# Ask the Mormon **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971 "2003-03-21T02:31:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/201 "2003-03-29T02:53:12Z")
I don’t generally wear makeup, but then I live in granola-esque Northern California (and spent my college years in Berkeley, mangeorge), and I don’t know very many people, LDS or not, who do. Many of us are also on the pudgy side (but I have an excuse, I’m supposed to give birth in the next few days). 😛 You can buy me a Dr. Pepper anytime, mangeorge. I limit my intake, but I love the stuff, and we still get to Berkeley sometimes… ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/202 "2003-03-29T02:54:05Z")
:: SNIFF SNIFF :: I found the name Nick Literski (Nick Literski’s Temple Home Page). I also found that his site doesn’t exist anymore. Once I recognized the name, I was able to google him. No indication what happened to his page, but apparently it was a favorite of many people. ☹ Kathy ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/203 "2003-03-29T02:57:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by genie \* > \*\*I don’t generally wear makeup, but then I live in granola-esque Northern California (and spent my college years in Berkeley, mangeorge), and I don’t know very many people, LDS or not, who do. Many of us are also on the pudgy side (but I have an excuse, I’m supposed to give birth in the next few days). 😛 WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO > Congrats genie! You’ll have to let us know when the newest doper arrives 😃 > > You can buy me a Dr. Pepper anytime, mangeorge. I limit my intake, but I love the stuff, and we still get to Berkeley sometimes… \*\* Kathy ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/204 "2003-03-29T03:51:25Z")
> [@](#): > > A president, but no 1st ammendment. > Typical of most religions, though. > pepperlandgirl > If she hadn’t shut it down, would she be “In Trouble”? > Peace, > mangeorge I don’t think she’d get in trouble. It’s not like there are LDS Thugs who’ll knock on the door and force her to remove the site…(Well, not that i know of. 😉 ) She took it down because she was told to…that was enough for her. See, that’s just one example of why me and church are unmixy things. My first response was “Fuck him. If God gives a fuck about what’s on the Internet, I’d eat my hat.” _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Pathros\_1983](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@Pathros\_1983](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pathros_1983)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/205 "2003-03-29T04:24:08Z")
First, congrats genie. This has got to be quite a happy time for you. (not considering when you are about to actually GIVE birth ;)) You’re right Kathy. She IS a special person, but is also the type of person that I would only grow closer to after a 2 year mission. I heard there was decaf Dr. Pepper. If someone has access to some… I will pay REAL money for it. No, really, I am drooling just thinking about it. The question about the font still sits, though, because it’s bugging me horrible. It happened before, but I have totally forgotten how to fix it. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/206 "2003-03-29T04:27:49Z")
My font went back to normal and have no idea how or why… it had never happened to me before. I’ve heard of decaf coke, pepsi, etc, but haven’t heard of dp. If I see some, I’ll let you know. Kathy ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/207 "2003-03-29T05:55:01Z")
Oh, you can get decaffeinated DP in Utah, Pathros. That’s the only place it’s available, AFAIK–I’ve tried to order some here, but no luck. I got some last May there, and my in-laws got me 2 cases at Thanksgiving–I drank the last one yesterday. All you have to do is get an outside contact while you’re at the MTC! BYU dorms now stock decaffeinated _everything_, even odd items like Barq’s, so you might even be able to get some there. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/208 "2003-03-29T06:15:41Z")
Isn’t Barq’s decaffeinated anyway? Isn’t that like saying they have odd things like decaffeinated Sprite? ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/209 "2003-03-29T07:03:38Z")
Barq’s is the only rootbeer (I think it’s the only one…the only one that I know of) that puts caffeine in thier rootbeer. I didn’t believe the person who first told me. So I went to the store and read the can (to show them how wrong they were). :smack: Signed: Kathy the :wally ---
**Author:** ![Pathros\_1983](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@Pathros\_1983](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pathros_1983)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/210 "2003-03-29T16:20:29Z")
Does anyone here have direct access though? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/211 "2003-03-30T01:17:43Z")
Also, A&W puts caffeine in their cream soda. ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/212 "2003-03-30T03:14:41Z")
> [@](#): > > But that’s why I love being Mormon–honestly, it’s a joy to reach my own conclusions and hold my own opinions while yet staying under the umbrella of a world-wide faith that agrees on the basics This was posted a while back, but I’d like to know which mono-theistic religions fail to provide the joy of being able to hold your own opinions while staying under the umbrella of a world-wide faith that agrees on the basics. How would the Mormons posting here be prevented from living this way as Jews, or Lutherens? Also, do the Mormons posting here feel that member of this religion or more likely to know the actual teachings of their church and the current thinking of church leadership? I ask because an astonishing number of the American Jews, American Catholics, Scientologists, and members of the protestant congregation of one of my best friends have little or no idea what the viewpoint of their leadership is. More often than I can count, I’ve spent a week listening to one of my best friends try to figure out her sermon for Sunday, and then spent the next week listening to members of her congregation present their completely wrong version of it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/213 "2003-03-30T04:46:27Z")
What does monotheism have to do with it? Wiccans certainly enjoy the freedom to hold their own opinions. Are there any other polytheistic belief systems out there of world wide stature? 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/214 "2003-03-30T07:45:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by j.c. \* > \*\*This was posted a while back, but I’d like to know which mono-theistic religions fail to provide the joy of being able to hold your own opinions while staying under the umbrella of a world-wide faith that agrees on the basics. How would the Mormons posting here be prevented from living this way as Jews, or Lutherens? Sadly, I admit I am remiss in that I have not studied other religions in any depth. I’m only superficially familiar with some other denominations so I can’t address this question with any accuracy. Perhaps someone else will. This also sounds like a subject that could make for a good thread in GD. Maybe you could start a post in that forum. Also, do the Mormons posting here feel that member of this religion or more likely to know the actual teachings of their church and the current thinking of church leadership? I ask because an astonishing number of the American Jews, American Catholics, Scientologists, and members of the protestant congregation of one of my best friends have little or no idea what the viewpoint of their leadership is. More often than I can count, I’ve spent a week listening to one of my best friends try to figure out her sermon for Sunday, and then spent the next week listening to members of her congregation present their completely wrong version of it. The Church makes the information available to the members via weekly meetings, a weekly church newspaper, monthly church magazines for each age group, and monthly visits with each member of the Church by other members of their ward to bring a monthly spiritual message to them. Every 6 months the General Authorities hold what is commonly called “Conference”… this means that there are 2 meetings, (2 hr. long for each meeting) on both Sat. and Sun that weekend, and an additional Priesthood meeting on Sat. evening that weekend. The information is out there… whether or not all members take advantage of the opportunities or not is an individual matter. From my experience, some people are more diligent then others about keeping abreast but I won’t suggest I can speak for everyone. Personally speaking, I’ve gone through times in my life where I’ve been more committed then at other times, and even when I’ve been committed to keeping up to date on the information, there have been things that have slipped past me. Kathy \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Spooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Spooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spooky)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/215 "2003-03-30T13:38:33Z")
What is the church’s position on homosexuality? ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/216 "2003-03-30T17:42:03Z")
LDS belive that homosexuality is immoral. [Cite](http://www.lds.org/newsroom/showpackage/0,15367,3899-1---2-515,00.html) IIRC, from my days as a member, they welcome homosexuals into the church, but the person must refrain from all homosexual activity or face church discipline. IOW, come on in, enjoy the church, but don’t have sex. I also heard of a program at BYU for many years using “aversion therapy” to “cure” homosexuals. Unfortunately, I could not find an official LDS cite for that one. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/217 "2003-03-30T18:07:40Z")
Short answer: a) Sex outside of marriage is never OK, whether you’re straight or gay. b)Marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (and this is a very deeply-held part of our view of the universe and the nature of God and humanity). All single people are expected to refrain from sexual relationships across the board. Yes, we realize that this is a lot harder on homosexuals. As for Rico’s aversion therapy mention, I understand that was decades ago, when many institutions were doing similar courses. It’s been a long time since then, for everyone. The following may be of interest: [Proclamation of the family](http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,FF.html%5B/url) I have other stuff, but am not sure about posting them on a public forum due to their fairly confidential nature. ---
**Author:** ![cadolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/218 "2003-03-30T21:59:34Z")
As I understand it, both **genie and rico** are correct. That is the official position of the Church. And, I’m sad to say (and, yes, I do realize I’m dating myself 😛 ) I do remember the days when our Church, as well as other people, used that barbaric approach to “cure” homosexuals. :eek: [LDS](http://www.lds.org) > [@](#): > > President Gordon B. Hinckley, current president of the LDS church, answered when asked about the church’s stand on homosexuality, "In the first place, we believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the Lord. > > "People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are. > > “We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.” (“What Are People Asking about Us?” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 70) Let me add here, that the Church, as a whole, takes the position of assisting anyone and everyone who is in need whatever the need may be. The Church has at least two programs (that I’m aware of) set up to assist people when they may need it. One is the “Bishop’s Storehouse” where food, clothing, bedding, material to make your own clothing if you prefer, personal toiletry items, and things needed in a home such as cleaning supplies, including brooms, mops and buckets are available. The food is both canned and fresh. It’s not day old bread or meat/eggs that wouldn’t meet a supermarket’s standards… it’s just as good as what you would get in a good supermarket, but is grown, raised, etc. on Church owned sites and then it’s processed/packaged at Church owned packers or canneries by members of the church…often done as a service project by the members, but the Church also provides employment opportunities for people who are having trouble gaining employment at other places. The other is called “The Church Humanitarian Dept.”. The Church collects donations from whoever wishes to donate. They also take excess items from the Bishop Storehouse and I honestly don’t know what all of their sources are for the items they have ready on a moment’s notice. Last year the Ward I was in undertook a year long project to prepare as many first aid kids as they could, or to make as many baby quilts as they could and several other items… I don’t remember them all… but since I have so much time on my hands, and my _only_ domestic skill is crocheting, I crocheted 36 baby quilts. I’ll never know where they went, but I do know that they went or will go to people who need them! When there is a natural catastrophe such as an earthquake, flood, tornado or whatever else, within a matter of minutes (no, I’m not exaggerating), TONS of supplies: medical, water, food, clothing, etc. are on their way to the site to be handed out to the people who need them. Sort of like the Red Cross if that’s something that you would be able to get a better grasp on. Back to the original topic, where Pres. Hinkley says: > [@](#): > > We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. that is taken very literally. The Church does not just assist people in eating and paying their rent/utilities until they can get back to work, they also have counseling programs (and I don’t just mean the Bishop even though that is your first step when seeking counsel) for those who are in need. From what I’ve seen members of the church fall into three mindsets: [ul] [li]Members of the church with little to no tolerance or understanding of homosexuality as will be found in any segment of society ( :: sigh :: ).[/li][li]There are also members who believe the person can “heal” and change their stripes to become heterosexual if they want to badly enough. [/li][li]A third group of people seem to accept that some people are just made differently so there’s no reason to “change” them; they want to help those members live a “morally clean” life as stated by Pres. Hinkley, and they recognize that for a homosexual to do that within the LDS church, it means they would have to maintain a celibate lifestyle which would be very difficult for the average person to do.[/li][/ul] As was stated previously in this thread, members are encouraged to think through, pray, ponder and gain their individual testimony regarding the Church doctrine and policies. If you look back at the OP, you’ll see I told you that I’m open-minded more then many church members and also more the middle of the road type. This is one of the areas the LDS Church and I disagree on. I just am not comfortable condemning an individual because of their sexual preference as long as they are not hurting anyone. If we were talking about a pedophile or bestiality, my opinion would be different since an adult would be harming a child or animal, but I’m taking the question from **Spooky** to mean consenting adults of the same gender engaging in sexual intimacy. Let me point out here, that most of the major churches that I’m familiar with, do view homosexuality as a sin. The exceptions I’m aware of are: [Unitarian](http://www.theopenmind.org.uk/about...ets/gayles.html) > [@](#): > > THE POSITION > Unitarianism is a religious faith that seeks to unite persons in fellowship in a spirit of freedom, reason and tolerance. This liberal approach to building a community means that Unitarians value diversity, recognizing that church members can learn from one another’s perspectives. The freedom to differ is respected as an inalienable right within Unitarian circles, and one is often challenged about personal beliefs and practices! Lesbian and gay folk are called to contribute their unique talents and views to the wider community. > > THE INFORMATION > It would be unrealistic to expect every member of every Unitarian congregation and fellowship to agree on matters relating to gay and lesbian people. Prejudice persists. Attitudes vary from church to church, and from one region of the country to another. Within the professional ministry of the movement there are some who are openly gay and who receive widespread respect for their leadership. Lay persons, including those in positions of responsibility, may be equally free to discuss their sexual orientation. [Episcopalian](http://www.episcopalian.org/cclec/paper-homosexuality.htm) Is long (to long to cut/paste here). I know I’m not doing it justice by summarizing it as briefly as I’m going to but the very condensed version of their stand is some members of the church have great difficulty accepting homosexuality and specifically accepting openly homosexual members of the clergy, but the Episcopal Church site states: > [@](#): > > A homosexual Episcopalian group estimates over 100 gay men and lesbians have been ordained as priests and deacons in the US. Even though I am more open-minded about homosexuality, _for me_, marriage before sexual intimacy, as taught by the Church, is what I’m comfortable with. I _am not at all_ comfortable pushing my beliefs on anyone and can’t feel like I am being a good Christian judging anyone who doesn’t subscribe to my beliefs. As always, if I’ve confused you or not been clear enough, let me know 😃 Kathy ---
**Author:** ![emarkp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@emarkp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emarkp)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/219 "2003-03-31T00:24:15Z")
One problem with the question is the terms “homosexuality” and “homosexual”. Current social debate loads the terms so that there is no way to distinguish between orientation and action. We condemn **all** sexual relations outside of marriage. As far as God has revealed, marriage is reserved for man and woman, hence those who are same-sex-attracted have a particularly heavy cross to bear. But then so are all who don’t find a spouse in this lifetime. An excellent article on the subject (from Dallin H. Oaks, one of the Twelve Apostles) [can be found here]([http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1995.htm/ensign](http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1995.htm/ensign) october 1995.htm/samegender attraction.htm). I suggest anyone (including LDS!) who wants to understand the issues from an LDS perspective read it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971/220 "2003-03-31T00:54:20Z")
No offense, but that’s the same tired old line. I understand, though, that it’s the only one you have. But; Can I take it then that it’s the same condemnation for unmarrieds to have sexual relations, whether same sex or not? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-mormon/162971.md?page=12)