Contrary to a belief held by many, Mormons are indeed Christians.
They honor and revere the Holy Bible. They believe that Jesus
Christ is the head of their Church, making his will known
directly through his appointed mouthpiece on Earth, known
the Mormon Prophet, or President of the Church. Although Mormonism
declares Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Mormon religion
thereafter quickly isolates itself from other Christian religions,
both in doctrines and practices.Mormonism began with its founder,
Joseph Smith, in 1830, who claimed he had received a vision
wherein God the Father and Jesus Christ, told Joseph that
he was chosen to restore the true church of Christ to the
earth.
Mormons believe that after the great apostacy (when all apostles
from the original followers of Christ had died), the authority
to act in the name of God (the priesthood), and Christ's Church,
ceased to exist. Therefore, Joseph Smith, by "divine" appointment,
became the first Prophet of the "latter-day", receiving his
authority, the priesthood, directly from the Apostles Peter,
James and John whom Christ had ordained to his ministry himself
while on the earth. Of course, there were many of these "visions"
and "revelations" experienced by Joseph Smith, resulting in
several books revered by the Mormons as absolute scripture.
These books are the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants
and The Pearl of Great Price.Joseph Smith secured a large
following of faithful saints, much like the other religious
preachers who zealously pursued congregations who would follow
their interpretations of the Bible with financial support.
Indeed, to be a church founder was, at that time in American
history, considered an acceptable and common endeavor.
The
Book of Mormon is a record Joseph Smith claimed to have received
from an angel named Moroni and which he translated from these
gold plates whereupon a recorded history of the inhabitants
of North America from 600 BC to approximately 400 AD was inscribed.
Mormon was one of last the prophets to make an entry of history
in this book. As Mormon had compiled all of the other recorded
words of previous prophets who lived before him, Joseph called
it The Book of Mormon. This book remains the cornerstone of
the Church, upon which hinges the doctrines and principles
taught in the Church.
The general admonition given by missionaries for the Church,
to read and pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon
eventually obligates the reader to follow all other doctrines
of the Mormon Church by virtue of the readers own acceptance
of the Book of Mormon as viable scripture. Considering the
language and cadence of the book virtually mimics biblical
language and style, it is quite reasonable that one who lacks
significant knowledge about the finer doctrines taught in
the Church to come to believe the Book of Mormon could indeed
be scripture.The general structure of the Mormon Church is
an extremely detailed organization based upon structures found
in many successful corporate businesses today.
The
all-male authority flow chart, (or Priesthood lineage), begins
with the Prophet and his two "vice-presidents" who are known
as Counselors. They preside over twelve other men, sitting
upon a veritable "board of directors" for the Church, but
referred to as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Under their
direction, seventy "district managers", (called Regional Representatives),
administer church directives within a specific geographic
region of the earth. These Regional Representatives are more
commonly known in the Church as the Quorum of the Seventy.
Underneath these representatives, preside Stake Presidents
and two counselors; a High Council, consisting of twelve men,
and several Bishops and Counselors, with congregations of
up to one thousand people. There are various Sunday School
classes, attendance being determined by age and sex, for every
church member from the age of three through sixteen years.
Initially, boys and girls jointly congregate for what is called
Primary, followed by some gender mixed and gender separated
classes, wherein Mormon doctrines, tailor-written according
to age and sex, are taught All materials used in the Church
are carefully reviewed and approved by the First Presidency
and the Apostles. Primary children are baptized by full immersion
at age eight, because it is believed that by this age, children
can sufficiently comprehend the differences between right
and wrong.
Mormons
consider the words of any Mormon Prophet, (written or spoken,
past or present), to be the word of God -- scripture as viable
as any found in the Bible. Records of doctrinal dissertations
by various apostles and prophets of the church are compiled
in what is known as the Church History and can also be found
in various church publications. These dissertations are also
integrated into church teaching materials and guidelines,
as well as church policy and governing laws, and are considered
scripture, as is anything with the copyright mark of the First
Presidency of the Church.Mormon policy concerning Homosexuality
began in 1975, when Church President and Prophet, Spencer
W. Kimball, wrote his book, "The Miracle of Forgiveness",
wherein he addressed this subject out of a discovery of an
almost total absence of scriptural reference and Church policy
concerning Homosexuality. Jesus Christ spoke not a word about
it, nor did church founder, Joseph Smith.
The
only scriptural references that exist are found in the Bible
in seven places; each of which can easily be dismissed as
referring to the common practice of Greeks who offered trade
apprenticeship and mentorship to young men, in exchange for
sexual relations. In fact, there is no english equivalent
for the hebraic text which describes this Greek practice.
But this practice was not homosexuality as we know it today.
Interestingly, the word homosexuality was introduced into
the bible in 1935. Mistakenly, biblical scholars forget to
consider the context and historical circumstances surrounding
these references to Homosexuality, and carefully eliminate
essential factors necessary in understanding these scriptural
texts appropriately.
Mormons
believe that one cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, known
as the Celestial Kingdom, without entering the sacred covenant
of marriage to one of the opposite sex through the Temple
ceremonies. Therefore, homosexuality is not congruent with
these requirements for eternal salvation. Mormons perceive
homosexuality as merely a physical, sexual act between persons
of the same gender. They do not believe one can achieve any
type of fulfillment or sense of completeness as a human being
within the structure of a homosexual relationship. Mormons
believe it is an unnatural act, similar to sadomasichism,
adultery, abortion, even murder.
Even masturbation is considered an evil practice, leading
to homosexual acts. In terms of punishment, however, it is
a considerably a much less painful repentance process for
homosexual acts than for heterosexual fornication. Socially,
behavior incongruent to doctrines of the Church can easily
become known to other church members. Gossip heavily infiltrates
the social structure of the church.
This causes extreme ostracism through socialized shame directed
towards the offending individual. My Father served as a Stake
President for over sixteen years of my life. There is a degree
of exclusivity and privilege given to the family of any church
leader, especially those of a Stake President. Our family
was considered upper-middle class. We truly wanted for nothing
materially. I was adopted, as was my older sister, while very
young. I was brought up to believe in the Mormon doctrines
and follow church policy regarding moral and spiritual issues.
It is the policy of the Mormon Church concerning homosexuality
that caused me the greatest difficulty. I was taught in Sunday
School classes that I would begin to experience attractions
towards members of the opposite sex and that I should control
myself and honor and respect the virtue of young women, abstaining
from sexual intercourse until marriage.
As
each year would pass, I began to realize that these feelings
of attraction and sexual desire were for those members of
my own sex, not the opposite sex. I continued to pursue dating
girls in the church, yearning for any sign of sexual interest,
but found only disappointment and discouragement. I read stories
of Prophets who had said that they would rather their sons
". . .be dead than homosexual", and that they would sooner
see their sons ". . .come home in a coffin than be gay".
Words
like these deeply affected my sense of self-worth, causing
me to question whether God was capable of unconditionally
loving me, in spite of the ever-looming dark cloud of sin
and guilt, which accompanied me throughout my young life.
I ridiculed and punished myself for the affections inside
of me, voraciously pursued constant bible study and church
service, which I believed would eventually instigate my heterosexuality.
I decided to serve as a full-time missionary in a last-ditch
effort appeal to the Lord to change my sexual desires. I believed
whole-heartedly that as I faithfully served a mission, the
Lord might see fit to reward my works and dedication with
the eradication of my homosexuality. I considered surgical
procedures, medical therapy, sought psychiatric help and pursued
every possible means to end the war within me which quickly
deteriorated my self-image, self-worth and will to live with
such a handicap - - this disability as I had come to consider
it; and that which I had to overcome. It was soon after I
served my full-time mission that I began to realize how true
the words were of a psychiatrist friend I met while on my
mission in Los Angeles -- I needed to stop fighting myself
and embrace the desires of having a relationship with a man.
Only through completely accepting every innate orientation
towards men would I ever truly discover whether I could be
happy as myself - as God has made me. I gathered the strength
to finally inform my parents that I was gay as a first bold
step towards self-acceptance to rid myself of the bonds of
shame the Church had placed upon me.
I
knew they would not be pleased to say the least. But nothing
could have prepared me for the ultimate shame and worthlessness
I felt as my Father responded coldly, "I did not invest twenty-two
years of my life, time and money in you, for you to tell me
that you're gay!" As the last words fell from his mouth in
defiant anger, I was immediately overcome by a sense of my
soul being emptied from head to toe. I sank in grief from
the knowledge that my adoption, my life, my talents, my contributions
to the family and to the Church, indeed my very worth as a
human being deserving of love, was suddenly stripped to the
level of an investment in my Father's eyes. The man I sought
to make proud of me and to try to get to love me without conditions
had finally brought me to my knees with this harsh statement.
Indeed how it reminded me of the Mormon Prophets who preferred
their sons be dead than homosexual.
I gathered up my belongings and left my parents house vowing
never to return, nor to continue to use the family name which
my Father had told me I dragged through the mud on more than
one occasion. I cried uncontrollably as I drove to an unknown
destination - just somewhere. Anywhere. Thus began the two-weeks
I spent living in my car, going back and forth from the beach
to the homes of friends who would let me shower. A kind and
understanding church woman whom I had befriended through our
mutual love of music, offered to let me stay in the guest
room of their large home with her seven children, in exchange
for teaching them piano lessons. No sooner had I moved in
then my Father called to insist as her Church leader that
she force me to leave immediately and withdraw her support
of me, saying I must learn life's lessons the hard way. She
refused and informed him it was her house and she would do
as she pleased. I loved her fiery spirit. She didn't judge
me, she just loved me unconditionally for the good person
I knew I truly was inside. It was during this time that I
lived with her wonderful and talented family, that I endured
some of the most painful moments in my life. I had met a gay
couple through another Church family.
This
couple invited me to come to San Francisco and meet with other
gay men so that I could see that I was not alone. That I was
not faulted, nor did I need to feel ashamed any longer. As
I became more comfortable with my visits to San Francisco,
meeting many good, quality people of my own sexual orientation,
I prayed one particular night more fervently and with greater
earnestness than ever before. I begged for the answer as to
whether I was gay or not. Was I doing the right thing? For
I was about to make the move to the City and I desperately
needed an answer. I fell asleep with a troubled mind and tormented
soul.
As the morning sun enveloped the guest room where I had lived
for two months, I awoke with a sudden start as I heard the
almost audible words, "Accept yourself, as I have made
you."
These
words were followed by the memory of my Father quoting the
Prophet Alma from the Book of Mormon who preached that anything
good is of God. That one can know of a certainty if something
is good or of God if it causes one to grow - like a good seed.
And if it does not grow, but withers and dies, one can know
of a certainty it is not of God. I realized the test which
now lay clearly before me. I must embrace this strange new
path which lay before me and find out if I would truly grow.
If I could finally escape the shame and sadness and truly
be happy. I reasoned further that if my inconsistent and out
of control life could become peaceful and stable, then I certainly
would have grown and my path is of God. As fate would have
it, I never experienced greater joy, satisfaction in life,
success and fulfillment.
Everything began to fall into place in my life and I knew
I had found my place in the world. I also knew I would not
go to hell, because I realized Heaven and Hell are not destinations,
but emotional conditions brought about by individual choices
to either embrace the light and love of truth or to follow
a more destructive path. I realized that there is truly no
sin. That sin is another term used as a shaming tool to instill
guilt and control over others - to cause us to surrender our
god-given free-agency to choose one path or another with their
respective consequences. There are no good or bad decisions,
because good or evil are subjective and realtive to individual
convictions, upbringing and beliefs. Indeed, as in scientific
fact, for every action, there is always a reaction. These
reactions cannot be considered good or evil, because what
may be an undesirable consequence to one, may be the desired
reaction to another.
This
acceptance of universal truths which seemed to elude the purported
pursuit of knowledge and wisdom in the Church, led me to begin
an understanding of many universal mysteries that to this
day continue to be answered. These answers elevate the quality
of my life and the love between my boyfriend and I. I understand
more about life and its real meaning; the wisdom that experience
brings and the knowledge of my life purpose. Without allowing
oneself to accept all truth which is eternal and everlasting,
from wherever it comes - science, medicine, history or religion
- one cannot possibly be prepared to learn and understand
the mysteries of the universe and its design for our lives.
It is only when we refuse to learn out of the fear that our
present understandings may be challenged to grow into a deeper,
higher level of understanding; effecting a change of that
understanding from one position to another, more enlightened
position; that we perpetuate our mediocrity and limited intelligence.
Intelligence profits us nothing without its application.
For the fruit of this is wisdom. Laws of love in unlimited
and purest form, fosters depth of wisdom and understanding
of human nature that mitigates ignorance and fear wrought
by a limited or controlled exposure to universal truths. If
one is limited in knowledge and understanding of truth, one
cannot know a greater degree of joy or wisdom than that which
their limitations allow. I realized that being gay is not
like a disability. It is a blessing to be cherished, and one
that is given to but a few fortunate people in this world.
It brings a magic and wonderment to an otherwise cruel world.
Giving those who will listen to the whisperings of their own
hearts and minds, and who will see through the eyes of unconditional
love, an enrichment to life that enhances the soul and enlightens
the mind. Only as our understandings remain open to higher
laws of truth will we ever know the real secrets of the universe
and the greater rewards others are not prepared to receive.
In
the pages that follow, you will read correspondence I have
received and sent to various Mormon Church Authorities discussing
the Church's immoral, unethical and unfounded policy on homosexuality.My
initial desire was to create a spirit of discussion wherein,
those with whom I corresponded and myself could extricate
the purposes, reasoning and foundation behind the creation
of this outrageous policy.
Unfortunately, the Church Authorities were much less than
eager to discuss the issue, beyond perpetual affirmations
of their prepared outlines on the policy. It became obvious,
over the course of our correspondence, that they purported
Christ-like concern for my well-being, however it became increasingly
obvious that they contorted my views to fit their purposes
thereby evading honest and Christ-like discussion. I found
several significant contradictions (outlined in the correspondence)
which, when repeatedly presented to the Church Authorities,
remained suspiciously unaddressed.
This lead me to believe that the Church Authorities are severely
perplexed over the issue of homosexuality and are equipped
with neither the education nor Christ-like inspiration to
adequately and humanistically -deal with homosexuality within
and without the Church. As my continual bombardment of information
and statistics began to wear on them, they became equally
less vocal and less conscionable of their creatively tailored
responses. In conclusion, it will serve the reader well to
carefully examine the construction of the letters from the
Church Authorities in comparison to my own. The reader will
find that the Church Authorities avoid vehemency and voracity,
where I chose such tones to express my sincere rage and disgust
with their diabolical doctrines. What should be noted carefully
is that the Church Authorities continually defended themselves
with a clever smokescreen of "love and compassion" for me
as a "lost soul".
Yet
as we progressed towards the completion of my excommunication
process and our correspondence, that same smokescreen quickly
dissipated into an obvious manipulation and contortion of
Christian ethics As well it exposed the contradistinction
of their "Christian concern" and my subsequent excommunication.
The Mormon Church experience is one that is unique. This is
especially unique when the individual member is homosexual.
I wrote and compiled this correspondence in the hopes that
eyes may be opened to the astounding and horrifying truth
of homosexual youth and adult suicide in direct correlation
with the Mormon Church Policy on Homosexuality.
The
blood of these innocent children of God will ever stain the
"holy garments" of these men who perpetuate their unfounded
homophobic, unrealistic and wholly inhuman doctrines on homosexuality.
I urge the many Gay and Lesbian members of the Mormon Church
to come forward and examine more closely the unethical and
ungodly Gospel the Mormon Church leaders profess is of Christ.
That neither Christ nor the founder of the Mormon Church ever
addressed by spoken, written or revealed word the legitimate
and God-created human orientation of homosexuality, irrefutably
connotes the verity of such damnable practices and policies
created by the leaders of the Mormon Church.
I sincerely urge the reader to explore further the atrocities
these Brethren have committed with respect to their anti-homosexual
policies.
- Steven Reed Ogden
