Our bodies are so precious and sacred that we cannot misuse them! I have seen many ways to misuse a body, but one that is very popular now is the gender misuse!
Now why would I bring this topic up? I have learned and listened to many folks who have very strong opinions on this, I have felt the effects in my own life and I know that this very trend will effect my very own home.
There is a growing trend to label one's self or others as "gay or lesbian" I personally believe that term is faulty. What people are doing is labeling something that is deeper than just what they have concluded as "gender differences" I have searched out places where you can start to look into this very topic yourself if you will look into it with an open heart and mind.
First I would like to state that I am a very strong advocate for Marriage between a man and a woman. I believe that marriage is an institution that is set into place by our God. He has set up the laws of attraction for his sons and daughters. I do not believe that same gender attraction existed in our pre-earth life and I do not believe that it will exist in the next life. I also believe that same gender attraction is a very real temptation for folks in this life. I believe that attraction was instilled within each of us was to set up the institution of families; in a working family institution that consists of a man and a woman who accomplish God's purpose by bringing his children into this world. At times this attraction has been blatantly misused, and other times it is a subtle temptation that stems from many different sources, such as previous abuse, rejection growing, lack of acceptance from others and the list continues.
I have searched more beyond what folks have told me and I have had a teacher point out this article from the man who researched the "gay gene." I would like to quote him here, "It is important to stress what I didn't find. I did not prove that homosexuality was genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn't show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work." I do not believe that there is a gay gene, but I do believe that homosexuality is a strong temptation that some have to wrestle with. We all have temptations, and we all struggle with out own trials, this is another that has been prevalent in the world. It is all over in the bible, and God did not suggest that we embrace same gender attraction. I also would like to point out that God also said in Matthew 7:1-2 "judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." So when we make judgment calls we have to do it wisely especially on topics such as this one.
Defining ourselves
I would like to point something out, homosexuality is not a noun that describes a condition. It is an adjective that describes feelings and one's behavior. I would like to go and take a quote from Dallin H. Oaks and a man named Lance B. Wickman who point out the definitions of self.
"I think it is an accurate statement to say that some people consider feelings of same-gender attraction to be the defining fact of their existence. There are also people who consider the defining fact of their existence that they are from Texas or that they were in the United States Marines. Or they are red-headed, or they are the best basketball player that ever played for such-and-such a high school. People can adopt a characteristic as the defining example of their existence and often those characteristics are physical.
We have the agency to choose which characteristics will define
us; those choices are not thrust upon us. The ultimate defining fact for all of us is that we are children
of Heavenly Parents, born on this earth for a purpose, and born with a divine
destiny. " So our focus is upon building ourselves to become better and while we each search for what makes us better we create definitions for ourselves.
Does it matter that the whole focus of everyone is upon WHAT creates same gender attraction?
I believe that it does matter where our focus lies. If we each focus on one aspect that contributes to our character then we are missing the development of the rest of person! The beauty of each of us as an individual is that we can see ourselves in much broader contexts. Such as the fact that we are children of a loving God, and that we each have many talents weather they might be, musical, artistic, athletic, etc. "The more a person can look beyond gender orientation, the happier and more fulfilling life is likely to be. The worst possible thing for any of us — no matter what our temptations, no matter what our mortal inclinations may be — is to become fixated with them, to dwell on them. When we do that, not only do we deny the other things that comprise us, but experience teaches that there will be an increased likelihood that eventually we will simply succumb to the inclination." Oaks and Wickman
My point is that our main focus should not be upon our sexual orientation but upon seeing ourselves with a much grander perspective. If we can maybe we should look beyond our own perspective and see ourselves the way that our Father in Heaven views us each individually. We are each a child of God.
Hope
As I said earlier there is a lot of folks who struggle with this same gender attraction. I believe that same gender attraction is one of those struggles that each of those individuals who struggle with it will need to learn to exercise self control. Each of us has to learn how to have that self control over our own individual temptations. I have spoken up about this specific trial because it has broken my heart when I have heard a friend say, "I won't be able to have a family like the rest of you because I am attracted to my same gender." This friend of mine wishes to be a parent, and wishes to be a good person. I have studied and prayed about this with the hope that I might be able to give encouragement to one who has this same struggle. I offer these suggestions I found as I researched,
" The good news for somebody who is struggling with same-gender attraction is this:
1) It is that ‘I’m not stuck with it forever.’ It’s just now. Admittedly, for each one of us, it’s hard to look beyond the ‘now’ sometimes. But nonetheless, if you see mortality as now, it’s only during this season.
2) If I can keep myself worthy here, if I can be true to gospel commandments, if I can keep covenants that I have made, the blessings of exaltation and eternal life that Heavenly Father holds out to all of His children apply to me. Every blessing — including eternal marriage — is and will be mine in due course."
I know that normally we do not do back to back quotes but I feel that this one is essential for my point,
So to my friend and others, I have found a few things that can assist you during your times of trials and temptations. You and the body that God has given you are so precious and lovely! Know that God Loves you and know that I love you too!!!!
Please search for yourselves! Here are a few of the resources that I quoted from here:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/10/we-are-children-of-god?lang=eng
xhttp://www.equip.org/PDF/DH055-1.pdf
(if it doesn't work try googleing this:) http://www.equip.org/PDF/DH055-1.pdf
Be ye clean April 1996- Gordon B. Hinckley
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/04/be-ye-clean?lang=eng
http://www.dennisprager.com/why-a-good-person-can-vote-against-same-sex-marriage/
http://genderwholeness.com/pdf/exoticbecomeserotic.pdf
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/interview-oaks-wickman-same-gender-attraction
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/10/helping-those-who-struggle-with-same-gender-attraction?lang=eng
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