LDS Leader Says There Are No Gay Mormons

During a visit to Chile, Elder David A. Bednar answered a question on the hot topic of homosexuality in the LDS Church.

David A. Bednar of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that the Mormon Church has no gay members as they effectively do not exist. Bednar, at 64-years-old, is the youngest Elder to be elected as a leader in the church, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Mormon Leader Says There Are no Homosexual Members of the LDS Church.[/tweetthis]

The subject came during the Mormon leader's visit to Chile and it was his response to a question asked by a member of the audience that has grabbed attention. Bednar said members of his church cannot be described by sexual attraction and also not by sexual behavior. He went on to say that human beings are the daughters and sons of God. All of them have a different kind of challenge in the real world.

The question asked of Bednar was how can the homosexual members of the LDS Church live and continue to remain confident in the gospel? The Elder, in his reply, said that he will change this question. He then expounded on his theory that no person is born homosexual, bisexual or of any other sexual orientation other than heterosexual. Bi-sexual God shows people the challenges they should overcome, one of them being homosexuality.

Bednar's theory on this matter is similar to the one held by his Church and a number of other anti-gay organizations that homosexual love can only be termed as a sin if it can be sexually expressed. A simple attraction to another person of the same gender cannot be construed as a sin. He continued to speak on the subject by saying that many LDS members may manifest such attraction. However, they honor the covenants and keep their commandment by not acting on those attractions and since they are worthy, they receive the temple's blessings and can also serve in the church.

LDS leader: "There's no gay Mormons. We aren't defined by sex attraction. We all have challenges of the flesh" https://t.co/34drRauRBv #LGBT

— LGBT+ News (@mondokoosh) March 3, 2016

Bednar’s comments caused quite a stir after the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have previously made an announcement that Mormons indulging in same-sex relationships, including legal marriage, will be considered as “apostates.” They could be ex-communicated. It will also not be possible for their children to undergo baptism. The only way children of such same-sex couples can be members of the LDS Church is to denounce their parents and reapply when they turn 18 years of age. The result of this decision has led to an increase in the suicide rate among Mormons.

Resources

• The Church of Latter-Day Saints
• Huffington Post
• The New Civil Rights Movement
• World Religion News

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