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I have been thinking about writing to one or more of the Q15 about my concerns about homosexuality. I wait every conference for something, anything to indicate that they are pondering and praying about this. I know that none of my local leaders can answer any of these questions, and that the Q15 can only do so through fasting and prayer. Anyway, this is the beginning of a letter to one or more of them (there is no introduction, yet–just my questions) Quote:In its current form, it seems that homosexuals and transsexuals are written out of the Plan of Happiness. There seems to be no real doctrine to account for them, and to give them guidance and purpose. As a result, they have little or no place or sense of purpose in the mortal Church, except that which is granted in pity or mercy by the few. We need doctrine. We need revelation. Here are some of the questions I have:
Q. The Proclamation to the World on the Family states that “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
What is meant by “gender”? Maleness and femaleness? Is this a doctrine confirmed by revelation?
Q. Were there male and female spirits in premortal life? Are there only male and female spirits?
Q. What of hermaphrodites and intersex individuals? Why does a loving God allow sexual ambiguity in mortality if biological maleness and femaleness is an essential characteristic of mortal identity and purpose?
Q. Was there gender identity in premortal life? What of transsexuals? Why does a loving and just God allow gender confusion in mortal life?
Q. Was there sexuality in premortal life? Was there sexual orientation in premortal life?
Q. Is a heterosexual orientation an essential characteristic of mortal identity and purpose? If so, why does a loving God allow homosexual and asexual orientations to develop in His children?
Q. Are hermaphroditism, intersexuality, transsexuality, and homosexuality only mortal conditions?
Q. It has been suggested that the conditions above will be remedied in the resurrection. Is this doctrinal? Or are these conditions eternal? If God allows these things, which are not accounted for in the Plan of Happiness, does it make Him cruel and unjust?
The Church has one doctrinally and culturally defined path for all its members: eternal marriage to a member of the opposite sex, and children. This is enshrined in the Plan of Happiness. There are no paths for those who due to mortal conditions cannot achieve these things. We are left to wander alone. Is it best for us to be inactive or leave the Church, since we cannot do these things? It often feels this way. Please. I can pour out my heart for answers to these questions, but I cannot receive revelation for the Church. Only you can do that. Let the heavens open and pour out revealed doctrine for our time that these men and women may find a place to lay down their burdens, and find peace in truth.
Thoughts and suggestions?
Mate, I’ve got no input to the substance of your questions — those questions are well above my pay grade. As to the response from the Big 15, I’m pretty sure there’d be two general themes:
1) Thanks for writing me with your concerns.
2) Take up this issue with your stake and ward leaders.
I’d be surprised if you got more than that.
I would definitely like to hear their answers to these questions; even if they don’t respond hopefully it will give them something to think about. Kumahito wrote:Mate, I’ve got no input to the substance of your questions — those questions are well above my pay grade.
As to the response from the Big 15, I’m pretty sure there’d be two general themes:
1) Thanks for writing me with your concerns.
2) Take up this issue with your stake and ward leaders.
I’d be surprised if you got more than that.
They may also refer Turinturambar to mormonsandgays.com
On that website the answer provided to most of the questions are collectively: “We really have no idea, sorry. Instead we ask you to live by the laws and we’ll offer to love you and show sympathy towards you.” Which is incredibly unsatisfying and makes me wonder what sort of revelation our church leaders receive these days.
Please do still write to them. The more they appreciate it’s a concern, the sooner they may seek revelation, rather than tactful statements with no authoritative position or opinion.
Send the letter. And know, there are many who sympathize with you.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Ditto…send the letter. If anything…it will make it more real. I believe this is an issue about fear more than doctrine. The more real people members get to know that are homosexuals the less fear there will be. I think the big 15 need their hearts touched and real letters from real people will help. I like it. Send it. Having said that, I don’t think “the big 15 need their hearts touched”. I think they have had their hearts touched – to varying degrees individually, sure, but touched, nonetheless. I know in one case there is a strong and loving family relationship – and recognition of and empathy with the issue isn’t a problem now like it used to be.
It would have been impossible to have the movement that has occurred in the last five-ish years if there hadn’t been some serious, deep heart-touching.
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