NOTE: In this post I am not contesting the Mormon position on sin. I do not believe that homosexuality is a sin but I recognize that at this time that is not the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Instead my focus is literally that hostile quotes frequently circulated in the Church inspire and encourage, as well justify, various forms of bullying among the LDS people.
I imagine a lot of people will ask me why the opinions the Church or its members would or should hold any weight to me after all the horrible pain they've caused me over the years. If you want some clarification on that bad blood and history feel free to read one of my previous articles The Church and I. As for the question itself, I'll counter with a question. Let's say you had an abusive parent or sibling, yet you still found place in your heart to have love for them (they're family); would you care about their perception of you? For some, the answer is undoubtedly "no", but we can see examples of a resounding "yes" all around us. The Church has meant everything to me for my entire life and their opinion still has the power to hurt or uplift me to some degree. Mind you, I do not consider the opinion of the Church to be always be the same as the opinion of God; if they were always the same there would be no need for future revelation on any subject. Nevertheless, the Church has its pull on me spiritually.
I would also make another point before we continue. It is often said by various Church leaders and members that the laws of man cannot change the Laws of God, furthermore it is frequently said that truth is not a matter of perception and that what is true remains true despite any effort to pretend otherwise. This is of course true, real Truth is not something that changes easily if at all. With that understanding let's change the color of our glasses and look at a different word other than Truth. "Meanness" or "something that is mean"; there are things in life that no matter how they are presented they are "mean". The reality of something being "mean" does not change simply because someone doesn't want to believe it to be "mean". In other words an insult is an insult no matter how big the smile is on your face, or how firmly it is believed. Now, with that said, let's continue.
Elder Oaks said in a recent General Conference address:
“Recently, the screen industry solemnly announced that henceforth perversion and homosexuality would no longer be barred from the screen. … We are drowning our youngsters in violence, cynicism and sadism piped into the living room. …” (Jenkins Lloyd Jones.)
Quoting from fairly recent publications: “The __________ church conference today approved recommendation that homosexuality between consenting adults should no longer be a criminal offense. …”
The voice from a much-read magazine: “… a group of __________ ministers in San Francisco thinks the churches ought to drop their strictures against homosexuals. …”
It was reported that groups of ministers and their wives attended a party given by homosexuals and lesbians to raise funds for the perversion program. The magazine quoted: “… that all Bay area schools would have to close down immediately if all homosexuals currently working in the school systems were discovered and in keeping with state law, dismissed.” (Newsweek, February 13, 1967.)
The minister quoted is reported to have said: “… two people of the same sex can express love and deepen that love by sexual intercourse.” (Ibid.)
Those are ugly voices—they are loud and raspy."
"To Moses, the Lord, as recorded in Leviticus, spoke plainly and forcefully against adultery in various forms, whorings, and homosexuality. The Lord told Moses these things were an “abomination.” (Lev. 20.)
They are still an abomination. They still corrode the mind, snuff out self-esteem, and drag one down into the darkness of anguish and unhappiness.
And so we say to you: Teach your children to avoid smut as the plague it is. As citizens, join in the fight against obscenity in your communities." (Click HERE for text)
"...and the gross sin of homosexuality. We would avoid mentioning these unholy terms and these reprehensible practices..."
"The fact that some governments and some churches and numerous corrupted individuals have tried to reduce such behavior from criminal offense to personal privilege does not change the nature nor the seriousness of the practice..."
"This heinous homosexual sin is of the ages. Many cities and civilizations have gone out of existence because of it. It was present in Israel’s wandering days, tolerated by the Greeks, and found in the baths of corrupt Rome."
"This is a most unpleasant subject to dwell upon, but I am pressed to speak of it boldly so that no youth in the Church will ever have any question in his mind as to the illicit and diabolical nature of this perverse program." (Click HERE for text)
President Boyd K. Packer, recently passed, is famous for certain disparaging remarks he made in a talk titled To Young Men Only:
"There are some men who entice young men to join them in these immoral acts. If you are ever approached to participate in anything like that, it is time to vigorously resist.
While I was in a mission on one occasion, a missionary said he had something to confess. I was very worried because he just could not get himself to tell me what he had done.
After patient encouragement he finally blurted out, “I hit my companion.”
“Oh, is that all,” I said in great relief.
“But I floored him,” he said.
After learning a little more, my response was “Well, thanks. Somebody had to do it, and it wouldn’t be well for a General Authority to solve the problem that way.”
I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it. You must protect yourself."
Elder Vaughn Featherstone, who is now an "Emeritus General Authority" (a retired member of the 1st or 2nd Quorum of the Seventy) said the following in a speech to BYU in 1979:
"'Charity envieth not . . .'. It has come to our attention that many homosexuals who hide their perversion in public cry out when among their 'gay' groups, 'God made us this way. We are still children of God. He understands; He knows our hearts. We faithfully hold family home evenings, we pray, we attend Church. Why don’t the Brethren understand? Why will they not listen? We were just made different. It is not our fault. God will surely judge us differently from our brethren.' And so they envy the 'normal' member of the Church who lives an upright and circumspect life, saying, 'If only the Brethren understood.'
To condone homosexuality is not an act of charity. Perversion is perversion. All the reasoning of the greatest minds in the world cannot change the seriousness of the transgression. Worlds without end, the homosexual cannot be exalted."
In his last message to the Church before his death Elder Perry said something that hurt me personally and made me feel cheapened and as I was considered an enemy of the Church. His context was discussing the con's homosexuality and the near universal belief in the pro's of monogamous heterosexual marriage.
I would also make another point before we continue. It is often said by various Church leaders and members that the laws of man cannot change the Laws of God, furthermore it is frequently said that truth is not a matter of perception and that what is true remains true despite any effort to pretend otherwise. This is of course true, real Truth is not something that changes easily if at all. With that understanding let's change the color of our glasses and look at a different word other than Truth. "Meanness" or "something that is mean"; there are things in life that no matter how they are presented they are "mean". The reality of something being "mean" does not change simply because someone doesn't want to believe it to be "mean". In other words an insult is an insult no matter how big the smile is on your face, or how firmly it is believed. Now, with that said, let's continue.
Elder Oaks said in a recent General Conference address:
"Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).
When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries. In any event, we should be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting persecution of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief or nonbelief, and differences in sexual orientation."
Statements like this have often been quoted to me as proof that the LDS Church bears no ill-will towards the LGBT Community and as proof that there is no actual hostility between the two groups other than imagined slights and the oversensitiveness of the LGBT Community. I do acknowledge that statements such as this are a marked improvement over previous rhetoric and appreciate the move to comment on peace and coexistence between the Church and others. However, these remarks are not enough to counteract the horrible things that have been said officially by the LDS Church and its leaders in the past, horrible insults that are still accepted as doctrine and routinely circulated among the Church populous.
The hostilities between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the LGBT Community will not end until the Church ceases to be aggressive in it's words and behaviors. It is one thing to consider homosexuality and other statuses as sins, it is entirely another to label us as enemies, servants of the Devil, individuals aiming to destroy the family, counterfeit, child molesters etc.
From the LDS manual titled "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles":
From the LDS manual titled "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles":
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| Click HERE for text |
“… where stands the perversion of homosexuality? Clearly it is hostile to God’s purpose..."
“Of the adverse social effects of homosexuality none is more significant than the effect on marriage and home."
"...the sin of homosexuality is equal to or greater than that of fornication or adultery;..."
“After consideration of the evil aspects, the ugliness and prevalence of the evil of homosexuality,..."
“… Many have been misinformed that they are powerless in the matter, not responsible for the tendency, and that ‘God made them that way.’ This is as untrue as any other of the diabolical lies Satan has concocted. It is blasphemy. Man is made in the image of God. Does the pervert think God to be ‘that way’? …" (See also: President Kimball Speaks Out, pp. 10, 12)
In 1984 Elder Charles A. Didier of the Seventy spoke to an assembly at BYU:
"You don’t try to understand dictature, terrorism, abortion, homosexuality, crime, or cancer. You need to fight it."
Lumping multiple sins together Elder Didier quotes Elder N. Eldon Tanner:
"We have seen how people react to the high price of food. It is far more important that we react effectively against the immorality and evil in our communities which threaten the morals and the very lives of our children. . . ."
"While many of our problems are caused by those who are deliberately trying to further their own selfish and devilish interests..."
The following are quotes from President Spencer W. Kimball. He is a man with a mixed reputation, some claim him to be very harsh and unkind due to some of his work in "Miracle of Forgiveness" while others claim him to be very compassionate and loving. I do not know which is more true about him, but undoubtedly some of his words did resort to slander and are usable to justify aggressive and offensive language.
"...homosexuality, lesbianism, abortion, alcoholism, dishonesty, and crime generally, which threaten the total breakdown of the family and the home." (Click HERE for text)
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| Click HERE for text |
Lumping multiple sins together Elder Didier quotes Elder N. Eldon Tanner:
"We have seen how people react to the high price of food. It is far more important that we react effectively against the immorality and evil in our communities which threaten the morals and the very lives of our children. . . ."
"While many of our problems are caused by those who are deliberately trying to further their own selfish and devilish interests..."
The following are quotes from President Spencer W. Kimball. He is a man with a mixed reputation, some claim him to be very harsh and unkind due to some of his work in "Miracle of Forgiveness" while others claim him to be very compassionate and loving. I do not know which is more true about him, but undoubtedly some of his words did resort to slander and are usable to justify aggressive and offensive language.
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| Click HERE for text |
“Recently, the screen industry solemnly announced that henceforth perversion and homosexuality would no longer be barred from the screen. … We are drowning our youngsters in violence, cynicism and sadism piped into the living room. …” (Jenkins Lloyd Jones.)
Quoting from fairly recent publications: “The __________ church conference today approved recommendation that homosexuality between consenting adults should no longer be a criminal offense. …”
The voice from a much-read magazine: “… a group of __________ ministers in San Francisco thinks the churches ought to drop their strictures against homosexuals. …”
It was reported that groups of ministers and their wives attended a party given by homosexuals and lesbians to raise funds for the perversion program. The magazine quoted: “… that all Bay area schools would have to close down immediately if all homosexuals currently working in the school systems were discovered and in keeping with state law, dismissed.” (Newsweek, February 13, 1967.)
The minister quoted is reported to have said: “… two people of the same sex can express love and deepen that love by sexual intercourse.” (Ibid.)
Those are ugly voices—they are loud and raspy."
"To Moses, the Lord, as recorded in Leviticus, spoke plainly and forcefully against adultery in various forms, whorings, and homosexuality. The Lord told Moses these things were an “abomination.” (Lev. 20.)
They are still an abomination. They still corrode the mind, snuff out self-esteem, and drag one down into the darkness of anguish and unhappiness.
And so we say to you: Teach your children to avoid smut as the plague it is. As citizens, join in the fight against obscenity in your communities." (Click HERE for text)
"...and the gross sin of homosexuality. We would avoid mentioning these unholy terms and these reprehensible practices..."
"The fact that some governments and some churches and numerous corrupted individuals have tried to reduce such behavior from criminal offense to personal privilege does not change the nature nor the seriousness of the practice..."
"This heinous homosexual sin is of the ages. Many cities and civilizations have gone out of existence because of it. It was present in Israel’s wandering days, tolerated by the Greeks, and found in the baths of corrupt Rome."
"This is a most unpleasant subject to dwell upon, but I am pressed to speak of it boldly so that no youth in the Church will ever have any question in his mind as to the illicit and diabolical nature of this perverse program." (Click HERE for text)
 |
| Click HERE for text |
While I was in a mission on one occasion, a missionary said he had something to confess. I was very worried because he just could not get himself to tell me what he had done.
After patient encouragement he finally blurted out, “I hit my companion.”
“Oh, is that all,” I said in great relief.
“But I floored him,” he said.
After learning a little more, my response was “Well, thanks. Somebody had to do it, and it wouldn’t be well for a General Authority to solve the problem that way.”
I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it. You must protect yourself."
Elder Vaughn Featherstone, who is now an "Emeritus General Authority" (a retired member of the 1st or 2nd Quorum of the Seventy) said the following in a speech to BYU in 1979:
 |
| Click HERE for text |
To condone homosexuality is not an act of charity. Perversion is perversion. All the reasoning of the greatest minds in the world cannot change the seriousness of the transgression. Worlds without end, the homosexual cannot be exalted."
In his last message to the Church before his death Elder Perry said something that hurt me personally and made me feel cheapened and as I was considered an enemy of the Church. His context was discussing the con's homosexuality and the near universal belief in the pro's of monogamous heterosexual marriage.
 |
| Click HERE for text |
Elder Dallin H. Oaks did an exclusive interview with the Church's news organization, along side Elder Wickman of the Seventy, back in 2006. The primary topic was homosexuality. There were multiple mixed messages from the General Authorities where there were some encouraging statements of love but other statements that when thought about (and not simply taken at face value) are far more damaging than you might think.
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| Click HERE for text |
ELDER OAKS: That’s a decision that needs to be made individually by the person responsible, calling upon the Lord for inspiration. I can imagine that in most circumstances the parents would say, ‘Please don’t do that. Don’t put us into that position.’ Surely if there are children in the home who would be influenced by this example, the answer would likely be that. There would also be other factors that would make that the likely answer.
I can also imagine some circumstances in which it might be possible to say, ‘Yes, come, but don’t expect to stay overnight. Don’t expect to be a lengthy house guest. Don’t expect us to take you out and introduce you to our friends, or to deal with you in a public situation that would imply our approval of your “partnership.”
There are so many different circumstances, it’s impossible to give one answer that fits all."
There are many other quotes I could pull on that have been hurtful but I am writing a blog article, not a book. Instead I'll take a few moments to explain what is so bad about some of these statements or keywords.
I'll start with Elder Oaks, yes he has made a point of condemning bullying and other unseemly behavior towards LGBT persons but he has undone much of his good attempts with the statement I quoted above. My main problem is that he authorized various forms of family disownment over homosexuality. His statement here is possibly a fuel for the fire in getting children kicked out of their homes for coming out as gay.
Why did Elder Perry's statement hurt me so much? It is the use of the word "Counterfeit". Counterfeit by definition is "fake" and by using that word I felt he was calling me "fake" and everything I feel "fake". There are other issues his word choices but they measure up better for other topics than what I have in this article.
But the real danger lies in the other quotes I cited. President Packer seems to accommodate violence as a practical solution for getting "hit on" by a gay guy (there is nothing in the story he shares that indicates that the "pass" was forceful or moving towards rape). President Kimball complains about how homosexuality wasn't going to be a crime anymore. Elder Featherstone mocks people who are hurting spiritually and emotionally. But most of all it is complete and utterly visible disgust and derision with which these "Men of God" discuss homosexuality and homosexuals personally.
What is an enemy? An enemy is someone who you try to hurt and who you expect to try and hurt you. If you label someone or some group, or some idea as an enemy and use condition appropriate language you are automatically encouraging your followers to try and hurt that person, any person in that group or any individual who espouses that idea. The word choices of President Kimball, Elder Didier, etc. openly encourage conflict with anyone who approves of homosexuality in any way. Elder Didier's phrase: "You don’t try to understand dictature, terrorism, abortion, homosexuality, crime, or cancer. You need to fight it" is not a phrase that can be misunderstood. In his mind (and seemingly in the minds of many Church leaders and members) there is clearly a war between Gays and God (a.k.a the Church) and his words are easily able to direct any member of the Church to act in insulting ways towards any LGBT person (or ally) in or out of the Church.
The words people use have power, that much is obvious from social sciences and from the scriptures. What you say and how you say it has the power to inspire the actions of those who listen to you. So, if you use words like "smut" "threaten" "devilish" "blasphemy" "ugly" etc. then you are encouraging behavior that mimics those attitudes. If you mourn the collapse of criminalization laws attacking homosexuals and repeatedly state that the sin is so atrocious that you don't even want to speak about it, you are openly promoting an attitude that is not anything like how Jesus Christ behaved in mortality.
Some people will suggest that many of these statements are old and are no longer in force as doctrine or principles of the Church. In some ways that is true and there has been recent progress as seen with the Church's support of Utah's recent law guaranteeing housing and employment rights to LGBT people and in comparatively kind messages by Elder Oaks and Elder Holland in General Conference. Despite what advancement we have seen in Church attitudes and statements there still appears to be a general sense of "us vs. them" among Church members and leaders, an attitude encouraged and kept alive by the continuing prevalence of quotes like the ones I've cited today. Part of the problem is that these old beliefs and attitudes that supposedly are no longer endorsed by Church leaders are still distributed as if they were in fact doctrine; what needs to happen is a clear redirect to more recent and more kind statements by the Church. We need to see messages like the official LDS website "Mormons and Gays" publicly and widely distributed (and not hidden in the shadows) among the members so that behaviors and attitudes can actually change.
One more thought on the "war" between the LDS and LGBT communities: the war has been real for a long time, but it wasn't a war that gays started, it was a war started by the supposed faithful and righteous. If you are an aggressor (in any situation, not just involving gays) you do not have the right to complain about your victims being hostile in their self-defense. If you want peaceful coexistence between LDS and LGBT (especially for those poor souls caught in the middle as Gay members) then shouldn't it be the responsibility of the aggressor to take the first step and earn the trust that comes with owning up to your mistakes and trying to heal wounds?
Lastly, a peculiarity: I cited President Kimball (found under the segment The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles) as making a point of saying that homosexuality was (at least part of) the cause for the fall of Rome and the decline of (ancient) Greece. It was an interesting position for him to take considering this statement by his predecessor, Brigham Young:
“Since the founding of the Roman empire monogamy has prevailed more extensively than in times previous to that. The founders of that ancient empire were robbers and women stealers, and made laws favoring monogamy in consequence of the scarcity of women among them, and hence this monogamic system which now prevails throughout all Christendom, and which has been so fruitful a source of prostitution and whoredom throughout all the Christian monogamic cities of the Old and New World, until rottenness and decay are at the root of their institutions both national and religious.” (Click HERE for text)
Brigham Young and his compatriots considered monogamy to have been at the root of Rome's fall but after polygamy became a non-issue for most Mormons after revelation decried the practice in favor of the "laws of the land" later Prophets began referring to homosexuality as the destroyer of Rome and nations. It is ironic to me that there is such a parallel between these two quotes and that both are independently cited as the cause for Rome's fall. I'll leave it to you to decide how to interpret or feel about this coincidence.
Out of everything I've said today, what is the most important detail (or details) I want you to remember?
- Anyone who claims that the LDS Church has always been kind to gays is, at best, unaware of the actual teachings of the Prophets and Apostles. Documented history shows the truth to be much less kind and much more aggressive than I think many people are willing to believe.
- The LDS Church has in the past encouraged a hostile attitude and behavior against gays (etc.) by using language designed to inspire the "righteous" to fight. This language also uses insults, and even slanderous labels to make gays appear devilish and demonized.
- Hostile language inspires hostile behavior
- If the LDS Church wants to denounce bullying and "disagreeable" behavior on the part of its members then the Church needs to change its language when discussing homosexuality.
- It is wise and productive to create a clear message that the old hostile statements are no longer endorsed by the Church.
- If Truth is a Truth no matter what other people believe, then an Insult is still an Insult no matter what others believe.
- If you refer to someone as an enemy, your goal is to hurt them. That's what enemies do to each other.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you'll share this message to any of your LDS friends or family. The start of change begins with talking about the problem.
Sincerely,
Samuel
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