Sexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ

For hundreds or even perhaps thousands of years, people who have acted on homosexual tendencies have been treated abhorrently. Being persecuted, murdered, and cruelly condemned. Treating anyone in this way is wrong, and quite frankly, evil. 

Kindness and love are what the Savior taught. 

The Savior set the perfect example for all of us in loving the sinner without praising the behavior.

John 8:10-12

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The woman caught in adultery was not accused, condemned, or attacked with stones-- physically or metaphorically. Of note, neither did the Messiah endorse, encourage, praise, congratulate, or parade to support her choice of behavior. 

Various religions and cultures have different approaches to sexuality. 

Some Buddhist monks, Hindu Yogis, and Catholic Priests and Nuns teach that celibacy (the state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations) is the most spiritually enlightened approach to sexuality. People who do not practice celibacy can still attend their lessons and meetings but generally are not encouraged to continue the practice of being a Monk or Yogi etc. if they are not upholding the tenets of that position.

In the church of Jesus Christ, anyone can practice as the latter-day "Saint" equivalent of a "Yogi", "Monk", "Priest", or "Nun" as long as they uphold the teachings and practices of the faith. Those who do not uphold these practices and teachings may still attend church meetings and listen to lessons, but similar to the strict teachings and practices surrounding ancient Jewish Temple ordinances, not everyone who lives any lifestyle may perform ordinances in the temple or receive certain callings. This is also similar to Monks, Priests, Nuns, and Yogis.  

The Church of Jesus Christ encourages, teaches, and supports the marital relations consistent with their Temple worship. No one is forced to attend the temple. No one is forced to belong to the church of Jesus Christ, just as no one is forced to be a Jewish Priest, Catholic Priest, Nun, Yogi, or Monk.

In my opinion, teaching and supporting that the lifestyle which is consistent with the life of a Yogi, Monk, or Latter-day Saint is not hate speech because it teaches that celibacy or heterosexual marriage is most consistent with highest spiritual practice. These sexual practices are not popular outside of these religions. Popular sexual practices outside of these religions include sexual relations outside of marriage and homosexual relations. Other religions or groups have full freedom to support and encourage these sexual practices, but these sexual practices are not encouraged, taught, or paraded for in the Church of Jesus Christ, or its affiliated universities.

This does not stop our members from fiercely loving and showing kindness towards our dear beloved friends who practice homosexualrelations or extra-marital relations. 

Returning to the interaction of Jesus with the woman who was caught in adultery. Who are we going to emulate in this scenario? 

The ones who were accusatory and holding stones? Or should we try to emulate the Savior who, through his words, disarmed the accusing church members?

Perhaps, if we ponder more on the saviors words when he says "let him who is without sin first cast a stone at her", we may come to realize that we are all like the woman caught in adultery. Our sins may he different, but we all may have ways in which we find it extremely difficult to follow the commandments of Jesus Christ. What we struggle with and our circumstances may make it a challenge to recieve all blessings (temple or otherwise) in this life, but we know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ help is available on this side of the veil and the other.