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I don’t always like stuff that Sr. Stack writes, but this is a nice one. Other than Elder Christofferson being his brother, the two thinks that jumped out at me are the family’s acceptance and the bishop’s openness. I have thought about this before, I think if I had a gay brother/sister or son/daughter I would be very much like the Christoffersons (at least what we can tell from the blog.) http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/57994467-180/christofferson-lds-family-gay.html.csp ” class=”bbcode_url”> http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/57994467-180/christofferson-lds-family-gay.html.csp I really wonder what type of input Elder Christofferson gives in the highest councils of the church when the subject arises? I don’t think they sit around and talk about this every week by any means, but I’m sure the subject must come up. How does Elder Christofferson feel about Elder Oaks’ comments on the subject of SSM? I think we’ll never know because they tend to keep any disagreements private.
This is an example of why the official stance and general view of homosexuality are changing at the top. When something becomes personal and not just theoretical, perceptions change.I have read comments from people who know him and his family, and to a person they all say how impressed they are with everyone and how they treat each other, including Elder Christofferson. I think his calling, along with that of Elder Cook (who was a Stake President in San Francisco during the time when so many gay people were dying of AIDS), is changing and will continue to change the way the Church views homosexuality. As much as I would love to see a non-Caucasian member of the Q12, I am happy those two are there for that reason.
I agree, Ray, I am sure at least Elder Christofferson must bring some balance to any conversations they might have in council – we all know the hardline point of view, and we know how wrong they were in the past (although I cut them some slack because the view that gays could be “fixed” was prevalent.) I actually kind of gave this a little thought. Which others of the Q15 might not necessarily hold the hardline view? I’m actually not sure about Pres. Monson and I don’t think he will ever say (and I think that because he hasn’t said). Knowing Pres. Uchtdorf’s general demeanor and apparent tolerance, I think he probably is not hardline at all. I also see Pres. Eyring as being tolerant and holding a softer view. As far as the others go, I am unsure except that I think Elders Oaks, Packer, and Bednar probably are hardliners. I think there is a HUGE difference already in how they collectively are seeing homosexuality, in general, and gay marriage, specifically – and I think that distinction simply had to be made before the important work of improving life overall for gay members could occur. Once gay marriage is the law of the land and opposition to it becoming law is useless, I actually look forward to the discussion that can replace that topic becoming even more directly how to include our homosexual members in the daily/weekly life of the Church – and I am quite confident that will happen. It’s happening already, but I believe it will accelerate when the gay marriage fight is a thing of the past. Amen, Ray. I believe that day when SSM is legal in most states is not far off, and I don’t think Utah will be the last state for it to be legalized. I know there is some criticism out there for likening this to the civil rights movement, but I do see it very similarly and I think the church will be forced to react in the same way it had to with the priesthood ban. (I’m not indicating that there will necessarily be a revelation here, but a change in policy – which is really what the revelation actually accomplished anyway. Thinking about that, since so many members seem to believe policy and revelation are one-in-the-same, in the eyes of many it will be revelation! 
Quote:I don’t think Utah will be the last state for it to be legalized.
I think it already has happened in some states after Utah, but that might be age taking its toll.
DarkJedi, thanks for sharing the article. It’s great. The only thing that concerns me is the North Star. A Facebook group said that North Star is using methods to change gay people to straight people, like BYU used to do. Is that true? No, that is not the case. Evergreen, which used to espouse that, is being folded into North Star, but North Star is crystal clear that they do NOT believe that sexual orientation can be changed. The elimination of Evergreen and what it advocated is a really good development. The Wikipedia entry actually is pretty good for North Star.
Thanks for clearing that up, Ray. Takes away that confusion. Thank you for article post. I shared with my family via email who is in desperate need for new perspectives on SSA in mainstream LDS thinking as it’s becoming very clear that a wonderful cousin on very LDS orthadox fathers side of family is gay and there is a mild panic/denial going on currently. Changing hearts and minds can be a very slow process.. but is undoubtedly sped up with the good post shared on this site. Since reading this and pondering a bit, I have come to a different understanding of Elder Christofferson. I reread his April 2012 conference address, which I like anyway, and got some different meanings out of it. I have to say I had a little disappointment related to this article this week. I have mentioned before that we have had two young men who grew up in our ward who are gay (we didn’t know it then, of course) and are now inactive. These men are both in their 30s now, both living with committed partners (I don’t think either is married to the partner), and they both come from very strong TBM families. I also worked with and knew these guys very well when I was their YMP. So I decided to send the article link to their parents, both of which still live here (neither of the gay men do) and both of whom are in my HPG – and I know them both very well. They both thanked me for it, neither knew Elder Christofferson had a gay brother. But they also both said they continue to pray for their sons to change…. While they also both said they try to be as supportive and loving as possible, it also became obvious to me that they have not yet let go of an erroneous teaching that has been ingrained for so long, and I have found myself feeling sad for them and their sons.
I guess this hits close to home being a gay mormon myself.. it is very very very tough trying to find acceptance and love within the church but I am very happy to see articles like this because it tells me I am not alone. They actually have some great support groups outside North Star (i am not a big fan of them) which are great.. The one in Rexburg is just wonderful!
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