Soul Searching

This statement is just part of a news article that was released yesterday regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the church I am a member of, the one I believe to be true.

"A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing," the policy reads.

Natural or adopted children living in a same-sex household will only be allowed to be baptized once they are 18, disavow the practice of same-sex cohabitation or marriage, and stop living within the household, according to the policy. Such baptism would still require the approval of the church's governing First Presidency.

http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-to-exclude-children-of-same-sex-couples-from-membership


This news kind of broke my heart.  I thought there was no way it was true; it just didn't seem like the Church I knew.  I chalked it up to rumor and tried to quiet my mind and go to sleep. But I called my Bishop this morning, and he said that it is indeed true.  I started bawling and asked him to offer up some perspective. I told him (and I'm telling you) that I DO believe this Gospel to be true, and I believe the Prophet speaks from God.  But this is difficult for me to wrap my head around. Generally inflammatory things that come out about the church trigger fear and doubt but when I get to the source- the official Church stance and then ultimately speak to God about it in prayer, I feel peace.  So I'm working on doing that now.

Here are some thoughts that have been offered that help or have come to mind that bring peace...

This article helped and was pretty consistent with what my Bishop had to say.
http://wellbehavedmormonwoman.blogspot.com/2015/11/response-to-new-church-policy-gay-marriage-children-baptism.html?m=1

My comment to a friend regarding this was:
I spoke with my bishop this morning. I cried. This is hard for me to stomach. It feels like children are being punished for something I'm not even sure people should be punished for. But my Bishop explained that there is no punishment involved. They are just simply trying to avoid stress and conflict in the family. Why it is directed specifically towards this topic, I don't know. The above article help clarify in that same vein. I am still not totally pacified, but it does help to understand from that perspective. I do believe the Gospel to be true. And I need to lean on that belief. The ultimate question is whether you believe the prophet to be the mouthpiece of God. I will be spending some time on my knees. Faith is about trust. It is difficult for me to trust what I don't understand, but that's faith, right? Sometimes you just have to obey God and know that He knows what He is doing. Hopefully this helps someone as well. Love to all of you. Regardless of sexual orientation.

Someone else commented:
In the end it is about stabilizing and benefiting the family by not bringing in additional stress and conflict. In a same-sex household, who would, more than likely, want the child blessed and baptized, the parents or the grandparents? Most likely it would be the grandparents, for most situations. So, eliminate that conflict in the family and extended family altogether and allow the child to make their own decision, when they come of age.

And I replied later:
I understand that this hurts many people who have loved ones in the LGBTQ community. It hurts me too, and I am not personally involved in this kind of situation. But I think Brandon is right in regards to protecting the family. I think if the gay couple decided they wanted to be married and go against what the church stands for, it is not likely that they would want their child to go toward this religion they were in open disagreement with. I think this will protect children from being forced into something from their grandparents' perspective and they are really unsure as to what they believe yet.

And like I said in my other comment, it does feel like this particular sin or what have you is being singled out. It absolutely is. But this topic is one that is not decidedly frowned upon in society, where as the others are very obviously wrong in the eyes of basically everyone.

A friend of mine responded:
The world isn't quite as black and white as that. What about a child with divorced parents? What if one of the parent is gay? Should the child never be allowed to live with the gay parent? What about joint custody?

And my response:
I said the same thing to my bishop. And he said that that is exactly why they are called guidelines. Each situation will have to be looked at individually, and exceptions can certainly be made. You just have to get the permission of the first presidency and all of that. But that happens more often than we realize, I think.


These are my thoughts on the matter as of now. All jumbled, as they are in my mind.  I am trying hard to "doubt my doubts before I doubt my belief" as President Uchdorf has counseled. I know there is much that I do not understand -- both surrounding this issue as well as in other areas.  But I need to focus on what I DO know to be true and trust in God. And when you have questions, ask Him.  He'll answer.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." -- James 1:5