A new Church pamphlet prepared by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles answers frequently asked questions regarding same-sex attraction and how to deal with it.
The document, "God Loveth His Children," is now available on the Church's web site, lds.org. It will be translated into dozens of languages, distributed to priesthood leaders and will be available later through Church distribution centers.
The new resource assures Church members who struggle with same-gender attraction of God's love for all His children.
"You are a son or daughter of God, and our hearts reach out to you in warmth and affection," states the pamphlet. "Notwithstanding your present same-gender attractions, you can be happy during this life, lead a morally clean life, perform meaningful service in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with your fellow Saints and ultimately receive all the blessings of eternal life.
"God does indeed love all His children."
According to the pamphlet, there are many questions — including some related to same-gender attractions — that cannot be answered in this life.
"But God has revealed simple, unchanging truths to guide us. He loves all His children, and because He loves you, you can trust Him."
The document states that many people with same-gender attractions have strong testimonies of the gospel and, therefore, do not act on those attractions. "Attractions alone do not make you unworthy. If you avoid immoral thoughts and actions, you have not transgressed even if you feel such an attraction."
The principle applies to all of God's children, "for He has declared that all sexual relations outside of marriage are unacceptable. Everyone has temptations, but one of the purposes of mortality is to learn to overcome them."
The pamphlet encourages members to practice "self-mastery" and to "respect the sacredness of their bodies and the standards God has set." True happiness comes from self-control and self-respect, it states.
It assures those who have "violated God's commandments" that they can repent. "Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ has paid the price for your sins, and God will forgive you. After you have thoroughly and sincerely repented, you need not dwell on past transgressions."
The pamphlet further encourages members who struggle with same-gender attraction to fill their lives with goodness and participate actively in the Church. "If we fill our lives with the spiritual nourishment God has provided, we can more easily gain control over inclinations and become the masters of ourselves. This means creating a daily positive environment in which the Spirit can flourish and avoiding environments of temptation, where the Spirit is offended. A positive environment includes consistent private and public worship, church attendance, fasting, temple attendance, service, scripture reading, prayer, association with good friends and exposure to uplifting literature and music."
The document states that some people with same-gender attraction have felt rejected because members of the Church did not always show love. "No member of the Church should ever be intolerant. As you show love and kindness to others, you give them an opportunity to change their attitudes and follow Christ more fully."
Pornography, the pamphlet continues, is an especially adverse, dangerous and addictive influence. "You will be most successful in controlling your life as you constantly nourish your spirit."
It asks members not to place blame — not on themselves, not on their parents, not on God — for problems not fully understood in this life.
"Despair is another adverse influence. It often results from a lack of understanding and trust in God's continuing love as made available through the power of the Atonement. You can find hope in the fact that every blessing contemplated by Heavenly Father's plan of happiness remains available for each of His children.
"Despair and doubt may lead to withdrawal, fault-finding, and impatience that all answers and resolutions for life's problems are not immediately forthcoming."
Finally, the pamphlet encourages members to "go forward."
"If you live by the standards God has set and fill your days with worthwhile things, your life will be full of hope and you may expect opportunities for meaningful service, social inclusion and spiritual growth in this life....
"A number of Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction are moving forward with their lives by carefully adhering to gospel standards, staying close to the Lord, and obtaining ecclesiastical and professional help when needed. Their lives are rich and satisfying, and they can be assured that all the blessings of eternal life will ultimately be theirs."
