Comments about ‘New booklet targets LDS families of homosexual youth’

"What about those LDS youth who are attracted to the same gender yet do not want to identify as gay and hope there might be an opposite-sex relationship for them later in life?"

So they're attracted to the same gender, but don't want to be identified as gay? And if they can like both, that's where the "B" in LGBT comes in.

"Ex-gay" treatment is pseudo-science, why are they even giving this woman space in this article?

Many, many people have changed from gay to straight. There is nothing pseudo about it.

Cats,

That's not really true. Some people have learned to diminish the effect of their same sex attractions (SSA) in their lives, but very few have actually eliminated it. Many keep the commandments and have eliminated homosexual behaviors, but still have the attractions. Big difference between attractions and behaviors. Some - like Ty Mansfield - have been able to enter into successful heterosexual marriages. But even Ty will tell you that his SSA is still there. It simply isn't the core of his identity. Additionally, many of the researchers who orginally said gays could change to straight have withdrawn their earlier findings. It was just bad research. And it isn't that simple.

And yes, I'm a gay Mormon (active in the Church), so I know a little bit about this subject...

It is true that the same gender attraction is there. What is able to be done is whether or not an individual chooses to submit to it or not. As NealDouglas stated that others have not allowed it to play a significant role. I think it is a poor description what I'm about to say so please don't rip me. It is like an addiction which is always there but you just don't allow it to take over. Again we are here to act not to be acted upon.

Cats,

Would you please provide information to support your claim the "Many, many people have changed from gay to straight."

I expected what I wrote to be criticized, but I am quoting experts who have worked with this for many years.

I am not alone in having friends with SSA who have been able to control SSA (which they noticed in themselves when they were teens) and are enjoying life in their families as adults. The same principles can be applied to alcoholics, pedophiles, gamblers, liars, cheaters, smokers, video gamers, and those with many other compulsive behaviors. All compulsions, good or bad, can be controlled, sometimes one minute at a time. Sometimes it is very hard, and the love we have for each other is of great worth. Love is the greatest commandment for this very good reason.

Needing to love and be loved with acceptance has many definitions. Making sexual issues as stated previously a "core of our identity" is neither healthy in either situation. Issues with labels identifies and not intentionally used to discriminate. But it will, until issues evolve/resolve and someone defines terminology that is socially acceptable and appropriate. However, the main issue is as in the commandments, Love one another as I have loved you---in any language, no matter of opinion should be the prime acceptance of any issues of difference.

Say I have a heterosexual son, and a homosexual son. I should teach the former to act on his emotional/physical needs in the confines of marriage, and tell the latter not to act on his at all? Even not saying "because something's wrong with you," the implication is obvious. What kind of father says, "Son, if you want to please God, spend your life suppressing your emotional needs, your impulse to love."

More to the point, why should I even care about the private behavior of others? I do not. I am much more concerned with what type of neighbor and citizen they are, as in kind, considerate, loving, responsible, giving, etc.

Two words for those who think homosexuality is a choice: teen suicide. How many sweet, loving, talented kids would be alive today if they had not been treated as freaks of nature? Where is the 'love' in that kind of social condemnation?

We heterosexuals don't understand homosexuality - but we don't have to understand it. It's none of our business, to be frank. Our business is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Look at the world ... that's hard enough. Forget the rest.

Cinci Man --Thanks for pointing out what many choose to ignore. Almost everybody has some inclination or attraction or tendency for something either unhealthy, unnatural, or unacceptable.....

RE: Christ-like love: Love(Jesus)is patient, love (Jesus)is kind. It(Jesus)does not envy, it (Jesus)does not boast,it(Jesus) is not proud. It(Jesus)does not dishonor others, it(Jesus) is not self-seeking, it(Jesus) is not easily angered, it(Jesus) keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love(Jesus) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It(Jesus)always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres(1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV) Verse 13, And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.(1 john 4:8)

'to bear one another's burdens' (Mosiah 18: 8) and so 'fulfill the law of Christ' (Galations 6: 2)," Elder Oaks.
In context, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.(Gal 6:1-2)

Never seen the church flip flop on a topic before.

@Sharrona

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. 2Ne 33:10

@Cats

"Many, many people have changed from gay to straight. There is nothing pseudo about it."

"I expected what I wrote to be criticized, but I am quoting experts who have worked with this for many years."

What experts? Why do I have a feeling it's a BYU or FAIR study? I always love your input Cats ... please provide your evidence to the jury.

@Cinci Man, Bill In Nebraska, Cats;

We are not pedophiles; we are not drug addicts, we are not alcoholics, gamblers, liars, sinners, etc. Being gay is not a disease. It is not a mental illness. It isn't an addiction. It is none of those things. Every one of those descriptions is maligning us.

"Sin" is a religious concept and has no validity whatsoever under the law.

@ivieacres;

Sexual attraction isn't the "core" of our identity, but it IS a part of our identity. Can you change from heterosexual? I dare you to even try! You'll fail miserably. Your "commandments" ONLY APPLY TO FOLLOWERS OF YOUR FAITH. Nobody else is obligated to follow them. We have the First Amendment that gives us the right to worship any diety, not just yours.

@Yorkshire;

Religion is an "inclination" that should be suppressed; it is every bit as any other "inclination" I can think of.

Why can't you all just mind your own business? Religion is a disease that changes people such that they simply can't resist the "impulse" to try and control everybody else?

"I expected what I wrote to be criticized, but I am quoting experts who have worked with this for many years."

Uh, you didn't actually "Quote" anyone. Nor did you name these "experts"

THAT is why you were criticized.

@RanchHand.
Please read my post. I would never equate those who have SSA with the things you claim that I did. And I never said that having SSA is a disease, mental illness, or an addiction. Although you didn't directly say that I did, your remarks seemed to assume that you believe that I do. And I assure you that I do not. I'm glad that we can agree on that. I appreciate all those who do not try to inflame the discussion with attributing statements to someone in error. And I'm sure that you would agree that we ought to love each person, regardless of their choices. SSA may not be a choice, any more than any of the other things that I mentioned. But actions are choices. Please keep SSA and actions independent of each other. I do.

Ranchhand: It's not fun to hear things we don't want to hear, is it.

Ranch, time to move along in life. You claim you aren't a member of the LDS church any longer (excommunicated, removed name from the rolls or name still on rolls but not attending you won't answer), that the commandments don't apply to you, that God isn't real, Jesus is a fictional story and you are the center of the universe. Yet, you feel the need to post on every single article that is LDS and/or homosexual in nature.

You have your set of beliefs and so does the LDS church. You aren't going to change any eternal doctrine by posting your philosophies of men. So, wouldn't you say it's time to move along and preach to the libs at the other newspaper so you can have peace in your life?

Homosexuality is a behavior learned on earth. There is nothing eternal about it. Do what you want with whomever you choose, but marriage it isn't. Nor does society have to embrace, condone or accept the behavior of homosexuality. Nor will society allow it to be taught in schools as something normal and natural.

Love the person while teaching correct principles.

Unlce Charles:
[You aren't going to change any eternal doctrine by posting your philosophies of men.]

Not necessarily, maybe the Church will come around, like they did with the "eternal doctrine" of polygamy? Or blacks in the priesthood? The Church is a far more progressive, albeit slower, organization than it would like to acknowledge.

[Homosexuality is a behavior learned on earth.]

So is breathing, but I wouldn't call it a choice, either.

[Do what you want with whomever you choose, but marriage it isn't.]

It is in several U.S. and first-world countries. You'll usually notice that more affluent nations with better human rights tend to support homosexual rights, while backward and oppressive nations are the most opposed.

[Nor does society have to embrace, condone or accept the behavior of homosexuality.]

Wrong again. Once again, it depends on the affluence, education, and value a society places on human rights. The most educated, affluent, and free tend to accept homosexuality.

[Nor will society allow it to be taught in schools as something normal and natural.]

Too late.

[Love the person while teaching correct principles.]

This is also known as "say one thing and do another".