It Gets Better
#1
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:00 AM
How could we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, present the Gospel to the same individuals to whom this message is directed, to address these same very real feelings of despair, loneliness, fear, lack of self worth? How can we present the message to help them feel at least the same freedom, joy, and hope expressed by those who are delivering the message?
If you were a missionary receiving a referral for an individual to whom this video was directed, knowing what you know by watching the video, what would be your loving approach to expressing the hope and joy of the Restored Gospel?
There's plenty of threads discussing how we should feel about such individuals, and judging their motives. But I haven't seen many topics exploring how we could effectively and lovingly present the message of the Gospel to address their specific concerns, doubts, despair, and very real feelings, in such a way that would bring comfort, and hope, a real assurance that, indeed, "It Gets Better".
David T was formerly known here at MD&D as nackhadlow
#2
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:37 AM
nackhadlow, on 23 November 2010 - 09:00 AM, said:
How could we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, present the Gospel to the same individuals to whom this message is directed, to address these same very real feelings of despair, loneliness, fear, lack of self worth? How can we present the message to help them feel at least the same freedom, joy, and hope expressed by those who are delivering the message?
If you were a missionary receiving a referral for an individual to whom this video was directed, knowing what you know by watching the video, what would be your loving approach to expressing the hope and joy of the Restored Gospel?
There's plenty of threads discussing how we should feel about such individuals, and judging their motives. But I haven't seen many topics exploring how we could effectively and lovingly present the message of the Gospel to address their specific concerns, doubts, despair, and very real feelings, in such a way that would bring comfort, and hope, a real assurance that, indeed, "It Gets Better".
Great video.
In answer to your question, you can't provide a similar message of hope, because gay and lesbian Mormons have no role models in the LDS Church, ergo no real assurance that it does indeed get better.
Edited by Jaybear, 23 November 2010 - 09:38 AM.
#3
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:42 AM
#4
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:47 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:42 AM, said:
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet
#5
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:48 AM
Deborah, on 23 November 2010 - 09:47 AM, said:
It's already changed.
#6
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:50 AM
nackhadlow, on 23 November 2010 - 09:00 AM, said:
How could we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, present the Gospel to the same individuals to whom this message is directed, to address these same very real feelings of despair, loneliness, fear, lack of self worth? How can we present the message to help them feel at least the same freedom, joy, and hope expressed by those who are delivering the message?
If you were a missionary receiving a referral for an individual to whom this video was directed, knowing what you know by watching the video, what would be your loving approach to expressing the hope and joy of the Restored Gospel?
There's plenty of threads discussing how we should feel about such individuals, and judging their motives. But I haven't seen many topics exploring how we could effectively and lovingly present the message of the Gospel to address their specific concerns, doubts, despair, and very real feelings, in such a way that would bring comfort, and hope, a real assurance that, indeed, "It Gets Better".
We can offer a similar message of hope through some very inspirational speakers who have gone through the same trials.
There are people out there in the the church who HAVE overcome this trial, and some of them ARE speaking up.
I think soon, we will come to a point, where there will be many who say, "I overcame my homosexual feelings and I'm Mormon!"
I give a hope for the future and a fight against the past, that I do.
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
#7
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:51 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:48 AM, said:
How so? (Be Brief though, we can't derail thread).
Edited by TAO, 23 November 2010 - 09:51 AM.
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
#8
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:52 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:48 AM, said:
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet
#9
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM
TAO, on 23 November 2010 - 09:51 AM, said:
The inclination itself used to be viewed as sinful. Also, they used to think you could go from gay to straight. That's progress.
#10
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
#11
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM
TAO, on 23 November 2010 - 09:50 AM, said:
There are people out there in the the church who HAVE overcome this trial, and some of them ARE speaking up.
I think soon, we will come to a point, where there will be many who say, "I overcame my homosexual feelings and I'm Mormon!"
I give a hope for the future and a fight against the past, that I do.
No one has done that, though.
#12
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:55 AM
TAO, on 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM, said:
Like Ted Haggard?
#13
Posted 23 November 2010 - 09:58 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM, said:
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet
#14
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:00 AM
Deborah, on 23 November 2010 - 09:58 AM, said:
There is no credible evidence to suggest it's possible to change your sexuality. Obviously behavior can be changed radically.
#15
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:01 AM
nackhadlow, on 23 November 2010 - 09:00 AM, said:
How could we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, present the Gospel to the same individuals to whom this message is directed, to address these same very real feelings of despair, loneliness, fear, lack of self worth? How can we present the message to help them feel at least the same freedom, joy, and hope expressed by those who are delivering the message?
As long as there are people like Boyd K Packer leading the church - never.
But I do see glimmers of hope among some of the younger leaders of the church.
Quote
Currently the Restored Gospel offers no chance of lasting happiness for such individuals. We offer them an ultimatum: a life void of intimate romantic relationships, or condemnation. Right now they just don't fit into The Plan.
My advice to the missionaries would be to mercifully leave gays alone.
Edited by SilverKnight, 23 November 2010 - 10:01 AM.
The gray rain curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it.
White shores. And beyond, a far green country, under a swift sunrise.
#16
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:10 AM
Elders: "Your husband?"
Investigator: "...is that a problem?"
Based on what has been revealed, right now, there aren't many options as to where to go from there. The only way I can see it going would be perhaps that the Preach My Gospel discussion concerning the Plan of Salvation would, in the future, have expanded optional 'tracks' for destinational goals/vocations, which can be emphasized when it is clear there is no desire for the individual being taught to have an Eternal Heterosexual Family.
It would go like this:
Is investigator Heterosexual? Then, Lesson A ("Exaltation and Forever Families")
Homosexual, or no familiar desires? Then, Lesson B ("Salvation in the Celestial Kingdom").
LESSON B: Salvation in the Celestial Kingdom
- Focuses on their eternal goal/vocation as being a celibate angel who is Saved in perhaps the 2nd degree of the Celestial Kingdom, as in D&C 132:17.
- Scriptures on Celibacy would be emphasized, such as Matthew 19:12 (saying “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”) , and some of Paul’s teachings on the holiness of Celibacy.
- The ordinances of the temple, such as the endowment, and even sealings to parents, will be available to them, just not the ordinance of Eternal Covenant Marriage, which is reserved for those called to the vocation of Godhood. (The Covenant of the Law of Chastity have been explicitly ammended to refering to sexual relations with your spouse of the opposite gender)
The potential problem with this, is that we would see a decided ‘caste’ or 'vocation' system developed in our doctrine. The Angel Caste/Vocation are those unwilling, or who have no desires, to be heterosexually married. Their goal would be Salvation in the Celestial Kingdom. The Godhood caste/vocation are all the rest - whose goal would be Exaltation. However, both would be presented in the Church publications and conferences as honorable and noble goals.
Edited by nackhadlow, 23 November 2010 - 10:14 AM.
David T was formerly known here at MD&D as nackhadlow
#17
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:13 AM
Deborah, on 23 November 2010 - 09:52 AM, said:
While I'm sure that LDS have members who deal with this, I definitely do not know any on a personal note. From my observations, it's hidden from everyone. From my POV, it's hard to be more compassionate towards individuals when you are not aware of who they are.
My 2 cents
In Honor of Anijen, the 2012 MD&D March Madness Champion "There once was a Pharisee named Saul, Who persecuted Christians with gall. Then God struck him blind And opened his mind, So he could recognize his true call."
#18
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:18 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM, said:
Not from what I've seen...
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
#19
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:19 AM
semlogo, on 23 November 2010 - 09:54 AM, said:
Yah, I'm saying we should =D. Actually... hmmm... if I get to learn Adobe AfterEffects sometime... hmmmmm...
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
#20
Posted 23 November 2010 - 10:20 AM
As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind. -- Cleveland Armory ... I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. -- Hippolyte Taine
[On what God will say of one's own spiritual valiance]... I'd be content if He could just say to me, "Well, you weren't completely worthless." - Nathair
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users




