A couple years ago, a member of the Bishopric in a previous ward shared how happy he is in the Church. He shared how happy the gospel makes him and his family. He finished it off with, “I don’t even…
Sadness
Category: Doctrine/Theology
Trust
Today was my first day in a new ward. It is unavoidably true that one of the reasons for our move was to find a fresh start in a new ward. By way of synopsis, our son Jordan came out…
The Curse of the Amish and Mormonism’s Tool Box
By Michael Barker (originally published at RationalFaiths.com) The other day my wife asked me to do some, um, manly things around the house. First on the list was to tighten up the p-trap under the utility sink in the garage.…
Op-ed on Church’s Press Conference by President of Affirmation
Originally published Feb. 1, 2015 at the news-site TakePart http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/01/what-it-means-be-gay-and-mormon Breaking the Silence: What It Means to Be Gay—and Mormon On Tuesday, the Mormon church announced support for laws banning discrimination against LGBT people. One gay Mormon examines the announcement—and…
Seeing Through My Tears
I live about two hours from the Los Angeles Temple. Recently, I made my first trek there since my son came out gay about almost three years ago. I have always instinctively kept my temple recommend active and remained worthy…
The Doctrine of Celibacy
When Mormons speak of the Law of Chastity, they often define it as remaining celibate until marriage. In actuality, it would be more properly defined as remaining abstinent until marriage. Today, the words abstinent and celibate are frequently used interchangeably,…
What Manner of Men and Women Ought We to Be?
by Tom Christofferson (Address given at ALL Are Alike Unto God, 2014 Arizona LDS LGBT/SSA Conference April 26, 2014) At this tender time for my family, I am grateful to my brothers for their willingness to plan our father’s funeral…
What Words Can’t Define
Mormons, like most Christian’s, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding, pursue Christ’s words in scripture. Who’s words, on any given subject, are more authoritative than those of the Savior himself? Even more notable are subjects on which Christ never spoke…
COMPASSIONATE MINISTERING IN OUR WARDS AND STAKES
By Jonathan Manwaring As I start this morning, I want to thank all those who have organized and contributed to this conference in any way. I especially want to thank our friends for their bravery and faith in leading this…
Biblical Standards of Sexual Morality and Employment
The article, “Faith Groups Seek Exclusion from Bias Rule” New York Times, 9 July 2014), strikes me as illustrating how difficult it is for religious groups to avoid the appearance of hypocrisy, which Jesus condemned more frequently and vociferously than…