Lds church statement on gay marriage
Same-Sex Marriage
Legal proceedings and legislative action in a number of countries have given civil recognition to gay marriage relationships, and the question of same-sex marriage continues to be widely debated. As we confront this and other issues, we encourage all to bear in mind our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is primary to His plan for His children and for the well-being of community. Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are vital to
Statement on the Signing of the US Respect for Marriage Act
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following expression on Tuesday, December 13,
We prolong a heartfelt praise you and our congratulations to all who played a part in the passage of the amended Respect for Marriage Act. Their efforts to defend religious freedom as Congress sought to codify the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision are both historic and commendable.
The amended Respect for Marriage Act specifically recognizes that “diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by justified and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises.”
As restated last month, “the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comparable to marriage between a man and a woman is well known and will remain unchanged.” Congress has now reaffirmed that our beliefs “are due proper respect.”
The recent law demonstrates that respect. The rule states that it can't be used to harm religious or conscience rights for faith-based institutions. It prote
Same-Sex Attraction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that same-sex attraction is a sensitive issue that requires kindness, empathy and understanding. The “Same-Sex Attraction” section of reinforces the truths that, in the words of one Latter-day Saint scripture, God “loveth his children” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to aide everyone better understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.
The Church does not take a position on the cause of homosexual attraction. In , Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction.”
Feelings of same-sex attraction are not a sin. President M. Russell Ballard said: “Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals accomplish not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love an
“Will the Church ever convert its doctrine and sanction same-sex marriage?” Same-Sex Attraction: Church Leaders ()
“Will the Church ever change its doctrine and sanction gay marriage?” Same-Sex Attraction: Church Leaders
Doctrine of Marriage Is Eternal
Central to God’s arrange, the doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman is an integral teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will not change:
“As a doctrinal principle, based on the scriptures, the Church affirms that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. The Church also affirms that God’s law defines marriage as the legal and lawful union between a guy and a woman.
“Only a man and a miss who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife should possess sexual relations. Any other sexual relations, including those between persons of the same sex, are sinful and undermine the divinely created institution of the family” (“Same-Sex Marriage,” General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,