It Gets Better

[David T]

This was a recent message of hope created by staff members of Pixar.

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".

[Jaybear]

This was a recent message of hope created by staff members of Pixar.

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.

[semlogo]

Until our theology advances sufficiently in this area, we can't offer anything comparable.

[Deborah]

Until our theology advances sufficiently in this area, we can't offer anything comparable.

Good grief! Our theology will not change on this. However, there is no reason for people to be treated unkindly or rejected by friends and family and that has nothing to do with theology.

[semlogo]

Good grief! Our theology will not change on this. However, there is no reason for people to be treated unkindly or rejected by friends and family and that has nothing to do with theology.

It's already changed.

[TAO]

This was a recent message of hope created by staff members of Pixar.

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.

[TAO]

It's already changed.

How so? (Be Brief though, we can't derail thread).

[Deborah]

It's already changed.

Theology hasn't changed. Same sex relations are still under condemnation. The church as a body is trying to get people to be more compassionate toward individuals. But that isn't a change either. It's just that the issue has become more public and we know about it more and are speaking more openly about it.

[semlogo]

How so? (Be Brief though, we can't derail thread).

The inclination itself used to be viewed as sinful. Also, they used to think you could go from gay to straight. That's progress.

[TAO]

You know, I think it would be cool if we could somehow find several individual who would be willing to share their experiences... and put it into video... just to show people - It can be overcome!

[semlogo]

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.

No one has done that, though.

[semlogo]

You know, I think it would be cool if we could somehow find several individual who would be willing to share their experiences... and put it into video... just to show people - It can be overcome!

Like Ted Haggard?

[Deborah]

The inclination itself used to be viewed as sinful. Also, they used to think you could go from gay to straight. That's progress.

Actually acting on the inclination has always been viewed as sinful. And when you say "they" remember this was a general psychological philosophy, not a philosophy of the church, and it was individuals who wanted to live a normal family life who were willing to got thorough therapy to change. And yes I do believe some people did change and it is possible to do so, but most won't be able to in this life.

[semlogo]

Actually acting on the inclination has always been viewed as sinful. And when you say "they" remember this was a general psychological philosophy, not a philosophy of the church, and it was individuals who wanted to live a normal family life who were willing to got thorough therapy to change. And yes I do believe some people did change and it is possible to do so, but most won't be able to in this life.

There is no credible evidence to suggest it's possible to change your sexuality. Obviously behavior can be changed radically.

[SilverKnight]

This was a recent message of hope created by staff members of Pixar.

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.

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?

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.

[David T]

By Common Consent had a post back in October that created an intriguing scenario of Elders teaching a man about the Plan of Salvation, and how families could be together forever, and testifying to the man that he knew his family could be together. The individual claims he feels something in his heart, and invites the Elders over... and notes that his husband might not be so willing to hear a religious message.

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

[blueadept]

The church as a body is trying to get people to be more compassionate toward individuals. But that isn't a change either.

There's room for improvement for all church's in this area. In my particular parish, I'm aware of handful of parishioners who struggle with the issue and they know where the church stands. They're dealing with the issue honorably from what I know of them. Showing compassion for these individuals isn't too difficult.

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

[TAO]

The inclination itself used to be viewed as sinful. Also, they used to think you could go from gay to straight. That's progress.

Not from what I've seen...

[TAO]

No one has done that, though.

Yah, I'm saying we should =D. Actually... hmmm... if I get to learn Adobe AfterEffects sometime... hmmmmm...

[TAO]

Like Ted Haggard?

0.o Who is he?

[semlogo]

Not from what I've seen...

What have you seen?

[TAO]

There is no credible evidence to suggest it's possible to change your sexuality. Obviously behavior can be changed radically.

Lol, you can't change your sexuality, but you can overcome it. Thinking about it is a behavior, after all, and you can put the inclinations in the back of one's head, that you can.

[Kenngo1969]

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.

Cow cookies. There are plenty of committed, celibate gay members of the Church. They just don't get the ink and the airtime allotted to the disgruntled ones.

[semlogo]

0.o Who is he?

A homophobic pastor who was caught hiring male prostitutes. He went into seclusion for a month or so and then suddenly announced to the world that he was "cured."

[TAO]

What have you seen?

I've seen church members take it too far, but never the first presidency... the first presidency has always had a more merciful opinion on it as far as I have seen... they worry about it's problems, but they are always merciful to the individuals.