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Gay Mormons request meeting with Pres. Monson

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Janey | 1:01 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
This Affirmation group already knows what Pres. Monson has to say. They just want some press to get people reading about them. I can't speak with the wisdom Pres. Monson has but I can't see he has a choice but to follow scripture wherein homosexuality is an abomination to the Lord. He also has to inform them that if they are gay, then they are gay but they are not to have sexual relations anymore that an unmarried heterosexual couple can. I don't understand why a gay person would want to be affilliated with the Mormon church because it requires a pretty strong attachment to the laws of the bible. Why don't they begin a church of their own where they can go to services without interruption of those who would stare and wonder. It is too soon to fight the big fight of "accept me or else!" This will take more time for people to come around to the universal acceptance that gays and lesbians desire. Look how far they have come in the last ten years.
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Dave | 1:18 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Meeting with the Prophet isn't going to change the position of the Church in relationship to same-sex marriage or relationships. At no point in time did Christ withdraw the biblical condemnations of acting out on homosexual behavior or even for sexual relationships outside of marriage for that matter. To say that you have a testimony but have an issue with the churches stand on the issue is to contradict yourself and to ignore the fact that God as well as the Church have been very clear that marriage between and woman is ordained of God.

If you can't handle that I can only suggest that you start your own Church like every other group who came up with a particular issue that they disagreed with and apostasized over. It is Gods church and his will is not open for debate.
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This is the Lord's Church | 2:34 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Dave, let's bear in mind that the teachings of the Lord and of the Church don't condemn those members who suffer from same-sex attraction. They too are God's children and he loves them. He wouldn't tell them to "start their own Church" instead this kind of suggestion is of the devil.

We have been taught the plan of salvation including faith, repentance and enduring to the end. So your comments are hurtful to those who suffer from this temptation. Do you say this to those who struggle with pornography, adultery or the many other sins that confront members of the Church? If someone lies do you tell them to "start their own Church?"

We don't have to agree with Affirmation but we do have to reach out in love, compassion and kindness to those who do suffer from same-sex attraction. We cannot force those who suffer from this temptation to choose between leaving the Church, committing suicide or starting their own Church instead we must help them. To say that you have a testimony and then tell other people to start their own Church is to contradict yourself because no one who has a testimony would say this.
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R | 5:36 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Amen to both comments above. Find a church that will agree with you.
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Barry | 5:42 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Why are they so nieve that they think they can change the will of God. It is not President Monson's church. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read "The Proclamation on the Family". You will get a clear picture of the Lord's thinking.
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Not exclusionary | 7:24 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
I suppose there are other groups who would become active members of the Church if their particular brand of apostasy were accepted by Church leaders.

From my experience where I live, same-gender attraction members are accepted and loved. However, they, like the rest of us, can't pick and choose what commandments they live without also accepting the consequences of those choices.
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Duh | 7:53 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
It really puzzles my mind when I hear of groups that support a deviant lifestyle yet they claim to be Christian?!?

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Fredd | 8:13 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Why would allowing gays be any different then any other change in Doctrine? You once preached blacks would only enter heaven as servents. Why can't God give a revelation to Monson that he changed his mind?
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Right On! | 8:44 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Janey & Dave are right on. What If I believed in all LDS church doctrine except for the word of wisdom, and wanted to marry in the temple? Should I request an audience with the prophet of the church, asking him to change that requirement? I think not.
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Mayhem Mike | 8:45 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
JANEY, you wrote: "It is too soon to fight the big fight of 'accept me or else! This will take more time for people to come around to the universal acceptance that gays and lesbians desire. Look how far they have come in the last ten years."

Are you implying that most of us eventually will "come around" to acceptance of the gay lifestyle as normal and not perverted? You've got to be kidding. Some of us will continue to adhere to the teachings of the Church, as stated in the Proclamation on the Family, no matter how "intolerant" the gay community or the rest of the world thinks we are. And, I'm sure President Monson will do the same.
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Been There . . | 9:23 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
To Dave and Janey: I am so glad all of this is so simple for you. You haven't experienced being gay and Mormon as I have. You don't know the lonliness that exists when you can't be in "the norm" by betting married, etc. You can be celibate and stay in the church but that is a pretty lonely life. I hope LDS folks can find compassion for those with these tendencies. I also hope my comment gets published as I feel it is important.
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LDS | 9:26 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
With all the problems we face on earth today, and all the mixed messages we receive in how to live our lives in a respectable and good way, the last thing we need is to confuse the basic nature of the sexes and that they are different for Gods good reason. Gays are not normal and to try to make it appear normal is against nature and a normal society. It will wreck our social structure and destroy civilization. This is apparent to every sane person. No church or responsible organization will sanction gays as normal or an acceptable culture.
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Boiseguy | 10:10 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Self Evaluation is in order for these people. I grew up mormon as well and am gay. I understand the feelings of attachment to the church. Growing up as such has made it a part of our identity and sense of purpose in the world. With that said, I would challenge these people to search within themselves for personal truths. It comes down to two things in regards to what you know is more true to your heart. 1. that the church and its teachings are 100% true, or 2. That you were born gay and did not choose it, and that you deserve happiness, a life, acceptance, and love. I think that if these people really broke into themselves more they would understand themselves and the church a whole lot better.
You can't make an institution change according to personal desires, you can merely pick your bruised soul and heart up off the ground and go where you fine peace and love. There is life outside of the church and utah, and I wish them all the best of luck.
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JWK | 10:25 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
God loves all his children without fail, but that does not mean that all his children follow him and his commandments. While having same sex attraction is not a sin acting out against the counsel of the Lord is.

We all have some issue that can really derail us from Father's desires for us. Some deal with pornography, some with attraction to young people, others with drug issues, and there are those who just don't want to follow.

The 10th chapter of Hebrews teaches us that willful disobedience to Father will leave us outside of his kingdom. The Church has approached those with same sex attraction in a loving way, as they are not told not to come to attend, and while some may feel uncomfortable most will open their arms to those striving to deal with their individual weaknesses.

I was excommunicated for my acting out on my weaknesses but I found that the leadership of the Church was very loving towards me. Eventually, I was able to control my weakness to the point that I could return to the Church.
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JWK | 10:32 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
I still have weaknesses that I have to pay attention to so that I don't fall back into old habits, but I know that Father is pulling for me and helping me at every bump in the road.

I had to make the choice to obey and leave things in Father's hands, working only on what I had power to deal with. He allows us the choice and we must be willing to accept the consequences of our actions. However, he will not stop loving us and trying to get us to come unto his Son, Jesus Christ.

My life is sometimes lonely, but that is mainly when I feel sorry for myself. I will deal with my weaknesses every day of my life, including some issues which follow me every day because of my actions, but in Christ I can do all things as long as I allow him to be my advocate and helper.
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Boiseguy | 10:28 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Truth, what is truth? When it comes to truths about our existence and why things are the way they are? Science is the process in which we find truth, and until science is able to explain everything truth is a feeling. The church is true based on a feeling. Being gay and knowing that you were born that way and that you deserve acceptance and love is a feeling.. while both truths contradict, they are both truths in this world that deserve to exist. I don't think you can have your cake and eat it too. Stick with what you know to be real truth, and you will find peace.. Every anti gay post that I have read, makes good points, but are only based on tradition and not truth. truth exists in many forms for many different people, and following tradition is great and "safe" but the impact on a society will be limited to that safety, and could very well limit the society from attaining greatness. Hold to your truths whatever they may be.. don't attack other's truths, but before anyone thinks they should persuade others from their truth, must consider if they have a truth at all.
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BigPoet | 10:29 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
People in other churches seek to lobby the leadership to cause changes. God's church doesn't work that way.
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Kevin | 10:42 a.m. Feb. 10, 2008
I must ask my fellow gay folks: why are you bothering to be associated with these people? They are the ones who are immoral. Why do you want to hang out with immoral people. Their scripture is fiction. They are either profoundly gullible or delusional. Think of all the time wasted in church. Go skiing, go hiking, go on a road trip, read a book, do something fun for crying out loud. But give up trying to be like them.
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To Kevin | 12:08 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Thank you for your comments. You hit the nail on the head - you are a waste of our time.
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The Raven | 12:25 p.m. Feb. 10, 2008
Perversion is perversion. The "gay rights" movement will not be happy with the LDS Church or any other Church until they are completely accepted and praised as being ok. However, their behavior is not ok. It's condemned both in the Old and New Testaments. For LDS people, the Church's leaders have also condemned the practice of homosexuality. Wrong is wrong. However, "gays" and their supporters want the Church to start marrying homosexuals in our temples. It's not going to happen!
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.