Dalin H. Oaks
Previously, these individuals would need to be interviewed by a mission president before being cleared for baptism. With the new handbook, missionaries can conduct the baptismal interview as they would for any other person seeking baptism into the Church, removing a hurdle for those with past same-sex sexual relationships.
Over 370 religious leaders from across the world signed a declaration asking for forgiveness for harm caused to the LGBTQIA+ community, but the Church doesn’t practice what it preaches. It doesn’t say “sorry.”
Young single adults from around the world submitted over four thousand questions to Elders Oaks and Ballard to consider answering during a worldwide broadcast. More than one hundred of those questions dealt with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of the LDS Church or their family members and friends. Here’s what they answered, and some of what they did not.
Rather than seeing in lesbians and gay men what you have been led to believe about them, talk to them, see them, hear them, love them, and believe what you see of them and their experiences. You will understand so much more.