Thoughts on same-sex attraction

The Church has been under attack for it's stand on same-sex marriage since it got involved with Prop 8 in California in 2008. Since then we have had to deal with issues such as the independent film "8: The Mormon Proposition," the somewhat convoluted news reports of Elder Jensen's apology on the issue, and the latest public outrage over Elder Packer's conference talk.

This is a particularly complex issue for me. As a devout member of the Church I completely accept the official position against same-sex relations and all other sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage as established by God. However, there are several people in my life who I am very close too and love dearly who struggle with same-sex attraction. Each has handled it in a different way some abandon their faith, other resigned to a life of fighting the urge, and everything in between.  I've arrive to a understanding of the issue that I am comfortable with, but I find I have trouble articulating it. Therefore I'm posting this video of the Church's latest official statement on the subject and then I'll make yet another attempt to explain my own thoughts on the subject.




Never haven't experienced same-sex attraction myself I know that my view is overly simple. There are many things I do not understand, like why some people have to deal with this and other don't. However, in my simple way, there are a few things that I do know and understand.

I know that the essence of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is charity.  I know that prejudice, hatred, and phobia against people have no place in the heart or action of any Latter-day Saint.  I also know that it is possible to have unconditional love to people without giving tacit consent to behavior and lifestyles that the Lord has clearly taught are no acceptable.

I don't understand the complexities of the issue or have great advice to offer to those who are struggling with it, but I do know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and powerful and that either in this life of the next everything that is unfair or difficult will be made right for those who are faithful to him.

For anyone interested in a more interesting view on this issue I recommend this blog: http://gaymormonguy.blogspot.com/