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Question: What have Mormon leaders taught about the distinction between desires, feelings, or inclinations, and sexual acts?
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Questions
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What have past and present Church leaders taught about the distinction (if any) between homosexual temptations, desires, or inclinations, and homosexual acts?
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==Detailed Analysis
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The First Presidency wrote in 1991:
- There is a distinction between immoral thoughts and feelings and participating in either immoral heterosexual or any homosexual behavior.”[1]
In 1995, Elder Dallin Oaks stated:
[W]e should always distinguish between sinful acts and inappropriate feelings or potentially dangerous susceptibilities. We should reach out lovingly to those who are struggling to resist temptation. The First Presidency did this in their 14 November 1991 letter. After reaffirming the sinful nature of “fornication, adultery, and homosexual and lesbian behavior,” the Presidency added: “Individuals and their families desiring help with these matters should seek counsel from their bishop, branch president, stake or district president. We encourage Church leaders and members to reach out with love and understanding to those struggling with these issues. Many will respond to Christlike love and inspired counsel as they receive an invitation to come back and apply the atoning and healing power of the Savior. [2]
In 2006, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
- The distinction between feelings or inclinations on the one hand, and behavior on the other hand, is very clear. It’s no sin to have inclinations that if yielded to would produce behavior that would be a transgression. The sin is in yielding to temptation. Temptation is not unique. Even the Savior was tempted.
- The New Testament affirms that God has given us commandments that are difficult to keep. It is in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”[3]
On 12 October 2010, Michael Otterson (head of Church Public Affairs) noted:
- None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.
- The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.
- There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle.[4]
Answer
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Text [needs work]
== Notes ==
- [note] First Presidency, letter, 14 November 1991.
- [note] Dallin H. Oaks and Lance B. Wickman, "Same Gender Attraction," interview with Church Public Affairs (2006). off-site
- [note] Michael Otterson, "Church Responds to HRC Petition," (12 October 2010).
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