I’m sure by now you’ve read a recent change by the Mormon church regarding participants in and children of same-sex marriages.
As a parent of an LGBT teenager (who had earlier this summer left the church and experienced significant ostracization and judgement as a result), I can tell you that this policy change has been weighing on my mind heavily over the last two days.
Never mind the fact that this has been a trigger for my mental health (which has been fragile over the last several months), and has resulted in non-stop anxiety, leading to depression last night.
Never mind the fact that this new policy means that I, potentially, (if my daughter marries a woman and decides to return to church, which seems entirely unlikely now) will be unable to bless or baptize my grandchildren.
Never mind the fact that this is on the heels of my teenage son being hammered in eight church classes last week regarding gay marriage.
Never mind that I feel lost, confused, sad, angry, depressed, anxious, protective, hopeless, uncomfortable, out-of-place, and doubtful.
Never mind the fact that this flies in the face of so many scriptures.
Never mind all that for a moment, and consider the following questions:
- Why does this policy prevent children of same-sex marriages from being blessed/baptized but not children of parents in same-sex relationships that are non-cohabiting?
- Why does this policy prevent children of same-sex marriages from being blessed/baptized but not children of different-sex parents who are cohabiting but not married?
- Why does this policy prevent children of single, divorced parents who has joint custody with a parent in a same-sex marriage from being baptized/blessed?
- Why is church discipline mandatory for someone in a same-sex marriage but only a possibility for someone who has raped, tried to kill someone, or committed adultery?
- Why is church discipline mandatory for someone in a same-sex marriage but only a possibility for someone who is having homosexual sex?
- Why does the the child of gay parents who are entirely supportive of their child growing up in the church need First Presidency approval prior to getting baptized but the child of vehemently anti-Mormon parents doesn’t?
- Why is it okay to be a child of heterosexual parents and support marriage equality but not okay to be a child of homosexual parents and support marriage equality?
This new policy just makes no sense. I just cannot see the logic in all these inconsistencies.
I grieve with you Kim for the sin in your child’s life. I know that God still loves him despite the path he has chosen. I have two nephews who struggle with this also. I am pleased that the Church has taken this stand as a bulwark against sin and the cultural depravity we see around us.
The policy has nothing to do with logic and sense it is about right and wrong.
When did Mormons forget the teachings of the scriptures? They consistently condemn homosexual practices.
What would Jesus do? I believe he would not consign his son to a life of sin and unhappiness. He would try to rescue as did the shepherd.
Peace and greetings from Calgary
The scriptures don’t consistently condemn homosexual practices, but something they do consistently condemn is our hypocrisy and love for judging others.
What would Jesus do? Maybe Matthew 19:14 can offer some insight.
“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”
And for the record, my daughter isn’t struggling with anything. She left, and this policy change has sealed her determination to never return. Where once she was ambivalent, now she is adamant.
I apologize Kim for having not read closely enough to understand that it is a daughter and not son that you refer to in your post.
I am sorry for that part of my reply to you
Blessings
Wade