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It’s Utah, so there be articles about Mormons often. Here’s today’s for all y’all who don’t keep an eye on the trib. It’s based on an interview from last Friday, though, so you may have seen it already. “Mormons free to back gay marriage on social media, LDS apostle reiterates”http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2301174-155/mormons-free-to-back-gay-marriage Quote:In an interview Friday with KUTV in Salt Lake City, Elder D. Todd Christofferson said that individuals in the 15 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be in trouble only for “supporting organizations that promote opposition or positions in opposition to the church’s.”
Backing marriage equality on social media sites, including on Facebook or Twitter, “is not an organized effort to attack our effort,” Christofferson said in the interview, “or our functioning as a church.”
As the trib sometimes does, it ends with a question:
Quote:Could there be a time when the LDS Church would change its position on gay marriage?
What do you think?
The link to the interview video is here. It’s about 4 1/2 minutes in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XybDk3CEoHghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XybDk3CEoHg” class=”bbcode_url”> In a recent thread SunbeltRed mentioned that during a combined third hour a church leader “volunteered” two men to explain why the church opposes same sex marriage and that members should be prepared to defend the position. That got me thinking… if I were one of the two men what would I say. That was the intent of the exercise after all.
I think I’m at a place right now where I’d explain the church’s position but be very clear about it being the position of the
churchnot my own personal position. I’ve got nothing to lose at this point. 
By “free” to back gay marriage on social media I suppose it means that an individual would not face formal discipline for doing so. I am glad that nobody is getting exed over this issue but that is not the same thing as it being free. OTOH, on some other doctinal and social issues where the church SOP seems to be that you can disagree as long as you remain quiet about it.
What would be the differences to proclaiming your support for OW (meaning support for equal opportunities for women in the church to priesthood and leadership) on social media and proclaiming your support to marriage eqaulity?
I suppose the first scenario implies that you think the church should change to your way of thinking. Does this mean that if you not only supported marriage equality on social media but also went the added step of saying that the church should change to accept such marriages – would that make you eligable for church discipline?
West wrote:
As the trib sometimes does, it ends with a question:Quote:Could there be a time when the LDS Church would change its position on gay marriage?
What do you think?
Yes, absolutely. IMO, it will definitely happen, and I believe it will be in my lifetime. The primary issue with regards to acceptance is that SSA is not a choice, and the Church has acknowledged that. Having taken that big step, the Church is now in an untenable position of saying that SSA is OK, but acting on it is not, and by so doing, the Church is relegating its homosexual members to a life of celibacy or sin. Right now, as we speak, gay/lesbian members are becoming more visible in the Church. The current Church stance welcomes and accepts them, meaning that there will be fewer staying in the closet. The more they become visible, the more the very good people of the LDS Church will re-examine the stance that says that same-sex marriage is ‘wrong’. Mormons are compassionate. That will prevail. There will come a time in the not-too-distant future when a gay couple will be able to go to sacrament meeting, and the good members of the ward will welcome them. They will then be able to speak, hold callings, participate in the Sacrament. These are no-brainers to me. The topic of temple sealings is further out, probably not in my lifetime, but I believe that, too, will happen. The Church can always rely on the “God will sort it out” stance that it currently uses for polygamy.West wrote:As the trib sometimes does, it ends with a question:
Quote:Could there be a time when the LDS Church would change its position on gay marriage?
Actually if you go to page 2, it continues
Quote:The apostle was unequivocal.
Nope, he said.
On Own Now wrote:West wrote:Quote:Could there be a time when the LDS Church would change its position on gay marriage?
What do you think?
Yes, absolutely. IMO, it will definitely happen, and I believe it will be in my lifetime.
I agree with the first part – it will change, but for me (in my mid 50’s) I don’t know that I will see it in my lifetime (I expect to live to 70 or 75). Maybe if they start allowing emeritus status for the apostles and a bunch of new blood goes into the Q12 then I might be able to see it when I am drooling on my cane with my oxygen tank next to me.Quote:What would be the differences to proclaiming your support for OW (meaning support for equal opportunities for women in the church to priesthood and leadership) on social media and proclaiming your support to marriage eqaulity?
That’s easy. An all-male leadership is far more empathetic toward gays since some of them are men. Women might as well be another species.
I’m so glad my church gave me permission to think and speak like I want. What a concept! LookingHard wrote:The apostle was unequivocal.Nope, he said.
That is what they said about polygamy ending or ordaining black men to the priesthood. It is always “no way!” until it happens.
GBH said on Larry King Live that women could be ordained if he received such a revelation. Why would accepting gay marriage be any different?
Roy wrote:LookingHard wrote:The apostle was unequivocal.Nope, he said.
That is what they said about polygamy ending or ordaining black men to the priesthood. It is always “no way!” until it happens.
GBH said on Larry King Live that women could be ordained if he received such a revelation. Why would accepting gay marriage be any different?
100% in agreement.
I think they (the 15) don’t want to invite any lobbying from any groups (including members), so they generally are very tight lipped on anything they are considering. To do so (in their minds) would diminish the revelation part that they wish to emphasize.
We’ll see if local leaders read or believe it. I thought about sharing this article with my stake presidency since I’ve discussed the topic with them before – even quoted Elder Christofferson saying we can disagree with the church – but I don’t think anything would come of it. I think if a visible member of my stake were to post some pro-gay comment on Facebook that most bishops in my stake would have a discussion with him. It may not result in a formal disciplinary action, but he would be made to feel uncomfortable and probably asked to take it down.
LookingHard wrote:West wrote:As the trib sometimes does, it ends with a question:
Quote:Could there be a time when the LDS Church would change its position on gay marriage?
Actually if you go to page 2, it continues
Quote:The apostle was unequivocal.
Nope, he said.
Hah, totally missed that one. Still, good question to ask and reflect on. We’ll see if he’s right or wrong several decades from now.
On Own Now wrote:Right now, as we speak, gay/lesbian members are becoming more visible in the Church. The current Church stance welcomes and accepts them, meaning that there will be fewer staying in the closet. The more they become visible, the more the very good people of the LDS Church will re-examine the stance that says that same-sex marriage is ‘wrong’. Mormons are compassionate. That will prevail.
I see this in my ward. Their son’s homosexuality has been difficult for my friends to comprehend and accept, but they love him and set the example for the rest of us. He’s part of their family, so he’s part of the ward family. Love is conquering all.
Ann, I have seen that exact same situation play out in wards I have attended. I also have four children who have been actively involved in theatre – and it’s really hard to be homophobic in that arena.
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