Homosexuality: 1981 Handbook for priesthood leaders

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, rockpond said:

The transparency is in the document I posted.

They do now (for others, not the church itself).  They didn't as late as the 1990's in Colorado (my home state).

CFR.

 

[Scott Lloyd]

Inadvertent duplicate.

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by Scott Lloyd

[Atheist Mormon]

2 hours ago, ttribe said:

Is this the one that suggests the road to homosexuality is paved with masturbation?  That would seem a bit dated if it is still an official position.

Yeah...It is the fate of humanity, given enough ropes they eventually will hang themselves (which includes you & me).

[poptart]

3 hours ago, ttribe said:

Is this the one that suggests the road to homosexuality is paved with masturbation?  That would seem a bit dated if it is still an official position.

Lol wow......someone post pics of that I need something to laugh at.

[ttribe]

2 minutes ago, poptart said:

Lol wow......someone post pics of that I need something to laugh at.

http://www.newsweek.com/masturbation-gay-leaked-mormon-church-lgtb-religion-sex-748201

[Peppermint Patty]

Quote

Some claim homosexuality is incurable, therefore they seek to be considered a legitimate minority group protected by law. We should not be deceived by these false rationalizations. 

and

Quote

Professionals do not agree on the causes of homosexual behavior. However, most professional research supports the view that homosexual behavior is learned, and is influenced by unhealthy emotional development in early childhood. This explanation is most consistent with what the Lord has revealed concerning the eternal nature of man as the offspring of divine parents. Although there are probably many factors affecting the development of homosexuality, the following elements appear quite consistently:   1. Disturbed Family Background   2. Poor Relationship with Peers   3. Unhealthy Sexual Attitudes  4. Early HomosexuaI Experience

This leaked handbook is going to get a lot of traction in the local, national and international media in the next few days. 

Also, am I the only one who thought the Newsweek article was a little strange because John Dehlin stood up for the Church and all the progress they've made during the last decade? John Dehlin certainly didn't seem like an embittered and angry apostate.

Edited December 15, 2017 by Peppermint Patty

[Thinking]

Some Nuggets

Quote

Professionals do not agree on the causes of homosexual behavior. However, most professional research supports the view that homosexual behavior is learned and is influenced by unhealthy emotional development in early childhood.

Homosexual behavior is learned and can be overcome.

 

Quote

Self-masturbation is almost universal among those who engage in homosexual behavior.

The part after universal can be deleted.

Edited December 15, 2017 by Thinking

[california boy]

What should be crystal clear to anyone reading this pamphlet is that there is ZERO inspiration in any of the claims this brochure makes.  Everything from stating that Homosexuality may cause violent and criminal behavior to completely placing the blame of homosexuality on mostly the father but also the mother.  Combine that with masterbation and you have a gay child that if they pray enough their homosexuality will disappear.  

 

[california boy]

Parents Fault

From the pamhplet. (Not a lot of being guided by the Spirit going on here is there.)

Quote

a) A key factor in the development of both male and female homosexuality seems to be the lack of a warm, supportive, affectionate relationship between the individual and his father. Many times the father is either physically or emotionally uninvolved in his child's life or is punishing and authoritarian.
b) The mother usually attempts to fill the physical and emotional void left by the father. Some mothers are overprotective and dominant.
c) Because of inadequate parental examples in the home, the child does not learn proper masculine and feminine behavior.
d) The relationship between mother and father is often strained, hostile, and competitive.

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by california boy

[california boy]

Their friends fault,  (Not a lot of being guided by the Spirit going on here is there.)

From the pamphlet

Quote

2. Poor Relationship with Peers
a) The individual sees himself as being different from peers; therefore, he tends to become isolated and lonely.
b) His peers often see him as different, and they label and reject him.
c) The individual often uses homosexual behavior as a way to gain acceptance. Because he needs warmth and love, he is attracted by the apparent acceptance of others who engage in homosexual activities. d) Because he is isolated from others, he does not develop fundamental social skills and attitudes.
From the pamphlet 

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by california boy

[california boy]

Back to parents fault. (Not a lot of being guided by the Spirit going on here is there.)

From the pamphlet

Quote

3. Unhealthy Sexual Attitudes
a) The individual's parents may view sexual expression as something which is improper or even "dirty." They may pass this attitude on to their children.
b) The mother may place too much importance on a strong emotional attachment between herself and her son as a result of her efforts to fill the emotional void left by the father.
c) The mother may discourage her son's interest in girls.
d) The father's passive or negative relationship with the mother can create a negative attitude in the child about the proper relationships between a husband and wife.
e) Some young people may misinterpret Church emphasis on premarital chastity, completely avoiding heterosexual interests or relationships.

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by california boy

[california boy]

More blaming the parents.  (Not a lot of being guided by the Spirit going on here is there.)

From the pamphlet

Further on
Category I: Early memory homosexuality. An individual in this category reports having had persistent homosexual feelings or behaviors since his earliest memories. Typically he comes from a family which has had serious social-emotional problems. Usually his relationship with his father is poor or nonexistent. He generally has limited social skills and may be confused about proper male and female behavior. He usually fears the opposite sex and is afraid of close emotional ties with anyone. He may be active in the Church, but often doubts whether gospel principles and promises apply personally to him.
 

[california boy]

Can anyone make even the smallest claim that church leaders have been guided by revelation on the issue of gays in the church?  Because I have NEVER seen any indication of that.  I have only heard claims of revelation.  Not a lot of revelation going on in 1981 is there.

Edited December 15, 2017 by california boy

[Duncan]

back in the day it was believed that gay people were insane, the US Military criminalized it in 1920, there was that "Lavender Scare" gay people are a threat to national security!  It wasn't just a Church view

[sunstoned]

5 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Yeah. Somebody won't accept your lame evidence or reasoning? Just call out, "Backfire Effect(tm)!"

 

Once again we see that great apologetic defense:  ad hominem attack.

You guys are so predicable. 

[california boy]

The inspired solution to "fixing a homosexual".  Pray the gay away.  If it doesn't go away it is because the individual doesn't want it bad enough.

From the pamphlet

Quote

 

How to fix it
8. Provide hope for the despairing. Members with homosexual problems
often feel trapped and alone and believe that change is impossible. You should give them hope. The Lord loves ti ,..:Jm and will give the.. power to conquer the problem if they follow the steps leading to repentance and change. There are many who have overcome the problem through repentance, prayer, a diligent program of self-mastery, and the concern of others.

The person's success in overcoming
his homosexual behavior is directly related to how much he wants to change.

 

 

[california boy]

9 minutes ago, Duncan said:

back in the day it was believed that gay people were insane, the US Military criminalized it in 1920, there was that "Lavender Scare" gay people are a threat to national security!  It wasn't just a Church view

You are right.  This wasn't just the church view.  But the difference is that the church claimed and are STILL claiming divine guidance on how to deal with gays.  The US Military never have made such a claim.  

[rockpond]

6 hours ago, Duncan said:

it's been like that since forever! why didn't they have the internet in 1109? it's not just a today thing. I think it was Elder Maxwell who said the church is like an aircraft carrier, if you turn too sharply all the members would blow off so you have to turn slowly to keep as many in.

I agree that evidence suggests there are times where God lets us figure stuff out on our own.  But I wouldn’t refer to God letting His prophets spread faulty research as “Him teaching us.”

[rockpond]

5 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

CFR.

 

The Church’s support of Colorado’s Amendment 2 (in 1992) that was later overturned by SCOTUS in Romer v Evans. 

[Duncan]

2 minutes ago, rockpond said:

I agree that evidence suggests there are times where God lets us figure stuff out on our own.  But I wouldn’t refer to God letting His prophets spread faulty research as “Him teaching us.”

depends on what is being taught I guess! nobody even today knows what causes homosexuality let alone sexuality in general. It's that nature vs. nurture debate. My Bro is asexual, he is in his mid 40's, never had a girlfriend, never really dated anybody, he just doesn't derive anything from girls or guys, he has no real friends-he just keeps to himself and is fine with that.

[rockpond]

2 minutes ago, Duncan said:

depends on what is being taught I guess! nobody even today knows what causes homosexuality let alone sexuality in general.

God knows. 

Edited December 15, 2017 by rockpond

[Duncan]

3 minutes ago, rockpond said:

God knows. 

and we are awaiting his word on the matter. I don't know if you knew but there was supposed to be a documentary on transgender on CBC about people that basically grew out of it, they changed back to what they were before prior to the change. It got pulled though from airing. I only saw it on the commercials. it's complicated stuff

http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/cbc-transgender-kids-doc-1.4447036

[Duncan]

32 minutes ago, california boy said:

You are right.  This wasn't just the church view.  But the difference is that the church claimed and are STILL claiming divine guidance on how to deal with gays.  The US Military never have made such a claim.  

I didn't see the part though in the pamphlet that said this came out of a revelation. It seems to be a summary of research up to that time period and what to do about it.We all know though the church views has changed on how to minister to people who are gay, it wouldn't if the 1981 pamphlet was God's final word on the matter

[Scott Lloyd]

15 minutes ago, rockpond said:

The Church’s support of Colorado’s Amendment 2 (in 1992) that was later overturned by SCOTUS in Romer v Evans. 

CFR means “call for references”. Restating an earlier assertion is not providing a reference. Where’s your documentation?

[Scott Lloyd]

4 hours ago, Peppermint Patty said:

and

This leaked handbook is going to get a lot of traction in the local, national and international media in the next few days. 

Also, am I the only one who thought the Newsweek article was a little strange because John Dehlin stood up for the Church and all the progress they've made during the last decade? John Dehlin certainly didn't seem like an embittered and angry apostate.

Strikes me as damning with faint praise.