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Theme of this year’s conference is “Celebrate the Light Within,” and is a call for attendees to celebrate each person’s light and particularly, the light of Christ. Speakers will be sharing about their experiences of being LGBT and Mormon and how they found a positive, healthy and productive path forward in their lives in such a way that they have brought their talents to bear in sharing their light with others.

2015 Curriculum LGBT Considerations Priesthood/Relief Society Lesson 18: “Beware of Pride” Approximately scheduled teaching date: Sunday, September 20,2015 This lesson contains the following statements: “In the scriptures, there is no…

We are a “true and living” Church (D&C 1:30), and we believe God “will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God,” (Article of Faith 9). There are many great and important “things” that have changed over the years. These may have been held back until the world was ready, or the church was ready, or we had learned other lessons first out of necessity, or other reason based on the wisdom of the Lord. The big question is for you to determine how you will apply this law within your life and your situation. What matters is that you work it out between you and the Lord.

Help share the joy of the Affirmation Conference with students and the financially challenged. Our Annual Conference Scholarship Matching Fundraiser needs almost $3000 more by August 31 to reach our goal and obtain our promised matching funds! Please donate to this important cause.

“Affirmation has helped me realize that I am loved by many and by my Father in Heaven, regardless of my sexual orientation. The scholarship was a great help in coming to this realization.”

The above comments reflect a core doctrine and teaching of the Church in its definition of marriage as one man and one woman. There, it may be wise for LGBT members, friends, and families who have strong opinions about same-sex marriage to study, pray, and fast, if necessary, in advance of the lesson date, seeking Spiritual guidance and strength in dealing with this portion of the lesson. It may be difficult to remain silent while someone offers an opinion that others may find offensive.

When I became an Eagle Scout four years ago, nobody knew I was gay — I was still in the process of accepting it myself. If I had told anyone, I would not have been given the award, despite a decade of involvement with scouting, countless hours with dozens of volunteers installing a garden at my elementary school and more than a hundred nights camping in the California wilderness.

Moral cleanliness is an area that can be full of personal attitudes that may or may not reflect accurate and current Church teachings. Although both of these questions are positively stated, people’s answers may be more of a list of “don’ts.” This may bring out individual comments that are based more on one’s attitudes than on scripture or current and accurate church policies and teachings.