First, I think this topic has been to interesting to me because it hits home on so many things I hold to be dear. Emotions rage on all sides of the conversation, and rightly so I believe. I love my family fiercely. My greatest desire is to have a family of my own. I believe firmly that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's church, set up and guided by Him through Prophets. I believe that following the doctrine of Christ will bring lasting happiness. I believe this life is a small blimp on my eternal soul. I believe my choices matter through all eternity.
All of these lead to sometimes conflicting thoughts. However, they are all very important things to me and the "gay issue" (as some have called it) hits on ALL of them.
I strongly believe that there MUST be more tolerance and love in the world. I think everyone can do better at keeping the second great commandment to love their neighbor. Regardless of what I believe to be true, I will respect your beliefs. I hope you do the same.
I believe homosexual relationships to be against the commandment of God with consequences associated with disobedience. (edit: just like overeating. mmm... time for ice cream)
I also believe that I am in no position to judge another for sinning differently than I do. I care what you do, but I'm not going to hold it against you or think less of you. I'm more than willing to tell you what I think you should do but I won't think less of you if you choose not to follow my advise (though, admittedly my ego cares a great deal).
I believe it is not my place to tell other people they're not living correctly. Those who know me will know how I believe a life should be lived. I hope they also know I don't care what they choose so long as they don't complain about it overly much to me or make my life more difficult because of their choices. (I reserve the right to decide when that happens as there is a fine line between being a shoulder to cry on and being dumped on.) Again, I'm more than willing to give advise (if sought out by directly asking or complaining) and your more than welcome to tell me where to put it. (I am a guy and an engineer. Tell me you have a problem and I'll assume you want help fixing it. If that is not the case, tell me.)
I believe I have a responsibility to invite people to come to Christ. I hope my own life is and will be my strongest invitation. I do not believe this belief should contradict my previous beliefs.
I do not believe that the gospel of Christ is all about stopping sin. I believe the invitation to come to Christ isn't about not being something as it is about becoming something. The difference is subtle but means the world to me. Ask me about it!
Most importantly, I believe that God wants to give me everything. To do that, He asks everything of me. Nothing is "too much" to ask. A lifetime of celibacy is fair-game.
I do NOT believe that people with same-sex attraction should be encouraged to "marry anyway" into a straight relationship. To quote Elder Holland,
Same-gender attractions run deep, and trying to force a heterosexual relationship is not likely to change them. We are all thrilled when some who struggle with these feelings are able to marry, raise children, and achieve family happiness. But other attempts have resulted in broken hearts and broken homes. - Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction, Oct. 2007I believe that everyone has their sorrows that the eye can't see. I will do my very best to love you, whoever you are, for who you are. What you choose is yours. Life is difficult. Life is a lot of things but it is not fair. Nobody is entitled to anything. Not love, not pain, not money and not health care(pathetic joke).
If you want to know more about what I believe on the topic here are a few sites that helped me form my opinion. Most important is the LDS Church's site, but also a couple blogs, The Weed and (Gay) Mormon Guy. You can also just ask me. Feel free to reply with questions anonymously or with your name. Or without questions for that matter. Reply away!
Hi Greg, first I was impressed with your comments at the Josh Weed's blog, and then I realized that you have a blog of your own.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I peeked into it, and then I was blown away.
I'm Mormon, I'm gay, I'm married in temple, I have three dauthers. Like Josh.
However, unlike Josh, I'm a convert, and I joined the church before I got married, but long after I realized that pursuing gay relationship isn't for me.
Now, I was impressed with your interest in the subject. Why would a guy like you be devoting his time to the issue if he himself doesn't have it?
If I'm mistaken, I wonder if you could elaborate further. In which way do you think that "gay issue" "hits on ALL of them"? And why does that matter to you?
Let me tell you that I'm becoming increasingly convinced that "gay issue" is going to dominate brethren's agenda in years to come. I believe that the topic is very rich in opportunities to make tremendous advance in helping millions of people. And that there will be very few ready and prepared to take that opportunity.
Strangely enough, barely two days before Josh Weed's story broke out and went viral, I started my own blog devoted to the issue of faithfulness, mormonism and homosexuality. For some time, I had a strong urge that I should do something with my experience, but I wasn't sure what that should be. I'm not sure if writing a blog is a right thing for me, but I started it because I didn't know what else to do.
I stil don't. I am not a Utah Mormon, I am not a US Mormon, I'm an European Mormon in a country where one would have a great difficulty finding any Mormon, let alone a gay Mormon married in temple. So, feeling dead alone is order of the day. But "it is okay to feel that way". I don't complain.
Now, what I would like to accomplish is to find someone to exchange thoughts and ideas in order to sort them out and make them more useful.
Maybe you can make a contribution.
Be aware that I am not a native English speaker, that my mother tongue is much different that English language and that I have never lived in an English speaking country.
Have a nice day!