Report of the Evergreen International 16th Annual Conference
September 15-16, 2006
Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." –Moroni 10:32
The 16th Annual Conference of Evergreen International began Friday morning with an opening devotional. Evergreen Executive Director, David Pruden gave introductory remarks. He focused on “three Cs”–Choice, Courage, and Christ. (1) We all have the choice whether or not we will act on our feelings. We choose our behaviors. And we choose our identification or label. (2) The struggle through same-sex attraction confusion takes more courage than knowledge. (3) The more we become like Christ, the less room we have for same-sex attraction.
The featured presenter on Friday was Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, an organization similar to Evergreen organized by Evangelical Christians. Alan is one of the nation’s leading speakers on gender issues and we were very fortunate to have him at our conference. In his keynote address, he told his personal story as a gay teen and young adult who overcame unwanted homosexuality. Today, he is married and the proud father of two children.
Alan told us of his journey back from homosexuality and the part that his faith and the Church played in that journey. He referred to 1 Cor. 6:9-11. Verses 9 and 10 are often used to try to convince those in the gay lifestyle of the error of their ways. Verse 11 isn’t used often enough, though it is most important, “. . . but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” The Savior is the way back. He can handle it. Nothing is too big for Him. We are washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ. We all need a Savior. We are spiritual beings with a common enemy.
Alan said, “God loves you and wants you to find freedom.” We were created first to be in a relationship with God, then in relationships with others. The real problem is that we are starving in our relationships both with God and with others. Homosexuality is medication. It makes you feel better–at least for a little while.
Later in a workshop about fostering correct understanding and communication about SSA, Alan stated that the media is determining what we think and say about homosexuality instead of listening to what God would have us think and say. Same-sex attraction is not a bigger test or temptation than other tests and temptations common to this life. We all struggle with sin. The culture errs on the side of grace–to be nice. Alan called it sloppy agape (brotherly love).
To effectively communicate the correct message about same-sex attraction, we need to become educated–read books, Web sites, scientific truth, Biblical truth, and scientific studies. Then, speak the truth boldly. It we don’t, someone else speaks lies. We need to speak from righteous anger (compassion)–not from hostility. And we need to reach out to those who struggle with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. Perhaps if our actions were more Christ-like, there would be no need for Evergreen or Exodus. Struggling individuals could go to members of the Church and Church leadership for help.
Alan also taught us that we are the real thing–we’ve got to be better than the counterfeit. We live in a culture that is all about lust. We need to talk about what is good about sex. We must surrender sexuality to our Savior. He wants to give us something better than the world is offering. The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality. It is holiness.
On Saturday morning, in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Chapel, a general session was held to which ecclesiastical leaders were invited to participate with conference attendees.
Elder Rex D. Pinegar was the general authority speaker. Elder Pinegar served as a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 to 2001 when he was named emeritus. He served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, the last two years as senior president. Before his call as a General Authority, Elder Pinegar was a member of the psychology faculty at Brigham Young University. Elder Pinegar’s address is included with this conference report.
After this session, the ecclesiastical leaders received additional training and had an opportunity to ask questions in a workshop.
Other workshops were held on Friday and Saturday that addressed same-sex attraction issues for both men and women who struggle as well as for spouses, parents and friends of those who struggle.
The subjects of these workshops covered a wide range of topics. Those who struggle with same-sex attraction are generally dealing with deep emotional wounds and losses. There needs to be faith and hope for healing, and that healing comes from the Savior. Trust must be restored. Attendees were taught practical applications of dealing with anxiety, self-care, and self-love. Dealing with sexual addictions was addressed.
Many dealing with same-sex attraction have relationship issues to address, such as how to recognize and repair emotional boundaries. Friendships, dating, and marriage were also discussed. Unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction often disrupt normal social development. Moving out of an environment of same-sex attraction, both personally and socially, can be a time of immense social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
Parents of children who struggle with same-sex attraction have many questions and emotional pain of their own. Some parents have children who are in the gay lifestyle. Some have children who are working their way out.
Professional therapists, parents, spouses, and those who have made tremendous progress in their journey led the workshops.
Saturday evening, a dinner and awards presentation was held. Evergreen Chairman, Larry Richman, delivered the State of the Organization report and gave a Chairman’s Message. The text is included with this conference report.
After the dinner, a wonderful musical fireside was given by Kenneth Cope.
Next year’s Evergreen conference will be held Friday and Saturday, September 21-22, 2007, in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.