" were afflicting me (not just my anatomy?)

Would Mormon leaders think I was crazy or validate my experience?

I ask this because it is a part of my recovery. I've always been more afraid of the consequences of my sexual orientations than my religious affiliations. And I would like to know if the religion of my youth and young adulthood truly does accept my sexual orientations as something I "do not choose to have."

An evil spirit sounds crazy but for someone unable to reconcile something they feel innately with their avowed beliefs and those beliefs include "evil spirits" it doesn't sound crazy at all.

They are technically a part of Mormon Theology.

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/spirit?lang=eng#sec_evil_spirits



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2019 12:52PM by Elder Berry.

Depends who is speaking to what audience.

Well, as a bit of background I was going through SusieQ#1's last posts and found this one.

"It's not about hate so much, as it's about an inability to understand that homosexuality is part of humanity."
https://www.exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,2181183,2181467#msg-2181467

And it made me wonder if LDS Corp is attempting "to understand that homosexuality is part of humanity?"

Bingo. Depending on the audience, the "doctrine" will vary.

Like they did with evolution, they painted themselves into a corner and need to wait for enough time to pass for everyone to not care what they used to teach.

It seems like the more important the issue that science clarifies, the more Jell-O-ish the church stand on it becomes. Funny how God can't seem to give them a straight answer on these things.

That article definitely shows a softening, but, it is the appearance of a softening and Mormon leader words are chosen more carefully but their hearts are far from the softening.

This caught my attention from the article for two reasons:

"If you decide to share your experiences of feeling same-sex attraction or to openly identify as gay, you should be supported and treated with kindness and respect, both at home and in church. We all need to be patient with each other as we figure things out."

The first sentence makes it seem that they are going against the harshness, the judgmental damnation espoused by SWK, Oaks, Bednar and BKP et al. I'm not buying this until that same sentence comes out of their mouths--at least from the two that are still pretending to be alive. When they take back what they said, then this article could be taken seriously. Until then, it is a word salad meant to make the Mormon church look better, not to actually help the gay kids.

Second sentence is a clear admission that there is no inspiration and that the Mormon leaders don't have a clue. Neither the Father the Son nor the Holy Ghost are guiding them or we wouldn't "need to be patient with each other as *we* figure things out."

If there were any actual inspiration from a "loving Heavenly Father", women like cl2 wouldn't have been dragged through hell and the gay kids wouldn't be killing themselves or thrown to the streets or given electroshock therapy.

The Mormons have been forced by a more advanced society to pretend they accept that gay is innate, unchangeable. This is good for their P.R. I'll believe it when Oaks or Bednar wear rainbow ties at the next General Conference.

This article is all PR which the "Brethren" allow to strengthen their image.

The Mormon church is as anti-gay, anti-human as ever. It just has better words to describe itself now. They have the "best words!"

Done & Done Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Mormon church is as anti-gay, anti-human as
> ever. It just has better words to describe itself
> now. They have the "best words!"

I wonder how this is playing out with members on the ground nowadays? People weren't kind when they found there were gays among them. I saw it with a couple of men. These poor guys tried to be gay and worthy and they were released of their callings and ostracized regardless of Josh Weed's experiences.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2019 05:16PM by Elder Berry.

Doesn't the church still stand by Bednar and his claim that there are no homosexual members in the church?

I think so and now with Nelson there are no Mormons in church.

I don't anticipate ChurchCo walkimg back any stmnt of a current apostle

Ain't gonna happen.

They (the hierarchy) view it as the great enemy of the family and of civilization. As a disruptive influence or force on National safety. If anything they are and becoming stronger against it. It's better to be a terrorist than a gay (in mormondom).

"...they are and becoming stronger against it."

I think this is probably a case of keeping their enemies closer.

What I find sad and amusing is their handling of Transgenderism. They can't really accept anything of it at all even with softer words.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2019 04:59PM by Elder Berry.

Boyd K. Packer stated that the three greatest threats to the church were homosexuals, feminists and intellectuals. "The dangers I speak of come from the gay-lesbian movement, the feminist movement (both of which are relatively new), and the ever-present challenge from the so-called scholars or intellectuals." (Talk to the All-Church Coordinating Council, May 18, 1993).

Make no mistake. As gays we are the enemy. I find it very flattering however to be grouped with feminists and intellectuals.

No one has retracted ole Boyd's words yet. I would say Oaks and Bednar have doubled down on them in fact.

Never changing

Absolutists relatively.