In part 3 of this 3 part series on LDS homosexuality, we learn about a devout LDS family (the Horstmanshoffs), wherein 4 out of 11 children are homosexuals. The purpose of this video is to help LDS families learn how to truly love and embrace their homosexual children, and their partners (vs. merely tolerating them).
This film, like the first two, was created as part of Dr. Ron Schow’s sabbatical project at Idaho State University. It was produced and directed by Mike Green and Ron Schow, with the support of the LDSResources.info group.
Again, if you are interested in these issues, please check out: https://ldsresources.info/, which is dedicated to supporting faithful LDS members w/ the issue of homosexuality.
I have watched all three of these videos, and am very grateful that they have been made available here. I felt for many years that the principles discussed here are true regarding ‘choice’ (or lack thereof) in SSA, even if the Brethren have had difficulty in accepting it. But I have never been able to frankly discuss these issues with any gay individual. So I am very grateful for these videos.
Will this video footage be available in a VHS or DVD format at anytime? It would be useful for sharing with friends and family who wouldn’t view this on the Internet.
This is all available now via DVD. I will contact Dr. Schow to get details on how to order….
I just finished watching all three segments and can only say that they are really well done. These should almost be required viewing for all members.
Um, I have heard from other Mormons that these videos are dangerous for LDS because it talks about homosexuality as not being changeable and that homosexual children should be given approval for their choices. Like in the 3rd video? Do those two parents know anything about Mormonisms position on the subject? I don’t think that these videos (I do think that they are good and realistic, healthy ways of handling it–since I’m gay and Mormon), but I really don’t think it’s in harmony with church teachings.
These are amazing videos. Every member of the Church should be required to watch them.
What I love is that it shows real, devoted Latter-day Saints dealing with homosexuality. It drives home the point that this attraction is not something that people choose, and whether they like it or not, it’s a part of who they are. Their stories are very, very touching.
Michael, I really hope that neither you nor other Mormons will let rumors of these videos being “dangerous” prevent them from viewing them. These videos need to be seen.
I am disappointed that many would say the message and counsel of our inspired prophets are unfortunately going around. Members of the Church, IN ALL AGES, have been saying “the Brethren are wrong on this issue or this issue…” However, the scriptures and Church history tell us again and again, that the inspired prophets are right, and that dissenters will reap disappointment by and by.
Unless you people have received a revelation that homosexuality cannot be avoided, and that agency (with divine help) can overcome it, then you ought to follow the counsel of your inspired prophets. And if you do receive such a revelation, reject it, because it is direct opposition to what the prophets and scriptures teach concerning our degree of agency over sin, and such a revelation came from the wrong source.
I grew up in a family of 7 boys, attended an all-boys High School, and have known several homosexual men.
True, it is ridiculous to treat them with any type of disrespect. If anything, they need uplifting, exalting friendship.
However, Elder Oaks is very correct. He is an inspired man that knows the doctrine of how we are each independent agents, or spirits, in this world, subject to the spirit of the devil or to the spirit of God.
According to Alma, we will be judged according to our words, thoughts, and actions. As he stated, “our thoughts will also condemn us.” These thoughts are connected with our feelings. If we will be judged according to our thoughts, then certainly, according to the Law of Justice, then we are able to control these thoughts, to some degree or another. We cannot be condemned or blamed for things we cannot control. This is an important principle of the Gospel.
Elder Oaks explains, “Yes, homosexual feelings are controllable. Perhaps there is an inclination or susceptibility to such feelings that is a reality for some and not a reality for others. But out of such susceptibilities come feelings, and feelings are controllable. If we cater to the feelings, they increase the power of the temptation. If we yield to the temptation, we have committed sinful behavior. That pattern is the same for a person that covets someone else’s property and has a strong temptation to steal. It’s the same for a person that develops a taste for alcohol. It’s the same for a person that is born with a ‘short fuse,’ as we would say of a susceptibility to anger. If they let that susceptibility remain uncontrolled, it becomes a feeling of anger, and a feeling of anger can yield to behavior that is sinful and illegal.”
Elder Oaks was commissioned by the Church and the Prophet to answer these questions, and President Hinckley would completely agree with his statement.
What would Moroni say about this temptation? “All things which are good cometh of God, and that which is evil cometh of the devil” (Moro 7:12). Homosexual feelings and thoughts can lead someone to not marrying and fulfilling the measure of their creation. It is a commandment of God. It can ultimately lead to homosexual behavior, which is a heinous and destructive sin. This behavior can ruin people’s lives, and most importantly, their eternal salvation.
I am troubled with this ‘liberal’ movement in the Church that it is ‘okay’ to be gay, and that homosexuals cannot control they way they think or feel. I do sustain, however, a movement that shares their perspective and struggles. For this reason, I like these videos. I honestly feel bad for them, and for their struggles and pain they go through. However, I do not like that how the counsel to relieve the pain, was through accepting that the feelings were okay, unchangeable, and facing it by developing relationships with other men, even if not sexual.
We must not ignore the Prophets. We must not reject the Law of Justice, which in connection with this was perfectly stated by Elder Oaks: “No, we do not accept the fact that conditions that prevent people from attaining their eternal destiny were born into them without any ability to control. That is contrary to the Plan of Salvation, and it is contrary to the justice and mercy of God.” Every soul born into this world has the potential to reach exaltation, thus every soul has power (with divine help) to overcome any difficulties, weaknesses, or struggles that hinder us from reaching that goal, whether it be ‘susceptibilities’ to anger, depression, immorality, drugs, or even homosexuality. To say these feelings are uncontrollable is to deny the mercy of God, as Elder Oaks perfectly stated.
se7en:
I really really don’t want to get into the whole debate on the merits of the church’s positions on homosexuality. That’s been done to death around the Bloggernacle. But the following statement is one I take issue with:
“However, the scriptures and Church history tell us again and again, that the inspired prophets are right, and that dissenters will reap disappointment by and by.”
By “inspired prophets” I am assuming you refer to those men who have been called and sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the time of Joseph Smith to the present time. If you mean something else, please elaborate. If I am correct, then I wonder what you think about the inspired prophets support for slavery, opposition to civil rights (including interracial marriage), their statements about monogamy being the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire, their predictions that the United States would cease to exist (in the 19th century), not to mention all the contradictory statements on doctinal matters made by different inspired prophets (Adam-God being perhaps the most egregious).
It seems to me, that upon further investigation, you might find that history has actually shown that the “inspired prophets” have been right about some things and wrong about others.
This video says that people are born gay and have no control over how they respond to same-sex attractions. In reality, there is a lot that people can do to understand the attractions and resolve the issues that cause the attractions. Thousands of people have overcome same-sex attractions. See http://www.evergreeninternational.org and http://www.exodus-international.org
equality from 8/29/06 is smart
other folks on here seem to have varying levels
of sanity and intelligence…..
but the Church… of LDS is recent enough that
it is easy to find inaccuracies and questionable
origins, unlike some of the other religions…