Can you be gay and mormon

A historian of the radical differences between Jewish/Christian sexual ethics and the pagan ethics of the Romans wrote:

[In] the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs ... Patrick will be joined by authors of two recent and important books on these subjects. (The word "porno-graphy" comes from porenia.) Jesus had taught against porneia, and the apostles repeated it:

In Mark 7꞉21-23, Jesus interprets his saying about what defiles a person as follows: "for it is from .

Their struggle is our struggle.^[31]

The 2010 version of the Church's Handbook of Instructions notes:

Homosexual behavior violates the commandments of God, is contrary to the purposes of human sexuality, and deprives people of the blessings that can be found in family life and in the saving ordinances of the gospel.

'I can’t help it,' they add. Otherwise, for a man to want to be penetrated by another man was generally regarded as disgraceful. (emphasis added)

Early Latter-day Saint history

The evidence does not indicate that nineteenth-century Church members regarded homosexual acts with anything but abhorrence

It is claimed that Joseph Smith and other nineteenth century Latter-day Saints were not strenuously opposed to same-sex acts or intimacy, and that the modern Church's opposition to homosexual conduct is a later aberration.

President Kimball continued:

James said: 'A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Please notice that I use it as an adjective, not as a noun; I reject it as a noun. To the ill, He gives patience, understanding, and increased appreciation for others’ kindness. Some frustrations we must endure without really solving the problem.

Sexual relationships were absolutely forbidden outside of marriage. I thought I detected a look of hope in his eyes that had not been there before. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church."^[2]

While President Hinckley avoided directly labeling anyone as gay or lesbian, he was directing his welcome to those who did make use of the label.

Homosexual intercourse is singled out among other abominable sexual acts in Leviticus 8 and 20 as a form of sexual misconduct particularly worthy of the designation toebah. ...

'Do not err, my beloved brethren' (James 1:8,12-16). There is a difference between being prudent in disclosing sensitive topics and being dishonest.

In general, Church leaders recommend against labeling anyone, including yourself. We are unaware of any dissenting voice."^[36]:215 In fact, "given the severe stance against homosexual intercourse in the Levitical laws, it is inconceivable that any non-apostate Jew in antiquity would argue for the legitimacy of male-male sexual intercourse."^[36]:217-218

The Jewish world in which Jesus lived set a very strict moral standard, especially against the backdrop of the infamous promiscuity of the Greeks and Romans.

President Monson taught:

The oft-repeated adage is ever true: "Honesty [is] the best policy." A Latter-day Saint young man lives as he teaches and as he believes. Those who are excommunicated are those who are unrepentant persist as "addicts": i.e., those who will not desist.

"I knew it would be difficult," he wrote, "but I didn’t realize what I would have to go through." His letter describes the emptiness and loneliness and the incredible pain he experienced from deep within his soul as he sought to return.

That is the gospel message—personal responsibility.

Don’t look for a life virtually free from discomfort, pain, pressure, challenge, or grief, for those are the tools a loving Father uses to stimulate our personal growth and understanding.