I am very happy that the church released this video. Thank you to this family who agreed to share their story in such a public way. As a member of the lds church, I want the lgbt community to know that we love you 💕.
This makes me cry. I've been a Mormon all my life and I just feel the love this family have for each other. I too have been viewing homosexual very negatively. But with love and good communication through our Savior Jesus Christ, everything will be alright. All we need is love. Thanks for sharing your story! 😊
Save lives? I doubt it. Any LGBT+ individual that takes these words to heart will live sad unfulfilled lives. Your son is probably happier because of the choice he made, and I applaud him for that.
It is never too late, even if a child passes by suicide, it is never too late. No one is lost to the Savior , He knows exactly where everyone is. 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
I am so grateful that the Church posted this message. The point is not to encourage or condemn same gender lifestyle but to help us have raise our point of view more aligned with the gospel. That is genuine love toward fellow members with unique challenges. May God strengthen and inspire this family!
Looking back at this video after all the comments from Jeffrey R. Holland's talk and it gives me hope for families to accept their children no matter what. So glad that this was made.
It's heart wrenching. The things we go through in this life are not easy. There is no easy answer other than love. Love conquers all and it endures forever just like God.
Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational story! This family is providing a very powerful example of how we as Latter-day Saints and really everyone needs to respond to people with whom we have personal differences, namely with unconditional love, the love of the Savior.
I'm struggling with a lot of Pain. I just know I love my mother and She Loves me too . Being gay is the hardest thing a Human being could face or hadle with. I wonder if they could feel just a little of what I did or wear the shoes I do. Though I love myself I dont know whats gonna happen, Im a child of God. Í beg him for mercy and Strengh to live without feeling guilty. Í hope You all embrace people like me who always have been looking for Love, peace and Answers from God
Hi Jcarlos Lopez, thanks for sharing your comment and feelings. You are loved and needed, and we're glad you're here. For more encouragement and resources, visit www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/. Take care!
Everyone is going to face a hardship that to them is the hardest thing in the world. I'm not saying that to negate your trial but to let you know that others who are going through or who have gone through their own trials, though different, can understand the pain and fear and helplessness. They can find ways to empathize with you and you them, even though your trials are not the same. Finding that Communication both with others and with Heavenly Father is how I've been getting through my own trial, that and knowing that even though I feel so profoundly alone, I never have been. It's even improved my relationship with my brother and helped me connect better with my mom before she died. It sucks, but you got this you are uniquely built to be able to survive this. I believe in you.
Oh my goodness. You are a new child of God and he loves you just as much as he loves everybody else. We all have our struggles and yours makes you no less worthy of love, compassion and belonging. I have a friend who is gay who hasn’t yet been baptized in our church, however he is a regular attendee and meets with the missionaries regularly. Maybe all stakes (congregations) are not like this, however our stake in Sudbury, Ontario for the most part is very welcoming of the LGBTQ community. Your choices in your life are between you and God. It is not the congregations place to judge. We are commanded not to judge, ourselves or others, never! That is a commandment! Ridding one’s mind and heart of judgement towards oneself and/or others is quite the process when living in the culture we do, however it can be done with the Lord’s help. Recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, I had so much shame and guilt, however I had to get away from my family for several years and the dynamic that kept the cycle of shame alive. I was taught at treatment and at church that I have worth and I am not my mistakes or my challenges. Who I am inherently is good, worthy of love, compassion and belonging. We can always improve and having a perfect brightness of hope that things will get better is such an amazing feeling to have every day (well most days, anyway). However, one must cultivate that way of thinking, believing and living. I’ll tell you now, it’s well worth the effort to get there! Please don’t feel guilty. Just like I didn’t ask to be born with a predilection for alcohol and drugs, I’m sure you didn’t ask to feel the way you do. Take the time to come unto the Lord with full purpose of heart, read his words (scriptures) and pray with a sincere and open heart. Ask him to guide you, to teach you to receive revelation, discernment and truth. I was an alcoholic and drug addict and I asked the Lord to remove it from me and he did. If you want to have this thorn in your side removed you can ask the Lord to remove it. It may or may not happen and if it does it may not happen right away. I have read stories of people who experienced same-sex attraction that were changed and ended up getting married and having a beautiful family and a happy and fulfilling life.. It has to be expedient or in other words it must to be the Lord’s will for him to answer your prayer. Also, just because of prayer isn’t answered right away, doesn’t mean that it’s not going to be answered. We mustn’t lose faith that the Lord will transform us into the being he truly wants us to become. The whole point is of us coming to this earth and going through trials and tribulations is to become more like the Lord. We won’t become perfect in this lifetime but we can get somewhat close. We just have do the absolute best that we can, give our all to the Lord, put him first and pray to be transformed. The Lord understands that sometimes we choose the wrong thing, not out of rebelliousness, but out of weakness. So we mustn’t feel shame if we know we’re trying our best! The fact is we were deliberately given weaknesses to keep us humble and bring us unto the Lord with full purpose of heart. I really try not to beat myself up and truly love myself despite my weaknesses since God gave them to me anyway. This process of change is a miraculous process and it works! The more faith that we have that God can and will answer our prayer, the more likely it is to happen, I believe. You belong at the LDS church, and in any church, just like anybody else. Just because God says that a man and a woman should procreate and same-sex marriage is not ideal or preferred, does not mean that he loves you any less or that you shouldn’t immerse yourself in this church or a church, his scriptures, prayer and service. You are not alone! God loves you more than you could ever imagine! Take the time to learn to love yourself as you are. God does not make mistakes. The challenges we’ve been given are there to help us learn righteousness and develop virtues that the Lord would have us attain good luck and God bless!. Ether 12:12: “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
This awesome. I am going through the same thing as he is going through being 20. Don't know if I'll ever marry a woman. But after this video I feel like I need to start going back to church. Thank you for opening up to this subject with such acceptance love.
Hi Isaac! It's been 7 months -hope you are doing well. I'm glad our video touched you. Don't hesitate to reach out if ever needed. bmackintosh22@msn.com
I am a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a wife, a life coach and speaker, and the mother of two of the most amazing children in the world of which one of them is our gay son! The day our son came out in 2012 and told us he was gay, was a life-altering day for my husband and I. We both refused to believe it. A couple years later, the Saviour knowing the pain in my heart, felt the need for me to have a "Come to Jesus meeting with Jesus!" It was one of the most painfully beautiful days of my life when on four separate occasions on the same day, the Saviour lovingly but very firmly told me I WAS IN THE WRONG!!! I had been passing judgments when that is HIS role, NOT mine! My role in this life is only to deeply love and look at each human being for who they truly are...a Child of the Most High God!!! The day I asked my son for his forgiveness for how I had been treating him was the day my heart was healed! I could FEEL the love of the Saviour enter my soul and all other feelings of pain and anxiety melt away! Today our son lives with us and has for the past year and a half. He and my husband have a beautiful relationship now just as my son and I do! It has truly been the most amazing and loving and chastising experience for ME! I am the one who was in the wrong for the way "I" thought he should be treated! I am so grateful that my Saviour loves ME so much that he would bring me to the door of repentance and be seeking forgiveness for MY sinful ways! Of course, I am hopeful that one day our son will marry a woman, but if not, guess what, that's not my choice! It is our son's and it is his life and I have the privilege of being his mom and loving him completely just like our Saviour does! WOW!!! What a gift our son is!!!! Thank you Mackintosh family for sharing your beautiful story of love!!
This is a great video, one that I relate to a lot. I'm another son who had to tell my very active LDS family that I'm gay. I was lucky also to have a supportive family that has always been there for me. Too many still don't. There are still too many suicides and too many homeless youth, so thank you for this video of acceptance. You have no idea the impact it'll have.
I made up my mind that when I have a family, if there is a gay person, I would still love that person. I would treat them the same. I would look at them like what savior would.
This is a start for the church to start thinking outside the box. Not all of us came from loving LDS families. We are all his children, including the abused, the alcoholics, etc. I was severely abused by an alcoholic mother, yet every birthday and holiday I am alone. The church needs to do these same kind of videos for the mentally ill, of which I am one. I would have loved to be part of a loving family such as this young man but I did not. I still feel like I don't belong.
Justelle's Life hello! I saw this comment and went to your channel and read your bio. You seem like a really cool interesting person you should upload a video I’d be really interested:)
So sorry did not see your comment until now. I would very much like to upload a video, all I have right now is a little red Share kodak camera, I guess I could start with it, don't know about the quality will be and I love your name Purple!
Just now seeing this video and I see that it's 4 years old as well as your comment. How are you today? I, too, came from a home of abuse. Physical, emotional, etc. Guess it's all tied together anyhow. Making it worse is that I grew up in the church with very active parents. You'd never guess the problems we had at home. I have 5 siblings and we all grew up with unique challenges. Love to share stories sometime if you're interested but know YOU MATTER very much! This Church needs each of us. Heavenly Father and our Savior love and KNOW each us. "We are all numbered" to him unlike unto man. Hope all is well.
@@av8ionUSMC "We are all numbered to him" . . . . and to the church we are nothing BUT a number. The last time I went to church was right around the time when Caitlyn Jenner was transitioning. Somehow her story came up in EQ, which led to a mocking of her, extending to a mocking of people, as they called it, "the LGBTQRSTUVWXYZ people" and "the alphabet people." That was the last straw. I got up out of my seat, slammed the door to that classroom behind me, and never went back. 9 years ago I believe it was. They want to get rid of gays? They are doing a FANTASTIC job at it. Keep insulting us, keep giving us shady looks, keep snickering, keep subtly (or not so subtly) equating us with child molesters, keep telling us the love we feel for our partners is "counterfeit," keep recommending that parents shun their gay children -- do that long enough and, congrats, Nelson, you'll be rid of EVERY LAST ONE OF US. Then you won't have to worry about pretending to love us while secretly treating us as a "project" to be "fixed."
This is an excellent video. Such a good step for the church... this is what we should be doing: loving and accepting our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. ♡
loving and accepting them... by telling them not to be who they are... by telling them to never find love and be lonely for all eternity.... the mormon church is beautiful wOw 😫😍😱
This and other videos from the church have really helped me as we are coming to terms with one of our sons being gay. I still have so many questions, but we have made sure that our son knows we will always love him, no matter what. We are trying to put it on the Lord's shoulders, too. It is so hard, because I want him to have the life in the gospel we have always hoped for all of our children. But I'm grateful to know that families are forever, no matter what. I want our family to be one he wants to be a part of forever.
Certainly one point up for the church for hosting this very touching video....I am a former member of the LDS Church. Left years ago few years after my mission. Had struggled with same-sex attraction since I was a child....Plus, was emotionally hurt by some LDS Leaders during my mission and to me, that was a toxic mix.......I still continue to read the scriptures. I have a strong belief and trust in the Lord Jesus....I know whatever cannot be fixed in this life, will surely be taken care of in the next by a loving Savior. We are not all the same or come from the same earthly backgrounds...Only the Lord can ultimately reach inside us and make us whole again.....Of that, I am completely sure more than 100%. At this time I stay away from all organized, corporate religions....bar none......Thank You again for this very instructive video. Hugs
I love this. I love how messy it was in his family, how blaringly hurtful the reactions were (I actually gasped at the testosterone question, haha!), but I love how humble and open his parents were about sharing their mistakes and desire to do better.
Thanks so much for your courageous examples of loving God and others! Our differences can bring us closer to each other, and to Jesus Christ, who knows each one of our struggles personally, and knows exactly how to help each of us individually.
So happy for him. He can be free to be himself. He can love who he wants. He can get married and live a happy life with his husband. A happy ending for everyone.
Literally, been looking for answers since i went home from my mission after 9 years of confusion and thinking revoking my membership in church. This video just brought tears in my eyes. I know the Savior loves me and i am very depressed about not accepting that i have same gender attraction
Jd Sy I don't even know you, but my heart is filled with tenderness toward you for your desire to be true to yourself. Our MOST IMPORTANT responsibility here on Earth is to show each other the love and respect that Christ would, and as a lifelong member whose brother is both gay and one of the best people I know, I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
I am so grateful that the church is starting to show the love of God for our LGBT community. Although I had predicted that my son was Gay my son came out to me in his Junior year of High school. I chose to follow the spirit in my heart and love him unconditionally. The lord spoke to my heart and told me the day he told me that he was his child and that he would protect him. That he would never leave his side. It was my choice to do the same. I hear murmuring from time to time from my fellow church members of how they are hard stanced on the LGBT community. It amazes me to see how that is spoken from people who have not had a LBGT child. What are we to do? ostracize our children? Cut them off? ridicule? I chose to just love them and be the best Gay Mormon family we could be. I know that the Lord will guide us. My son loves the gospel and has enough struggles if his own to deal with rather than his own father giving up on him. I will just support him in all he does. I am sure the Lord has a plan. he is at BYUI now and loving it.
Not surprising. Most Mormons who have gay children throw them out like trash and never speak to them again (and then attend the temple, believing they are worthy because they only drink caffeine-free Coke.) It sounds like you are a wonderful exception, but far too rare.
Oh this family is awesome! I feel compassion for their son and am glad that he is getting the love and support from his family. One of my favorite shows is called "Touched by an Angel." I remember an episode in season 3 Titled 'The Violin Lesson.' It portrays a gay son named Tony who comes out to his father. His father rejects him and treats him with hostility saying that he is no longer his son. Tess the supervising angel approach both the father and the son individually about God's love and forgiveness. She teaches them that God has always known about Tony and that nothing can surprise God. I think that it is a really good episode to help people turn from hating to forgiveness and love.
I know exactly the episode you reference, and it is one of my favorites from TBAA. It was one of many, many things over the years that helped me to accept myself in every way. :)
You would love your child the same whether in line with the Gospel or not, whether they were living with someone etc. Our job as parents is not to make our children turn out as certain way its to love them. Were not condoning by not shutting our hearts, kids will know how we feel.
What a wonderful and good looking family- I’m thankful they were willing to be spotlighted- that itself takes a tremendous amount of courage on everyone’s part. Thank you. Love. I loved hearing that word throughout -and the part about placing your concerns and unanswerable questions at the Savior’s feet- because parents do worry because they just want their children to be happy. Whatever the future brings, I’m glad your family’s together!
I am dying crying here, Only our Heavenly Father knows. I am so happy to hear he still has the faith, and I feel we will get a definite revelation about gods plan but just need to wait.
Wow! What a beautiful family you all are. Christ loves each of us & will make us all whole one day from all our trials & challenges. As I watched this, my heart hurt for all those silent suffers in any way..... I am so grateful your son has a loving family & knows he is always loved by Jesus Christ!!!
I'm not a Mormon, but when I watched this video I was amazed over how God can still love a homosexual or lesbian and not have it tear the family apart over it. I hope this is true in the LDS church and not just a "feel good" commercial. I liked the video.
We are like everyone else. We try to live up to the teachings of Jesus but often fall very short. My family struggles with Anxiety and depression and that has caused a lot of problems and conflicts. But through the years we have become stronger and better through the Atonement and a LOT of forgiveness. Even families that get torn apart can be healed through humility and forgiveness. Have a beautiful day!!
I'm grateful for this story. Usually I hear stories about people that deal with same sex attraction that come from broken homes; the father was not present, the mom was too strict blah blah blah etc. I know no family is perfect. But the circumstances are healthy in this story. It lets me know people with ssa come from all types of family dynamics.
love the person not the sin. my sister is transgender even though we gave her love and still do she is so lost in the world that she thinks we don't just because we are members of the church. so it's different for each family. we love her but she chooses not to accept any love from us and continues to spiral out of control. now she says she is a transgender man who is bisexual and polyamours. No matter what we do for her it's never good enough and we are evil for not thinking the way she does. I hope and pray someday she will come back to us ,we don't care what she chooses to be we just want to love her. so for now I gave it up to the Lord and hope one day she will realize how much we love her no matter what she chooses to be. sorry for unloading but this is extremely hard to go through. But I have the Savior so in the end all is well.
Show him that you genuinely care about him. Gender him correctly, respect his choices and perhaps you will be able to reconnect with him. You dont have to condone his life to respect snd and love him
The one thing I focus on now is when Jesus died on the cross the last thing he said was, "forgive them father for they know not what they do." Jesus forgave the people who tortured him to death and he didn't judge their character. I spent over 20 years judging the character of people when they had different values, beliefs and morals than I did. Now I know I was wrong.
Can you please caption this video? "these are mood Ichiro with" instead of what was spoken "these are moose and these are elk." I want to share this WONDERFUL video with everyone including my Deaf friends. Thanks
love is the answer. As parents we have to learn to let go, love our kids and understand that we cannot "fix" everything. That was the hardest thing for me to come to a personal understanding of! Only our Heavenly Father can help us and our loved ones thru these challenges.
♥♥ ** Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.) Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.
I'm so happy everything worked out with Shawn and you his mother and father we are just born that way it's not a choice so happy for your family and that it's a close one bless all of you!!!! my name is Bob storm I am the oldest of five children and I Was Born This Way and so is my youngest brother my cousin we were in the same grade in our school he was and so my dad sister I have to say it definitely runs in my family God bless yours have a wonderful summer thank you for your response it was deeply appreciated take care.
This is a loving story which I appreciate. The part I do not understand are the statements regarding choice. If homosexuality is not a choice then there is nothing either moral or immoral about homosexuality right? Can there be a moral standard if someone is not free to choose?
Perhaps it will help to clarify that we use those words a little differently. There's a big difference between same sex attraction and homosexuality. One is just having those feelings; the other is actually acting on them. Having those feelings doesn't make you sinful. It'a choice to cater to them, though. And if you don't, it's just a test, like any other. No different than, say, struggling with anger. We should have empathy for people with anger issues. But that doesn't let you off the hook if you punch someone in the nose. XD
Gay people aren't hitting each other. They are loving each other. The people having same sex attraction are probably homosexual whether or not they act on it.
15-45 seconds into this ad, my instinct was to skip it. I'm glad I didn't. However, after so many decades of intolerant teachings, makes me wonder how authentic these new intentions from The Church really are.
I think they're genuine, though clearly they don't have all the answers. I've watched a lot of them and I see a people grappling deeply with some really complex topics. I think on this topic, there are a lot of generation hangups and grappling with what is what. But also there is the doctrine that isn't going anywhere. So what are the answers? I think these are good steps forward. Think about it, 10 or 20 years ago, this video would have never existed. We have to be patient for people to slowly understand things for themselves.
I certainly understand your fear and concern, I'm glad you stuck with it to watch. We were thrilled when the church asked if we'd be willing to share our story -they want families to know the importance of love and inclusion -nothing should exclude a loved one from the family circle. I am grateful to my son for all I have learned through him that I couldn't have learned in any other way. Thanks again for watching and taking the time to express your feelings.
Most important thing to remember, we are all children of God, and need to treat each other as such. We all have our personal struggles, and I would hate to be treated horribly due to what struggles and temptations I endure. We should show our brothers and sisters the same love, regardless of their struggles and temptations.
i dont like church nor religion, but it really helps me, because I was also going through this emotions like his father and mother, but unfortunatly my wife had different opinons like me, which were she was right to accept it immedaitly, but this caused to that may familiy falled appart whithin a week. Now I accept my son how he is but for our family it seems to be to late.
That was a good video. I totaly agree we ahouldnt be making mean comments about enyone weather we think they can hear us or not. Especialy because you never know if they can hear you.
Big props. I'm usually very hard on the LDS church, but this is a good thing they've done in producing this video. Big props. Now, if they can just change their actual policies and behavior to match the PR they want to represent.
You certainly missed the point of the video, then. The point was that loving unconditionally does not mean you have to condone the choices/lifestyles people have. Even though the son left the church over his same-sex attraction, the family still loves him and includes him in their family the same as they always did. They can't make his decisions for him, but they should never shun him because of the decisions he chose. This is all completely in line with church doctrine. No policy changes are necessary.
I am right on board with what Noah said, but I would love to hear your perspective on this. Why do you believe the Church needs to change the policies that have already been established? Also, are these policies the reason you are hard on the LDS Church?
The church is perfect but its members are not. I came out to my bishop and his 1st councilor because I thought they were my friends and would not judge me because they are leaders of our ward and they were the ones who should trusted with. But I was wrong. I was about to renew my my TR and my thoughts of coming out and confess of my unnormal feelings. I was just laughed by at him. I felt like being mocked because of my dirty feelings. And didn't sign my TR for renewal. I was so frustrated at myself why I am not normal. So I went to his 1st councilor, he was my friend since my youth. Then, he just asked me when since when I have these feelings, and never talk to me again. I tried to make a call but he rejected it. I message him on messenger but he ignored me, he never seen my chats. He's the one who helped me so much financially when I was preparing for my mission. But friendships was ended just because of my sexuality. I know they are not perfect but it is very sad, frustrating, depressing, feeling alone, feeling not worthy to be a member, worthless man, and it's like my life has so meaning even though I preached about plan of salvation. I wish I never said it to them. It would'nt have been like this.
@wind in the gospel, we are very sorry if you have felt you are not loved or wanted. The Church teaches that God loves all of us. He loves those of different faiths and those without any faith. He loves those who suffer. He loves the rich and poor alike. He loves people of every race and culture, the married or single, and those who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. And God expects all of us to follow His example. There is a place for LGBT people in the Church, and you are wanted and needed. You or others interested can learn more here: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/individuals?lang=eng
I'm gay, not religious, not Mormon - and because of this, I'm generally very critical of the slick, one dimensional 'love the sinner, hate the sin' pablum that gets put out by religious organizations regarding homosexuality. This video stands above the rest, and in spite of myself I liked it quite a bit. It deals honestly with pain and fear and uncertainty on both sides, and best of all focuses on compromise in the face of a disagreement that's almost certainly never going to go away. That's really how most honorable families end up dealing with this kind of situation, and while it won't please purists on either side of the issue, it's down to Earth and shows an achievable goal. I have heard that some LDS members think that this video is an 'inside job' that subtly and deliberately undermines the church's stated truth - that may be the case, but it's still worth watching. It's rare to see people imply that there are things about their God that they wish were different, and it takes courage to do so. I'm betting it's more common than most think, and acknowledging it can't be wrong. One question: my understanding is that apostates end up in the telestial kingdom, which is a lesser level of paradise. If it's a paradise, why does it cause so much anguish to families if a child is gay and leaves the church? It may not be an 'ultra paradise,' but it's hardly a destiny of eternal misery. It seems like being disappointed that your child is a multi-millionaire instead of a multi-billionaire. I don't mean to be cavalier about this; it just strikes me as odd.
I think if you read up on the specifics of each kingdom, you'll have a better understanding of your question. www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory?lang=eng
Yep, I read up on them. It still seems to me that the telestial kingdom stands head-and-shoulders above the afterlives that most other religions describe for unrepentant sinners and unbelievers. If a gay child is going to an afterlife that is beautiful and safe, even if it's not as wondrous as it could be, it's hard to see that as a tragic end. Perhaps it's just me.
I think the anguish comes from knowing that families can only be together forever in the Celestial Kingdom. The Telestial and Terrestrial kingdoms, while kingdoms of glory, do not have the promise of eternal families. However, I think none of us can judge what anyone's fate is based on our view of their choices in this life. Judgment is the Savior's, and as it says in the Bible, He looks on the heart as well as our actions (1 Sam 16:7). And we can "do" all the right things, but have a heart full of judgment and hatred, which the Savior preached against time and again. I believe our Savior will give all of us every possible opportunity to repent and turn to Him, whatever our sins (which we all have plenty of).
I don't worry about it, I believe in a just and merciful God. Like I said in the video, I lay it on the Savior's feet - my job is to love my son. As for an "inside job" that you questioned... nope it was done by the church. The video is featured on the Church's official website mormonandgay.lds.org, in case you haven't seen the website, I encourage you to check it out.
Becky - I am an active member (don't really like that term.) I wish I had a loving family like yours or came from one even, so "love" is a very foreign concept to me one I cannot feel it, I was severely abused by a very disturbed alcoholic mother which never stopped. I am a convert. I don't believe for one moment that Heavenly Father wants to lose any of His children. Your son has a good as anyone else to be in the Celestial Kingdom, why shouldn't he? We do not know what our Heavenly Father will bring into account to use His mercy and justice for each of us. I personally think He will give the least penalty He can and will give us the biggest reward He can even for the smallest good deed(s) we do. We also do not know if we can progress from one Kingdom to the next. I daily live the consequences of someone else's actions that were forced on me, I suffer deeply because there are things I don't get and skills I never learned and have tremendous unresolved trauma. For me my injustices may not be worked out in this life but they will happen some day. I wonder why sometimes He protects people and takes them from abusive situations and sometimes, like mine, He doesn't. I think your son is very blessed to come from such a loving family - what I would give to come from one too.
In Heavenly Father's eyesight there's one word that sticks out in my mind when it comes to something. This word is what he uses to describe something in general. It's our IDENTITY in what we choose to make something become. Why do we choose certain things to become what we see? The Identity in this trial is the purpose to overcome the trial it's self to make the indivivdual grow from what they choose to create it as something in their choices. The IDENTITY is the trial. The purpose is to understand why you IDENTIFY what that object is and why you choose to create it that way is due to your trial of faith to see it correctly as he does. We all have these trials of different things in our lives to overcome to correctly see things.
We must remember. That Jesus Christ is the answer, the only way the truth and the life. We must always hate the sin, but not the sinner. And to find that narrow path, which very few find
It does not say whether this young man is practicing and it isn't any of our business if he is nor not. Just because someone has that orientation does not mean he is not morally clean. A person who is gay can still be morally clean.
People also have differences of opinion and beliefs on what is "morally clean". According to the LDS, maybe not, but according to his own beliefs, or other LGBT Christian Churches, that may be different.
Heterosexuality is baked into the theology of the LDS church. While there have been some improvements in how 🏳️🌈 people are treated, the all too recent history is pretty dismaying. Conversion “therapy” and telling folks they have SSA ( sounds like you have asthma or arthritis, like it’s a bad thing ) but can and should be celibate or marry heterosexually is just two parts of it. I thank God my faith teaches and reinforces true acceptance and celebration of LGBT people. The LDS church is not that way.
Now,........ We really think that Joshs parents could already tell and so we dont think that this was very surprising to them just judging from Joshs mannerisms and the way he talks etc. This just confirmed what they had already thought.
Well, the Lord have told us to love everybody with their differences. Yeah, as it is harsh it has to be in our own family, what the Lord has mandated is a commadment and we just have to follow him with no questioning. The afterguards is His job, and not ours. Everybody, individually is the owner of their own decisions. Unfortunately, we can not make decisions for our family. We need to learn to love them no matter what decision they take. That we agree? Maybe not, but, it is when they will need us the most, The MOST!! I know they will need our love. And I know the Lord gave us this commandment because He knows what He is doing is not our job to judge. I say these things in the name of JesusChrist Amen.
Shawn, Sean, Sia: do you have a Facebook account or some way that I can reach out to you?? You had said on your mom's video that if you have no one to talk to, you can talk to me. So, I would like to take you up on your offer.
I have read some articles from the LDS Church website about this family. If I'm not wrong, Xian after serving as a missionary left the Church to engage a relationship with another man, while his parents, still active members of the Church are loving him unconditionally whether he belongs to the church or not. So the concept of this video is if you are same-sex attracted but you are not willing to remain celibate or marry someone of the opposte gender you have to leave the church. Did I understand correctly?
Can someone please their insights from recent general conference that can help me understand my same sex attraction and somehow will help me a strong lds member. Please
Jd Sy well. you, just like everyone were born with distinct strengths and weaknesses. But it's all about what u want. if you want to make covenants in the temple, or magnify your calling etc, then that is your choice. ... to be short, stay close to the Lord, scriptures and the Prophets, and you'll be able to discern between right and wrong.
Jd Sy there is a difference between temptation and sin. "orientation" is a false and misleading term put forward by society. The term is temptation. allowing and teaching ppl to identify by their temptations will make it more difficult for them to overcome them. You are NOT gay unless you have acted upon those temptations. You don't have control over what Satan puts in your mind but you do have control over whether or not you dwell on or invite those thoughts and feelings or even worse begin to accept them and identify by them. Those who repent from practicing homosexuality are no longer gay. Just like any other sin, God has the power to cleanse. Those who continue to identify by their sins inhibit and limit the Atonement in their lives. Realize that good thoughts come from God and unclean thoughts come from Satan. Those thoughts are not you unless you want them to be and can be removed if you have already accepted those thoughts. Pray and put on the armor of God and actively push unwanted thoughts away.
Tia, I strongly disagree with you, and this is not what the church is currently teaching. I know a ton of gay members, and their stories are all the same. These feelings for the same sex are present from a very young age, childhood really, just as your hetero feelings are present from a young age. It's not orientation. It's biological, sexual makeup. And it's not a choice. How does that fit in with the doctrine? Well, we haven't gotten answers about that yet. The church has taken no official stance about where a gay individual comes from, why their biological sexual preference is different, and where a transgender person originates. Because nobody knows the answer to that, not scientists, not preachers. What we do know is that God has a plan. And how each person fits into that plan is a very individual thing. I feel strongly that only Jd can get that revelation from God about Jd. And the prophet can receive revelation for the church, but hasn't spoken much about this yet. And so we have to wait on that. I do agree that accepting a temptation to be with a member of the same sex qualifies doctrinally as sin. The church has spoken about that. But having sex with a member of the opposite sex you're not married to is also sin. No differences there. The biggest errant statement in your comment (and I don't mean offense by this, really) is that you said "You are NOT gay unless you have acted upon those temptations." That is NOT what the church is saying right now. They have a website called mormonANDgay.lds.org. The term "gay" is now being used to describe anyone with same-sex attraction, whether or not they have physical relationships with members of the same sex. So Jd, you can call yourself gay and you can be a worthy, temple attending, covenant keeping member of the church. In fact, I know many who do just this. You should go to the website and see what's out there.
i don't think i have a problem with this, as long as the message is precise and clear. which is to the effect, love others across the board, no matter their weaknesses or routes they take in life, whether it be the straight and narrow, or another path that leads somewhere else. also, i will say this.... don't compromise your covenants and religion for the sake of pursuing any given weakness you may have, it is not worth it, no matter what the mainstream media and its evil messages may say to you.
Being gay is not a "weakness." And shoving a part of one's soul into the proverbial closet and slamming the door on it is a life of torture. Unless you have walked in those shoes, you have no comprehension to make any judgement call.
So I can't make the judgment that by compromising your beliefs because of a weakness that you may have is foolish. Same as a pedophile, which is someone who's attracted to children. If that person compromises his religious beliefs to pursue unwholesome practices would that not be a foolish thing to do ? Of course it would. It's the same thing. You can paint it any color you like, but it's using a selfish excuse to apostasize from the Church, which is foolish.
@@besttrick2 But Jesus did teach to drink of the bitter cup to do the Father's will, so the Father asks us to do hard things.... And one of those hard things he has asked us to do is to learn to deny the appetites of the natural man.
They do not condone. But, they have unconditional love. Loving does not mean condoning. It means truly loving. Sadly many in the church don't love others unconditionally.
Bill Adney Officially, no, the church has not changed its position on gay relationships. However, for years members of the Church have felt that they must shun gay family members in order to be faithful members. This new video offers clarity by showing how faithful LDS families can and should continue to love, accept, and support their gay family members, regardless of their lifestyle. Our job is simple: to love. Leave judging to the judges (ie judges in Israel- bishops, stake presidents, etc.- and God).
You need to watch the video again. It is mentioned in the video that the parents and son disagree on this topic. The message of this video is that LOVING does not mean CONDONING. (You can read about this in their blog). Instead of rejecting their son like many Christians have done, they focus themselves on LOVING their son. As I said above, loving does not mean condoning. They're focussing on love.
Bill Adney He didn't say it was okay. His wife mentioned that they had to let go of the burden and give it to Christ whome will take care of thing with justice and mercy.
There is something important missing from this story. Divine love is conditional, according to President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Divine blessings are conditional also, Nelson reported. Sinners must repent. Sin cannot be looked upon with the least degree of allowance. Sin must be abhorred. Parents must teach obedience. We can tolerate the differences of others, but “we cannot tolerate their infractions of the laws of God,” according to President Nelson. In other words, parents may love their children, but may not tolerate their sins. The son in this story would be deemed an "apostate" of the Church, if he tried to remain a member and married another man.
I think this goes to Elder Oaks's video called "Love and Law." Clearly those are the two great commandments. But I don't think the video is meant to be a comprehensive treatise on those two things. It seems to me like a simple story about how complex and difficult this issue is to navigate. And I know a lot of members who think they're pretty righteous, obeying the law, but may cast this guy out of the local chapel if they could. That's not right either. He has a place here. Does he have a place in the temple with the highest covenants if he's intimate with a man? I wouldn't say that; the doctrine doesn't seem to support that. But maybe the Lord is working with him where he stands right now. Maybe we're all on a spectrum and God loves us and works with us as he can. I mean, we have a substantial portion of our membership addicted to pornography. Has God the father completely cast them out? I think not. Does he withhold blessings if they know better? Sure. But let's leave that up to the person who knows all, sees all, comprehends all. I think this video is more about "how as I as a parent take care of my son or daughter if he or she is gay?" Perhaps we think we're better judges of character and law and sin than we actually are. Remember, this is also our first go round at earthly life as well. We're not experts on it. We probably just need many videos and articles to touch on all the different aspects of the issue.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints firmly states that marriage must be between a man and a woman. The Church has also stated that members of the Church must treat everyone who identifies as LGBT with love, respect, and kindness. Everyone is a beloved child of God, and we must treat each other as such.
I guess being gay means you're something different. I don't feel you are different if you're are gay you just live your life a different way I'm not gay but you are. I just think being gay is fine with me if you're fine with it. I know a lot of gay people but they're not in the church. And it looks like I know a lot of people that are gay who are in the church. God has a lot to think about.
Actually, God already has it all figured out, and has since before the beginning of time. It's the ultra-religious (not saying you are such) who need to do some thinking outside the box . . . the sad part is usually their minds are slammed shut and they won't make room for anything or anyone that does not fit their worldview.
I am very happy that the church released this video. Thank you to this family who agreed to share their story in such a public way. As a member of the lds church, I want the lgbt community to know that we love you 💕.
I'm not Mormon but that was a beautiful testimony of love and what I think Jesus would be like. Thank you for telling your very personal story.
This makes me cry. I've been a Mormon all my life and I just feel the love this family have for each other. I too have been viewing homosexual very negatively. But with love and good communication through our Savior Jesus Christ, everything will be alright. All we need is love. Thanks for sharing your story! 😊
While this is too late for my own son. This will save lives thank you for all you do.
So very sorry for you and your son. I'll bet your son was highly sensitive (like me.) I see him in the arms of our Savior loved and cherished.
I am so sorry for your loss but know that he is looking down on you and he is proud of you and so is heavenly father
Save lives? I doubt it. Any LGBT+ individual that takes these words to heart will live sad unfulfilled lives. Your son is probably happier because of the choice he made, and I applaud him for that.
It is never too late, even if a child passes by suicide, it is never too late. No one is lost to the Savior , He knows exactly where everyone is. 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
@@heatherluna5075 Amen !
I’m so proud of this video. I love the Church
I am so grateful that the Church posted this message. The point is not to encourage or condemn same gender lifestyle but to help us have raise our point of view more aligned with the gospel. That is genuine love toward fellow members with unique challenges. May God strengthen and inspire this family!
Looking back at this video after all the comments from Jeffrey R. Holland's talk and it gives me hope for families to accept their children no matter what. So glad that this was made.
It's heart wrenching. The things we go through in this life are not easy. There is no easy answer other than love. Love conquers all and it endures forever just like God.
Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational story! This family is providing a very powerful example of how we as Latter-day Saints and really everyone needs to respond to people with whom we have personal differences, namely with unconditional love, the love of the Savior.
I'm struggling with a lot of Pain. I just know I love my mother and She Loves me too . Being gay is the hardest thing a Human being could face or hadle with. I wonder if they could feel just a little of what I did or wear the shoes I do. Though I love myself I dont know whats gonna happen, Im a child of God. Í beg him for mercy and Strengh to live without feeling guilty. Í hope You all embrace people like me who always have been looking for Love, peace and Answers from God
Hi Jcarlos Lopez, thanks for sharing your comment and feelings. You are loved and needed, and we're glad you're here. For more encouragement and resources, visit www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/. Take care!
You are loved! None of us can judge you. It's always between you and the Lord ❤️
Everyone is going to face a hardship that to them is the hardest thing in the world. I'm not saying that to negate your trial but to let you know that others who are going through or who have gone through their own trials, though different, can understand the pain and fear and helplessness. They can find ways to empathize with you and you them, even though your trials are not the same. Finding that Communication both with others and with Heavenly Father is how I've been getting through my own trial, that and knowing that even though I feel so profoundly alone, I never have been. It's even improved my relationship with my brother and helped me connect better with my mom before she died. It sucks, but you got this you are uniquely built to be able to survive this. I believe in you.
I know how you feel guys it really really difficult situation. But keep going with your life. Stay strong and hoping for the best to come.
Oh my goodness. You are a new child of God and he loves you just as much as he loves everybody else. We all have our struggles and yours makes you no less worthy of love, compassion and belonging. I have a friend who is gay who hasn’t yet been baptized in our church, however he is a regular attendee and meets with the missionaries regularly. Maybe all stakes (congregations) are not like this, however our stake in Sudbury, Ontario for the most part is very welcoming of the LGBTQ community. Your choices in your life are between you and God. It is not the congregations place to judge. We are commanded not to judge, ourselves or others, never! That is a commandment! Ridding one’s mind and heart of judgement towards oneself and/or others is quite the process when living in the culture we do, however it can be done with the Lord’s help. Recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, I had so much shame and guilt, however I had to get away from my family for several years and the dynamic that kept the cycle of shame alive. I was taught at treatment and at church that I have worth and I am not my mistakes or my challenges. Who I am inherently is good, worthy of love, compassion and belonging. We can always improve and having a perfect brightness of hope that things will get better is such an amazing feeling to have every day (well most days, anyway). However, one must cultivate that way of thinking, believing and living. I’ll tell you now, it’s well worth the effort to get there!
Please don’t feel guilty. Just like I didn’t ask to be born with a predilection for alcohol and drugs, I’m sure you didn’t ask to feel the way you do. Take the time to come unto the Lord with full purpose of heart, read his words (scriptures) and pray with a sincere and open heart. Ask him to guide you, to teach you to receive revelation, discernment and truth. I was an alcoholic and drug addict and I asked the Lord to remove it from me and he did. If you want to have this thorn in your side removed you can ask the Lord to remove it. It may or may not happen and if it does it may not happen right away. I have read stories of people who experienced same-sex attraction that were changed and ended up getting married and having a beautiful family and a happy and fulfilling life.. It has to be expedient or in other words it must to be the Lord’s will for him to answer your prayer. Also, just because of prayer isn’t answered right away, doesn’t mean that it’s not going to be answered. We mustn’t lose faith that the Lord will transform us into the being he truly wants us to become. The whole point is of us coming to this earth and going through trials and tribulations is to become more like the Lord. We won’t become perfect in this lifetime but we can get somewhat close. We just have do the absolute best that we can, give our all to the Lord, put him first and pray to be transformed. The Lord understands that sometimes we choose the wrong thing, not out of rebelliousness, but out of weakness. So we mustn’t feel shame if we know we’re trying our best! The fact is we were deliberately given weaknesses to keep us humble and bring us unto the Lord with full purpose of heart. I really try not to beat myself up and truly love myself despite my weaknesses since God gave them to me anyway. This process of change is a miraculous process and it works! The more faith that we have that God can and will answer our prayer, the more likely it is to happen, I believe. You belong at the LDS church, and in any church, just like anybody else. Just because God says that a man and a woman should procreate and same-sex marriage is not ideal or preferred, does not mean that he loves you any less or that you shouldn’t immerse yourself in this church or a church, his scriptures, prayer and service.
You are not alone! God loves you more than you could ever imagine! Take the time to learn to love yourself as you are. God does not make mistakes. The challenges we’ve been given are there to help us learn righteousness and develop virtues that the Lord would have us attain good luck and God bless!.
Ether 12:12: “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
This awesome. I am going through the same thing as he is going through being 20. Don't know if I'll ever marry a woman. But after this video I feel like I need to start going back to church. Thank you for opening up to this subject with such acceptance love.
Hi Isaac! It's been 7 months -hope you are doing well. I'm glad our video touched you. Don't hesitate to reach out if ever needed. bmackintosh22@msn.com
Thank you for sharing this. As a Church, as a people, I think we need as many stories like this as we can get. Positive and real.
I am a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a wife, a life coach and speaker, and the mother of two of the most amazing children in the world of which one of them is our gay son!
The day our son came out in 2012 and told us he was gay, was a life-altering day for my husband and I. We both refused to believe it.
A couple years later, the Saviour knowing the pain in my heart, felt the need for me to have a "Come to Jesus meeting with Jesus!"
It was one of the most painfully beautiful days of my life when on four separate occasions on the same day, the Saviour lovingly but very firmly told me I WAS IN THE WRONG!!! I had been passing judgments when that is HIS role, NOT mine! My role in this life is only to deeply love and look at each human being for who they truly are...a Child of the Most High God!!!
The day I asked my son for his forgiveness for how I had been treating him was the day my heart was healed! I could FEEL the love of the Saviour enter my soul and all other feelings of pain and anxiety melt away!
Today our son lives with us and has for the past year and a half. He and my husband have a beautiful relationship now just as my son and I do! It has truly been the most amazing and loving and chastising experience for ME! I am the one who was in the wrong for the way "I" thought he should be treated!
I am so grateful that my Saviour loves ME so much that he would bring me to the door of repentance and be seeking forgiveness for MY sinful ways!
Of course, I am hopeful that one day our son will marry a woman, but if not, guess what, that's not my choice! It is our son's and it is his life and I have the privilege of being his mom and loving him completely just like our Saviour does! WOW!!! What a gift our son is!!!!
Thank you Mackintosh family for sharing your beautiful story of love!!
Kaelen Revense This is so wonderful and beautiful. Our only job is to LOVE. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for your open heart to receiv this!
Kaelen Revense absolutely my dear
Kaelen Revense you are a very good mother. We need more mothers like yourself
Mothers AND fathers alike !
This is a great video, one that I relate to a lot. I'm another son who had to tell my very active LDS family that I'm gay. I was lucky also to have a supportive family that has always been there for me. Too many still don't. There are still too many suicides and too many homeless youth, so thank you for this video of acceptance. You have no idea the impact it'll have.
I made up my mind that when I have a family, if there is a gay person, I would still love that person. I would treat them the same. I would look at them like what savior would.
Ya! Thats great
This is a start for the church to start thinking outside the box. Not all of us came from loving LDS families. We are all his children, including the abused, the alcoholics, etc. I was severely abused by an alcoholic mother, yet every birthday and holiday I am alone. The church needs to do these same kind of videos for the mentally ill, of which I am one. I would have loved to be part of a loving family such as this young man but I did not. I still feel like I don't belong.
Justelle's Life hello! I saw this comment and went to your channel and read your bio. You seem like a really cool interesting person you should upload a video I’d be really interested:)
So sorry did not see your comment until now. I would very much like to upload a video, all I have right now is a little red Share kodak camera, I guess I could start with it, don't know about the quality will be and I love your name Purple!
You definitely belong and you are loved . ❤️❤️❤️
Just now seeing this video and I see that it's 4 years old as well as your comment.
How are you today?
I, too, came from a home of abuse. Physical, emotional, etc. Guess it's all tied together anyhow. Making it worse is that I grew up in the church with very active parents. You'd never guess the problems we had at home. I have 5 siblings and we all grew up with unique challenges. Love to share stories sometime if you're interested but know YOU MATTER very much! This Church needs each of us. Heavenly Father and our Savior love and KNOW each us. "We are all numbered" to him unlike unto man. Hope all is well.
@@av8ionUSMC "We are all numbered to him" . . . . and to the church we are nothing BUT a number.
The last time I went to church was right around the time when Caitlyn Jenner was transitioning. Somehow her story came up in EQ, which led to a mocking of her, extending to a mocking of people, as they called it, "the LGBTQRSTUVWXYZ people" and "the alphabet people." That was the last straw. I got up out of my seat, slammed the door to that classroom behind me, and never went back. 9 years ago I believe it was. They want to get rid of gays? They are doing a FANTASTIC job at it. Keep insulting us, keep giving us shady looks, keep snickering, keep subtly (or not so subtly) equating us with child molesters, keep telling us the love we feel for our partners is "counterfeit," keep recommending that parents shun their gay children -- do that long enough and, congrats, Nelson, you'll be rid of EVERY LAST ONE OF US. Then you won't have to worry about pretending to love us while secretly treating us as a "project" to be "fixed."
Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience. It brought tears of love to my eyes.
Amazing ... I love this church
We need more fasting and prayer for all our struggles ..... Sometimes its very difficult but I know God will always be there to help us .....
Oh my gosh, I love this! 💖 It's all true, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love us no matter what and it's a beautiful story!
This is an excellent video. Such a good step for the church... this is what we should be doing: loving and accepting our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. ♡
The message of The Savior is a message of tolerance, forgiveness and compassion !
loving and accepting them... by telling them not to be who they are... by telling them to never find love and be lonely for all eternity.... the mormon church is beautiful wOw 😫😍😱
This and other videos from the church have really helped me as we are coming to terms with one of our sons being gay. I still have so many questions, but we have made sure that our son knows we will always love him, no matter what. We are trying to put it on the Lord's shoulders, too. It is so hard, because I want him to have the life in the gospel we have always hoped for all of our children. But I'm grateful to know that families are forever, no matter what. I want our family to be one he wants to be a part of forever.
Hi Sarah, I'd love to talk to you. bmackintosh22@msn.com
Certainly one point up for the church for hosting this very touching video....I am a former member of the LDS Church. Left years ago few years after my mission. Had struggled with same-sex attraction since I was a child....Plus, was emotionally hurt by some LDS Leaders during my mission and to me, that was a toxic mix.......I still continue to read the scriptures. I have a strong belief and trust in the Lord Jesus....I know whatever cannot be fixed in this life, will surely be taken care of in the next by a loving Savior. We are not all the same or come from the same earthly backgrounds...Only the Lord can ultimately reach inside us and make us whole again.....Of that, I am completely sure more than 100%. At this time I stay away from all organized, corporate religions....bar none......Thank You again for this very instructive video. Hugs
Come back, partake in His gospel. People are imperfect but His gospel is not. ❤
God loves us all. I am a Mormon member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints
.
This is a great video, thanks for the honesty and awareness to the topic.
I love this. I love how messy it was in his family, how blaringly hurtful the reactions were (I actually gasped at the testosterone question, haha!), but I love how humble and open his parents were about sharing their mistakes and desire to do better.
As a recent LDS convert, I love these videos.
Thanks so much for your courageous examples of loving God and others! Our differences can bring us closer to each other, and to Jesus Christ, who knows each one of our struggles personally, and knows exactly how to help each of us individually.
love this story .. of learning .. with compassion, patience, and love
So happy for him. He can be free to be himself. He can love who he wants. He can get married and live a happy life with his husband. A happy ending for everyone.
Except that the ending isn’t this life. Many people can life a “happy” life while living in sin, but find out in the next life it wasn’t a great idea.
Literally, been looking for answers since i went home from my mission after 9 years of confusion and thinking revoking my membership in church. This video just brought tears in my eyes. I know the Savior loves me and i am very depressed about not accepting that i have same gender attraction
northstarlds.org is a beautiful resource/community to look into --
Jd Sy I don't even know you, but my heart is filled with tenderness toward you for your desire to be true to yourself. Our MOST IMPORTANT responsibility here on Earth is to show each other the love and respect that Christ would, and as a lifelong member whose brother is both gay and one of the best people I know, I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
Tess Moffett thanks its been rough i dont know if i have a place in the church i dont want my family and friends to know im struggling
I personally dont know how to understand more the truth of having eternal family knowing i couldnt have my own
You are loved!
I am so grateful that the church is starting to show the love of God for our LGBT community. Although I had predicted that my son was Gay my son came out to me in his Junior year of High school. I chose to follow the spirit in my heart and love him unconditionally. The lord spoke to my heart and told me the day he told me that he was his child and that he would protect him. That he would never leave his side. It was my choice to do the same. I hear murmuring from time to time from my fellow church members of how they are hard stanced on the LGBT community. It amazes me to see how that is spoken from people who have not had a LBGT child. What are we to do? ostracize our children? Cut them off? ridicule? I chose to just love them and be the best Gay Mormon family we could be. I know that the Lord will guide us. My son loves the gospel and has enough struggles if his own to deal with rather than his own father giving up on him. I will just support him in all he does. I am sure the Lord has a plan. he is at BYUI now and loving it.
Not surprising. Most Mormons who have gay children throw them out like trash and never speak to them again (and then attend the temple, believing they are worthy because they only drink caffeine-free Coke.) It sounds like you are a wonderful exception, but far too rare.
Thank you for your story, you have helped me so much.
This is such a refreshing reaction from the parents!
Oh this family is awesome! I feel compassion for their son and am glad that he is getting the love and support from his family. One of my favorite shows is called "Touched by an Angel." I remember an episode in season 3 Titled 'The Violin Lesson.' It portrays a gay son named Tony who comes out to his father. His father rejects him and treats him with hostility saying that he is no longer his son. Tess the supervising angel approach both the father and the son individually about God's love and forgiveness. She teaches them that God has always known about Tony and that nothing can surprise God. I think that it is a really good episode to help people turn from hating to forgiveness and love.
I know exactly the episode you reference, and it is one of my favorites from TBAA. It was one of many, many things over the years that helped me to accept myself in every way. :)
You would love your child the same whether in line with the Gospel or not, whether they were living with someone etc. Our job as parents is not to make our children turn out as certain way its to love them. Were not condoning by not shutting our hearts, kids will know how we feel.
Absolutely beautiful!
What a wonderful and good looking family- I’m thankful they were willing to be spotlighted- that itself takes a tremendous amount of courage on everyone’s part. Thank you.
Love. I loved hearing that word throughout -and the part about placing your concerns and unanswerable questions at the Savior’s feet- because parents do worry because they just want their children to be happy.
Whatever the future brings, I’m glad your family’s together!
Guys, make a playlist for these series of videos, please. So sharing is easier.
I am dying crying here, Only our Heavenly Father knows. I am so happy to hear he still has the faith, and I feel we will get a definite revelation about gods plan but just need to wait.
Wow! What a beautiful family you all are. Christ loves each of us & will make us all whole one day from all our trials & challenges. As I watched this, my heart hurt for all those silent suffers in any way..... I am so grateful your son has a loving family & knows he is always loved by Jesus Christ!!!
I'm not a Mormon, but when I watched this video I was amazed over how God can still love a homosexual or lesbian and not have it tear the family apart over it. I hope this is true in the LDS church and not just a "feel good" commercial. I liked the video.
We are like everyone else. We try to live up to the teachings of Jesus but often fall very short. My family struggles with Anxiety and depression and that has caused a lot of problems and conflicts. But through the years we have become stronger and better through the Atonement and a LOT of forgiveness. Even families that get torn apart can be healed through humility and forgiveness. Have a beautiful day!!
I'm grateful for this story. Usually I hear stories about people that deal with same sex attraction that come from broken homes; the father was not present, the mom was too strict blah blah blah etc. I know no family is perfect. But the circumstances are healthy in this story. It lets me know people with ssa come from all types of family dynamics.
Wow! Didn't expect this.
Wow, just wow. Thank you.
They are cute! All the best to them from Hungary! ❤
Thanks for sharing this story with us.
Great video, love is love and family is family.
Thanks.
Thank you for sharing thank you for doing the right thing and loving unconditionally.
love the person not the sin. my sister is transgender even though we gave her love and still do she is so lost in the world that she thinks we don't just because we are members of the church. so it's different for each family. we love her but she chooses not to accept any love from us and continues to spiral out of control. now she says she is a transgender man who is bisexual and polyamours. No matter what we do for her it's never good enough and we are evil for not thinking the way she does. I hope and pray someday she will come back to us ,we don't care what she chooses to be we just want to love her. so for now I gave it up to the Lord and hope one day she will realize how much we love her no matter what she chooses to be. sorry for unloading but this is extremely hard to go through. But I have the Savior so in the end all is well.
Nanaminera A She will come back someday, maybe she has a lot of proud, but she will understand the love of your family have for her.
Show him that you genuinely care about him. Gender him correctly, respect his choices and perhaps you will be able to reconnect with him.
You dont have to condone his life to respect snd and love him
You think it's a choice?
Good story man!
The one thing I focus on now is when Jesus died on the cross the last thing he said was, "forgive them father for they know not what they do." Jesus forgave the people who tortured him to death and he didn't judge their character. I spent over 20 years judging the character of people when they had different values, beliefs and morals than I did. Now I know I was wrong.
Can you please caption this video? "these are mood Ichiro with" instead of what was spoken "these are moose and these are elk." I want to share this WONDERFUL video with everyone including my Deaf friends. Thanks
Awesome story xian it was good to see you on a youtube video you have an awesome family😊
love is the answer. As parents we have to learn to let go, love our kids and understand that we cannot "fix" everything. That was the hardest thing for me to come to a personal understanding of! Only our Heavenly Father can help us and our loved ones thru these challenges.
God made love for everyone ❤ Bi and proud 🏳️🌈✌🏻
Thank you for sharing your story and example, Mackintosh's!
This is wonderful! Father was a gay man. We can "defend the plan" and still love everyone no matter what!!
I love you, Dad!! RIP❤
*My father was a gay man.
♥♥ ** Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.) Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.
@@danelda47 ❤❤❤
This is great. I wish this had been available when the November '15 policy came out. Probably could have saved some lives.
I'm so happy everything worked out with Shawn and you his mother and father we are just born that way it's not a choice so happy for your family and that it's a close one bless all of you!!!! my name is Bob storm I am the oldest of five children and I Was Born This Way and so is my youngest brother my cousin we were in the same grade in our school he was and so my dad sister I have to say it definitely runs in my family God bless yours have a wonderful summer thank you for your response it was deeply appreciated take care.
I do love the MOMMON
LOVE THAT
This is a loving story which I appreciate. The part I do not understand are the statements regarding choice. If homosexuality is not a choice then there is nothing either moral or immoral about homosexuality right? Can there be a moral standard if someone is not free to choose?
Armon Eaton whether same sex attraction is or isn't a choice, the moral choice is whether someone acts on it
Armon Eaton its not immoral to have same sex attraction. but it is immoral to engage in homosexual acts yes.
Armon Eaton free agency was given to us so we can make choices.
Perhaps it will help to clarify that we use those words a little differently. There's a big difference between same sex attraction and homosexuality. One is just having those feelings; the other is actually acting on them. Having those feelings doesn't make you sinful. It'a choice to cater to them, though. And if you don't, it's just a test, like any other. No different than, say, struggling with anger. We should have empathy for people with anger issues. But that doesn't let you off the hook if you punch someone in the nose. XD
Gay people aren't hitting each other. They are loving each other. The people having same sex attraction are probably homosexual whether or not they act on it.
thank you
15-45 seconds into this ad, my instinct was to skip it. I'm glad I didn't. However, after so many decades of intolerant teachings, makes me wonder how authentic these new intentions from The Church really are.
I think they're genuine, though clearly they don't have all the answers. I've watched a lot of them and I see a people grappling deeply with some really complex topics. I think on this topic, there are a lot of generation hangups and grappling with what is what. But also there is the doctrine that isn't going anywhere. So what are the answers? I think these are good steps forward. Think about it, 10 or 20 years ago, this video would have never existed. We have to be patient for people to slowly understand things for themselves.
I certainly understand your fear and concern, I'm glad you stuck with it to watch. We were thrilled when the church asked if we'd be willing to share our story -they want families to know the importance of love and inclusion -nothing should exclude a loved one from the family circle. I am grateful to my son for all I have learned through him that I couldn't have learned in any other way. Thanks again for watching and taking the time to express your feelings.
Most important thing to remember, we are all children of God, and need to treat each other as such. We all have our personal struggles, and I would hate to be treated horribly due to what struggles and temptations I endure. We should show our brothers and sisters the same love, regardless of their struggles and temptations.
i dont like church nor religion, but it really helps me, because I was also going through this emotions like his father and mother, but unfortunatly my wife had different opinons like me, which were she was right to accept it immedaitly, but this caused to that may familiy falled appart whithin a week. Now I accept my son how he is but for our family it seems to be to late.
First good video from the church in a long time - finally, for some: too late.
very moving
Heavenly Father loves us no matter what
That was a good video. I totaly agree we ahouldnt be making mean comments about enyone weather we think they can hear us or not. Especialy because you never know if they can hear you.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
I wish my family was anywhere near as accepting of me being transgender as this family is of him
Big props. I'm usually very hard on the LDS church, but this is a good thing they've done in producing this video. Big props. Now, if they can just change their actual policies and behavior to match the PR they want to represent.
I'm LDS
Inhibitor Medichine I LDS too.
You certainly missed the point of the video, then. The point was that loving unconditionally does not mean you have to condone the choices/lifestyles people have. Even though the son left the church over his same-sex attraction, the family still loves him and includes him in their family the same as they always did. They can't make his decisions for him, but they should never shun him because of the decisions he chose.
This is all completely in line with church doctrine. No policy changes are necessary.
I am right on board with what Noah said, but I would love to hear your perspective on this. Why do you believe the Church needs to change the policies that have already been established? Also, are these policies the reason you are hard on the LDS Church?
This was beautiful!!
The church is perfect but its members are not. I came out to my bishop and his 1st councilor because I thought they were my friends and would not judge me because they are leaders of our ward and they were the ones who should trusted with. But I was wrong. I was about to renew my my TR and my thoughts of coming out and confess of my unnormal feelings. I was just laughed by at him. I felt like being mocked because of my dirty feelings. And didn't sign my TR for renewal. I was so frustrated at myself why I am not normal. So I went to his 1st councilor, he was my friend since my youth. Then, he just asked me when since when I have these feelings, and never talk to me again. I tried to make a call but he rejected it. I message him on messenger but he ignored me, he never seen my chats. He's the one who helped me so much financially when I was preparing for my mission. But friendships was ended just because of my sexuality. I know they are not perfect but it is very sad, frustrating, depressing, feeling alone, feeling not worthy to be a member, worthless man, and it's like my life has so meaning even though I preached about plan of salvation. I wish I never said it to them. It would'nt have been like this.
@wind in the gospel, we are very sorry if you have felt you are not loved or wanted. The Church teaches that God loves all of us. He loves those of different faiths and those without any faith. He loves those who suffer. He loves the rich and poor alike. He loves people of every race and culture, the married or single, and those who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. And God expects all of us to follow His example. There is a place for LGBT people in the Church, and you are wanted and needed. You or others interested can learn more here: www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay/individuals?lang=eng
I'm gay, not religious, not Mormon - and because of this, I'm generally very critical of the slick, one dimensional 'love the sinner, hate the sin' pablum that gets put out by religious organizations regarding homosexuality. This video stands above the rest, and in spite of myself I liked it quite a bit. It deals honestly with pain and fear and uncertainty on both sides, and best of all focuses on compromise in the face of a disagreement that's almost certainly never going to go away. That's really how most honorable families end up dealing with this kind of situation, and while it won't please purists on either side of the issue, it's down to Earth and shows an achievable goal.
I have heard that some LDS members think that this video is an 'inside job' that subtly and deliberately undermines the church's stated truth - that may be the case, but it's still worth watching. It's rare to see people imply that there are things about their God that they wish were different, and it takes courage to do so. I'm betting it's more common than most think, and acknowledging it can't be wrong.
One question: my understanding is that apostates end up in the telestial kingdom, which is a lesser level of paradise. If it's a paradise, why does it cause so much anguish to families if a child is gay and leaves the church? It may not be an 'ultra paradise,' but it's hardly a destiny of eternal misery. It seems like being disappointed that your child is a multi-millionaire instead of a multi-billionaire. I don't mean to be cavalier about this; it just strikes me as odd.
I think if you read up on the specifics of each kingdom, you'll have a better understanding of your question. www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory?lang=eng
Yep, I read up on them. It still seems to me that the telestial kingdom stands head-and-shoulders above the afterlives that most other religions describe for unrepentant sinners and unbelievers. If a gay child is going to an afterlife that is beautiful and safe, even if it's not as wondrous as it could be, it's hard to see that as a tragic end. Perhaps it's just me.
I think the anguish comes from knowing that families can only be together forever in the Celestial Kingdom. The Telestial and Terrestrial kingdoms, while kingdoms of glory, do not have the promise of eternal families.
However, I think none of us can judge what anyone's fate is based on our view of their choices in this life. Judgment is the Savior's, and as it says in the Bible, He looks on the heart as well as our actions (1 Sam 16:7). And we can "do" all the right things, but have a heart full of judgment and hatred, which the Savior preached against time and again. I believe our Savior will give all of us every possible opportunity to repent and turn to Him, whatever our sins (which we all have plenty of).
I don't worry about it, I believe in a just and merciful God. Like I said in the video, I lay it on the Savior's feet - my job is to love my son. As for an "inside job" that you questioned... nope it was done by the church. The video is featured on the Church's official website mormonandgay.lds.org, in case you haven't seen the website, I encourage you to check it out.
Becky - I am an active member (don't really like that term.) I wish I had a loving family like yours or came from one even, so "love" is a very foreign concept to me one I cannot feel it, I was severely abused by a very disturbed alcoholic mother which never stopped. I am a convert. I don't believe for one moment that Heavenly Father wants to lose any of His children. Your son has a good as anyone else to be in the Celestial Kingdom, why shouldn't he? We do not know what our Heavenly Father will bring into account to use His mercy and justice for each of us. I personally think He will give the least penalty He can and will give us the biggest reward He can even for the smallest good deed(s) we do. We also do not know if we can progress from one Kingdom to the next. I daily live the consequences of someone else's actions that were forced on me, I suffer deeply because there are things I don't get and skills I never learned and have tremendous unresolved trauma. For me my injustices may not be worked out in this life but they will happen some day. I wonder why sometimes He protects people and takes them from abusive situations and sometimes, like mine, He doesn't. I think your son is very blessed to come from such a loving family - what I would give to come from one too.
Amen
Love ❤️ you Love them.
In Heavenly Father's eyesight there's one word that sticks out in my mind when it comes to something. This word is what he uses to describe something in general. It's our IDENTITY in what we choose to make something become. Why do we choose certain things to become what we see? The Identity in this trial is the purpose to overcome the trial it's self to make the indivivdual grow from what they choose to create it as something in their choices. The IDENTITY is the trial. The purpose is to understand why you IDENTIFY what that object is and why you choose to create it that way is due to your trial of faith to see it correctly as he does. We all have these trials of different things in our lives to overcome to correctly see things.
We must remember. That Jesus Christ is the answer, the only way the truth and the life. We must always hate the sin, but not the sinner. And to find that narrow path, which very few find
It does not say whether this young man is practicing and it isn't any of our business if he is nor not. Just because someone has that orientation does not mean he is not morally clean. A person who is gay can still be morally clean.
Gael Johnson very true. fine line between merely having a weakness and transgression.
He is if he did not cave in to the lifestyle..
People also have differences of opinion and beliefs on what is "morally clean". According to the LDS, maybe not, but according to his own beliefs, or other LGBT Christian Churches, that may be different.
excellent!!! Thank you!
Heterosexuality is baked into the theology of the LDS church. While there have been some improvements in how 🏳️🌈 people are treated, the all too recent history is pretty dismaying. Conversion “therapy” and telling folks they have SSA ( sounds like you have asthma or arthritis, like it’s a bad thing ) but can and should be celibate or marry heterosexually is just two parts of it. I thank God my faith teaches and reinforces true acceptance and celebration of LGBT people. The LDS church is not that way.
Now,........ We really think that Joshs parents could already tell and so we dont think that this was very surprising to them just judging from Joshs mannerisms and the way he talks etc. This just confirmed what they had already thought.
who's Josh?
Well, the Lord have told us to love everybody with their differences. Yeah, as it is harsh it has to be in our own family, what the Lord has mandated is a commadment and we just have to follow him with no questioning. The afterguards is His job, and not ours. Everybody, individually is the owner of their own decisions. Unfortunately, we can not make decisions for our family. We need to learn to love them no matter what decision they take. That we agree? Maybe not, but, it is when they will need us the most, The MOST!! I know they will need our love. And I know the Lord gave us this commandment because He knows what He is doing is not our job to judge. I say these things in the name of JesusChrist Amen.
Great video.
Hugs.
Shawn, Sean, Sia: do you have a Facebook account or some way that I can reach out to you?? You had said on your mom's video that if you have no one to talk to, you can talk to me. So, I would like to take you up on your offer.
He meant what he said. Email me. bmackintosh22@msn.com
I have read some articles from the LDS Church website about this family. If I'm not wrong, Xian after serving as a missionary left the Church to engage a relationship with another man, while his parents, still active members of the Church are loving him unconditionally whether he belongs to the church or not. So the concept of this video is if you are same-sex attracted but you are not willing to remain celibate or marry someone of the opposte gender you have to leave the church. Did I understand correctly?
Can someone please their insights from recent general conference that can help me understand my same sex attraction and somehow will help me a strong lds member. Please
Jd Sy well. you, just like everyone were born with distinct strengths and weaknesses. But it's all about what u want. if you want to make covenants in the temple, or magnify your calling etc, then that is your choice. ... to be short, stay close to the Lord, scriptures and the Prophets, and you'll be able to discern between right and wrong.
Jd Sy there is a difference between temptation and sin. "orientation" is a false and misleading term put forward by society. The term is temptation. allowing and teaching ppl to identify by their temptations will make it more difficult for them to overcome them.
You are NOT gay unless you have acted upon those temptations.
You don't have control over what Satan puts in your mind but you do have control over whether or not you dwell on or invite those thoughts and feelings or even worse begin to accept them and identify by them.
Those who repent from practicing homosexuality are no longer gay. Just like any other sin, God has the power to cleanse. Those who continue to identify by their sins inhibit and limit the Atonement in their lives.
Realize that good thoughts come from God and unclean thoughts come from Satan. Those thoughts are not you unless you want them to be and can be removed if you have already accepted those thoughts. Pray and put on the armor of God and actively push unwanted thoughts away.
Tia, I strongly disagree with you, and this is not what the church is currently teaching. I know a ton of gay members, and their stories are all the same. These feelings for the same sex are present from a very young age, childhood really, just as your hetero feelings are present from a young age. It's not orientation. It's biological, sexual makeup. And it's not a choice. How does that fit in with the doctrine? Well, we haven't gotten answers about that yet. The church has taken no official stance about where a gay individual comes from, why their biological sexual preference is different, and where a transgender person originates. Because nobody knows the answer to that, not scientists, not preachers. What we do know is that God has a plan. And how each person fits into that plan is a very individual thing. I feel strongly that only Jd can get that revelation from God about Jd. And the prophet can receive revelation for the church, but hasn't spoken much about this yet. And so we have to wait on that. I do agree that accepting a temptation to be with a member of the same sex qualifies doctrinally as sin. The church has spoken about that. But having sex with a member of the opposite sex you're not married to is also sin. No differences there. The biggest errant statement in your comment (and I don't mean offense by this, really) is that you said "You are NOT gay unless you have acted upon those temptations." That is NOT what the church is saying right now. They have a website called mormonANDgay.lds.org. The term "gay" is now being used to describe anyone with same-sex attraction, whether or not they have physical relationships with members of the same sex. So Jd, you can call yourself gay and you can be a worthy, temple attending, covenant keeping member of the church. In fact, I know many who do just this. You should go to the website and see what's out there.
i don't think i have a problem with this, as long as the message is precise and clear. which is to the effect, love others across the board, no matter their weaknesses or routes they take in life, whether it be the straight and narrow, or another path that leads somewhere else.
also, i will say this.... don't compromise your covenants and religion for the sake of pursuing any given weakness you may have, it is not worth it, no matter what the mainstream media and its evil messages may say to you.
Being gay is not a "weakness."
And shoving a part of one's soul into the proverbial closet and slamming the door on it is a life of torture. Unless you have walked in those shoes, you have no comprehension to make any judgement call.
So I can't make the judgment that by compromising your beliefs because of a weakness that you may have is foolish.
Same as a pedophile, which is someone who's attracted to children. If that person compromises his religious beliefs to pursue unwholesome practices would that not be a foolish thing to do ? Of course it would. It's the same thing. You can paint it any color you like, but it's using a selfish excuse to apostasize from the Church, which is foolish.
@@besttrick2 But Jesus did teach to drink of the bitter cup to do the Father's will, so the Father asks us to do hard things.... And one of those hard things he has asked us to do is to learn to deny the appetites of the natural man.
Okay real quick, the dad say his son is in a relationship with another man. Is that okay now? What did I miss?
They do not condone. But, they have unconditional love.
Loving does not mean condoning. It means truly loving.
Sadly many in the church don't love others unconditionally.
Bill Adney Officially, no, the church has not changed its position on gay relationships. However, for years members of the Church have felt that they must shun gay family members in order to be faithful members. This new video offers clarity by showing how faithful LDS families can and should continue to love, accept, and support their gay family members, regardless of their lifestyle.
Our job is simple: to love. Leave judging to the judges (ie judges in Israel- bishops, stake presidents, etc.- and God).
You need to watch the video again. It is mentioned in the video that the parents and son disagree on this topic. The message of this video is that LOVING does not mean CONDONING. (You can read about this in their blog).
Instead of rejecting their son like many Christians have done, they focus themselves on LOVING their son. As I said above, loving does not mean condoning. They're focussing on love.
He stepped away from the church. But they love him no matter what.
Bill Adney He didn't say it was okay. His wife mentioned that they had to let go of the burden and give it to Christ whome will take care of thing with justice and mercy.
One of the main things in life is family.
There is something important missing from this story. Divine love is conditional, according to President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Divine blessings are conditional also, Nelson reported. Sinners must repent. Sin cannot be looked upon with the least degree of allowance. Sin must be abhorred. Parents must teach obedience. We can tolerate the differences of others, but “we cannot tolerate their infractions of the laws of God,” according to President Nelson. In other words, parents may love their children, but may not tolerate their sins. The son in this story would be deemed an "apostate" of the Church, if he tried to remain a member and married another man.
Very well said. Love, yes. Judge, no. But Gods laws are eternal and must be taught and defended with honesty and conviction.
The son and all human beings should have the privilege of marrying whomever they wish, without penalty from the Mormon Church.
I think this goes to Elder Oaks's video called "Love and Law." Clearly those are the two great commandments. But I don't think the video is meant to be a comprehensive treatise on those two things. It seems to me like a simple story about how complex and difficult this issue is to navigate. And I know a lot of members who think they're pretty righteous, obeying the law, but may cast this guy out of the local chapel if they could. That's not right either. He has a place here. Does he have a place in the temple with the highest covenants if he's intimate with a man? I wouldn't say that; the doctrine doesn't seem to support that. But maybe the Lord is working with him where he stands right now. Maybe we're all on a spectrum and God loves us and works with us as he can. I mean, we have a substantial portion of our membership addicted to pornography. Has God the father completely cast them out? I think not. Does he withhold blessings if they know better? Sure. But let's leave that up to the person who knows all, sees all, comprehends all. I think this video is more about "how as I as a parent take care of my son or daughter if he or she is gay?" Perhaps we think we're better judges of character and law and sin than we actually are. Remember, this is also our first go round at earthly life as well. We're not experts on it. We probably just need many videos and articles to touch on all the different aspects of the issue.
I'm just curious now as to where the church stands in regards to LGBTI?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints firmly states that marriage must be between a man and a woman. The Church has also stated that members of the Church must treat everyone who identifies as LGBT with love, respect, and kindness. Everyone is a beloved child of God, and we must treat each other as such.
Alguém bem que poderia traduzir este vídeo.
I wish you luck
I guess being gay means you're something different. I don't feel you are different if you're are gay you just live your life a different way I'm not gay but you are. I just think being gay is fine with me if you're fine with it. I know a lot of gay people but they're not in the church. And it looks like I know a lot of people that are gay who are in the church. God has a lot to think about.
Actually, God already has it all figured out, and has since before the beginning of time. It's the ultra-religious (not saying you are such) who need to do some thinking outside the box . . . the sad part is usually their minds are slammed shut and they won't make room for anything or anyone that does not fit their worldview.