Why Mormonism Can Abide Gay Marriage

Why Mormonism Why Mormonism CanCan Abide Gay MarriageAbide Gay Marriage

Audience awarenessAudience awareness

Could give a fairly accurate definition for Could give a fairly accurate definition for both “intersex” and “transgender”both “intersex” and “transgender”

Have read at least one article arguing for Have read at least one article arguing for same-sex marriage within Mormonismsame-sex marriage within Mormonism

From 1-10, familiarity with the biology From 1-10, familiarity with the biology behind sexual orientationbehind sexual orientation

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1. Evidence of the Church’s anti-gay marriage 1. Evidence of the Church’s anti-gay marriage stancestance

2. “By their fruits” arguments (e.g. the value 2. “By their fruits” arguments (e.g. the value of gay marriage to society)of gay marriage to society)

3. Doctrinal arguments (e.g. scriptures, Family 3. Doctrinal arguments (e.g. scriptures, Family Proclamation)Proclamation)

4. Conclusions4. Conclusions

BioBio

-Biologist-Biologist -Wrote a book -Wrote a book

Taylor and Jessica

JessicaTaylor

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Mormonism ≠ gay marriageMormonism ≠ gay marriage

“As a doctrinal principle, based on the scriptures, the Church affirms that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children… the Church accordingly affirms defining marriage as the legal and lawful union between a man and a woman.”

- 2010 Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, 17.3.10 (Same-Gender Marriages)


“Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Any other sexual relations, including those between persons of the same gender, are sinful and undermine the divinely created institution of the family.”

- 2010 Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, 17.3.10 (Same-Gender Marriages)



-Church’s opposition to SSM (same-sex marriage) in Alaska, California, and Hawaii

-Various scriptures

-Family Proclamation

-Condemnation of homosexual conduct by leaders

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Ye shall know them by their fruitsYe shall know them by their fruits

“He taught us to evaluate attitudes and actions not by their conformity to the letter of a generalized law but rather according to their compatibility with the spirit of love and the degree to which they promote self-development.”

Homosexual orientation isn’t just Homosexual orientation isn’t just about lustabout lust

Homosexual orientation can be described as a constellation of romantic/sexual/emotional inclinations: in other words, valid human love. Thus, like heterosexual orientation, it can be applied to forge strong pair relationships, which can in turn found a stable marriage.

How does orientation buttress How does orientation buttress stability?stability?

Sex!• Oxytocin• Dopamine

Romantic interest helps too

Don’t forget companionate love and emotional intimacy

Same-sex marriage is Same-sex marriage is consensualconsensual

Unlike some sexual orientations, such as toward children or teenagers (e.g. ephebophilia), homosexual orientation is comparable to heterosexual orientation. Both orientations buttress the stability of the marital relationship through creating and maintaining consent by both adult partners.

Same-sex marriage: more stable Same-sex marriage: more stable than cohabitationthan cohabitation

Less celibacyLess celibacy

If ever there were an anti-family institution, it’s celibacy. Many gay members cannot in good conscience marry a member of the opposite sex. Thus, they either stay celibate for life or risk their membership.

Gay marriage creates, rather than prevents, family.

Procreation Procreation argumentargument

Procreation argumentProcreation argument

“[S]exual relations within marriage are divinely approved not only for the purpose of procreation, but also as a way of expressing love and strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife.”-CHI 21.4.4

Same-sex couples, like any infertile married couple, stand to benefit from the bonding effect of sexual relations.


Procreation is incident, not foundational to, marriage: witness infertile couples. They are no less married despite their inability to reproduce naturally. The same can be said of same-sex couples.


Does this infertile couple misunderstand the purpose of marriage?


How about this infertile couple?

Procreation argumentProcreation argument Anyway, same-sex couples can

reproduce.

Benefits of MarriageBenefits of Marriage

Married people have longer life expectancies than unmarried peers.

Married people are more productive, have higher incomes, and enjoy more family time than the unmarried.

Married people experience less depression. Married people had considerably less depression and fewer problems with alcohol than did unmarried people.

Witherspoon Institute, Marriage and the Public Good: 10 Principles, 2006, p.20, www.princetonprinciples.org

L. Waite & E. Lehrer, The Benefits from Marriage & Religion in the U.S.: A Comparative Analysis, Population & Development Review, Vol 29, No. 2, June 2003, p. 264.

Same-sex couples can parentSame-sex couples can parent

Both raising and bearing a child are vital.

Same-sex couples can rear children, and, compared to cohabitation, same-sex families (children and parents) are likely to reap the same benefits from being married that opposite-sex families do.

Same-sex couples can parentSame-sex couples can parent

Some research indicates they parent as or more effectively than opposite-sex couples

Providing reliable caregiversProviding reliable caregivers

If marriage means anything, it is that you’re there for each other “in sickness and in health,” in the ups and the downs. Compared to celibacy, this means lifetimes of caretaking which would otherwise be neglected or picked up by the state.

Providing Reliable Caregivers

“A husband or wife is the social worker of first resort, the psychiatrist of first resort, the cop and counselor and insurer and nurse and 911 operator of first resort.”

Jonathan Rauch, Gay Marriage: Why it

is Good for Gays, Good for Straights,

and Good for America, 2004, pg. 23.j

In my view, this is the #1 reason to support gay marriage in Mormonism.

Settling young menSettling young men

Unmarried men between 24 and 35 are three times as likely to murder another male, and are more likely to rape and rob, among other risks, than their married counterparts. Some gay men, rather than celibacy, would instead choose marriage were it encouraged and available.

Gain points with the publicGain points with the public

Trend is toward acceptance of gay relationships.

Lose points for consistency in the short term.

However, the longer the Church waits, the worse they look (think 1978 lifting the ban). Best strategy long term? Change now.

Relieved church membersRelieved church members Many men who sit on disciplinary

councils are anguished when faithful members enter same-sex relationships. Wounding delicate souls by excommunication is a very serious act.

This damaging practice would cease.

Relieved gay membersRelieved gay members Don’t have to hide who they are-

fewer distressed, duplicitous lives bereft of integrity.

Relieved gay membersRelieved gay members

Less despair about:• Their future• Belonging• Self-worth• Church discipline • Family and church rejection

Relieved family membersRelieved family members

Fewer straight spouses in the closet or suffering from the difficulties of being married to a gay spouse.

Fewer children of divorced or conflicted marriages resulting from mixed orientation.

More sheep in the foldMore sheep in the fold More gay people will stay within the

nurturing LDS community- as will those who support them.

(Think of the missionaries that refuse to serve, and the members that leave, because they disagree with LDS homosexuality policy)

More sheep in the foldMore sheep in the fold

The children of gay and lesbian families will grow up in the church instead of outside it.

Converts who wouldn’t otherwise join, will.

Parents will have hope for their Parents will have hope for their gay childrengay children

Parents generally do not want their gay children to:

- enter risky mixed orientation marriages

- stay celibate for life (think lifetime of lonely dinners)

Parents generally do want their gay children to: -Have a robust opportunity for stable

marriage

Gay children will hope for Gay children will hope for themselvesthemselves

Gay people generally do not want to:

- enter risky mixed orientation marriages

- stay celibate for life (lifetime of lonely dinners)

Gay people generally do want to: -Have a robust opportunity for stable

marriage

Ye shall know them by their fruitsYe shall know them by their fruits

We’ve discussed over a dozen of the “fruits” (consequences) of gay marriage.Are the fruits good, or bad?

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Family ProclamationFamily Proclamation

Does it forbid SSM? Does it forbid SSM?

““Marriage between a man and a Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God”woman is ordained of God”

There are at least four possible reasons why the Family Proc does not forbid SSM in Mormonism.

Family ProclamationFamily Proclamation

Reason #1: It’s not doctrine

““The only one authorized to bring forth any new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be so accepted by the Council of the Twelve and sustained by the body of the Church.”

(Polygamy) Manifesto, yes. 1978 (Polygamy) Manifesto, yes. 1978 Official Declaration lifting priesthood Official Declaration lifting priesthood ban, yes. Family Proc, no. ban, yes. Family Proc, no.

Family ProclamationFamily Proclamation Reason #2: On it’s face, Reason #2: On it’s face, there is no prohibition of there is no prohibition of

SSMSSM

““Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of Godof God.”.”

““A square is a quadrilateral.” A square is a quadrilateral.” That doesn’t preclude That doesn’t preclude a rectangle from also being a quadrilateral.a rectangle from also being a quadrilateral.

Linguistically, the statement is not a limitation. Linguistically, the statement is not a limitation. Marriage can still be between a man and a woman, Marriage can still be between a man and a woman, even with SSM.even with SSM.

Family ProclamationFamily Proclamation Reason #3: The Proc allows for Reason #3: The Proc allows for

circumstance-based adaptationcircumstance-based adaptation

““Disability, death, or other circumstances may Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.necessitate individual adaptation.””

A persistent, predominant homosexual A persistent, predominant homosexual orientationorientation is an “other circumstance is an “other circumstance necessitating individual adaptation” if ever there necessitating individual adaptation” if ever there was one.was one.

Family ProclamationFamily Proclamation Reason #4: The Family Proc’s construction of

gender is not physical; instead, it is necessarily spiritual.

““Gender is an essential characteristic of Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purposeidentity and purpose.”.”

Premortal = no physical body. Thus, Premortal = no physical body. Thus, spiritual spiritual gender is what matters gender is what matters in regard to marriage.in regard to marriage.

You can’t measure shoe size You can’t measure shoe size with a thermometerwith a thermometer

Or, how do you discern spiritual gender?

DisclaimerDisclaimer

Some of the following images are graphic.

Boy or girl?Boy or girl?

We judge by physical appearance, do We judge by physical appearance, do we not?we not?

Boy or girl?Boy or girl?

What about when appearance doesn’t What about when appearance doesn’t give it away? give it away?

Discerning physical sexDiscerning physical sex

1.1. ““Pull your pants down” test- look at the genitalsPull your pants down” test- look at the genitals

2.2. Genetic test (XX is female, XY male)Genetic test (XX is female, XY male)

3.3. Gametes test- whichever gametes (eggs or Gametes test- whichever gametes (eggs or sperm) a person makes defines the person’s sperm) a person makes defines the person’s gendergender

Sex determination in a nutshellSex determination in a nutshell

1.1. In next few slides, focus on big pictureIn next few slides, focus on big picture

2.2. Summary will be provided Summary will be provided afterwardafterward

Sex DeterminationSex Determination

Sexual Sexual genotypegenotype (XY or XX) is responsible for (XY or XX) is responsible for directing directing gonadal development gonadal development which directs which directs external genitalia external genitalia developmentdevelopment

The various phases of sexual development are The various phases of sexual development are controlled not only by controlled not only by sex chromosomal genes sex chromosomal genes but by but by hormoneshormones as well as well

Early Genital System Early Genital System Development Ends in Development Ends in a Bipotential Phasea Bipotential Phase

Gonad formation and Gonad formation and differentiation begins with the differentiation begins with the arrival of arrival of primordial germ primordial germ cells cells from the yolk sac in the from the yolk sac in the intermediate mesoderm in the 5intermediate mesoderm in the 5thth weekweek

PGCs then move into the area PGCs then move into the area that will become the that will become the genital genital ridgeridge

In the 6In the 6thth week somatic support week somatic support cells form and invest the germ cells form and invest the germ cellscells• These cells are essential for germ These cells are essential for germ

cell development within the gonadcell development within the gonad From the From the 77thth week week on on

development of the male and development of the male and female systems divergesfemale systems diverges

Male Male DevelopmentDevelopment

The The SRY gene SRY gene seems to control the seems to control the cascade of events leading to male cascade of events leading to male developmentdevelopment

• Activated only from days 41 to 52 Activated only from days 41 to 52 postovulationpostovulation

• Likely upregulates testis-specific Likely upregulates testis-specific genes and/or represses ovarian genes and/or represses ovarian genesgenes

SRY is first expressed in the somatic SRY is first expressed in the somatic support cells of the XY gonadsupport cells of the XY gonad

Support cells begin to differentiate Support cells begin to differentiate into Sertoli cells and envelop the into Sertoli cells and envelop the germ cellsgerm cells

77thth week week Sertoli cells along with Sertoli cells along with interstitial cells interstitial cells of the gonad of the gonad organize to form testis cords organize to form testis cords enclosing the germ cellsenclosing the germ cells

• At puberty the testis cords At puberty the testis cords differentiate into the seminiferous differentiate into the seminiferous tubulestubules

• Rete testis is formed by Sertoli cells Rete testis is formed by Sertoli cells which have not surrounded germ which have not surrounded germ cellscells

Mesonephric ducts will form the Mesonephric ducts will form the epididymis, spermatic ducts, epididymis, spermatic ducts, vas deferens, and seminal vas deferens, and seminal vesiclevesicle

Tunica albuginea forms as Tunica albuginea forms as connective tissue separating the connective tissue separating the coelomic epithelium from the testis coelomic epithelium from the testis cordscords

Divergence of Male and Female Divergence of Male and Female DevelopmentDevelopment

MaleMale• In 6In 6thth week a urethral groove forms along week a urethral groove forms along

the ventral surface of the genital tuberclethe ventral surface of the genital tubercle• Initially the groove only extends part-way Initially the groove only extends part-way

down the shaft of the phallusdown the shaft of the phallus• The urethral groove becomes the The urethral groove becomes the penile penile

urethra urethra when the urethral folds fuse in the when the urethral folds fuse in the midlinemidline

• Urethra forms in the glans by Urethra forms in the glans by canalizationcanalization of the urethral plateof the urethral plate

• Perineal region lengthens and the Perineal region lengthens and the labioscrotallabioscrotal foldsfolds fuse to form the fuse to form the scrotumscrotum

FemaleFemale• Perineum does not lengthen and the Perineum does not lengthen and the

labioscrotal folds and urethra folds do not labioscrotal folds and urethra folds do not fuse along the midlinefuse along the midline

• Urethral folds become Urethral folds become labia minoralabia minora• Labioscrotal folds become Labioscrotal folds become labia majoralabia majora• Phallus bends inferiorly to become the Phallus bends inferiorly to become the

clitorisclitoris• Phallic portion of urogenital sinus becomes Phallic portion of urogenital sinus becomes

the vestibule of the vaginathe vestibule of the vagina

HypospadiasHypospadias Common Common

manifestation of (but manifestation of (but not limited to) male not limited to) male pseudohermaphrodispseudohermaphrodism m

Urethra opens to the Urethra opens to the ventral surface of the ventral surface of the penispenis

Hypospadias result Hypospadias result from from failure of failure of formation or fusion formation or fusion of the urethra folds of the urethra folds (penile shaft)(penile shaft)

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (Testicular Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (Testicular Feminization Syndrome)Feminization Syndrome)

Genetically Genetically male; looks male; looks femalefemale


1.1. Summary:Summary:

2.2. SRY gene on the Y chromosome causes a SRY gene on the Y chromosome causes a bipotential embryo to develop male-type bipotential embryo to develop male-type characteristicscharacteristics

3.3. Results from abnormal processes? Individuals Results from abnormal processes? Individuals with male genes but female genitalia and vice with male genes but female genitalia and vice versa; individuals with male genes and both versa; individuals with male genes and both male and female genitalia; individuals with male male and female genitalia; individuals with male and female genes; and female genes; and everything in betweenand everything in between. .


““Nature doesn’t draw any lines on us: Nature doesn’t draw any lines on us: we draw lines on nature.”we draw lines on nature.”

““Look not on his countenance, or on Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord have refused him: for the Lord aaseeth not not as as bbman seeth; for man looketh on the seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance” 1 Sam. 16:7outward appearance” 1 Sam. 16:7

Discerning physical genderDiscerning physical gender




“ “Pull your pants down” test- look Pull your pants down” test- look at the genitalsat the genitals

True HermaphroditesTrue Hermaphrodites Have sex chromosomes, genitalia, and/or Have sex chromosomes, genitalia, and/or

secondary sex characteristics that are a secondary sex characteristics that are a mixture of both male and femalemixture of both male and female

Can be chromosomal males, chromosomal Can be chromosomal males, chromosomal females, or mosaicsfemales, or mosaics

Gonads are usually streak-like and contain both Gonads are usually streak-like and contain both seminiferous tubules and folliclesseminiferous tubules and follicles• In 20% of cases the individual will have an ovary or In 20% of cases the individual will have an ovary or

ovotestis on one side and a testis on the otherovotestis on one side and a testis on the other Mosaics (and female mosaics where the X Mosaics (and female mosaics where the X

chromosome in some cells has the SRY gene chromosome in some cells has the SRY gene attached) can be explained since cells with SRY attached) can be explained since cells with SRY will form testicular tissue while those without will form testicular tissue while those without will form ovarian tissuewill form ovarian tissue

True HermaphroditesTrue Hermaphrodites

Girl or boy?Girl or boy?

Caster Semenya, Caster Semenya, Santhi Santhi SoundarajanSoundarajan

The statsThe stats

Discerning physical sexDiscerning physical sex




4.4. Bottom line: all people don’t fit neatly into “boy” Bottom line: all people don’t fit neatly into “boy” and “girl” categoriesand “girl” categories

So what? Why does this matter?So what? Why does this matter?

MostMost people aren’t “fringe” cases- people aren’t “fringe” cases- they’re clearly male or female, right?they’re clearly male or female, right?

Voting to alter nature?Voting to alter nature?

““Years ago I visited a school in Albuquerque. The Years ago I visited a school in Albuquerque. The teacher told me about a youngster who brought a teacher told me about a youngster who brought a kitten to class. As you can imagine, that disrupted kitten to class. As you can imagine, that disrupted everything. She had him hold the kitten up in front of everything. She had him hold the kitten up in front of the children.the children.

It went well until one of the children asked, “It went well until one of the children asked, “Is it a boy Is it a boy kitty or a girl kitty?kitty or a girl kitty?””

Not wanting to get into that lesson, the teacher said, Not wanting to get into that lesson, the teacher said, “It doesn’t matter. It’s just a kitty.”“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a kitty.”

But they persisted. Finally, one boy raised his hand and But they persisted. Finally, one boy raised his hand and said, “I know how you can tell.”said, “I know how you can tell.”

Resigned to face it, the teacher said, “How can you Resigned to face it, the teacher said, “How can you tell?”tell?”

Voting to alter nature?Voting to alter nature?

And the student answered, “You can vote on it!”And the student answered, “You can vote on it!” You may laugh at this story, but if we are not You may laugh at this story, but if we are not

alert, there are those today who not only tolerate alert, there are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and naturealter the designs of God’s laws and nature. A law . A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. against nature would be impossible to enforce. For instance, what good would a vote against the For instance, what good would a vote against the law of gravity do?”law of gravity do?”

-President Packer, October 2010, Cleansing the Inner Vessel-President Packer, October 2010, Cleansing the Inner Vessel

So, let’s vote!So, let’s vote!

Bottom Line: Bottom Line: We don’t know a We don’t know a person’s spiritual sexperson’s spiritual sex

-What is the height of -What is the height of

this person’s spirit?this person’s spirit?

-If physical sex is -If physical sex is ambiguousambiguous, , it cannot serve as the basis it cannot serve as the basis for a judgment of for a judgment of unambiguousunambiguous (remember- gender is (remember- gender is an “essential” characteristic)an “essential” characteristic) spiritual sex. spiritual sex.

--How about the shoe sizeHow about the shoe sizeof this person’s spirit? of this person’s spirit?

You can’t measure shoe size You can’t measure shoe size with a thermometerwith a thermometer

Neither can you measure spiritual gender by physical appearance.

Bishop’s dilemma

JessicaTaylor

Perform the marriage or not?

JessicaTaylor

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ExcommunicationExaltation

JessicaTaylor

If physical appearance cannot ground the bishop’s decision, the criterion of appearance must be rejected, not just the “fringe” cases.

JessicaTaylor

Conclusion from uncertainty: perform both marriages, or

perform neither; choosing only one couple is irrational.

JessicaTaylor

SpiritualSpiritual sex of each? sex of each?

JessicaTaylor

ExcommunicationExaltation

JessicaTaylor

At the judgment bar, shouldn’t these couples’ fate be determined by their behavior toward each other, rather than on the level of a hormone present in the womb?

34 Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things 34 Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.your father, whom I created.

35 Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an 35 Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, gave I unto him, for my commandments are for my commandments are spiritual; spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensualneither carnal nor sensual..

D&C 29D&C 29

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ScripturesScriptures

Restoration scriptures (Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants) are silent about SSM and homosexuality: a rather significant omission.

“The Bible condemns homosexuality.” None of the five bible verses commonly cited to condemn homosexual behavior unequivocally support that proposition.

ScripturesScriptures

Genesis 19: Inhospitality/lack of charity is more likely the sin of Sodom

Leviticus 18: More likely condemns a foreign practice than a sinful one

Paul (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1): more likely condemned heterosexuals engaging in homosexual acts, and relied on the no-longer-binding Levitical prohibition

Law of chastityLaw of chastity

““The Lord’s law of chastity… The Lord’s law of chastity… legally and legally and lawfullylawfully wedded as husband and wife.” wedded as husband and wife.” -CHI 2010, 21.4.5-CHI 2010, 21.4.5

The law of chastity is oneof very few church moral standards tied to an external legal

concept. Arguably, married same-sex couples are already living this law.

11stst Polygamy; 2 Polygamy; 2ndnd blacks/ blacks/ priesthood; 3priesthood; 3rdrd gay marriage gay marriage

““The only men who become Gods, even The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, the sons of God, are those who enter are those who enter into polygamyinto polygamy.”.”

““The attitude of the Church with The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. always stood. It is not a matter of the It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct declaration of a policy but of direct commandment commandment from the Lord, on which from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church…”is founded the doctrine of the Church…”

Bottom lineBottom line

Doctrinal positions can be Doctrinal positions can be reinterpreted or changed.reinterpreted or changed.

Like (1) necessary-to-salvation Like (1) necessary-to-salvation polygamy and (2) racial priesthood polygamy and (2) racial priesthood positions, the current anti-gay positions, the current anti-gay marriage position marriage position may be may be reinterpreted or reversedreinterpreted or reversed. .

Church Handbook, Church Church Handbook, Church LeadersLeaders

“Not even statements from the First Presidency which have appeared in various editions of the bishop’s handbook can make the claim of [being revelation] since they represent an arbitration of policy, not doctrine.”

Chris BigelowChris Bigelow ““God has a penis. Created in his image, God has a penis. Created in his image,

his male children also have penises, and his male children also have penises, and they are commanded to use them only they are commanded to use them only in Godlike ways… “When I hear liberal in Godlike ways… “When I hear liberal Mormons romanticize the notion of gay Mormons romanticize the notion of gay marriage, marriage, I think they are glossing over I think they are glossing over the cold reality that the physical aspects the cold reality that the physical aspects of such unions are simply unacceptableof such unions are simply unacceptable in Mormon theology, period.”in Mormon theology, period.”

Bill BradshawBill Bradshaw

Unable to imagine themselves engaging in such Unable to imagine themselves engaging in such activity, they (heterosexuals) may perceive it to activity, they (heterosexuals) may perceive it to be unnatural, a perversion… since this is deemed be unnatural, a perversion… since this is deemed a private matter, a private matter, the mechanics of love-making the mechanics of love-making are neither prescribed nor proscribedare neither prescribed nor proscribed, , thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the feelings of thoughtfulness and sensitivity to the feelings of one’s mate being the most important one’s mate being the most important consideration.consideration.

Gay sex is not unnatural or gross: Gay sex is not unnatural or gross: to gay peopleto gay people..

There might be same-sex There might be same-sex couples in heavencouples in heaven

If there are only polygamous or monogamous male-female marriages in heaven, one or the other group has a long way to go (i.e. there is likely at least some level of marital diversity).

We have no affirmative evidence that same-sex couples are absent from heaven.

Godhead analogyGodhead analogy

The best example in the universe that we have of the intersection of love, commitment, and unity is not of a marriage between a man and a woman. It is instead a

union of three males: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

We do not know the mechanism(s) of We do not know the mechanism(s) of spiritual reproductionspiritual reproduction

If it’s by sexual intercourse, God has an obscene amount of sex.

We do know male spirit(s) breathed life into Adam’s nostrils, and formed his body from the dust of the earth. This seems closer to reproduction in the lab that it does to male-female intercourse.

Omnipotent same-sex couples might be able to reproduce spiritually.

Analogy to Widow RemarriageAnalogy to Widow Remarriage

First marriage

Second marriage

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ConclusionsConclusions

Mormonism Mormonism cancan abide gay marriage. abide gay marriage.

For more, read my book. Available:For more, read my book. Available:• YouTube (YouTube (bradcarmack.blogspot.combradcarmack.blogspot.com))• Purchase (at this conference)Purchase (at this conference)• Pdf (bradcarmack.blogspot.com)Pdf (bradcarmack.blogspot.com)

[email protected]@gmail.com

Why Mormonism Why Mormonism CanCan Abide Gay MarriageAbide Gay Marriage