God Loveth His Children
Encyclopedia
"God Loveth His Children" is a pamphlet produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) for members with homosexual attractions. It was approved in April 2007 and was announced in July 2007 through a letter to LDS Church bishops and stake presidents, and is available in 27 languages. It represents an official statement from the church, and follows an unofficial interview with apostle Dallin H. Oaks
and general authority
Lance B. Wickman
in April of that year.
The pamphlet is not new revelation or doctrinal change, but a continuation of the direction the church has been going in the past several years. However, church leaders say chances are slim it would deviate from its sanctions against active gay relationships.
prophet
Nephi
and the Holy Ghost. In it, the Holy Ghost asks Nephi if he understands the condescension of God
. Nephi replies, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." The pamphlet makes the analogy, that like Nephi, people with same-gender attractions should know that God loves them, but some questions about same-gender attraction "must await a future answer." (pg. 1)
The pamphlet acknowledges the reality of same-gender attractions and makes clear that it is not sinful. However, it makes clear that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful, and adds that "the desire for physical gratification does not authorize immorality by anyone." (pg. 5) It emphasizes the importance of a heterosexual marriage, and that although many members have "overcome same-gender attraction in mortality, others may not be free of this challenge in this life."(pg. 4) Instead, our "desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God's children may find joy in a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children."(pg. 4)
The pamphlet does not state a cause for homosexuality. It does caution against placing blame on oneself, one's parents, or early experimentation. It teaches against pornography, co-dependent relationships, obsession with same-gender thoughts and feelings, flaunting homosexual tendencies and having friends who publicly display their homosexual feelings. Instead, it advises members with same-gender attraction to seek help from their leaders and other church members, develop self-mastery, fill their lives with goodness, nourish their spirits, and "go forward as do all other members of the church."(pg. 12) It emphasizes that many Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction move "forward with their lives by carefully adhering to gospel standards" and "they can be assured that all the blessings of eternal life will ultimately be theirs."(pg. 13)
However, regardless of how people live their lives, members should remember that "no one is, or ever could be, excluded from the circle of God's love."(pg. 13) It quotes Gordon B. Hinckley
by saying: "Our hearts reach out to those who struggle with feelings of affinity for the same gender. We remember you before the Lord, we symphathize with you, we regard you as our brothers and sisters." It acknowledges that members of the church have not always shown love, and reprimands them, saying "No member of the church should ever be intolerant." It counsels that, "As you show love and kindness to others, you give them an opportunity to change their attitudes and follow Christ more fully."(pg. 9)
Dallin H. Oaks
Dallin Harris Oaks is an American attorney, jurist, author, professor, public speaker, and religious leader. Since 1984, he has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
and general authority
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
Lance B. Wickman
Lance B. Wickman
Lance Bradley Wickman has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1994 and is the current general counsel of the LDS Church. In 2010, he became an emeritus general authorty....
in April of that year.
The pamphlet is not new revelation or doctrinal change, but a continuation of the direction the church has been going in the past several years. However, church leaders say chances are slim it would deviate from its sanctions against active gay relationships.
Doctrine
The title comes from a conversation between the Book of MormonBook of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
Nephi
Nephi
According to the Book of Mormon, Nephi was the son of Lehi, a prophet, founder of the Nephite people, and author of the first two books of the Book of Mormon, First and Second Nephi.- Early life :Nephi was the fourth of six sons of Lehi and Sariah...
and the Holy Ghost. In it, the Holy Ghost asks Nephi if he understands the condescension of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. Nephi replies, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." The pamphlet makes the analogy, that like Nephi, people with same-gender attractions should know that God loves them, but some questions about same-gender attraction "must await a future answer." (pg. 1)
The pamphlet acknowledges the reality of same-gender attractions and makes clear that it is not sinful. However, it makes clear that any sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage is sinful, and adds that "the desire for physical gratification does not authorize immorality by anyone." (pg. 5) It emphasizes the importance of a heterosexual marriage, and that although many members have "overcome same-gender attraction in mortality, others may not be free of this challenge in this life."(pg. 4) Instead, our "desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God's children may find joy in a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children."(pg. 4)
The pamphlet does not state a cause for homosexuality. It does caution against placing blame on oneself, one's parents, or early experimentation. It teaches against pornography, co-dependent relationships, obsession with same-gender thoughts and feelings, flaunting homosexual tendencies and having friends who publicly display their homosexual feelings. Instead, it advises members with same-gender attraction to seek help from their leaders and other church members, develop self-mastery, fill their lives with goodness, nourish their spirits, and "go forward as do all other members of the church."(pg. 12) It emphasizes that many Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction move "forward with their lives by carefully adhering to gospel standards" and "they can be assured that all the blessings of eternal life will ultimately be theirs."(pg. 13)
However, regardless of how people live their lives, members should remember that "no one is, or ever could be, excluded from the circle of God's love."(pg. 13) It quotes Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
by saying: "Our hearts reach out to those who struggle with feelings of affinity for the same gender. We remember you before the Lord, we symphathize with you, we regard you as our brothers and sisters." It acknowledges that members of the church have not always shown love, and reprimands them, saying "No member of the church should ever be intolerant." It counsels that, "As you show love and kindness to others, you give them an opportunity to change their attitudes and follow Christ more fully."(pg. 9)
Distribution
The pamphlet is available from the LDS Church for no cost. The text of the pamphlet is also available on the LDS Church's official website.See also
- Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsHomosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsHomosexual acts are prohibited by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Law of Chastity, as well as other sexual acts outside the bonds of marriage. Violating the Law of Chastity may result in excommunication...
- Evergreen International
- Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian MormonsAffirmation: Gay & Lesbian MormonsAffirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons is an international organization for gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and intersex people who identify as members or ex-members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...