Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Publications and Speeches

Publications and Speeches

In 1965, Spencer W. Kimball addressed homosexuality in his talk "Love vs Lust." He called it a "heinous" sin, but taught those with homosexual "desires and tendencies" could overcome it "the same as if he had the urge toward petting or fornication or adultery." He taught that although everyone is subject to temptations, "the difference between the reprobate and the worthy person is generally that one yielded and the other resisted." In 1969, he expanded this talk in the Miracle of Forgiveness, in which he teaches that masturbation can lead to the act of homosexuality. However, he views many homosexuals as "basically good people who have become trapped in sin" and that "some totally conquer homosexuality in a few months." Kimball makes clear the book is only his personal opinion and "absolves" the church from any errors in the book.

In 1970, the church produced Hope for Transgressors and in 1971 New Horizons for Homosexuals, both of which advocated a cure for those with homosexual tendencies.

In 1976, the church issued a widely-circulated pamphlet for young men based on a speech by Boyd K. Packer which strongly condemned gay sex. He commended a missionary who was upset after he "floored" his assigned male companion in response to unwanted sexual advances. In 1978, Packer followed this up with another sermon, published as a pamphlet, characterizing homosexual interaction as a perversion and presented the possibility that it had its roots in selfishness and could be cured with "unselfish thoughts, with unselfish acts" (p. 16). He states that the church had not previously talked more about homosexuality because "some matters are best handled very privately" (p. 3) and "we can very foolishly cause things we are trying to prevent by talking too much about them" (p. 19).

In October 1995, the church published an article titled "Same-Gender Attraction" by Dallin H. Oaks in the October 1995 Ensign magazine.

In April 2007, the Church published an extensive interview with Dallin H. Oaks and Lance B. Wickman to clarify the church’s stand on homosexuality.

In July 2007, the church published a booklet entitled God Loveth His Children, which is addressed to Latter-day Saints with same-gender attraction and clarifies the church's doctrine and policies.

In October 2007, the church published an article "Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction" by Jeffrey R. Holland in the October 2007 Ensign magazine.