Articles About Same-sex Attraction

This page contains a collection of articles and reading resources about same-sex (same-gender) attraction. Click the title to read the entire article. If the link takes you to another website, click your browser's Back button to return here.

Read Elder Bruce C. Hafen's address to the Evergreen International Conference, September 19, 2009, on the Church's Newsroom site. Print a formatted copy.

"I admire your courage and your righteous desires. You may not have consciously chosen to have same gender attraction, but you are faithfully choosing to deal with it."

Keynote address given at the 10^th Annual Evergreen conference, September 16, 2000

"I submit that the light of the gospel of Christ best illuminates the path to follow in coping with same-gender attraction. In this part of life, hope for peace and happiness will not be found in medicine, psychology or political activism. It can be obtained only through obedience to revealed truths."
 

“As for why you feel as you do, I can’t answer that question. A number of factors may be involved, and they can be as different as people are different. Some things, including the cause of your feelings, we may never know in this life. But knowing why you feel as you do isn’t as important as knowing you have not transgressed. If your life is in harmony with the commandments, then you are worthy to serve in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with the members, attend the temple, and receive all the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement... You serve yourself poorly when you identify yourself primarily by your sexual feelings. That isn’t your only characteristic, so don’t give it disproportionate attention. You are first and foremost a son of God, and He loves you. What’s more, I love you. My Brethren among the General Authorities love you."

Under the entry "Same-Gender Attraction," you'll find official statements from the Church as well as links to many other Church resources (look under the heading "Additional Online Materials").

To find it on LDS.org: Go to Gospel Library > Gospel Topics > Same-Gender Attraction.

In July 2007, the Church published a new booklet about same-gender attraction entitled God Loveth His Children. This booklet was mailed to bishops and branch presidents worldwide. You can order copies at no charge from LDScatalog.com. It is also available in dozens of other languages. Evergreen supports the principles taught in this publication without reservation or exception.

Click here to read the text.

Click here to see the full graphic layout (in PDF format)

To find it on LDS.org:

1. Go to the Gospel Library > Gospel Topics > Same-Gender Attraction > then look under the heading "Additional Online Materials."
2. Go to the Gospel Library > Support Materials > Family Support Materials > then see the booklet at the end of the list

This Church booklet provides counsel on how to avoid, resist, and overcome pornography.

Click here to read the text

click here to see the full graphic layout  (in PDF format)

To find it on LDS.org:

1. Go to the Gospel Library > Gospel Topics > Pornography > then look under the heading "Additional Online Materials."
2. Go to the Gospel Library > Support Materials > Family Support Materials > then see the booklet toward the end of the list

An interview with Elders Dallin H. Oaks and Lance B. Wickman, responding to questions from members of the Church’s Public Affairs staff to clarify the Church’s stand on these important, complex and sensitive issues.

"Some Latter-day Saints face the confusion and pain that result when a man or a woman engages in sexual behavior with a person of the same sex, or even when a person has erotic feelings that could lead toward such behavior. How should Church leaders, parents, and other members of the Church react when faced with the religious, emotional, and family challenges that accompany such behavior or feelings? What do we say to a young person who reports that he or she is attracted toward or has erotic thoughts or feelings about persons of the same sex? How should we respond when a person announces that he is a homosexual or she is a lesbian and that scientific evidence 'proves' he or she was 'born that way'?"

"Discovering the answers to the questions associated with the issue of same- sex attraction will require our best efforts, most compassionate responses, and faithful reliance on the Lord and the counsel of His servants."

Transcript of an interview conducted March 4, 2006 for the PBS four-hour special "The Mormons.

"I do know that this will not be a post-mortal condition. It will not be a post-mortal difficulty. I have a niece who cannot bear children. That is the sorrow and the tragedy of her life. She who was born to give birth will never give birth, and I cry with her. ... I just say to her what I say to people struggling with gender identity: 'Hang on, and hope on, and pray on, and this will be resolved in eternity.' These conditions will not exist post-mortality. I want that to be of some hope to some. .."

Transcript of an interview conducted March 7, 2006 for the PBS four-hour special "The Mormons.

"The thing that we have to ultimately say ... is, yes, there's nature; yes, there's nurture; but there's also agency. We all have the capacity and power to choose. If you're going to live your life within the framework of the Gospel, within the framework of our doctrine, then you've got to choose to marry someone of the opposite sex, and if you can't do that honestly, then your choice has to be to live a celibate life. That is a very difficult choice for the parents, for the young man, the young woman, for whoever's making that choice, and my heart goes out to them."

Elder Oaks also said religious freedom is being jeopardized by claims of newly alleged human rights. As an example, he referred to a set of principles published by an international human rights group which calls for governments to assure that all persons have the right to practice their religious beliefs regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Elder Oaks said, “This apparently proposes that governments require church practices to ignore gender differences. Any such effort to have governments invade religion to override religious doctrines should be resisted by all believers.” 

"People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are."

With some few, there is the temptation which seems nearly overpowering for man to be attracted to man or woman to woman.... Do not experiment; do not let anyone of either gender touch your body to awaken passions that can flame beyond control.... Some think that God created them with overpowering, unnatural desires, that they are trapped and not responsible. That is not true. It cannot be true. Even if they were to accept it as true, they must remember that He can cure and He can heal.

"When we remember who we really are, we will never feel far from God's infinite and eternal love for each of us. I know with absolute certainty as the years pile up for me that seeking and serving the Lord in study and prayer and service brings one of two things into our lives: (1) He either uses some way to solve our problems and answer our prayers, or (2) He gives us the strength and knowledge and gifts to endure the challenges and to succeed on His time line."

"Several publications are now being circulated about the Church which defend and promote gay or lesbian conduct. They wrest the scriptures attempting to prove that these impulses are inborn, cannot be overcome, and should not be resisted; and therefore, such conduct has a morality of its own.... Some choose to reject the scriptures out of hand and forsake their covenants. But they cannot choose to avoid the consequences.... All of us are subject to feelings and impulses. Some are worthy and some of them are not; some of them are natural and some of them are not. We are to control them, meaning we are to direct them according to the moral law."

1. Moderate your response to the news of your loved one’s homosexual struggles.
2. Express your own feelings and testimony of change.
3. While maintaining a loving concern for the person, reiterate the Lord’s position that homosexual relations are sinful, and don’t lose sight of this gospel truth.
4. Kindly encourage the individual to seek counsel from the bishop.
5. Avoid the temptation to try to take control of or fix the situation.
6. Use professional resources.
7. Keep the communication lines open.
8. Pray trustingly.
9. If your loved one is not already married, do not encourage him or her to marry as a “cure” for homosexuality.
10. Never give up on a loved one—never!

"Let me begin by suggesting that on the whole the Christian world has not taken Christ seriously. Oh, we believe he was divine, that he taught as one having authority from God, that he worked miracles, that he healed the sick and even raised the dead, and that he died and rose again from the tomb. And most of us are thoroughly convinced that he suffered and bled on our behalf in Gethsemane and on Golgotha and thereby offered himself as a ransom for the sins of all humankind. To be sure, we believe all of that. I'm not sure, however, we have given the Master a real try when it comes to facing some of life's greatest challenges."

"Through my experience, I have learned key principles that have helped me in my struggle. These principles can be applied by anyone seeking to overcome a moral weakness.... I cherish the peace I have found in my own life as I have emerged from the bondage that held me captive for so long. I have learned that Heavenly Father loves us more than we can imagine and that if we allow Him, He will help us in our struggles. How grateful I am for that knowledge and for the freedom I have found as I have followed His counsel."

"One day as he was praying and pondering about this difficult challenge in his life, he said he felt a still, small voice say, 'Remember, I loved them first. Trust Me.'”

"I express my love and total respect to my brothers and sisters struggling with same gender attraction. You who are true to the faith and obedient to sacred covenants are not few in number. I commend you for your unshakable faith in the face of the unwanted feelings you did not choose to have. I commend you for never forgetting that God loves you and that you are His sons and daughters. I commend you for not forgetting your magnificent divine potential and for using your God-given moral agency in resisting temptation and evil."

Keynote address given at the Evergreen International 14th Annual Conference, September 18, 2004

"I congratulate those who are striving to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in spite of the many challenges and temptations that exist. Also, it is wonderful that there are many people who are willing to support those who struggle. Almost everyone wants a productive life and, for those who are willing to submit their will to eternal truths, there is hope."

Fireside address at the Evergreen International 14th Annual Conference, September 18, 2004

"When I think about all that the Holy Ghost can do for you, perhaps the slogan for Evergreen could be either “The Holy Ghost: Don’t struggle with SSA without Him!” or “Let The Holy Ghost be your Companion!”

"When we remember who we really are, we will never feel far from God's infinite and eternal love for each of us. I know with absolute certainty as the years pile up for me that seeking and serving the Lord in study and prayer and service brings one of two things into our lives: (1) He either uses some way to solve our problems and answer our prayers, or (2) He gives us the strength and knowledge and gifts to endure the challenges and to succeed on His time line."

"Let me begin by suggesting that on the whole the Christian world has not taken Christ seriously. Oh, we believe he was divine, that he taught as one having authority from God, that he worked miracles, that he healed the sick and even raised the dead, and that he died and rose again from the tomb. And most of us are thoroughly convinced that he suffered and bled on our behalf in Gethsemane and on Golgotha and thereby offered himself as a ransom for the sins of all humankind. To be sure, we believe all of that. I'm not sure, however, we have given the Master a real try when it comes to facing some of life's greatest challenges."