During the 180th Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which aired on October 2-3, President Boyd K. Packer stated, "We teach a standard of moral conduct that will protect us from Satan’s many substitutes or counterfeits for marriage. We must understand that any persuasion to enter into any relationship that is not in harmony with the principles of the gospel must be wrong. Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn temptations toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Remember, God is our Heavenly Father."
Picture from http://www.lds.org/
He is clearly stating that the church believes feelings towards others of the same-sex are disagreeable with God's plan. And he is also explaining that those people with these types of feelings should not give up because there is hope.
The gay and lesbian community has responded with protests and petitions as if they are surprised by what Packer said. The church's stance on same-sex marriage has been known for a long time, and it will most likely never change. In case the gay and lesbian community didn't know, we live in a free country and we are free to practice and preach what we believe. Not everyone has to think and feel the same way you do. This is the beauty of freedom.
I am a Latter-day Saint (LDS) but my best friend is a lesbian. She knows how I feel about her sexual orientation and she respects what I believe. I know about her feelings for the same sex and I respect those feelings. Do I go out rallying against same-sex marriage and protesting gay and lesbian relationships? No. Am I going to go out and vote for the legalization of same-sex marriage? No. How can I do this to my friend you might ask. Because it goes against what I believe in, and it is my right to hold to that belief just like Packer.
It is hypocritical for gays and lesbians to protest against what Packer said. They are mad at the LDS church for not agreeing with their way of life, but at the same time they are not agreeing with ours.
In the soundoff section of the article (I always like to read these :), Bill replies to someone calling Mormons a hate group by stating, "Hate speech? Hate speech? Really? I don't agree with what this guy said, nor do many others, but calling it hate speech is reactionary and self serving of his opponents. It shows just how crazy people can get. This guy didn't call for people to be harmed, ostracized, excommunicated or discriminated against. He said that their orientation was wrong and could be changed with enough faith. Where is the hate in that? Put it in perspective and put your soapbox away. Just because you disagree with someone does not make the other person a bigot, racist, liberal, left winger, right wing nut or Hitler reincarnate." I couldn't agree with you more, Bill.
So what then is the solution? Learn to coexist!
And this process begins with a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t. Respect others beliefs!
