Posted by:
OnceMore
(
)
Date: October 07, 2010 12:21PM
It's not that easy for mormons to research some of the issues. If they stay on LDS-approved websites, and read only LDS-approved literature, they have a problem.
As was posted on another thread, a pamphlet called "To the One" was published in 1978 by the LDS Church. The pamphlet is basically a transcription of a talk given by Boyd K. Packer at a twelve-stake "Fireside" given at BYU (to an all-male audience). The church has since made this talk very difficult to access. It's so harsh that one can see why they would want to bury it.
You can find the entire talk, along with scans of the pamphlet pages here:
http://www.whymormons.net/2010/10/to-one.htmlThis is a post on a google-ad-supported free website, so ignore the four text ads at the top.
Excerpts are below:
"And so, now to the subject. To introduce it I must use a word. I will use it one time only. Please notice that I use it is an adjective, not as a noun; I reject it as a noun. I speak to those few, those very few, who may be subject to homosexual temptation. I repeat, I accept that word as an adjective to describe a temporary condition. I reject it as a noun naming a permanent one.
"I have had on my mind three general questions concerning this subject. First: Is sexual perversion wrong?
"There appears to be a consensus in the world that it is natural, to one degree or another, for a percentage of the population. Therefore, we must accept it as all right. However, when you put a moral instrument on it, the needle immediately flips to the side labeled "wrong." It may even register "dangerous." If there has been heavy indulgence, it registers clear over to "spiritually destructive.'
"The answer: It is not all right. It is wrong! It is not desirable; it is unnatural; it is abnormal; it is an affliction. When practiced, it is immoral. It is a transgression....
"Establish a resolute conviction that you will resist for a lifetime, if necessary, any deviate thought or deviate action. Do not respond to those feelings; suppress them...
"If you are subject to this kind of temptation, it is essential that you break all connections with those who for one reason or another encourage it. Do not go back to places where you were tempted. Do not frequent those places where people with like attractions gather. This may require an adjustment socially, occupationally, even geographically.
If you are involved in a liaison, no matter how innocent it may appear, break it up right now....
"No good purpose will be served if you make this message the subject of chatter in the dormitories, or in classes, or in Church meetings. I repeat, I have thought this to be a very personal message, and I have already said that we can very foolishly cause things we are trying to prevent by talking too much about them."
Hmmm, does sound like Packer was afraid he'd cause homosexual thoughts in his own mind, just by discussing the subject. He has ignored his own advice and made the message a subject of chatter. (Though true-believing mormons are pointing out that he never said the word "homosexual", nor "gay", so why are we all objecting?)
"Now, what I have to say on this subject, I have said. And that is all I would say to you if you wrote to me, or if you came to see me personally. I am not the one to treat you. You are the one to treat you. If you are worried about this problem, if you need help, it should come first from your parents, then from your branch president or bishop or from others that he may enlist to assist you."
Sounds like Elder Packer was fed up with gay mormons coming to him for advice.