Difference between revisions of "God Loveth His Children"
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| − | '''"God Loveth His Children"''' | + | '''"God Loveth His Children"''' was a pamphlet produced by [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] for members with [[same-sex attraction]]s. It was approved in April 2007 and was announced in July through a letter to [[bishop]]s and [[Stake President|stake presidents]]. It represents an official statement from the Church, and follows an unofficial interview with Elder [[Dallin H. Oaks]] and Elder [[Lance B. Wickman]] in April of that year. The pamphlet was not new revelation or doctrinal change, but a continuation of the direction the Church had been going in the past several years. |
==Doctrine== | ==Doctrine== | ||
| − | The title comes from a conversation between the [[Book of Mormon]] [[prophet]] [[Nephi]] and the [[Holy Ghost]]. | + | The title comes from a conversation between the [[Book of Mormon]] [[prophet]] [[Nephi]] and the [[Holy Ghost]]. In it, the Holy Ghost asks Nephi if he understands the condescension of [[God]]. Nephi replies, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/11?lang=eng 1 Nephi 11:16-17]</ref> The pamphlet makes the analogy, that like Nephi, people with same-gender attractions should know that God loves them, but some questions about same-gender attraction "must await a future answer" (p. 1). |
| − | The pamphlet acknowledges the reality of same-gender attractions and makes clear that it is not sinful. However, it makes clear that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful, and adds that "the desire for physical gratification does not authorize immorality by anyone" ( | + | The pamphlet acknowledges the reality of same-gender attractions and makes clear that it is not sinful. However, it also makes clear that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful, and adds that "the desire for physical gratification does not authorize immorality by anyone" (p. 5). It emphasizes the importance of a heterosexual marriage, and that although many members have "overcome same-gender attraction in mortality, others may not be free of this challenge in this life" (p. 4). Instead, our "desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God's children may find joy in a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children" (p. 4). |
| − | The pamphlet does not state a cause for homosexuality. | + | The pamphlet does not state a cause for homosexuality. It does caution against placing blame on oneself, one's parents, or early experimentation. It teaches against pornography, co-dependent relationships, obsession with same-gender thoughts and feelings, flaunting homosexual tendencies and having friends who publicly display their homosexual feelings. Instead, it advises members with same-gender attraction to seek help from their leaders and other church members, develop self-mastery, fill their lives with goodness, nourish their spirits, and "'go forward as do all other members of the Church'" (p. 12). It emphasizes that many Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction move "forward with their lives by carefully adhering to gospel standards" and "they can be assured that all the blessings of eternal life will ultimately be theirs" (p. 13). |
| − | However, regardless of how people live their lives, members should remember that "no one is, or ever could be, excluded from the circle of God's love"( | + | However, regardless of how people live their lives, members should remember that "no one is, or ever could be, excluded from the circle of God's love" (p. 13). It quotes [[Gordon B. Hinckley]] by saying: "Our hearts reach out to those who struggle with feelings of affinity for the same gender. We remember you before the Lord, we symphathize with you, we regard you as our brothers and sisters." (p. 13) <ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1995/11/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?lang=eng "Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World," ''Ensign'', November 1995]</ref> It acknowledges that members of the Church have not always shown love, and reprimands them, saying "No member of the Church should ever be intolerant." It counsels that, "As you show love and kindness to others, you give them an opportunity to change their attitudes and follow Christ more fully" (p. 9). |
| + | |||
| + | The pamphlet is no longer available in print form, but is available [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/god-loveth-his-children/god-loveth-his-children?lang=eng online]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Same-sex attraction]] | *[[Same-sex attraction]] | ||
| − | |||
*[[Homosexuality]] | *[[Homosexuality]] | ||
*[[North Star]] | *[[North Star]] | ||
| Line 20: | Line 21: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/?lang=eng The Church's Same-Sex Attraction website] |
| − | * [https://www. | + | * [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/god-loveth-his-children/god-loveth-his-children?lang=eng God Loveth His Children] pamphlet |
| − | * [https://www.lds.org/topics/same-sex-attraction?lang=eng Same-Sex Attraction on | + | * [https://www.lds.org/topics/same-sex-attraction?lang=eng Same-Sex Attraction in Gospel Topics on ChurchofJesusChrist.org] |
[[Category:Gender and Cultural Issues]][[Category:Controversial Topics]] | [[Category:Gender and Cultural Issues]][[Category:Controversial Topics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:24, 9 February 2021
"God Loveth His Children" was a pamphlet produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for members with same-sex attractions. It was approved in April 2007 and was announced in July through a letter to bishops and stake presidents. It represents an official statement from the Church, and follows an unofficial interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman in April of that year. The pamphlet was not new revelation or doctrinal change, but a continuation of the direction the Church had been going in the past several years.
Contents
Doctrine
The title comes from a conversation between the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi and the Holy Ghost. In it, the Holy Ghost asks Nephi if he understands the condescension of God. Nephi replies, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."[1] The pamphlet makes the analogy, that like Nephi, people with same-gender attractions should know that God loves them, but some questions about same-gender attraction "must await a future answer" (p. 1).
The pamphlet acknowledges the reality of same-gender attractions and makes clear that it is not sinful. However, it also makes clear that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful, and adds that "the desire for physical gratification does not authorize immorality by anyone" (p. 5). It emphasizes the importance of a heterosexual marriage, and that although many members have "overcome same-gender attraction in mortality, others may not be free of this challenge in this life" (p. 4). Instead, our "desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God's children may find joy in a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children" (p. 4).
The pamphlet does not state a cause for homosexuality. It does caution against placing blame on oneself, one's parents, or early experimentation. It teaches against pornography, co-dependent relationships, obsession with same-gender thoughts and feelings, flaunting homosexual tendencies and having friends who publicly display their homosexual feelings. Instead, it advises members with same-gender attraction to seek help from their leaders and other church members, develop self-mastery, fill their lives with goodness, nourish their spirits, and "'go forward as do all other members of the Church'" (p. 12). It emphasizes that many Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction move "forward with their lives by carefully adhering to gospel standards" and "they can be assured that all the blessings of eternal life will ultimately be theirs" (p. 13).
However, regardless of how people live their lives, members should remember that "no one is, or ever could be, excluded from the circle of God's love" (p. 13). It quotes Gordon B. Hinckley by saying: "Our hearts reach out to those who struggle with feelings of affinity for the same gender. We remember you before the Lord, we symphathize with you, we regard you as our brothers and sisters." (p. 13) [2] It acknowledges that members of the Church have not always shown love, and reprimands them, saying "No member of the Church should ever be intolerant." It counsels that, "As you show love and kindness to others, you give them an opportunity to change their attitudes and follow Christ more fully" (p. 9).
The pamphlet is no longer available in print form, but is available online.
