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Today’s EQ lesson: homosexuality. Done right. Well, as right as can be done in 25 min. They EQ presidency expressed their desire to have an open dialogue about a polarizing subject and to keep comments respectful. The teacher then started by introducing and showing videos from mormonsandgays.org, defining the churches current stance on the issue and how that differs from the past. Most importantly, it was emphasized that we don’t consider it a choice. We have a pretty conservative ward so much of the discussion was about not disregarding our feelings on the matter, but choosing to accept gays/lesbians anyway. Also, how to handle and show love to family members who come out. Strangely, a couple members expressed the need to sympathize with women who’s gay husbands married them under false pretenses and then left them later in life for men. Thankfully the teacher was knowledgeable enough to relay the outdated policy on leaders counseling them to marry straight so they wouldn’t be gay anymore.
I asked two rhetorical questions: why would a LGBT person want to come to church with us (ie what’s in it for them, how can they really feel safe) and can we make room for members who disagree with the current policies of the church without branding them as faithless or not having a testimony? Hopefully I didn’t come off too strong–I began the lesson ready to fight, but when I saw how fair the lesson was going, I realized I would do way more harm if I approached it that way. As it was I think most people learned something new.
The president (who as far as I know is very conservative, but thoughtful) closed by sharing the scripture about the Lamanites being more righteous than the Nephites because they love their wives and are basically good people who only commit sin because of the false traditions handed down by their fathers. He then said we shouldn’t think that just because we have temple recommends or are full tithe payers that we are better than others. Those in the LGBT community have talents that we don’t have and some have a capacity for love many if us don’t have. He also asked us all to spend the next week reading the scriptures about homosexuality and going to mormonsandgays.org.
It was a very proud moment for me. Church has been brutal lately and I was not expecting this.
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:thumbup: Thanks for sharing this.I second the Thanks – My heart soars on these experiences. I am such a big tent Mormon and lately it has felt like a tug of war on all fronts. Simply wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
startpoor wrote:As it was I think most people learned something new.
They don’t always get it right…but I sincerely think they try at church. It sounds like your leadership set the stage correctly to avoid contention and to open people’s minds to discuss it even if controversial.It’s nice when it can be done by good people trying to do what is right.
I think we’ll see more and more of this in the church. The rough stone keeps rolling.
I’m glad it went well, and agree that this will happen more and more in local church meetings as the lights come on. :thumbup: startpoor wrote:
I asked two rhetorical questions: why would a LGBT person want to come to church with us (ie what’s in it for them, how can they really feel safe) and can we make room for members who disagree with the current policies of the church without branding them as faithless or not having a testimony?I realize these are rhetorical questions, but I want to answer the first one. I’m working closely with a few people in my ward about the first question. There is deep internal conflict for all involved. They love the church and want to be faithful and obedient but they also want to have a meaningful physical relationship and still be involved in the church. Essentially, they believe the church is true and want to be a part of it even though a gay marriage isn’t accepted.
I’m very glad for this win. We need wins like these on a local level – I believe – before large policy wins take place.
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