WARNING: this is a SOAP BOX on comments made regarding the church's view of homosexuals.... I seriously was SO done with this topic until a comment I heard tonight that made me sad there are so many MISUNDERSTANDINGS on what the DOCTRINE of the church is.
Perhaps he wasn't directly talking about the Mormon church; however, it seemed implied that Mormons teach and are being taught, hate, discrimination, and that only those living as "we" think they should are children of God.
Maybe some Mormons feel that way, and if so, it is too bad that they too have misunderstood the doctrine. Discrimination and hate is not what the doctrine of the church supports or what I have been taught in my Sunday meetings, conferences, or scriptures.
This is what I KNOW to be true, and what I have been taught by conservative Mormon leaders.
Every person who has every lived, or will ever live on this earth is a child of God, regardless of race, orientation, etc. He loves each one of us and has a plan to help us achieve happiness in this life and the life to come. Keeping the commandments is the path that leads back to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and how we can obtain the greatest blessings available. Back in the presence of God is where we obtain everlasting joy, and happiness. Every child of God will experience temptations in this life. Homosexuality is one of the most difficult temptations one can face, and one of the most difficult to overcome. It is not considered sin until those feelings are acted upon. Through Jesus Christ's atonement, we can overcome and be healed from temptation, sin, or weakness.
Family relations are some of the greatest sources of happiness we can experience in this life and in the life to come, and is part of Gods plan for his children. Knowing this, Satan is attacking the family more than ever. Marriage between a man an women is ordained by God and important for the spiritual nurturing and growth of his children. The everlasting happiness of a family is dependent upon marriage between a man and women that have been sealed by the power and authority of the priesthood. It is also dependent upon the husband and wife keeping the covenants they have made. This is a truth that has been revealed in every dispensation that the gospel has been on the earth.
From what I have been taught, it makes sense that the commandment to love one another applies to all of Gods children (without exception). Because the mission of the church is to help bring all of Gods children unto Christ through his atonement, and back to the presence of God, our brothers and sisters who are tempted by homosexual feelings need love and help. Are we taught to hate homosexuals? NO... Jesus taught to hate the sin, but love the sinner. We do not support gay marriage because it supports living in sin, and keeps or brothers and sisters from being worthy to receive the greatest happiness and blessings God has prepared for all of his children. It is not to take away rights, or because we see them as something less than children of God.
It is too bad that many people choose to hate, and sadly, even some within the church. It is very unfortunate that there are many misunderstanding as to what the doctrine of the church is. I feel that if people better understood the doctrine, they would understand why choosing not to support gay marriage is not an act of hate or discrimination, but rather an act of love. WE love them and want them to receive all the blessings prepared for them.
