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nerdygaymormon · 4 years ago

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What do you think about the possible excommunication of Natasha Helfer?

Before this week, the only thing I knew about Natasha Helfer is I’d read an article she’d written about masturbation being part of normal sexual development, and she doesn’t see it as sinful. I agree with her.

Because of the publicity surrounding her summons to a membership council, I now know much more about her.

She made a video about being summoned to a membership council scheduled for April 18th. For starters, a stake where she hasn’t lived since 2019 has decided to do this, which seems strange to me.

Here’s the things the summons letter cites as “misconduct”:

Support for same-sex marriage

Teaching that masturbation is part of a normative sexual-development journey and should not be seen as “sin” or as a reason to keep our youth from being considered worthy to serve or church activities

Her stances on sexually-explicit materials, aka pornography (she believes this is because she educates about using a values model vs an addiction model in the treatment of such concerns)

She’s been critical of Church leaders

Concerns she has encouraged people to leave the Church

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I went to section 32.6 of the General Handbook which lists the things someone may face a membership council. Frankly, the things listed in the letter sent to Natasha Helfer are not found in the Handbook.

I suppose these could fit under the charge of “Apostasy,” because she publicly declares opinions different from the Church. Here’s what the Handbook says constitutes apostasy:

Repeatedly acting in clear and deliberate public opposition to the Church, its doctrine, its policies, or its leaders

Persisting in teaching as Church doctrine what is not Church doctrine after being corrected by the bishop or stake president

Showing a pattern of intentionally working to weaken the faith and activity of Church members

Continuing to follow the teachings of apostate sects after being corrected by the bishop or stake president

Formally joining another church and promoting its teachings (Total inactivity in the Church or attending another church does not by itself constitute apostasy. However, if a member formally joins another church and advocates its teachings, withdrawing his or her membership may be necessary.)

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Natasha Helfer is a well-known LDS marriage counselor and certified sex therapist in Utah. She’s written several articles that have been widely read. She’s been a recurring guest on the Mormon Mental Health podcast, Mormon Matters and appeared on many other podcasts.

She’s particularly sought out because of her training & expertise and her experiences in helping members of the Church overcome their sense of shame regarding sexuality.

As a marriage counselor, she helps couples where one or both goes through a faith crisis, she says she doesn’t encourage anyone to leave the Church but honors their choices and helps them work through their thoughts & feelings, and also the effect it has on their marriage.

Because of the news about her being summoned for a membership council, I’ve learned more about her positions. Here’s a list of some of the things I’ve seen in her writing:

Sex Ed in Utah public schools should be comprehensive and accurate

Sexual assault is a crime & should be talked about as such

The LDS Church should know how to address sexual misconduct and sexual assault much better than it currently does

We should embrace and minister to our trangender neighbors, not fear them and make church difficult for them

Excommunication is cruel and unusual punishment which often is a traumatic experience used by the Church to silence its critics

Service Missions should be setup to be meaningful and seen as equal to proselyting missions

LGBTQ+ members should be affirmed and included in their faith community

LDS teachings & messages to LGBTQ+ members is akin to bullying and has real-world consequences on their mental health & lives

Fear of the BYU Honor Code actually causes many to not seek repentance for fear of academic punishment

The Church teaching that only certain families that fit the mold will get to enjoy the afterlife together is harmful. Mormon Heaven = Sad Heaven. She lists many groups who are harmed by this teaching, including: mixed-faith families, LGBTQ+ individuals & their families, families where someone struggles with addiction, single-parent families, families trying to deal with abuse & trauma, families dealing with mental health conditions such as bi-polar or impulse-control, family survivors of someone who died by suicide

When the Church rescinded the policy of exclusion against gay couples and their children, it should have been accompanied by an apology, not just a brief statement of the announcement with no explanation for the change

Social media isn’t the problem, how we use it is. If we’re keeping in touch with family & friends with whom we otherwise wouldn’t because of distance, accessing support you wouldn’t find in your area, obtaining ideas & resources, these are good. Comparing ourselves to others’ “best selves”, debating others, writing mean comments and such are not helpful. Too often people behave differently online than they do in person

We should wish people well when they leave our church and faith community and wish them well on their spiritual journey. We do a good job at celebrating newcomers even though many of them had to say goodbye to something in order to say hello to us

We need to speak of abortion more than as if anyone who gets one is evil. Even the Church’s position makes room for abortion in certain circumstances and we should be more nuanced in how we speak of it

Biological sex and gender are not binary. This may be LDS doctrine but the sciences of Biology and Psychology say otherwise

She supported the law ending conversion therapy in Utah of LGBTQ+ people

Racism is a public health emergency in the USA, racism is more than hate, it’s in our systems. It’s in our scriptures, our folklore, our culture, our history

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It’s acceptance and moving forward

She also has many articles & podcasts about improving marriage relationships, how to talk with your child about sex, tips for a mixed-faith marriage and similar topics directly related to her job as a marriage counselor and sex therapist.

I’m very impressed, from what I see. She is a tremendous force for good in our LDS community. We need people willing to speak the truth.

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Here’s two articles that especially impressed me.

First is one is about masturbation, how it’s a legitimate way to meet one’s needs and some of the many benefits associated with sexual release.

Second is one about pornography, the LDS culture gives pornography more power than it deserves with our blanket bans, secrecy & shaming, and calling virtually all porn viewing an addiction.

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Frankly, based on what I post on my blog, I could be charged with all the same things that Natasha Helfer is being charged with.

Do I support same-sex marriage? Yes. Absolutely.

Do I think masturbation is a sin? No, and I think many Church websites, publications, and the General Handbook back up this view.

Is masturbation a normal part of sexual development? Yes. And it has many benefits for individuals, especially singles like me, and even within a marriage

Is porn always wrong? I definitely can think of ways porn can be included inside a healthy marriage, perhaps as a way to help a partner get “in the mood,” or for someone with a higher libido to use along with masturbation, as part of foreplay, or even getting some ideas to spice up their love life.

Have I been critical of Church leaders? You betcha. I think they’re wrong on LGBTQ+ topics and I say so.

Do I encourage people to leave the Church? I don’t view myself this way, although I wouldn’t say that I try to get them to stay, either. It’s their path to walk. I know most LGBTQ+ people leave the Church, it’s the way our journeys normally go. I feel God has told me it’s fine for me to leave this church, so in no way do I think poorly of people who leave. This church isn’t ready for queer people and I don’t think God requires us to remain some place that harms us.

My understanding is we’re allowed to have beliefs that differ from the Church, as long as we’re not recruiting people to our side. Simply sharing your opinion or some differences in how you view things shouldn’t be something we can be punished for.

I suppose the difference between her and me is she’s seen as a high-profile individual and she’s using her credentials to give weight to her opinions, and I’m just some rando gay guy who has a blog.

#natasha helfer #long post

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wherepoetswentodie · 5 years ago

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Hiii, this is part of the fic that I’m working on atm that I’m uploading because I crave validation and also feel guilty when I don’t upload anything

~~~~~

At 18 years old, Kevin Price didn’t know who he was, but he knew who he was meant to be.

He was meant to be loyal to his Church and his family. He was meant to drive his younger sister, Grace, to and from dance practice and make sure that his younger brother, Jack, was behaving when they were in Church (he almost always wasn’t). He was meant to get straight As in all of his classes (which he did), volunteer at an animal shelter when he wasn’t working a terrible minimum wage job at Target and being the most supportive little brother in helping his eldest brother plan his wedding - which was extremely boring, because Kevin couldn’t bring himself to care about the colour of the ties.

Strangely enough, it was at Target that Kevin began to realise things about himself. It was actually in the parking lot of said Target that he had his first kiss - with a boy.

Kevin had first got to know Brad Copeland when they were 16; one of the few non-Mormons at his school and someone who had always known exactly who he was and where he was going. He had told Kevin exactly who he was when he had been showing Kevin around on his first day of the job.

“I’m going to cosmetology school once I finish High School,” Brad cheerfully told him, “I’m also gay, if you didn’t work that out from, you know...” he gestured vaguely to himself.

“Uh, yeah,” Kevin said awkwardly, “Anyway, um...the - the cash registers...”

It had scared Kevin at first, seeing someone so openly themselves, but then he had started to relax around him. Hesitantly whispering that yeah, that customer is cute, even when the customer in question was a boy and even letting Brad practice by painting his nails (though the varnish was swiftly removed before Kevin went home).

And he supposed that’s how he ended up with having a boyfriend without even realising that he had a boyfriend. (Deep down, Kevin knew that there was nothing platonic about anything that he and Brad did together, but he had never been one to really dive deep into his feelings).

Brad was the only person who really understood Kevin, probably much better than he understood himself. He knew things about Kevin that no one else did; he knew that he liked to be the little spoon and that he didn’t really understand the scripture that he was so good at mindlessly repeating.

And being Catholic, Brad wasn’t much help when Kevin tried to work out why Joseph Smith didn’t just show everyone the golden plates and stop people questioning if he was telling the truth or not.

“Maybe they were too heavy for him to pick up,” Brad suggested.

“What?” Kevin asked, turning around on his desk chair to stare at him, half confused at what he had just said, and half confused as to why he was curled up in his bed like he was in his own house. Not that Kevin really minded him being in his bed, he was just more concerned about the fact that he was meant to be applying to colleges and was very obviously not doing that.

Brad shrugged and pulled Kevin’s blanket tighter around him, “I’m Catholic, I’m still trying to work out how the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible. I thought it wasn’t a physical thing.”

Kevin snorted, “When was the last time you went to Church?”

“I dunno, I think when my Grandma died when I was like 10?”

“It’s been 8 years!”

“At least one of us can do math,”

Kevin tutted and turned back to his Book of Mormon, clicking his pen. He was having one of those days where he couldn’t focus on what he was reading because he was far too distracted by the boy in his bed - and for all the wrong reasons.

“I’m going to break your hand!” Brad exclaimed, “stop clicking your damn pen,”

“Dang,” Kevin corrected, standing up from his chair and sitting on the edge of the bed.

Brad rolled his eyes and tugged on Kevin’s arm a little, “When are your family going to be home?”

“Two or three hours probably,” Kevin said, tugging his arm out of Brad’s grip in favour of taking his hand.

“So, come cuddle me,” Brad said.

“Needy,” Kevin mumbled, curling up next to him anyway.

Brad laughed and slid his arms around Kevin’s middle, pulling him closer. Kevin closed his eyes against the shouting in his head that was telling him he was going to Hell and tried to stay in the moment; the gentle puffs of Brad’s breath blowing through his hair, the hands running up and down his back and the fact that, for a short time, he could let go and be who he wanted to be - no matter how much it scared him.

“I’m really glad you’re my boyfriend, Kevin,”

Kevin’s eyes shot open and he looked up at Brad, his heart suddenly beating uncontrollably fast.

“B-Boyfriend?” Kevin said, “I’m your boyfriend?”

“We make out all the time,” Brad said with a giggle, “and you literally took me out on a date last week,”

Kevin smiled and closed his eyes again; the shouting in his head had just gotten that little bit louder, but he could still just about block it out and focus on Brad tangling their legs together and him pressing a kiss to his temple.

“You know, my brother is getting married in like six months,” Kevin muttered.

“I know,” Brad said, “Getting married at 22 is a bit much, isn’t it?”

Kevin shrugged, “I don’t know, that’s probably when I’ll get married,”

Brad pulled back slightly and looked down at him, a small smile playing on his lips, “What, you think it’s going to be legal then?”

Kevin frowned and wiggled out of Brad’s arms, sitting back against the headboard.

“It’s already legal?” Kevin said.

“No, it isn’t,” Brad said, talking very slowly, “It’s illegal for two men to get married, Kevin. Gay marriage isn’t a thing,”

Kevin scoffed and rolled his eyes, “I’m not gay,”

“No, I know you’re bi, but I think it’s still called a gay wedding even if-”

“I’m straight,” Kevin said firmly.

“Straight?” Brad laughed, “In what world are you straight?”

“I can’t be gay or bi,”

“Gay marriage being illegal doesn’t make being gay illegal, Kev,”

“I’m LDS! It might as well be!” Kevin snapped.

“You know there’s more to you than being LDS, right?”

“No, there isn’t,” Kevin said firmly, “but I don’t need to be more. I’m already enough as it is. Heavenly Father will reward me in the afterlife when I get to live with my eternal family,”

“So you can’t be gay but you can act like you’re my boyfriend?” Brad asked furiously, “I get that we can’t be out to your parents, but we can be out to each other, can’t we?”

Kevin jumped up out of bed and shook his head, “You don’t get it!”

“Whatever, Kev,” Brad snapped, shoving past him and slamming the door shut behind it.

Kevin stared at the space that Brad had been lying in moments before until everything clicked into place and the reality of what he was doing clicked into place. He snatched his phone off the bed and deleted Brad’s number. He sat back down at his desk and ripped open his Book of Mormon, flicking through to the verse that always made him feel better when he felt like God was actually going to smite him.

“But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness with intent, they were forgiven,”

#tbom #tbom musical #Kevin Price #Elder Price #mcpriceley

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relatablemormonmoments · 5 years ago

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General Conference October 2019 Sunday Sessions

Morning

Garret W. Gong

We find ourselves becoming free, alive, real

Divine covenants become a source of love for and from God

Comfort the Hurt we feel

Our God is a God of Covenant

God's ordinances and covenants are universal

All things work together for our good if we keep commandments and covenants

Along life'a path, we may lose faith in God, but he never loses faith in us

He will helpnus, one step at a time

We can ask God with a sincere heart

BOM speaks of ancient and modern covenant to you

Alma: enter into a covenant with the Lord and serve him that you might feel joy

Priesthood blessings heal, comfort, and council

Covenant marriage is supernal and eternal- me becomes we

When learn to pray with real intent - strong spiritual confirmation

Genealogy strengthens us

Christina B. Franco

We know who we are - God's children.

God provided perfect plan to his purpose

Satan is an enemy to God's plan

Blessing of comfort and protection - also gave blessing of knowlege and direction

You can't miss the missionaries

"Get into my car! You're coming home to teach me!"

Every day before leaving house, ask Heavenly Father to guide her to someone who needs the church

Gathering of Israel

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

YASSSSSSSSSS

Lord of the Rings - Unremarkable Hobbit presented with remarkable adventure

Most hobbits don't want adventure. Challenging, dangerous

Bilbo leaves comfort behind and embarks

This story is our story too

We knew we would make many mistakes along the way

Potential was well worth the risk

Metaphorical spiders and trolls

Discipleship is like learning to play the piano

Day will come

The only way to progress is to help others progress

Spirit is enlarged and we walk a little taller

Fill heart with pure love of Christ and leave no room for rankor, judgement, and shaming

We joyfully accept that grest commission

Regardless of who a person is or what they do, we invite them to join

Get a good nights rest, eat a good meal, and start off first thing in the morning

Nearly distracted by messy house, but good friend (Gandalf) beckoned him to come

Take courage, compassion, and continue on your journey

Please come back, join again, make us stronger

Come, come and see what the marvelous journey is all about

Talk to missionaries

Walter F. Gonzalez

Blessings come in due time

Accept the Lord's will

Thy will be done

Humble attitude and sincere desire

We can feel broken due to our circumstances

We can place our will into his hands

God's face is brighter than the sun

Fumble towards a God I can trust because he loves us

Power of hope

Savior wants to help us be clean

Accept his will, not our own

He can heal us and lift us up

You can be mended because he loves you

"I will make thou clean

Gary E. Stevenson

Son with white paintbrush

"Be careful, there are a lot of skunks out there" - Uncle Grover

Blissfully unaware of the impending threat

Unsatisfied with truth

Satan would have us question things and replace them

Moses was in a high mountain and in the similitude of God's only Begotten

"Who art thou, for I am a son of God!"

There is much we can learn from Moses' response to the adversary

Moses did not yield

Lord blessed Moses for his obedience

God gives us commandments through his servants

God communes with prophets

Adjustments to procedures and ordinances

Adversary always tricks you into believing he is something hes not

May we recognise Satan's deceptions for what they are

We are the saints of the Almighty God

Russell M. Nelson

Mutual Commitment to Religious Freedom, offered financial Assistance to repair Mosques hurt in Christchurch

Young Blind 14 YO woman's letter to Prophet comparing herself to him (funny AND sweet)

God turns our hearts to the well being of others

The church's humanitarian outreach began in the 1984 fast for Africa's drought. 6.4 mill dollars made by the churchwide one day fast

LDS Charities - more than 2 bill dollars raised in aid throughout world since 1984

Go hungry to help others who are hungry

Power of the law and spirit of the fast

For I was enhungered and ye gave me meat [...] Ye have done it unto me

129 bishops storehouses around world

Almost 1 in 9 pf earth's inhabitants are malnourished

Church supplied emergency supplies for refugees from 56 countries

Afternoon

Eyring

Surely nobody would reject the offer of more happiness

Path to being more holy

Faith in Christ, Exercise it

Certifying Worthiness

You have never been here before, you are remembering a moment before you were born

Miracle of happiness from growing holiness

Happy years of service in temple

Sometimes we feel denied happiness

Job - holy and perfect

Job ready to see his trials in a higher and holier way

Do what is needed for God to change us

Repentance is accepting change

Hans T. Boom

Without sound of Gong- which was only a minor part- performance would not have been the same, even if it was costly to transport

Some of you might feel so overburdened that you don't even feel like you are on the path of life

We must minister to each other

Repentance is a daily process

Attempts to ask of God give us a clearer understanding of who we are and why we are needed

Let us rejoice together

We are all children of a heavenly father who loves us

M. Russell Ballard

Thou shalt live together in love for the result of the loss of those who die

Daily consecrated efforts to keep family together

Watched musical with his wife over and over again (Alzheimer's)

Liive each day together with hearts filled with gratitude

Reunion-Plan of happiness

Physically suffered but spirit was strong, resiliant, and pure.

How sweet, how comforting -Hinkley on Marriage

I find it astonishing how this apostle is worrying about whether or not he's living right. Big mood We stan.

Ongoing battle between physicalnbody and spirits

How can we empathize our eternal spiritual nature

Veil of forgetfulness makes us lose sight of God and spiritual nature

Choose to recieve eternal joy

Slow down a bit and think where you are now

♡Peter M. Johnson

You are wonderful, you are beautiful

All human beings are created in the image of God

You are the elect sons and daughters of God

Deception, distraction, discouragement: Satan's 3 D's of destruction

I really like this guy already

Remember who you are- a child of God

If we do not understand who we are, then it is difficult to understand who we can become

Technology is amazing but it can distract us, be careful, not casual

Do not compare yourself to others

Finished reading BOM each semester through doctorate program

Peace be with you

Let your heart be not troubled

Love God with heart might mind and strength

See Family Friends and Neighbors as Children of God

Pray every day

Read and study BOM every day, with a question in mind

Powerfully partake of the sacrament every week

Ulysses Soares

Accept the savior's invitation and you will expel your loneliness

There is always hope in God for LGBTQ individuals

Accept the invitation even if you've committed serioud sins

Savior's Grace is not limited

We can't repent for others, but we can forgive them

Trust in the Savior's promise

Be humble and trust in God

The Lord's timing is different than ours

Be ready to accept the Lord's will

Neil L. Anderson

FRUIT!

Fruit has long been. Treasured delicacy

Scriptures compare good fruit to Godly things

Most precious fruit = Plan of redemption

Partaking of the fruit means we embrace ordinances

Staying true to the Lord is still not easily done

Spacious building

Adversary's construction crews are working overtime

Don't allow others to turn you away from the blessings of the fruit

"I just pray for the use of my hands" - never recieved it

Trustedbin God's plans

"We would have to go through hard things, we would make mistakes"

Russell M. Nelson

Become more holy

Personal Holiness

Temples

Prepare yourself to bring blessings

General conference next April will be very unique 🤔🤔🤔

Read Joseph Smith's account of the first vision b4 April

Read BOM b4 April

#lds #ldsconf #lds general conference #lds church #lds general conference 2019 #general conference #mormon #latter day saint #mormon teen #the church of jesus christ of latter day saints

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rolkientolkien · 5 years ago

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I posted this on some LDS advertisements, but this is still applicable to Tumblr, and to those LDS who are on Tumblr. If you want more resources, I’ll link to the Cultish podcast by Apologia Church right here. Jesus said that he would build his church and the gates of Hell would never over come it, yet Joseph Smith basically says that Jesus failed, that his church failed because there was some sort of "Great Apostasy." Jesus also said that his word will not pass away, yet the LDS church says that there are parts precious and missing from God's word. So did Jesus lie, God can't lie can he? God himself says in Isaiah 43:10, "You are my witnesses," declares YHWH, "And my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he, before me there is no god was formed, nor shall there be after me." Deuteronomy 4:35, "To you it was shown was shown that you might know that YHWH he is Elohiem, there is no other besides him." Isaiah 45:5-6, "I am YHWH and there is no other, beside me there is no God. I will gird you though you have not known me. That men may know that from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides me. I am YHWH and there is no other." Jeremiah 10:10-14, "But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, And the nations cannot endure His indignation. Thus you shall say to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses. Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them." Yet the LDS church says that there are millions gods of different universes, and that you can become a god of your own planet. How can this be if scripture plainly states that YHWH is THE ONLY God? The other problem is that the LDS denies that God is truine and self existent. Psalm 102 and Hebrews 1 say different, Psalm 102:24-28, "I say, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, Your years are throughout all generations. “Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. “Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. “But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end. “The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You.” Hebrews 1:8-12, "But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” The psalmist attributes this to YHWH, saying that he is immutable and is only describing YHWH, but in Hebrews 1:8-12 Paul is attributing the same attributes of YHWH to Jesus! Making the connection that Jesus eternally existed before the foundations of the earth, that the Father and the Son are co-eternal and co-existing. The Holy Spirit is God and not a feminine being or force, or burning in the bosom. Jesus said that he could send another comforter, and in Greek the word used is paraclete which is translated as defender or advocate, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you," (John 14:16-17). And not just this passage but many more in the Old Testament illustrate the Spirit of YHWH coming down and settling in the ones that God chose lead Israel or prophecy. You cannot claim to know Christ if you do not worship him in spirit and in truth, and if you don't worship God in spirit and in truth then you are worshiping an idol and not the Living God. I mean this in love, please repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the power to forgive sins and who says, "my burden is easy and light." Who's grace is sufficient, who saves perfectly and will never let go of his elect, his people (John 6:35-40), who takes our sinful righteousness and gives us his perfect righteousness (Romans 4).

#Christianity #Mormonism #Evangelism #Reformed Theology

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automatismoateo · 2 years ago

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I don't trash talk my former religion in public, but today I had no choice but to post this on Facebook for my family and friends. via /r/atheism

I don't trash talk my former religion in public, but today I had no choice but to post this on Facebook for my family and friends.

I have not posted much on Facebook lately, but this is important. I also don't often criticize my former religion, the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints (aka LDS aka Mormons) in public, although my close friends certainly know my feelings. This is because I have friends and family who still devoutly believe, and an unsolicited conversation on religion is unlikely to change minds or benefit relationships. But on this day, there is a AP news report regarding actions of the LDS organization that everyone should know about. I'm sharing this here, loudly and publicly, because devout LDS need to see it.

People have a natural disinclination to hear criticism of themselves or of their closely held beliefs. In the LDS church, this is reinforced by instructions from their leadership. Instructions to only read approved church literature, to believe only the elders of the church, to ignore your doubts and believe regardless of the facts presented to you, and to expel those who dissent. As such, many active LDS have not and will not even hear about these and other aspects of their own religion.

I need you to overcome your hesitation, natural and instilled, and read this report.

https://apnews.com/article/Mormon-church-sexual-abuse-investigation-e0e39cf9aa4fbe0d8c1442033b894660

This report tells about a policy of the LDS church leadership. This is not the action of a few bad examples. This is not ancient history, thinly dismissed as "different times and norms". This is current LDS policy: information given to church leadership about child sexual abuse shall result, not in a call to police, but in a call to the LDS clergy "help line". The help line tells the clergy to hide the information. To protect the abuser. To offer useless platitudes of repentance and forgiveness.

This feels familiar, doesn't it? 20 years ago it was the Catholic church; abuse concealed and predators shuffled around. 3 years ago it was the Southern Baptist Conference, where the leadership claims to have no control over individual pastors, even as they endorse them and promote them despite credible, repeated reports of sexual misconduct. And now, the LDS church hides and protects rapists. In every case, the public release of this information was preceded by whispers, rumors, crass jokes, and a quiet flood of victims who felt forced out of their faith by the leadership's refusal to protect them.

The LDS organization has already made a response: in this case, the clergy was not required by law to report the abuse. This excuse is insulting and indefensible. Law be damned; any reasonable person has a moral and ethical responsibility to prevent the events described here. A church policy contradicting this responsibility is morally bankrupt and reprehensible. It represents the worst sensibility of organizational self-preservation at the expense of vulnerable people. There is no possible defense.

If you've made it this far through my note, or read the AP news article, congratulations. You already know more about this than your bishop wants you to. Now, what can you do? At the bare minimum, share the news of this policy with your fellow LDS. You can all form your own opinion, but it can only be an honest opinion if you know the facts.

If you feel strongly about these facts, tell your leadership. This is your church. It cannot exist without you. So long as you support it, its behavior reflects upon you as surely as yours represents it. Tell them what you expect them to do. If you feel the way I do, maybe you'll tell them they won't receive any more tithing or free labor as callings and building cleaning. And if, like me, you are disgusted and horrified by this official policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, well, tomorrow is Fast & Testimony Meeting. You can do all these things and set an example for your community by bearing your testimony that these actions are a poor representation of your religious belief.

Submitted August 07, 2022 at 06:12AM by The_Killdeer (From Reddit https://ift.tt/xUWgsOR)

#reddit

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forgivenseventytimesseven · 8 years ago

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my ultimate favourite scripture on repentance! God calls us to repent because He wants us to repent as a result of His love for us. He shows us our sins and weaknesses because He needs us to realise we need to change, for our own sakes. Repentance isn't a punishment, it's a call to act. A call to be able to experience 100% of the blessings He has in store for each of us as individuals. He doesn't chastise us because He wants us to feel guilty. God wants us to feel joyful. He wants us to be worthy. He wants us to be happy and free. God loves us even when we have sinned, that love will never change. Just whilst we are in sin He hasn't got full influence on us due to the Spirits withdrawal and Satan's chains. He cannot have that. He doesn't want that for us. He wants us to be wrapped in His arms, not cords that bind us. Here is the scripture .. Doctrine & Covenants 95:1 ❤

#mormon #mortality #lds #sin #repentance #repent #change #sorrow #forgiveness #clean #the church of jesus christ of latter day saints #tumblrstake #jesus christ #christianity #christian #doctrine and covenants #standard works

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asecretthirdthing · 4 years ago

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Went to scripture study last night just to like fuck around and find out. The topic was the Atonement and I didn’t talk the entire time. Got kind of angry at two points cause the woman that was leading it was like “and we have Bethany here, welcome back” like ok make the fact I havent been active known to everyone…also when they were talking about forgiveness she mentioned about gods ultimate forgiveness “this one girl drifted away, and was drinking and on drugs! Even after that she repented and turned around her life” and I’m just like damn that’s crazy. Idk why the way she said it made me angry. But I saw bishop and he’s one of the only people there who I genuinely think is so awesome and talked with him a bit, finally got my MRN so downloaded the lds tools app after connecting my MRN to my account but it still won’t let me in cause it doesn’t recognize that I added it, I’ve tried everything. So I’m like is this a sign from the universe that I shouldn’t go back? Lol I’m interested in just getting involved again to see if it helps me but I felt so out of place. And felt like everyone except bishop was babying me. Like if I get involved again like “really” involved I know I’m gonna have to quit my fucking job cause I’m serving coffee and alcohol and can’t get sundays off and I know that won’t “align” but also even taking church out of the picture I’m still worried about my job because getting sober is becoming more and more important and I keep relapsing but I’m making it 3 days, 4 days. And then go on a bender and then rinse and repeat. And the culture at my job makes it so hard not to drink. I did it for a while when I was on meds in 2020. Maybe I should get back on meds? Lolllll but I don’t want to!! Ugh. Everything is a mess. Faith crisis, health problems from drinking/drugs/smoking and no doctor to see cause no insurance. Eating like shit and my room is disgusting and all I’m doing is working and drinking and on my attempts at not drinking I’m not doing anything just sleeping like I’m not living life I feel. Overwhelmed by the amount I have to fix, upset at myself for getting myself here.

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crosshunting · 4 years ago

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A friend asked me to repost this:

I learned something very valuable this week. I met a beautiful active LDS women at the encircle house a few weeks ago. Her story with her son is featured on the Mormon and Gay church website and she is a professional counselor.

She drew this diagram for me. The bottom smaller circle is the doctrine of the church or "the doctrine of Christ". This is a small circle because the doctrine is simple and it is all about our Savior and how we need to be more like him and gives us direction on how we need to follow in his footsteps. It follows the greatest commandment which is to love thy neighbor.

The next circle is church policy. You will notice that this circle is bigger than the first circle. Church policy includes things like the word of wisdom, modesty and appearance, men wearing white shirts for ordinances, even the most current policy for LGBT families and their children. Church policy has a purpose and sometimes we understand the purposes of some policies better than others. Some policies we like and others we struggle with. The problem comes when people look at church policy and live their lives around policy rather than doctrine.

Look again at the diagram. Church culture is the biggest circle and it stems way more out of policy than doctrine. I have no problem with most of the church's policy because much of it helps you to be a better person and gives good guidelines. For example some are on how to take care of your bodies or how to show respect for sacred ordinances by how you dress. My concern though is when policy takes over doctrine and causes people to judge or act unloving to someone. This is where church culture can be so damaging if it represents policy and not the doctrine of Christ .

Let me give you an example. My niece worked at Zupas a few years ago. A year before this she was really struggling with her testimony and was just finding her way back to full activity in the church. She said, " I was working the evening shift one day and this group of women came in that looked like they had just come from the temple. I was working the cash register and when they reached me, they all kind of wouldn't make eye contact with me. I asked them if they had just came from the temple and one of them turned to me and said in a very rude tone, "what would you know about that?" I said that I was LDS and she said then said "any good Mormon knows that getting a second piercing is a sin and I should go repent before talking about something as sacred as the temple again."

I hope whoever is reading this is gasping right now. My niece reaches out to a group coming from the temple and they reacted this way to her because her ears were double pierced. (Which by the way is not a sin..... just a suggestion or guideline) Instead of these women looking at my niece through the doctrine of Christ they chose to look at her through policy and chose to judge instead of to love. I have my ears double pierced and thank goodness I have not had one person condemn me. Not even the cute little old temple workers. This could have been such a different experience for my niece had this group of women looked at my niece and her heart rather than just at her ears.

I am a nurse and the majority of my patients who have just had babies are not married and most have several tattoos. In my beliefs you get married before you have kids and you don't get tattoos. What if I loved these beautiful women only based on my church's policy and not by the doctrine of Christ? Can you imagine the judgement they would feel from me? It's not my place. My place is to only love. In fact some of them have the most beautiful tattoos that represent some of their hardest times in their lives or some of their most beautiful moments. I love that they will tell me their life's story through their tattoos. I love them with or without their tattoos. I just don't care about their tattoos. It doesn't bother me at all. What I care about is that they leave my care feeling loved.

What I hope is that we as church members can get out of our comfort zones because focusing on policy makes us very letter of the law type of people. Focusing on the doctrine of Christ makes us spirit of the law people. How long will it take us to figure out that the law killeth and the spirit giveth life? This is exactly why Christ asked everyone to start living the spirit rather then the letter.

I will now share the advice that was given to me and what I try and do. I haven't been perfect at this and I have had to grow and repent a lot. The advise was....Next time you see someone with two earrings, a tattoo, or dressed in something you don't approve of, and your thoughts take you to a place of judgement.....STOP yourself and ask your Heavenly Father for forgiveness. THEN turn back around and look at that person and try and see them the way their Heavenly Father would and only LOVE them. It is amazing how much love God gives you to share if we can all shed the sides of ourselves that would rather judge.

So much pure happiness has come into my life when I follow the doctrine of Christ. When following the spirit of the law you just don't have time to judge because your time is now just filled up with people to love! ❤️

#stolethis #notmine #publicposts #loveliveson

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mindfulldsliving · 5 days ago

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Finding Forgiveness and Spiritual Strength Through Christ’s Healing Power and Grace

Redemption through Christ brings hope and healing to even the most broken hearts. It’s more than forgiveness—it’s a chance to grow spiritually, find strength, and feel His mercy daily. The Savior’s grace invites us to let go of our pain, trust in His power, and embrace a renewed life. Scriptures remind us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew…

#Applying faith to overcome weaknesses #Applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ #Bible #Bible and Book of Mormon scriptures on repentance #Christ-centered personal development #Christianity #Church of Jesus Christ General Conference highlights #Daily repentance and forgiveness #Elder&039;s Quorum lessons on redemption and covenants #Eternal life through faith in Christ #Experiencing Christ’s love #faith #Faith and perseverance in hard times #Faith-based personal development #Finding joy in overcoming personal challenges #God #Growing closer to God through repentance #Healing from sin and mistakes #Healing through the Savior’s love #How to embrace Jesus Christ’s healing power in your life #Inspirational Christian teachings on repentance #Inspirational LDS talks #Jesus #Jesus Christ&039;s redemptive power #Key scriptures about repentance and forgiveness #LDS General Conference October 2024 #LDS principles for navigating spiritual transformation #LDS scripture study insights #LDS teachings on redemption and spiritual healing #LDS teachings on spiritual refinement

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lincoln-cannon · 7 years ago

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Each spring and fall, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the largest Mormon denomination) holds a worldwide conference. For ten hours over two days, top leaders of the Church speak in-person to over 20,000 members gathered in a conference center in Salt Lake City, and via Internet and television broadcast to a much larger audience (probably in the millions) gathered in homes and church buildings around the world. The most recent conference was held yesterday and today. Below are 90 of my own thoughts as I watched the conference. As is my custom, the thoughts include observations, and range from affirmations to criticisms, and from questions to assertions. My intent is to provoke reflection, questions, and comments. I feel this is essential to meaningful engagement with the conference, which is something I value as a member of the Church.

I wonder if we've already received Thomas Monson's last general conference sermon?

Eyring looks healthy and happy. Good. For me, he represents an important influence on Mormon tradition.

Uchtdorf suggests humans feel the call of heaven like non-human animals instinctually feel their way home across great distances.

Uchtdorf finds encouragement in the weaknesses of religious leaders in our history. If they can do divine work, so can we.

Uchtdorf says God works through us if we make an effort, learning and applying. Christian discipleship must be an active faith.

Oscarson is the first woman to speak at LDS conference. Maybe she thought too few women spoke last time. ;)

Oscarson wants to have a face-to-face conversation with me rather than have me tweet about her! :)

The main limitation of tech communication compared to face-to-face is its relatively low bandwidth, for now. That will change.

Oscarson just shared a picture of her daughter-in-law and my friend, Marie-Laure Oscarson, who taught me French in the MTC.

Oaks says exaltation is more than salvation, and that exaltation is a family matter. Isn't all of humanity our family?

Oaks construes progressive marriage law as worldly, but most of the world is conservative on marriage law.

Oaks points out that the Proclamation explicitly promotes straight marriage. But it does not explicitly demote gay marriage. Why?

Dear Elder Oaks, why did God NOT inspire you and the other authors of the Proclamation to demote gay marriage explicitly?

Pingree says God uses ordinary persons to accomplish extraordinary things. How about immortality and eternal life!

We often over-emphasize criticisms of the world and under-recognize that Mormon scripture teaches that Earth will become heaven.

Christofferson says we ought to fully and completely incorporate the life and character of Christ in our being. This is theosis.

Christofferson encourages holiness, as we esteem God holy. This is the sublime esthetic, the holy esthetic, the holy spirit.

I like the French translation of "Holiness to the Lord" on LDS temples, transliterated back to English: Sanctity to the Eternal.

Christofferson points out that we're not alone in salvation. We are the Body of Christ. Salvation is not individual after all.

Holland jokes about the apparent impossible weight of Jesus' command to be perfect as God is perfect.

Holland encourages personal improvement in a way that doesn't include ulcers, anorexia, or depression.

Holland points out that we now "live in a Telestial kingdom". So let it be settled: progression between heavens must be possible.

Holland points out our only hope for perfection is as a gift of grace. Exactly. Forgive. Give grace as received. It's the only way.

Holland is perhaps the most empathetic advocate of divine grace that Mormon leadership has ever produced.

Holland discourages toxic expectations of ourselves, each other, and Church leaders. Good advice. We all need each other's grace.

Holland points out the sublime Mormon teaching that Jesus himself progressed "grace for grace" and extends it to us.

Amen, Elder Holland. Amen.

Salvation is not an individual matter. It requires grace, of God and of each other. We are saved as the Body of Christ, not alone.

I know I'm not the only Mormon who finds the Scandinavian Jesus with an Oxford accent incredibly distracting from the message.

Remember. Technology is not the enemy. Technology empowers our participation in the work and glory of God.

I look forward to the day when technology empowers the average person, if she chooses, to heal others as medical doctors do today.

Uchtdorf is letting Eyring take his turn at facing the opposition votes. :)

"I'm trying to be like Jesus." This may be the most dangerous song Mormons teach our children to sing. ;)

Stevenson compares the solar eclipse to small mundane matters that block our vision of large sublime matters. Interesting analogy.

Stevenson rightly points out that technology is not inherently good or evil. It's just power to use for good or evil.

Stevenson reminds us that the carefully crafted self-presentations on social media are always incomplete. Life is complex.

Stevenson says, "Let us use technology to help each other ... become our finest."

I'm not sure Stevenson's "gospel glasses" metaphor works as well as his "gospel eclipse" metaphor.

Owen points out that repentance should be framed as uplifting progress. It is change, taking on Christ. It is transfiguration.

Owen says the Atonement is not merely for sinners. It's for saints too. At-one-ment requires all. Reconciliation requires all.

Framing repentance in context of "atonement," as Mormons do, has interesting ramifications. Change. Be one.

Cook says our time on Earth is as fleeting as a British summer. :)

Cook contrasts the smallness of humanity with our divine potential, no matter our race or gender.

Cook says Christ-character includes humility, righteousness, and intelligence. There's both some heart and some brain there.

Cook says emphasis of authenticity sometimes leads to arrogance. He's right.

Authenticity has no inherent value. It may have contextual value. Love the superhumanity in your neighbor as in yourself.

Cook quotes, "The test of greatness is how one meets the eternal everyday." I imagine the Gods reminding themselves of that.

Rasband rejects coincidence. I wonder if God rejects coincidence. Is there a way around Heisenberg and Godel? I doubt it.

Rasband says God orchestrates. I trust that to be the case. I also consider that completely compatible with coincidence.

It seems to me that there is no need for orchestration where there is no possibility of coincidence.

Rasband says agency fits into the plan of God. I wonder if he thinks God always knows our choices in advance of us making them.

Rasband quotes the Bible, which claims that all things will work together for good. That's an idea worth trusting -- actively.

Haleck points out that Church members in developing areas contribute as illustrated by the story of the widow's mite.

Nelson, speaking now, is most likely the next president of the LDS Church -- perhaps soon because Monson's health appears poor.

Nelson emphasizes "him" and "his" describing God. I wish our leaders would talk more about Heavenly Mother.

Nelson calls attention to the idea that progress continues after this life. I love this very Mormon conception of heaven.

Nelson says death allows us to progress to the next world. I wonder if he would tell the Three Nephites that? ;)

Renlund's reasoning on the relation between priesthood and atonement doesn't make sense to me. Wish we could ask questions.

Renlund seems to be suggesting there's some kind or extent of unique access to atonement for priesthood holders. Strange.

Evans encourages questioning and shows respect for good persons that question matters related to the Church. I like that.

I'm interested in an LDS leader talk comparing and contrasting scientific knowledge with confidence in trustworthiness of religion.

Uchtdorf is emphasizing a conception of spiritual light. For some inspiration, look at "light" references in D&C.

Uchtdorf points out that Mormon scripture equivocates between "light" and "spirit" and "truth". He could add "intelligence".

Nice to hear Uchtdorf mention Christ as the "light of the world" after previous talks on negative characterizations of the world.

I want to be OF that world of which Christ is the light -- to those with ears to hear. ;)

Eyring points out that it takes great faith to sustain imperfect leaders. He's right, but he's among the easier to sustain. :)

Eyring mentions that Bishops have a hard job because ward members know their weaknesses. Indeed. What a difficult job.

Eyring's persistent willingness to vulnerability about his own shortcomings is among the reasons he's relatively easy to sustain.

Bingham says Christ can relieve disasters and commotions in the world. I'd like to hear LDS leaders say more about those problems.

Hallstrom addresses the problem of evil. Without a solution, he praises faith in the face of evil. This is unsatisfying for many.

Bednar takes up the subject of theosis, taking on the divine nature, progressing grace by grace as exemplified by Jesus.

Zwick says we should look past easy assumptions and stereotypes. Amen.

Ballard encourages remembrance of Mormon pioneers. I'm often inspired by their practical perseverance in pursuit of our vision.

Ballard raises warnings against charlatans who promote supernatural healing. Good call. Science and medicine matter.

Ballard criticizes sexism, racism, and "nationalism." I wonder what he thinks constitutes the latter.

Callister describes the complexity of the production of the Book of Mormon. Strong point. It is strange book.

Callister rightly points out that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to advocate the Gospel of Christ, and not history.

Koch encourages saying "Amen" after talks, to signify agreement. Okay. But I don't always agree! :)

I'm concerned that some may interpret Koch's thoughts to mean they should not express disagreements constructively.

I do not feel united with persons who withhold constructive expressions of their disagreements from me.

Ellis asks if we trust imperfect persons to lead us well? Sure. But I don't trust them to lead us perfectly.

Ellis says some people create businesses from nothing. Hmm. Not even God created the world from nothing, according to Mormonism.

Parrella also takes up the theme of authoritarian obedience. Our culture excessively emphasizes this.

I think we should give more attention to persuasion and less attention to obedience. And I suspect we would like the results.

Parrella quotes the Book of Mormon declaration that death is an "awful monster." I like that passage.

Andersen shared some visuals depicting light moving across the world. Conference would probably benefit from more use of visuals.

Andersen gives insight into how LDS leaders prepare conference talks. I appreciate the humanity of it.

Andersen repeats the denunciation of "nationalism." What do LDS leaders mean by this?

Andersen shares some thoughts and words in tribute to Elder Hales, who passed away during conference.

Anderson quotes Monson in conclusion, emphasizing love. That's a good way to end.

Originally published at lincoln.metacannon.net on October 01, 2017 at 05:06PM.

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nerdygaymormon · 4 years ago

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So, I know the Church places,a lot of emphasis on getting married in the temple, and I think somewhere I heard it was necessary to achieve the highest level of glory, but recently I've been considering the label a romantic for myself and I was wondering what my place in the church would be. Is marriage really necessary for exaltation?

I wrote a very long response, and then at the end figured out the answer I should give you.

Listen to your heart. What is the Spirit trying to whisper to you?

Since you’re aro, check out the apostle Paul’s message in I Corinthians chapter 7. He says if you’re ace/aro, great! God has work for you. In fact, Paul seems to value being ace/aro over being married.

———————————————————————

I’ll still share the really long answer about whether marriage is necessary for exaltation,

I’ll begin with the Church’s answer. Then I’ll provide some historical context. And finally, I’ll share my thoughts.

———————————————————————

I suppose we should begin by defining what the LDS Church means by someone being exalted.

They will live in the presence of Jesus and God (which means living in the highest level of heaven)

They will become gods (children of God grow up to be like God)

They'll be united with their spouse for eternity, and linked to their righteous children and others through sealings

They will have eternal offspring (Wendy Watson Nelson is quoted in a 2020 manual for Sunday School teachers as saying marital sex "will continue eternally")

They'll receive everything Jesus and God have--power, glory, dominion and knowledge

Two of the items on the list involve being married/sealed together, which is why the LDS Church puts such an emphasis on this.

For those who are unmarried, or whose marriages aren't sealed in the temple, they can still make it to the highest kingdom of heaven but they will not be exalted, they'll be ministering angels

———————————————————————

In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), a person has to strictly observe all the Jewish laws involving sacrifice, prayer, and observance of holy days.

These laws cover everything from what clothes a person can wear, what they eat for lunch, and even if it’s okay to have sex with your wife when she is menstruating. God is very involved in the details.

These laws could be considered the "covenant path" of the Jewish faith.

—————————

Jesus & his apostles reject the idea that people have to keep all the Jewish laws in order to be saved in heaven.

Rather than a bunch of boxes to check, Jesus taught there's simply 2 great commandments.

The first is to love God above all else.

The second is to work diligently for the welfare of others, especially the poor, outcasts, strangers, foreigners, marginalized and even those who are our hated enemies. In other words, help God accomplish His great work, which is us.

—————————

This idea that Jesus rejected following strict laws and covenants, along with the command to love God, it lead to the Christian teaching of people being "saved" through their faith in Jesus.

First, a person has to believe that Jesus is the Son of God

Next, they must believe that they can't go to heaven unless Jesus saves them

Then they ask Jesus to come into their life by prayer. They admit that they've sinned and ask for forgiveness and pledge to follow Jesus for the rest of their life. This is often referred to as being "born again"

Finally, they are baptized as a sign of their commitment to Christ (baptism is not a requirement to get into heaven, but is a way to follow Christ’s example and show they've had a significant spiritual experience)

—————————

Joseph Smith taught that most people go to heaven, and that heaven has layers.

To get to the highest level we must complete certain ordinances and live a certain way. President Nelson refers to this as the "covenant path."

Faith in Jesus (not an ordinance, but a requirement to begin this path)

Repentance (not an ordinance, but having a desire that to do better)

Baptism by immersion (symbolic of our repentance that washes us clean and saves us from eternal death to eternal life)

Laying on of Hands to receive the Holy Ghost

Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (for men only)

Washing & Annointing ordinance

Endowment ceremony

Celestial Marriage (sealed to spouse in the temple)

Sealing to parents (done in the temple, or if your parents were sealed to each other at the time of your birth, you were born sealed to them)

These collectively are known as the saving ordinances.

For people who died without completing this list of ordinances, these can be performed vicariously for them at the temple (except for the ordination to the Melchizedek priesthood).

—————————

Since Joseph Smith put this new path of ordinances in place, there’s been a big change. For decades, "Celestial Marriage” meant polygamy, without it exaltation was not possible.

Since the Church was forced to stopped practicing polygamy, we've changed how we interpret the scriptures that talk about celestial marriage.

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In order to go to the temple to receive the saving ordinances necessary for exaltation, the Church requires we pass a worthiness interview. I suppose that in a sense, these are changes as to who qualifies to be exalted. This additional list of requirements includes:

follow the Word of Wisdom

sustain the current prophet and apostles

obey the law of chastity

pay a full tithe

attend church meetings and partake of the Sacrament

if divorced, pay your child or spousal support

wear the temple garments

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A Safeguard

There's many people who find themselves outside of this Covenant Path.

Many lived and died without knowing anything of Christ, and we do not have records for them and thus can’t do temple work for them

Some people are specifically forbidden by the Church from completing the requirements for exaltation

Queer people

In the past, people of African heritage were also forbidden by the LDS Church

Given there's an obvious lack of fairness and opportunity, there has to be a way to fix things, otherwise God would be very unjust.

I believe this idea has influenced the LDS concept of the Millennium, which is a period of 1,000 years of peace after Christ comes again.

The Church believes that during the Millennium, people will be taught the gospel, repent, marry, raise children. The temples will be busy with resurrected people getting temple ordinances done.

People who died single will have an opportunity to find someone to marry.

Some people believe that queer people will not be queer anymore and this will make it so they can find someone to marry and be sealed together.

———————————————————————

My thoughts.

We know next to nothing of heaven and post-mortal life, yet we speak about it in very definitive terms--what it’s like, who’ll be there, what they’re doing.

—————————

I know we often speak of the highest level of heaven as very exclusive, but I’ve had the opportunity to speak with several Seventy and an apostle and they speak of the Millennium as the great hope.

Parents with wayward children should have hope, the lesbian should have hope, all will be made right, we all will have an opportunity to develop and grow. It sounds like everyone will be exalted if they want to be.

While I don’t quite agree with all the ways they think things will be fixed in the Millennium, I can get on board with the idea that God will make things right.

For example, the idea of a queer genocide that wipes out all LGBTQIA+ people and replace them with a cishet version of the person just doesn’t sit well with me.

What I do believe is that any blessing a person should’ve had during their lifetime will be made available to them.

—————————

Something about the idea that in heaven married couples are having sex and creating babies for eternity is a little weird to me. Do women like the idea of an eternity of pregnancy? Imagine an eternity of morning sickness and child birth as your destiny.

Mormon scriptures teach that we all began as intelligences, without beginning or end. God came and organized intelligences into spirits. In that way we’re God’s spirit children. Does that sound like sex? It doesn’t to me. I don’t know when celestial sex became the Church’s explanation of what it means to organize intelligences.

—————————

The ideas of what exaltation is causes leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to struggle with the idea of people who are ace, trans, gay, aro and so on. They see themselves in the idea of heaven and not the rest of us.

Their idea of what exaltation means makes them see no space for queerness in God’s Plan.

That’s pretty bold to deny the existence of God’s diverse creations. Here we are, we exist, we are known, yet rather than expand the Plan, to find how we can fit into the Plan, they choose not to see us.

—————————

It makes me very sad to think our Heavenly Parents might have set up a plan that would cause most of their children to not be exalted, and that means they’d never get to see those children or speak with them again, yet that’s what many Church members seem to believe.

If our Heavenly Parents are supposed to be a model for us on how to be parents, most humans would reject the idea of setting up a plan to make their kids fail so they would never see or speak to them again. That's the opposite of what we'd consider good parenting.

—————————

While I find meaning in the ordinances performed by the LDS Church, I'm more inclined to believe what Jesus taught on the matter--Love God, love & lift those in need. Jesus called this "true religion" and those who follow it will find they do well in heaven, no matter what earthly church or religion they belong to.

I think of the story of 3 eighteen-year-olds who carried members of the Martin Handcart Company across the icy waters of the Sweetwater River. Those young men died from the extreme exposure, and upon hearing of what they did, Brigham Young wept and said they’d be exalted for their sacrifice. Their exaltation wasn’t dependent on being married or having the Melchizedek priesthood. Service & sacrifice for people in need was enough.

I imagine Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and others who've spent their life developing Christlike traits (regardless of whether they were Christian) will be much further ahead when the Millennium arrives. It only takes a few hours to complete the ordinances, and so much longer to become the kind of person who can be exalted.

I suspect a lot of Mormons will be surprised to find that their ordinances weren't enough to qualify them for exaltation

—————————

Since I'm forbidden by the Church from being sealed to a husband, I instead focus on being a good person, on helping others, on being a great uncle and a good neighbor and friend.

Is marriage really necessary for exaltation? I don’t know.

I don’t know what heaven is like, there’s some Mormon beliefs about heaven that I really like, such most everyone goes to heaven, and we can be together with the people we most love.

While I don’t know much about heaven, I think we can know things about God’s character, and that’s what causes me to question some of what is taught about heaven & marriage and a Plan that excludes queer people.

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wisdomfish · 7 years ago

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The doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are very interesting. Most of the 'odd' ones are not initially taught to potential converts, but they should be. Instead, "they are revealed later as one matures and gains the ability to accept them." The LDS Church tries to make its official doctrines appear Christian, but what underlies those Christian-sounding terms is far from Christian in meaning.

Following are the teachings of its officials throughout the years. Please note that these teachings are documented from Mormon writers--not anti-Mormon writers.

Finally, many Mormons respond that most of the citations below are not from official Mormon writings as if that disproves the doctrines they teach. If they are not official, fine. But if not, then why have the Mormon apostles and high officials taught them and written them, and why are their books sold in Mormon bookstores? The truth is the following is what Mormons are taught.

~ Matt Slick

"Jesus paid for all our sins when He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane," (Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: The Atonement,” Friend, Mar. 1989, p. 39.).

"We accept Christ's atonement by repenting of our sins, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and obeying all of the commandments," (Gospel Principles, Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979, p. 68.).

Baptism for the dead, (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. II, p. 141). This is a practice of baptizing each other in place of non-Mormons who are now dead. Their belief is that in the afterlife, the "newly baptized" person will be able to enter into a higher level of Mormon heaven.

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . ." (8th Article of Faith of the Mormon Church).

"Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God," (1 Nephi 13:28).

The book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible, (History of the Church, 4:461).

The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).

Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).

A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus' plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to "deny men their agency and to dethrone god," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 193; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 8).

God used to be a man on another planet, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 321; Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 345; Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333).

"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s . . . " (D&C 130:22).

God is in the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 3).

"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see," (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345).

God the Father had a Father, (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 476; Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 19; Milton Hunter, First Council of the Seventy, Gospel through the Ages, p. 104-105).

God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, p. 34-35; Mormon Doctrine, p. 428).

God had sexual relations with Mary to make the body of Jesus, (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, 1857, p. 218; vol. 8, p. 115). This one is disputed among many Mormons and not always 'officially' taught and believed. Nevertheless, Young, the 2nd prophet of the Mormon church taught it.

"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).

After you become a good Mormon, you have the potential of becoming a god, (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345-347, 354.)

"Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," (D&C 132:20).

There are many gods, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163).

"And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light," (Book of Abraham 4:3).

There is a mother god, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 443).

God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 516).

The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man," (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35).

The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 182-185.)

Consists of laws and ordinances: "As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements--'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,'" (Articles of Faith, p. 79)

There are three levels of heaven: telestial, terrestrial, and celestial, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 348).

The Holy Ghost is a male personage, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, (Le Grand Richards, Salt Lake City, 1956, p. 118; Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 179).

The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).

Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).

Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856, p. 247).

"The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood--was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115).

"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers," (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 547).

"Christ Not Begotten of Holy Ghost . . . Christ was begotten of God. He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of Salvation, by Joseph Fielding Smith, 1954, 1:18).

"Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh . . . " (First Presidency and Council of the Twelve, 1916, "God the Father," compiled by Gordon Allred, p. 150).

If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation [the context is the full gospel including exaltation to Godhood] outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 670).

We were first begotten as spirit children in heaven and then born naturally on earth, (Journal of Discourse, vol. 4, p. 218).

The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 129).

The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).

We need prophets today, the same as in the Old Testament, (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 444-445).

"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206).

Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, 1856, p. 247).

Good works are necessary for salvation (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 92).

There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p. 188).

"The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79).

"As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements--'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel,'" (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 79).

"This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts," (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697).

"We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do," (2 Nephi 25:23).

"Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God [anyhow]--three in one and one in three. . .It is curious organization . . . All are crammed into one God according to sectarianism (Christian faith). It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God--he would be a giant or a monster," (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 372).

Some Mormons may disagree with a few of the points listed on this page, but all of what is stated here is from Mormon authors in good standing of the Mormon church.

#The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints #Book of Mormon #LDS #cult #doctrine

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apostateangela · 5 years ago

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Neurotheology Part 2

I’ve spent a lot of time since that session reading research about the brain.

Hey, would you look at me now, turning to science?!

In my reading, I came across two terms: neurotheology and neuroplasticity.

Neurotheology is the study of what the brain does during “spiritual experiences”, or the study of the brain in connection with religion.

I am now engaged in neurotheology, using my own brain and what other Mormons have described as case studies.

I suspect I will be about this form of analysis for quite a long time.

As someone who works in education, I’d heard of neuroplasticity. It is the action of the mind during learning and the subsequent structure created in the brain by said learning. From one article called The Mind, the Brain, and God by Dr. Rick Hanson, an indisputable expert on the brain with deep credentials gives the following definition and examples:

Mental activity also sculpts neural structure, so changes in your mind can lead to lasting changes in your brain. This is learning and memory (as well as lots of other alterations in neural structure below the waterline of conscious awareness): in other words, neuroplasticity, most of which is humdrum, like remembering what you had for breakfast, or getting more skillful at chopsticks with practice.

Dr. Hanson is referring to that learning which creates habits. The neural pathways become well traveled and therefore your brain reinforces your learning within the actions of your body as well as memory.

Hanson and other experts discuss how the constant repetition and conditioning of religion in connection with the neuroplasticity of the brain creates not only reinforced thought patterns but also physical responses in connection with what the mind perceives as spiritual or connected to God. Hence, the overcoming ecstasy, speaking in tongues, some types of faith healing, and personal revelation from god--or what could feel like answers to prayers can be explained scientifically.

Here’s what this has to do with my brain. In the same way I explained in my tithing post, actually even more so, I was taught from the time I was three years old what the ‘Holy Ghost’ was supposed to feel like and how he brought the messages from God to humans on Earth.

At eight years old I was baptized and confirmed, which is an ordinance in which priesthood authority blesses/bestows you with the ‘gift’ of the Holy Ghost--meaning if I’m righteous the Holy Ghost is always with me; warning me, comforting me, revealing spiritual truth to me, forgiving me, guiding me, and as my go between with God.

The conditioning was the same: scripture, instruction in classes, family night instruction, music/hymns and primary songs, and seminary classes.

Here is a description about the Holy Ghost from True to the Faith, one of the handbooks of doctrine for LDS church members:

The Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, bears witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is the source of personal testimony and revelation. He can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger. He is known as the Comforter, and He can calm our fears and fill us with hope. Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive saving ordinances, and keep our covenants. It is through the influence of the Holy Ghost that we receive knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and feel Their power, goodness, and love.

What’s that supposed to feel like--this Holy Ghost?

Well, it initially is described as a “burning in your bosom.” But just in case that doesn’t happen, here are other ways described in Preach My Gospel, the LDS Missionary Handbook (Complete with back up in the scriptures):

“The spirit of revelation typically functions as thoughts and feelings that come into our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See D&C 8:1–2; 100:5–8.)” The Holy Ghost can speak to you through:

Feelings of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, or meekness (see Galatians 5:22–23).

Thoughts that occupy the mind or press on your feelings (see D&C 128:1).

A desire to do good and obey the commandments (see Mosiah 5:2).

A feeling that something is right (see D&C 9:8).

Feelings of comfort (see John 14:26).

Feelings that “enlarge [your] soul” (Alma 32:28).

Thoughts that “enlighten [your] understanding” (Alma 32:28).

A hunger for more truth (see Alma 32:28).

Feeling constrained (encouraged) to take an action or restrained (held back) from doing something (see 1 Nephi 7:15; 2 Nephi 32:7).

Hmmm, I don’t know if you’re picking up on this.

Basically, feeling the Holy Ghost could be linked to just about ANYTHING!

And just so you know, in every instance in my life that could be connected to the feelings and/or objectives/jobs of the Holy Ghost there was someone close to me to point out that I was experiencing the Spirit communicating with me in my heart and mind.

There have been innumerable instances where this has happened to me. I supposedly have ‘felt’ the spirit of the Holy Ghost, or the spirit of God, had a physical response, and had that experience validated by people close to me.

I’ve felt it so often it became ‘mundane’.

NEUROPLASTICITY!!!!

*Sigh*

Let me attempt to connect all these dots now, name the revelation:

In exploring my accountability for my past life and destructive marriage, I conclude that the powerful ‘spiritual’ experience that led me to believe God wanted me to marry John and reinforced that decision for twenty five years of abuse within that marriage was a direct result of my forty six plus year Mormon religious and cultural entrenchment with its targeted and incessant choreographed brain programming.

I didn’t know any better?

Does this mean it wasn’t my fault?

Can I say that?

Can I believe that?

See, here’s the thing; the horrible, true thing.

I don’t want to admit that none of it was my fault.

Because that makes me a victim.

And I don’t want to be a victim anymore.

But, I was a victim.

Wasn’t I?

I was victimized in the name of God,

over and over and over again, in mind, brain, and subsequently body.

From the moment I was born,

the umbilical was cut,

and then my eyes and my mouth were sewn shut.

How can I hate such a pitiful creature?

If I met such a person, I would have only deep pity

and desired hope for such a tragic survivor.

I can’t hate my past self.

She is me.

It is beyond remarkable that I can,

at this time in my life,

strip away the stitching and shut down the pathways of my brain

that control and thereby betray me.

The pain I have now comes from being stripped by the sharp edge of clarity.

I embrace it, with as much courage as I can muster.

I must admire such a feat,

Especially in myself.

Because the key word here is ‘WAS’.

I was a victim.

I am NOT any longer.

-Angela

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