Stop it now ...... the misrepresentation of the LDS handbook change

Yesterday I read an opinion piece by a former Mormon, Kate Kendell, that sent me on a rant.  Sorry to my husband who was with me at the time .... he had to hear the brunt of it.

Yes, I know as a Christian I should have more patience, but people are really getting on my nerves about this new addition to the LDS Handbook of Instructions, regarding children of gay parents and apostasy.

I see words from the disaffected and axe-grinders, like ..... rejecting children, disavowing parents, discrimination, exclusion, and even bigotry and hate.

Stop it.  Stop it now.

I wrote a stern response to that article, but the site wouldn't accept it.  It said I was registered via my email address under a different user name, then said they didn't have my email address in their records.  Hence, I gave up and am posting my comment here:

"Ms. Kendell -- What do you expect the Church to do??  Should minor children of gay parents be taught the doctrine of the Family Proclamation .... possibly causing confusion and conflict in their home?  Don't you see that the Church is respecting the parents' choices by stepping back and allowing them to raise their children as they... THEY, not the Church... have chosen.  These children can have all blessings they desire eventually, if they choose.  The Lord will not forget nor forsake them.  And NO WAY are they expected to EVER disavow their parents.
The LDS Church does not choose its doctrine.  It is as it has always been concerning morality and heterosexual marriage.  This is how a God-run religion works.  Either we choose the tenets, or God does.  His rules are strict yet ultimately for our good.  Ms. Kendell, you apparently do not understand this.  I wish you did.
Finally, apostates ARE welcome to attend LDS services as long as they don't recruit or teach opposing beliefs and the door is always open for their return to full membership.
Ms. Kendell, your readers deserve that which you did not give them ..... the truth."

I would have said soooooo much more, but there was a size limit.  

Some things to remember:

1. The LDS Church does NOT teach that homosexuality is a choice.  Neither does it teach that the attraction is a sin.  Please.Know.That.  BUT it DOES teach that homosexual BEHAVIOR is sinful.  This is easily supported in the Bible and we regard the Bible as divine scripture.

2. We are a God-led people.  We do not make the rules .... He does.   It is true He loves us all.  But He does not love all we do.

3. Families are the core of our gospel.  We are the most pro-family religion out there, because we believe God has given us a way for families to BE forever.  No other church does that, as far as I know.  
I see this change in the handbook as an effort to not promote discord in the families of gay parents.  I see this as an unfortunate solution for an unfortunate situation that the parents created.   The child has most likely already gone through upheaval from the separation of his/her biological parents.  The child does not need further pain for his/her current family.  Let them grow up honoring their parents throughout their lives ...... and if they choose baptism as adults, they can disavow homosexual behavior all the while continuing their love and association with their parents.  It's possible.  People have done it.

4. Of course gay marriage is apostasy.  It's a direct and willful violation of our doctrine.  That is the very definition of the word.  And of course one must agree to honor our doctrine before baptism.

Ms. Kendell wrote about a lesbian couple who attended an LDS congregation with the bishop's blessing.  Now, she says, they will be booted out.  On what planet??  We are a church of sinners trying to overcome our own weaknesses.  All of us.  Should we all be booted?  Our church is our hospital.  To any gay person or couple or family, the door is wide open and arms are ready to embrace.    

Anyone with same sex attraction has my deepest sympathy.  I do not understand it and can hardly think of anything more difficult.  Their choices for staying within LDS membership are to live alone in celibacy, or marry someone of the opposite sex in spite of their attraction.  The latter is risky but some have done it successfully.  In some cases ..... and don't let anyone tell you this is not possible ...... people have overcome it and live a heterosexual lifestyle.   But we do NOT judge those who can't.  And all honest people deserve respect and fair treatment under the law.

Above all, we believe in a verrrrrrry looooong life after this one.  Like ..... forever.  Wedged into the core of our doctrine along with families, is the Atonement.  The Lord Jesus Christ took upon himself all our sins, weaknesses, pain, and fears ....... and IT IS POSSIBLE for each of us to eventually be free from them all and to live joyful and self-authentic lives within the Lord's boundaries.   That IS the whole point.  There is no other way.  The Lord did his part, now it's up to us to be repentant, humble, and faithful.   And if complete happiness must temporarily elude us in this brief mortal period of our eternal existence, then we know it will come in the next.  We will, through the Atonement, lack for nothing.  Nothing!  We just sometimes have to wait ...... and my heart breaks for those who must do so.  Nevertheless, the Holy Ghost is called the Comforter for a reason and we are all here to love, support, and encourage each other through our individual battles.  I cannot accept that God will turn His back on any of His children who are suffering.   The purpose of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help us ALL to avoid damaging or limiting the rest of our eternity.  Any and all responsible religions should be doing the same.