God loves his children
God Loves His Children is a booklet produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for members with homosexual tendencies. It was commissioned in April 2007 and published in July 2007 through letters to bishops and stake presidents. It is available in 27 languages. The booklet is an official Church statement and follows an unofficial interview with the Apostle Dallin H. Oaks and General Authority Lance B. Wickman . The booklet is not a new revelation or a change in the doctrine of the Church, but a continuation of the path the Church has traveled. However, the chances are slim that church leaders will drop sanctions against homosexual relationships.
Teaching
The booklet takes its name from a conversation the Book of Mormon Prophet Nephi had with the Holy Ghost . In this conversation, the Holy Ghost asks the prophet Nephi if he understands the love of God . Nephi replied: “I know that he loves his children; but I don't know what it means. ”The pamphlet concludes that people with homosexual tendencies should know that they are loved by God as much as the prophet Nephi. However, there is only a "future answer" for some questions on the subject of homosexuality.
The brochure states that homosexuality does exist and that it is not a sin. Even so, it is declared that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful. Furthermore, homosexuality is characterized as "immoral". The brochure emphasizes the importance of heterosexual marriage and explains that homosexual tendencies are a challenge for some members. It also explains that in the next life, members would have a "perfect" orientation and "a family of husband, wife, and children."
The brochure gives no reason for homosexuality. She warns against blaming yourself or your parents or early experimentation for homosexuality. She rejects pornography, relationships with addiction, obsession with homosexual thoughts and feelings, the display of homosexual tendencies and friendships with openly gay people. Instead, she advises members with homosexual tendencies to turn to church leaders or other members for help in self-control, goodness in their lives, spiritual development, and "move forward like all church members." She emphasizes that homosexual Mormons will get ahead in their lives by following the gospel and that they will receive eternal life.
But the brochure proclaims that no one is excluded from God's love. She quotes Gordon B. Hinckley : “Our condolences go to those who are struggling with attraction of the same sex. We pray to the Lord for them, we empathize with them, we regard them as our brothers and sisters. ”The brochure also acknowledges that Church members have not always shown love when dealing with homosexuality and homosexuals.
distribution
The booklet is available free of charge from the LDS Church and is also available on the Church website.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Carrie A. Moore: LDS leaders speak out on same-sex attraction . July 27, 2007.
- ↑ Gay feelings must be resisted, Mormons declare ( paywall ) Christian Century . August 21, 2007.
- ↑ God Loveth His Children Booklet Released . October 2007.
- ↑ Peggy Fletcher Stack : LDS Church to publish new look at same-sex attraction . September 19, 2007. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
- ↑ Rebecca Rosen Lum: Mormon church changes stance on homosexuality . Oakland Tribune . August 20, 2007.
- ↑ Book of Mormon : 1 Nephi 11: 16–17
- ↑ a b c d e f g h God Loveth His Children , 2007, LDS Church
- ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley : Oppose the cunning of the world . November 1995.
Web links
- God loves his children - text of the brochure
- Same-Sex Tendencies from Latter-day Saint Church of Jesus Christ