Mixed-orientation Marriage
Further information: Mixed-orientation marriageHinckley declared that heterosexual "marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices, which first should clearly be overcome with a firm and fixed determination never to slip to such practices again."
Unless this is done, they cannot enter marriage in good faith and doing so can damage the lives of others. Church leaders are warned that encouraging members to cultivate heterosexual feelings generally leads to frustration and discouragement. They speak against those who enter into marriage under false pretense. Several marriages have ended because of inability or unwillingess of one of the parties to suppress his or her sexual orientation.
The church maintains that it is possible to overcome same-sex relationships. They note that some have reported that heterosexual feelings can emerge once freed from homosexual problems. It would be appropriate for those with homosexual feelings to get married if they "have shown their ability to deal with these feelings or inclinations and put them in the background, and feel a great attraction for a daughter of God and therefore desire to enter marriage and have children and enjoy the blessings of eternity." Several members of the church have dealt with their attractions sufficiently to get married.
Many individuals with same-gender attractions have thought that they should get married because of the church's doctrine of marriage. LDS doctrine holds that heterosexual marriage is one of many requirements for entry into the "highest degree of glory" of the Celestial Kingdom, the highest of the three heavens mentioned by Paul in the New Testament. Marriage between a man and a woman is considered an essential part in the LDS belief of attaining that heaven. Therefore, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe a family is the fundamental unit of society in this life and in heaven. However, this family must come about in the Lord's way, not through deceit or lies. Those who do not have an opportunity to get married in this life will have an opportunity to get married in the next, including those with same-gender attractions. The attractions will not continue past death, and if they were faithful in this life, they will receive every blessing in the eternities, including eternal marriage.
The Women of Worth is an organization that seeks to help those individuals in opposite-gender relationships whose partner struggles with same-gender attractions. According to their website, the members are "determined to have successful marriages -- through faith, healing and understanding."
Read more about this topic: Homosexuality And The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints
Famous quotes containing the word marriage:
“Every relationship that does not raise us up pulls us down, and vice versa; this is why men usually sink down somewhat when they take wives while women are usually somewhat raised up. Overly spiritual men require marriage every bit as much as they resist it as bitter medicine.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)