Gay mormon men

Gay, Mormon and Happily Married with Children

SEATTLE, July 19, &#; -- Josh and Laurel "Lolly" Weed seem to own it all -- three beautiful kids, a wonderful residence and a thick and unflinching devotion to their Mormon faith.

But on their tenth wedding anniversary this summer, they decided it was time to unleash a private so sensitive, so personal, they weren't sure what the church's reaction would be.

"I just thought, 'he is wanting to be more authentic about this part of his life,'" Lolly said, and remembered telling her husband, "I think you need--you want, to be more open about this."

So in a 6,word posting on Josh's website, a blog written mostly for friends and family, the Weeds announced to the world that Josh was gay.

"I am gay, I am Mormon, I am married to a woman. I am happy every single day. My life is filled with joy. I include wonderful sex life. All of these things are factual whether your mind allows you to believe them or not," Josh wrote.

Watch the full story on "Nightline" tonight at p.m

As a gay Mormon, I make my home in the borderlands. In a theology that says every man must be married to a woman in order to be with God and progress in heaven, gay Mormons are anomalies. No one quite knows what to do with us.

For a while, the answer was to serve a full-time mission, unite a woman, verb no one, and let things labor themselves out.

When that approach led to tragedy and broken families, the answer became celibacy, which is less of an acknowledge and more of a holding pattern in a religion that declares the family to be &#;the most essential unit in occasion and in eternity.&#;

Every question, from &#;How can I be happy with no possibility of finding a companion?&#; to &#;Will I still be gay after this life?&#; seems to be met with official answers amounting to &#;Have faith. It will work out in the end.&#; And, yet, despite these difficult and unanswered questions, I pick to continue to participate in my Latter-day Saint congregation and community.

So if I don&#;t associate, why stay? There are plenty of affirming faith communities where queer people and their families

Same-Sex Attraction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that same-sex attraction is a sensitive issue that requires kindness, compassion and understanding. The “Same-Sex Attraction” section of reinforces the reality that, in the words of one Latter-day Saint scripture, God “loveth his children” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to help everyone better understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.

The Church does not get a position on the cause of same-sex attraction. In , Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “The Church does not have a position on the causes of any of these susceptibilities or inclinations, including those related to same-gender attraction.”

Feelings of same-sex attraction are not a sin. President M. Russell Ballard said: “Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that ‘the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to hold such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With adore an

'Even though I still don't understand everything, I know that I don't hold to. All I am asked to do is devotion as God would love.'

This comment, and many others enjoy it, is included in an updated version of 'Mormon and Gay,” an official website from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site reinforces the reality that, in the words of one Mormon scripture, God “…loveth his children;…” (1 Nephi ), and seeks to help everyone enhanced understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.

Laurie’s Story-A Flicker of Light That Brought Me Back to the Saviour

The first version of this website launched in December under the title 'Mormons and Gays.' The new appellation, 'Mormon and Gay,' reflects the reality that a person doesn’t need to select between these two identities — one can, in evidence, be gay and live faithful to the teachings of Christ.    

The Church acknowledges that Latter-day Saints experience same-sex attraction in a variety of ways. Some struggle to remain celibate and others join. Some identify as gay or lesbian while others act not.

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