In the Book of Mormon, Alma teaches people who are eager to learn more about the gospel. Of specific interest was what our Heavenly Parents expect from their children as part of the Kingdom of God. Alma explains the type of commitment Children of God must make to each other, “…and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things…” Mormons refer to these verses in the Book of Mormon as the baptismal covenant. It is singled out in our doctrine as the most significant thing we can do as followers of Christ. We are to stand as witnesses of God, and we are to do that by caring for and loving each other.
This is the motivation I see behind the Rainbow Mormon Initiative. This movement has been organized because we have siblings in our fold who are suffering. We have the opportunity—the responsibility—to reach out to these people and let them know that their pain is our pain. They stand in need of comfort, and we have covenanted to provide it. We must “let them know [we] can provide a safe, non-judgmental space and that [we] support them unconditionally.”
The Rainbow Mormon Initiative Launches Sunday, June 5th. You can participate by wearing a rainbow ribbon, wherever you are. Learn more and RSVP HERE.
Leah Marie
Leah Marie earned a BA in Political Science, and a Masters in Public Administration. She is currently working towards her PhD in Public Policy. She is wife to an English professor, and mother to 3 beautiful boys.
All posts by Leah Marie
“We must “let them know [we] can provide a safe, non-judgmental space and that [we] support them unconditionally.””
I believe the scripture you quoted above to be true. And I was doing just fine reading your blog/article until I got to the very last 4 words of the next to the last paragraph. I believe we need to love each other “unconditionally” but I don’t believe that includes supporting the sin “unconditionally”. Now maybe I don’t know what you mean by supporting someone unconditionally. Maybe you could explain that more. The bottom line is that the practice of homosexuality is a sin. There’s no way around that. The person who practices that form of sexuality needs to know that they are loved unconditionally although the practice of said sin is not loved unconditionally. When someone in my family does something wrong, as their parent I want them to know that they are loved without condition but that they still did something wrong. Even Christ said to the sinners “go and sin no more”. He didn’t say “I love you and support your sin unconditionally.” Whatever we do regarding sin, I have no doubt that the Lord still loves us. And we need to follow his example. But I don’t think he loves the sins we commit.
@KJC You write: “The person who practices that form of sexuality needs to know that they are loved unconditionally although the practice of said sin is not loved unconditionally.” This ludicrous distinction just keeps popping up! It sounds like a call to prove we’re just doing our job as good Christians when we hyperfocus and pick at our LGBT brothers and sisters. Do we nitpick everyone else’s perceived sins? (I say “perceived” because I don’t think our interpretations of sin are aligned with God’s most of the time). Does Mormon culture focus this closely on other people who don’t fall in line with LDS beliefs and ideals–Sabbath breakers or divorcees or alcoholics or people who don’t tithe a full 10 percent–so they also know what we don’t like or support about them? I don’t think it does. Nor would I want to be part of a group that encouraged members to continuously point fingers at each other under the guise of being dutiful or helpful.
From the way Christ dealt with zealous Jewish leaders it seems that He wasn’t interested in the nitpicking. I wonder if, before He miraculously fed the crowd of 5000, he made an announcement a la, “I know many of you are sinners and I’ll still feed you, but want you to know that I don’t like your sins. At all. But I’ll still feed you. But I loathe your behavior. Just don’t want you to confuse this with me approving of your lives…”
We are all relying on the grace of God! We NEED to stop making subset of His children constantly aware of whatever thing we as *people* have categorized as “worse.”
What a beautiful commentary. I absolutely agree with you.
Great stuff, Leah Marie! I think this is a wonderful idea.
KJC, I think homosexual sex isn’t a sin. But even if you think that, maybe set it aside and don’t focus so much on it. Do you worry about associating with judgmental people or people who glory in their wealth, for fear that you haven’t properly condemned their sin? I’m guessing not.
How about individuals who are hurting in a loveless marriage not being able to fulfill their desires. What about the Mormon Adultery Initiative??
Or people who struggle pedophillia. If you are really compassionate and you want to make everybody better so they won’t hurt. Why not recognize all souls who are struggling. Why the hate? I’m being sarcastic but my point is when you try to make everything better you are creating a bigger problem. It isbest to stay within the boundaries the Lord has set no matter what our individual desires maybe.
It is best not to attribute to the Lord boundaries that are clearly set by men.