Related Information to LDS Perspective: Gay Marriage - Mormon Gays

LDS Perspective: Gay Marriage - Mormon Gays

LDS Perspective: Gay Marriage

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that it is against the Commonwealth's constitution to forbid marriage between same sex couples and ordered the legislature to fix the law within 180 days. I know the Church's official position against marriage between homosexuals, but I want to know your opinion and why you hold them. I am not looking for the "Party line," But rather well thought our responses whether they are in line with the Church's position or not.

Also, I have been told in the past that the Church maintains that their objection to sexual activity between members of the same sex is because the law of chastity forbids sex unless you are married. Since homosexuals couldn't marry the Church has asserted that they are simply holding homosexual couples to the same standard as they do men and women in relationships that aren't married. No marriage, no sex. Now, this may not be the official released position, but I know it is the explanation many members offer when questioned about it. Does this mean the Church is going to accept homosexual "Relations" Between married homosexuals as not breaking the law of chastity?

Here are my thoughts as of today:

At first I was against it because of the sanctity of marriage and it's eternal purpose, but now I am not sure. I agree that a Temple marriage can only be between male and female. This is because of the religious sanctity of marriage for eternity, for propogation and simply because that is how God intended it. However, the Church recognizes the validity of civil marriages that are only for this life and not eternity, even though this is [b]not how God intended it.

Yet they distinguish between a civil marriage and a covenant made between the marriage parties and Heavenly Father. In other words, there is not a religious covenant made in a civil marriage, but two people are allowed to marry outside of the Temple and are not breaking the law of chastity when they consumate such marriages. So, why should it matter who marries in a civil marriage, when Heavenly Father's plan for marriage is only through the Temple, anyway?

I wonder if the official position against civil marriage between homosexuals is simply a result of the social beliefs of older members of the Church who are now in positions of responsibility within the Church much like has been in the past with Church leaders from decades ago regarding interracial relationships, which were illegal for a long time in most states in the US.

While I don't think the Church is going to accept that sex between two members of the same sex is o.k., they are going to have to change what they say is the rule specifically pertaining to the Law of Chastity relating only to sex outside of marriage.

Just for the record, I know about the Bible's teachings on homosexual acts. I am not saying I think it is o.k. I am asking about objecting to it in non-religious situations that don't affect the Temple covenant (Which is the only true marriage we should be aiming to acheive), in any way that I can see.

I have not made up my mind one way of the other, but I must admit I used to be opposed to gay marriage in civil situations and now I am not sure.

I would like to have a thoughtful discussion on this topic if possible.

I am interested in discussing your views on Gay marriage from an LDS perspective only in this topic. There is a thread in general religion board to discuss the specific Massachusetts ruling and the future of marriage in general. You can click here to read it.

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Great topic Tena!

Whether it affects or not the Temple covenant it doesn't make a difference to me. Gay marriages go against everything that God have told us regards to Marriage, also of the Proclamation to the Family. We know what Heavenly Father expects from us so why we should please Satan and allow them to marry civily? It doesn't make any sense, we are 'bending' the law just to please some people. Even if we allow them to marry by law only it will carry a lot more consequences, our Church will be known as we accept homosexuality and that we don't see anything wrong with it since we are allowing homosexual couples to marry. Sorry but it sounds crazy to me. Like I said in the begining it doesn't matter whether they marry on the Temple or not, what it matters is that are two people from the same sex wanted to be married and in the eyes of God and the Church that's wrong and not possible.

LDS Perspective: Gay Marriage - Mormon Gays Studies Doctrine Mormon

Now, I am not suggesting we say it is o.k. in the eyes of God.  I don't think it is o.k. for our Church members.  It definately does go against everything the Bible teaches, but we don't attempt to force our beliefs on others when it comes to other topics, so I am just wondering why we should do so with marriage.

I do not think we should accept homosexual acts as part of our Church or allow our members to participate, but by the same token, why should we allow our members to marry outside of the Temple if they live in areas where there is a Temple readily accessible?

What do you think the Church is going to say about the Law of Chastity in light of this?  I have always been told the Law of Chastity means no sex outside of the marriage relationship.  What happens when two members of the same sex are married?  Are they breaking the Law of Chastity?

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I always thought that Temple marriage is totally up to the couple, and not on their accessability to a Temple.

I agree with the Church that same sex marriage is forbidden. The law of chastity applies to all members, married and single. No sex except within the bonds of marriage.

A member of my branch has been excommunicated because of homosexuallity, and one member was dis-fellowshipped because he was living with a woman. He moved out, and later they married.

It doesn't matter how many states make it legal, in the eyes of God, and the Church it is wrong.

I don't know if what I say next should be off topic or not- so I will just plunge ahead. I think sometimes we as a people should not be politically correct. We are in the world NOT of the world.
I vote Nay
Just my two cents.

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Exactly, so what happens when a same sex couple gets married legally in Massachusetts because their sexual act will be happening within the bonds of marriage? Then are they not breaking the Law of Chastity? I believe if a homosexual is excommunicated as it stands today, it isn't for his homosexual desires but rather for having broken the Law of Chastity and having sex with a member of the same sex outside of marriage just like would happen if they had sex outside of marriage to a member of the opposite sex. What will be the reason for excommunication if they are legally married?

LDS Perspective: Gay Marriage - Mormon Gays

I am sorry, first off I cannot read through all of this, but I did pick up on this...

Tenaheff said

A member that has disciplinary action taken against them is based on the law of God and not the law of the land. So for instance, if a member steals a car and goes to jail then the law broken in the Lord's eyes is stealing and conduct unbecoming of a member of the Church. Another example... fornication which has no civil law against it (unless with a minor) would break the law of God. Remember marriage outside of the temple is not the same as civil marriage. In my opinion I believe that civil marriage is just being 'tolerated' by the Lord. I might add, a person is not held in disciplinary action for thoughts of being gay or 'feelings' of being gay, but they can be if they act on it or teach it as a good thing. Lastly, as for the subject of this thread... being gay is a 'sickness' just as alcoholism is a sickness or disease. it is treatable, it may not be easy, but the Lord never assigns to a person the ability to already 'want' the same sex. All this in my opinion.

LDS Perspective Gay Marriage Mormon Gays

JB, it might help me to understand your point if you could tell me what the Law of Chastity is?  I always thought it was no sex outside of marrige?  If so, once they are married they wouldn't be breaking this law.  Is there a different, maybe more complete and accurate definition other than no sex outside of marriage?

In Massachusetts the talk is of marriage not civil unions like other states have said, but marriage with no difference between same sex and different sex couples.

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Law of Chastity

No sexual relation outside marriage between any sex - male or female
No petting or necking
Complete fidelity within marriage
No homosexual relations or obscure relations (such as with animals)
No self inflicted sexual arousal such as in masturbation, porn, etc.

You can also look at this;

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is
abomination.