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| | #REDIRECT[[Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ#If same-sex attraction is something that occurs naturally, why can't God and the Church accept it by allowing sealings of LGBT couples?]] |
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| | [[Category:Questions]] |
| ==Question: If same-sex attraction is something that occurs naturally, why can't God and the Church accept it by allowing sealings of LGBT couples?==
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| ===The Question/Criticism===
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| Some have brought up the sensitive question of why gay marriage and other LGBT relationships can't be accepted by God and the Church if the characteristic is innate. Some struggle to find a purpose in the command to not engage in homosexual behavior. Some secularist critics and even members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who support same-sex marriage co-opt this issue as a means of openly and directly challenging the Church's opposition to same-sex relationships and marriages. This article examines that sensitive question/criticism.
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| It must be understood that some people are very sincere when asking these questions and that the questions deserve to be treated as such when sincerity is sensed. Others simply want to emotionally manipulate people into faith crisis over this issue. Great discernment is needed to know whether one is the former or latter in any given situation.
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| It is important to understand that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not oppose same-sex marriage because it wishes to discriminate against LGBTQAIP+-identifying individuals. On the contrary, the Church values their service and hopes that they will find meaningful service within the Church organization. Additionally, the Church espouses a particularly detailed set of doctrines—believed to have come through divine revelation—that outline the purpose of our pre-mortal, mortal, and post-mortal life that make accepting LGBT sealings within the Church virtually impossible without surrendering core doctrinal values and propositions. The first part of this article will detail some philosophical objections to this criticism and then outline the aforementioned doctrinal propositions that Latter-day Saints would be reticent to relinquish.
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| ===The Problem of Ontology===
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| The philosophical study of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology ontology] studies issues such as cause, being, and the self. What is the self? What is identity? Philosophers have debated these issues for a long, long time. The next section (or three subsections) will detail important claims in mainstream LGBT thought regarding ontology and the problems associated with those claims.
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| ====Feelings are not Being====
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| Latter-day Saint family therapist Ty Mansfield PhD. pointed out something important in regard to feelings not forming identity:
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| <blockquote>
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| “Being gay” is not a scientific idea, but rather a cultural and philosophical one, addressing the subjective and largely existential phenomenon of identity. From a social constructionist/constructivist perspective, our sense of identity is something we negotiate with our environment. Environment can include biological environment, but our biology is still environment. From an LDS perspective, the essential spiritual person within us exists independent of our mortal biology, so our biology, our body is something that we relate to and negotiate our identity with, rather than something that inherently or essentially defines us. Also, while there has likely been homoerotic attraction, desire, behavior, and even relationships, among humans as long as there have been humans, the narratives through which sexuality is understood and incorporated into one’s sense of self and identity is subjective and culturally influenced. The “gay” person or personality didn’t exist prior to the mid-20th century.
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| In an LDS context, people often express concern about words that are used—whether they be “same-sex attraction,” which some feel denies the realities of the gay experience, or “gay,” “lesbian,” or “LGBT,” which some feels speaks more to specific lifestyle choices. What’s important to understand, however, is that identity isn’t just about the words we use but the paradigms and worldviews and perceptions of or beliefs about the “self” and “self-hood” through which we interpret and integrate our various experiences into a sense of personal identity, sexual or otherwise. And identity is highly fluid and subject to modification with change in personal values or socio-cultural context. The terms “gay,” “lesbian,” and “bisexual” aren’t uniformly understood or experienced in the same way by everyone who may use or adopt those terms, so it’s the way those terms or labels are incorporated into self-hood that accounts for identity. One person might identify as “gay” simply as shorthand for the mouthful “son or daughter of God who happens to experience romantic, sexual or other desire for persons of the same sex for causes unknown and for the short duration of mortality,” while another person experiences themselves as “gay” as a sort of eternal identity and state of being.
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| An important philosophical thread in the overall experience of identity, is the experience of “selfhood”—what it means to have a self, and what it means to “be true to” that self. The question of what it means to be “true to ourselves” is a philosophical rather than a scientific one. In her book Multiplicity: The New Science of Personality, Identity, and the Self, award-winning science and medical writer Rita Carter explores the plurality of “selves” who live in each one of us and how each of those varied and sometimes conflicting senses of self inform various aspects of our identity(ies). This sense seems to be universal. In the movie The Incredibles, there’s a scene in which IncrediBoy says to Mr. Incredible, “You always, always say, ‘Be true to yourself,’ but you never say which part of yourself to be true to!”<ref>Ty Mansfield, "'Mormons can be gay, they just can’t do gay': Deconstructing Sexuality and Identity from an LDS Perspective" ''FairMormon Conference'', 2014. <https://www.fairmormon.org/conference/august-2014/mormons-can-gay-just-cant-gay> Accessed October 17, 2019</ref></blockquote>
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| Thus, there is ''big'' difference between ''feelings'' and the meaning or labels that we ''assign'' to feelings. Thank goodness that feelings are not being. Couldn't we imagine a time where someone would want to change feelings that they didn't feel described their identity such as impulses for pornography, drugs, or violence? This does not mean that the author is comparing sexual orientation to bad impulses, this is simply to point out that feelings do not inherently control identity. We assign identity to feelings.
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| ====The Global Problem of Skepticism====
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| Also in the Problem of Ontology is the global problem of skepticism. The problem is defined as the inability to base a belief on other beliefs for validity. For instance, I, the author of this article, shall articulate a belief I hold: "I am a male". That belief is dependent on others to be valid. For instance, I have to have been born, and to be born I have to have a DNA signature which I grew out of—so on and so forth. Some philosophers, such as the famous Rene Descartes, went back within his noetic structure (the web of beliefs we hold) and found the one belief he believed didn't depend on others to be believed and articulated the very famous phrase, "Je pense, donc je suis". This phrase was translated into Latin as "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito,_ergo_sum Cogito ergo sum]"("I think, therefore I am" i.e. "I exist"). This articulation of belief gave way to other popular facets of Cartesian philosophy such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_demon Descartes' Demon]. The Demon was one that could control our reality and make us think that we are living in it while we really weren't. This is what is known as the Global Problem of Skepticism:
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| <embedvideo service="youtube">PqjdRAERWLc</embedvideo>
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| Barring too deep of a discussion into identity (though such can be found elsewhere<ref>Hank Green, "Personal Identity: Crash Course Philosophy #19" ''Crash Course: Philosophy''. June 27, 2016 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trqDnLNRuSc>. Accessed October 17, 2019. Here in lies another philosophical objection to LGBT thought. LGBT people are naturally taking what is in their body as identity even when our body is changing all the time. Sexuality has been seen to be fluid as well. See Michael Aaron PhD. "Sexuality Is Much More Fluid Than You Think" ''Psychology Today''. May 04, 2016. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/standard-deviations/201605/sexuality-is-much-more-fluid-you-think>. Accessed November 13, 2019. If it is fluid, do we owe moral obligation to them to defend the validity of same-sex marriage? If there identity isn't essential, then is it identity? If there's no identity, then whence accusations of discrimination? Latter-day Saints believe that identity comes from God because of our ''spirit'' being from him and our Heavenly Mother. The soul (defined as the body and spirit combined D&C 88:15) is the source of identity. Since we have third party arbitration for our essential identity and an eternal spirit within us, this solves the identity problem. But then we have to get to doctrinal stipulations that define our identity which the article will go into here.</ref>), the existence of God (though such can be explored<ref>See Blake T. Ostler, "EP70-FAITH, REASON, & SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE - VOL 5" ''Exploring Mormon Thought''. January 21, 2019. <http://www.exploringmormonthought.com/2019/01/topics-discussed-of-religious.html> Accessed October 17, 2019.</ref>), and the belief in revelation (which has been argued quite convincingly for some time<ref>See Brant A. Gardner, ''Traditions of the Fathers: The Book of Mormon as History'' (Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2015); Brant A. Gardner, ''Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon'' 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2007); John L. Sorenson, ''Mormon’s Codex'' (Provo and Salt Lake: BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2013); John Welch et al., ''Knowing Why: 137 Evidences that the Book of Mormon is True'' (American Fork: Covenant Communications, 2017); Noel B. Reynolds (ed.), ''Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins'' (Provo: FARMS, 1997). For evidence of the Book of Abraham, see [[Book of Abraham/Evidences|here]]. For evidence for the Book of Moses see Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, ''In God's Image and Likeness'' (Salt Lake City, UT: Eborn Books, 2009); Jeffrey Bradshaw and David Larsen, ''In God's Image and Likeness Vol 2: Enoch, Noah, and the Tower of Babel'' (Salt Lake City, UT: Eborn Publishing, 2014).</ref>) Descartes' Demon (or "The Mad Scientist") demonstrates that we all have to seek out something else to determine identity that is enduring, real, and meaningful. Some of us turn to God for that identity. Others may subconsciously or consciously create some form of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonism platonic] entity to ground our morality and identity i.e. "Love binds the universe. Love is my religion". But the basic point still stands—our feelings may be used to form identity, but that identity--the identity based in our feelings that we are having now--isn't enduring; and we must turn to the unseen world to form abiding and real identity.
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| ====Where We Get Identity From is Based in What Epistemic Assumptions We Assume====
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| Since feelings are not being, we need to turn to somewhere to get identity. Thus, we need to make a decision as to where we place our moral authority. There are a number of different approaches one may take to form identity and the concept of the self. Where we place our authority reveals what we believe about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology epistemology] or the source from which we should gain normative (i.e. what ''should'' be the case) or descriptive (what simply ''is'' the case) knowledge from the world.
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| '''Scientism'''
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| Some people, even in the face of the problem of skepticism (such as our critics), turn to a school of thought known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism scientism] which is "the promotion of science as the best or only objective means by which society should determine normative and epistemological values." Thus, if something is scientifically understood as good, then all should believe it is good. This position is the most likely to deny the existence of God and rely solely upon what is scientifically observable for morality. This is probably the position most in opposition to the Gospel. The global problem of skepticism, however, makes scientism untenable for establishing morality. If there is no actual reality that is being observed, and reality is just an illusion, then what is the point in using science as our basis for morality?
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| '''Naturalism'''
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| Some people ascribe to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_(philosophy) naturalism] which is "'idea or belief that only natural (as opposed to supernatural or spiritual) laws and forces operate in the world.' Adherents of naturalism (i.e., naturalists) assert that natural laws are the rules that govern the structure and behavior of the natural universe, that the changing universe at every stage is a product of these laws." Some naturalists are faithful Latter-day Saints who believe in God, other naturalists don't believe in God at all (a position known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism atheism]) or don't believe in the Latter-day Saint understanding of God. ''Naturalist atheists'' would probably be those who would oppose obstention from accepting homosexual behavior as correct and moral.
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| We've already seen that atheistic naturalism needs to find a compelling solution to the problem of skepticism, a solution which doesn't currently exist<ref>See Jennifer Nagel, "Epistemology: Three Responses to Skepticism" ''Wireless Philosophy''. February 19, 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xehTcQeqDWs>. Accessed October 17, 2019; Jennifer Nagel, "Epistemology: New Responses to Skepticism" ''Wireless Philosophy''. February 26, 2019. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cKyPeDYh8w>. Accessed October 17, 2019.</ref>, to make their morality work. Those religions that accept homosexual behavior as inherently correct because of belief in a different articulation of God's attributes and character are also going to oppose us strongly.
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| An additional problem with the above two epistemic positions is that they don't provide any solution to the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is%E2%80%93ought_problem Is-ought problem]". Without a compelling solution to these issues (and an answer as to how someone can prove that they are ontologically gay), there is no grounding for the claim that abstention from performing same-sex sealings in temples (aka "not accepting LGBT people") is prejudiced discrimination. There may be legitimate discrimination against LGBT folks such as denial of housing, food, money, or violence enacted against them--which the Church (and FairMormon) condemns unequivocally. But abstention for religious matters including an understanding of anthopology, cosmology, hamartiology, and soteriology that is believed to come from revelation cannot be included in this case without grounds for it. This just goes to show the validity of the [https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Logical_fallacies/Page_3 naturalistic fallacy] in logic. Just because it occurs in nature, that does not, by necessity, make the behavior inherently correct.
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| '''Latter-day Saints'''
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| To understand the Latter-day Saint position and to see its validity, one must look through a Latter-day Saint lens. The most common metaphysical belief among Latter-day Saint theologians, philosophers, and laypeople is that of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialism materialism] ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/131.7?lang=eng D&C 131:7]) which is the assertion that all things that exist have matter. If something does not have matter, it does not exist. Latter-day Saints deny [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_nihilo creatio ex nihilo] or the belief that the universe was created out of nothing and instead affirm creatio ex materia which is the belief in creation from pre-existing, eternal matter. Latter-day Saints also affirm the existence of a sovereign God who is corporeal (meaning "has a body") and anthropomorphic (meaning "human"). He reveals knowledge about himself--occasionally by making physical appearances ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.17?lang=eng Joseph Smith-History 1:17]) and sending angels ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.30-33?lang=eng Joseph Smith-History 1:30-33])-- but most of the time, he provides revelation through the Holy Ghost ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.5?lang=eng Moroni 10:5]). It may be argued that, with things such as the global problem of skepticism, that we should turn to the unseen (but still material) world for truly abiding knowledge of who we are, why we're here, where we come from, and where we're going. Revelation from God may be the only thing that can establish true identity.<ref>For a potential example of a metaethical world view that works with Latter-day Saint theology, see Blake T. Ostler, "Ep27- The Relation of Moral Obligation and God in LDS Thought (Pt 1) - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch3" ''Exploring Mormon Thought''. October 16, 2017. <http://www.exploringmormonthought.com/2017/10/ep27-relation-of-moral-obligation-and.html>. Accessed November 11, 2019; Blake T. Ostler, "EP28-The Relation of Moral Obligation and God in LDS Thought (PT 2) - The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch. 3" ''Exploring Mormon Thought''. October 22, 2017. <http://www.exploringmormonthought.com/2017/10/ep28-relation-of-moral-obligation-and.html>. Accessed November 11, 2019; Levi Checketts, "[https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/thomas-aquinas-meets-joseph-smith-toward-a-mormon-ethics-of-natural-law/ Thomas Aquinas Meets Joseph Smith: Toward a Mormon Ethics of Natural Law]" ''Dialogue: a Journal of Mormon Thought'' 51-1 (Spring 2018).</ref> But now, what does revelation from God tell us?
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| ===The doctrine of eternal marriage between man and woman is not based on scientifically observed phenomena from a fallen world, but an ideal that was experienced in the pre-existence, at creation, and what the ideal will be post-resurrection/exaltation. This ideal has come through revelation.===
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| As Latter-day Saints, we believe that our most important identity is that of sons and daughters of God. Our identity is not threatened by science because it comes--in a sense--from the unseen world--through revelation from God to prophets. But, now the question is "What do we believe God has revealed to us about other important aspects of our identity?
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| Many people fail to recognize that the doctrine of eternal marriage between men and women is not based on scientifically observed phenomena from a fallen world, but on an ideal that was experienced in the pre-existence, at creation, and what the ideal will be post-resurrection/exaltation. This ideal we believe to have come through revelation by God to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet,_seer,_and_revelator prophets] and recorded in the scriptures of the Church which are meant to govern the Church and shape its thought (D&C 42:53–60).
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| ====Doctrine from the Pre-existence====
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| In the pre-existence, our Heavenly Parents [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/spirit-creation?lang=eng created] us (exactly how we're not sure and don't have an official doctrine on the point)—male and female— from spirit matter (sometimes referred to as "intelligence" [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/3.21?lang=eng Abraham 3:21]).
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| ====Doctrine from Creation====
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| We know from repeated statements in scripture that all people—male and female— were created in the image and likeness of God ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/1.26?clang=eng&lang=eng Genesis 1:26]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/7.27?lang=eng Mosiah 7:27], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/3.15?lang=eng Ether 3:15], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/20.18?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 20:18], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/1.6?lang=eng Moses 1:6]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/2.26?lang=eng 2:26], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/6.9?lang=eng 6:9], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/4.26?lang=eng Abraham 4:26]). Some have stated that since the translation is rendered as "God" that this suggests some gender neutrality in the scriptures. This is implausible.
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| [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Coogan Michael Coogan]:
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| <blockquote>The traditional translation is "in the image of God he created them." This does not entirely make sense, since the last line speaks of "male and female," and God in the Bible is not androgynous but male.
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| An alternative is to understand elohim in the second line in its plural sense: humans are male and female in the image of the gods—because the gods are male and female, humans are as well. Which male and female deities are the model? Although the entire pantheon is a possibility, the divine couple, Yahweh and his goddess consort, are more likely.<ref>Michael Coogan, ''God and Sex: What the Bible Really Says'' (New York City, NY: Grand Central, 2010), 175.</ref></blockquote>
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| Thus, "God", our creator, may be more properly referred to as "Gods" ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/abr/4.1?lang=eng Abraham 4:1]). These Gods, according to Dr. Coogan, are a male and female deity. This male and female deity would then be the creator of our spirits since "God" is the father of our spirits ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/num/16.22?lang=eng Num. 16:22];[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/num/27.16?lang=eng 27:16]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/mal/2.10?lang=eng Mal. 2:10]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/6.9?lang=eng Matt. 6:9]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/eph/4.6?lang=eng Eph. 4:6]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/12.9?lang=eng Heb. 12:9]). Thus we learn something about what the ideal will be post-resurrection/exaltation.
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| These Gods created the mortal tabernacles Adam and Eve—a male and female— and provided spirits to inhabit their bodies. God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. The reasons are obvious as to why a male and female would be commanded to do such: they're the only ones who can procreate without the need of additional technological and/or vicarious/proxy assistance.
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| ====Doctrine from The Fall====
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| We learn that, after the fall, that thorns, thistles, and noxious weeds would torment man. We learn that nature would become chaotic in some ways and divert from the creational ideal. Thus nature has an order to it, but not complete order. These revelations that we have received about creation remind us what the ideal was during the pre-existence, at creation, and what the ideal will be post-resurrection/exaltation.
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| During this time of the fall, we have no evidence that God creates any of our bodies. Our biological parents, living in this fallen world, create(d) our bodies. Those bodies are subject to the affects of the Fall. We only have evidence that God created our spirits and the bodies of Adam and Eve. This is simply one of the effects of the fall that we have to overcome. Everyone has them. Christ asks us to take up our cross ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/10.28?lang=eng Matthew 10:28]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/16.24?lang=eng 16:24]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/9.23?lang=eng Luke 9:23]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/luke/14.27?lang=eng 14:27]) and overcome the natural man ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/3.19?lang=eng Mosiah 3:19]). Will one presume that someone is created with Downe's syndrome, autism, depression, anxiety, etc.? Such would make God evil, and as a scriptural truism, God is not evil. Those who identify as LGBT will need to wrestle more sincerely with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil problem of evil] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy theodicy].<ref>See David L. Paulsen, "[https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/david-l-paulsen/joseph-smith-problem-evil/ Joseph Smith and the Problem of Evil]" ''BYU Speeches'', September 21, 1999</ref>
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| God has commanded that same-sex behavior not occur several times throughout the scriptures ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/2.24?lang=eng#23 Genesis 2:24]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/gen/19.1-11?lang=eng#0 Genesis 19:1-11]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/19.5?lang=eng#4 Matthew 19:5];
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| [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/3.9?lang=eng#8 Isaiah 3:9]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/5.51-53?lang=eng#50 Moses 5:51-53]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/18.22?lang=eng#21 Leviticus 18:22]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/lev/20.13?lang=eng#12 Leviticus 20:13]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/23.17?lang=eng#16 Deuteronomy 23:17]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rom/1.26-27?lang=eng&clang=eng Romans 1: 26-27]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/6.9-10?lang=eng#8 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-tim/1.9-10?lang=eng#8 1 Timothy 1:9-10]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/jude/1.7?lang=eng#6 Jude 1:7];
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| [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/13.9?lang=eng#8 2 Nephi 13:9]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng&old=true The Family Proclamation Paragraph 4])<ref>For a more full-bodied discussion of the exegetical nuance associated with these passages, see Victor Paul Furnish and Mark Allan Powell, "Homosexuality" in ''Harper Collins Bible Dictionary'' ed. Mark Allan Powell (New York: Harper Collins, 1989), 388. The most explicit condemnations come in Leviticus and Romans 1:26-27 where Paul (yes, written by Paul himself as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_to_the_Romans#Authorship_and_dating vast majority of biblical scholars] agree that he wrote it) condemns the act, most likely with Leviticus in mind as "an example of the perversions that follow when humankind refuses to give glory and thanks to the one sovereign God." For commentary on the passages in Leviticus, see Baruch J. Schwartz' commentary on Leviticus 18:22 in ''The Jewish Study Bible'' eds. Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004), 251-2.</ref>
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| This standard is also proclaimed in the revealed temple ceremony to Joseph Smith and sustained today under the direction of the current Church President. Those who have made temple covenants (and especially received their endowments) will understand the explicit commandments associated with them.
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| ====Doctrine from Resurrection====
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| We know that at resurrection, our bodies will be perfected and stripped of the effects of the Fall ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.43-45?lang=eng Alma 11:43-45]).
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| ====Doctrine from Exaltation====
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| We learn that upon resurrection, we will be judged. When we are judged, and if we obtain the celestial kingdom, we will become Gods and go on to have everlasting increase. This is only done with husband and wife—male and female—sealed in holy temples of the Lord ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132.18-20?lang=eng D&C 132:18-20]).
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| Thus we see that the doctrine of eternal marriage between men and women cannot truly be harmed by those that identify as LGBTQAIP+. Our doctrine is based upon what we believe God has revealed about the ideals manifested at pre-existence, creation, and what will be manifested once we are resurrected and exalted. We see that the disagreement is not based upon what is observed. All of us can observe the existence of these people. Where we (in this case members of the Church and secularists and/or progressive members) disagree is about where one's epistemic assumptions should lie i.e. where to turn to for knowledge about morality and/or ideals to categorize nature with.
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| ===The Argument from Personal Revelation===
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| There are often claims from members of the Church who identify as LGBTQAIP+ and other members of the Church who support same-sex marriage that they have received personal revelation that the Church is wrong about this issue and that it will eventually accept LGBT sealings, relationships, and so on in the future. Since this is a topic that involves the ontological makeup of the entire human family as well as their eternal destiny, this type of revelation does not lie within the stewardship of those that identify as transgender or those that support transgenderism, but with the prophet of God ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/28.2-4?lang=eng D&C 28:2-4]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/42.53-58?lang=eng 42:53-58]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/112.20?lang=eng 112:20]). Thus, it is likely that these individuals have been deceived by false Spirits ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/50.1-2?lang=eng D&C 50:1-2]) and their testimonies should be disregarded. If someone were to receive a revelation like this, it would be given to them for their own comfort and instruction. They would also be placed under strict commandment to not disseminate their revelation until it accords with the revelation of the prophets, God's authorized priesthood channels (Alma 12:9). Some argue against this using the example of Cornelius who received revelation that he would receive baptism before Peter received the revelation to take the Gospel to the Gentiles ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/10?lang=eng Acts 10]). Yet there are two problems:
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| #The Savior had already given the command to the apostles to go to all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature and baptize them ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/16.15-16?lang=eng Mark 16:15-16]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/morm/9.22-24?lang=eng Mormon 9:22-24]<ref>Be sure to see our [[Question: Why does part of the longer ending of Mark show up in the Book of Mormon?|article]] on the longer ending of Mark.</ref>). Thus, this wasn't necessarily a question of what was going to happen but of when. This was not a revelation about essential missiological outlook, it was a revelation of when to execute it. Thus the example is not analogous to this situation.
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| #Even if we were to assume that a revelation to Cornelius signaled the future change of the Church in ancient times, that is certainly not how the Lord has wished to distribute revelation in modern times as seen in the three first scriptures from Doctrine and Covenants cited at the top of this section.
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| '''Additional Reading:''' [https://www.fairmormon.org/blog/2016/01/11/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-ive-received-revelation-different-from-apostles-and-prophets Gregory Smith, "What Should I Do If I Think I've Received Revelation Different From Apostles and Prophets?"]
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| ===Argument from Fallibility===
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| Some argue that the prophets are simply wrong on this issue and have presented a few examples to bolster their case.
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| ====Additional Light====
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| Some argue that there may yet be additional light added to this question because of questions that need to be answered regarding LGBT issues. Usually, disagreement over this issue stem from one side's insistence on deducing conclusions based on propositions already established in Scripture (which the author adheres to) and the other's insistence that there needs to be additional revelation on this issue. Questioners ask things like the following:
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| *''What is an LGBT person's place in the Plan of Salvation?'' Some argue that the place of LGBT people needs to be established in the Plan of Salvation. Usually this question is attached to a desire to see LGBT relationships and identity persist beyond the grave and into the eternities. Though our essential ontology is already established in scripture as 1) children of God and thus 2) God's in embryo. Women and men are meant to be exalted together so that they can have eternal increase (D&C 132:19-20). An LGBT persons place in the plan of salvation is the same as those born with any other less than ideal circumstance, to take up their cross and follow the Savior towards their own exaltation. Our essential ontological identity is promised to be brought to the fore in glory at the resurrection. This brings up another important question that is asked.
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| *''Does same-sex attraction persist beyond this life?'' It is often asked if same-sex attraction will persist beyond this life. The only evidence that might be used to support it would come from the scriptures. Since we have no evidence that celestial beings experience same-sex attraction, it is unlikely that same-sex attraction persists beyond this life. Prophets have stated [[Question: Do Mormons believe that same-sex attraction will persist in the next life?|many times]] that it won't. If it were to persist passed the resurrection and into the next life, it would be theologically unavoidable to then assume that being essentially and ontologically LGBT is a reality and existed before this life. That would fundamentally rewrite the Plan of Salvation. Thus the question is already answered for us.
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| ====Simple Fallibility====
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| Latter-day Saints do not believe in the doctrine of infallibility. Prophets are considered mortals that can make mistakes at times. Some advocates of the LGBT position have argued that the prophets are simply wrong on this issue (usually for reasons discussed above). The problems with the position are outlined above. The position is the result of revelation that has come to prophets over three thousand years beginning with the authorship of the J source of the Pentateuch circa 1000 BC. If the prophets have gotten our essential ontology wrong for '''''that''''' amount of time, it's difficult to imagine how we can trust them. This wouldn't be just because of how long of time, but also because of how easily deducible it is from the scriptures what our eternal identity and purpose is and the fundamental rewriting of that purpose. It makes God deceptive.
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| ====The Argument from Priesthood Restriction====
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| As an additional means of justifying opposition to the Church's position on same sex marriage, some point to the pre-1978 restrictions on people of African descent from holding the Church's priesthood or officiating in temple ordinances, including the Church's disavowed explanations for the restrictions. If the Church was wrong about their explanations for that, could it be wrong about this issue? This has been examined in another article on the FairMormon wiki.
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| {{Main|Question: Isn't the Mormon opposition to same-sex marriage hypocritical, considering that they used to ban black from holding the priesthood until 1978?}}
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| ===Conclusion===
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| Many LGBT members of The Church of Jesus Christ do not need to hear the points listed in this article. Many understand these points clearly but may simply need someone to love and empathize with their struggle. Members of the Church are placed under covenant at baptism to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:8-9) and should be open to helping these good men and women when they need it most.
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| Alternatively, there may be some that begin to debate against the Church's position out of sincere frustration and sadness or simple spite. First, those who wish to help these individuals will need to dig deep and find out why these individuals are debating against the Church's position. Some may still need to simply have someone love them and empathize with them. Others may be past that and be debating, as mentioned, out of simple spite and emotional manipulation. In these instances, members of the Church should follow the other part of their baptismal covenant as outlined in Mosiah 18:8-9 and "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in[.]"
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| As a final word which we wish to emphasize:
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| <b>FairMormon joins The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in unequivocally condemning the discrimination of any of God's children based upon gender (or gender identity), race, sexual identity and/or orientation, and/or religious affiliation.</b>.
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| {{Seealso|Question: Since there are people that are born intersex, experience gender dysphoria, or identify as transgender, does this invalidate the Latter-day Saint ("Mormon") doctrine of eternal male and/or female gender?}}
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| </onlyinclude>
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| {{endnotes sources}}
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