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According to Gordon B. Hinckley,

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.

Source: LDS.org - Gospel Library - Gospel Topics - Homosexuality

I have a question about this. When the Mouthpiece of God in the Heavens above us proclaims that a gay person is not to act upon their inclinations, does that mean *any* act? Has Church leadership gone to any effort to define what they mean by this?

For example, what about the acts listed below (I list these assuming we are referring acts between two single men):

1. Touch the arm, hand, knee, shoulder during conversation
2. Look at a painting of a handsome man (i.e. handsome, blue-eyed Jesus)
3. Talk to each other while sitting on a park bench near Temple Square during lunch hour
4. Private message each other via Facebook
5. Go mtn biking together
6. Borrow his jacket during a concert at Red Butte Gardens
7. Paint a fake tattoo on his arm during U of U May Fest celebration
8. A short embrace in public

Let us assume these acts are in part fulfilling a very small amount of sexual desire for intimacy in the person's life. Can these people participate in actions like this with the same-sex just as a straight person might do with someone of the opposite sex?

Or, under LDS law, is the homosexual person supposed to repress even those subtle and simple acts of dear association and friendship they might have with another person?

Zee, I think this is a good question. My father thinks that wearing a pink shirt is a homosexual act. No exaggeration.

I have a question about this. When the Mouthpiece of God in the Heavens above us proclaims that a gay person is not to act upon their inclinations, does that mean *any* act?

All sexual acts of the mind and body outside heterosexual marriage. Same as for any man or woman. But the implication of the doctrine is that homosexuality itself is sin, acts or not.

bcspace wrote:

I have a question about this. When the Mouthpiece of God in the Heavens above us proclaims that a gay person is not to act upon their inclinations, does that mean *any* act?

All sexual acts of the mind and body outside heterosexual marriage. Same as for any man or woman. But the implication of the doctrine is that homosexuality itself is sin, acts or not.

So, does that mean that french kissing is not a sexual act or that french kissing is not allowed unless married?

Cuz that would be great if gay people can french kiss according to doctrine.

It would be a sad statement upon society if people were banned from expressing simple affection towards friends of the same gender. Even same gender friendships would be forbidden! God forbid that adulterous friendships be banned. Perhaps we all ought to just put ourselves into cells, and never see another person, lest we might have friendships, all of which can lead to sexual expression of the same.

MCB wrote:It would be a sad statement upon society if people were banned from expressing simple affection towards friends of the same gender. Even same gender friendships would be forbidden! God forbid that adulterous friendships be banned. Perhaps we all ought to just put ourselves into cells, and never see another person, lest we might have friendships, all of which can lead to sexual expression of the same.

Don't even think about it! That's thought adulterous friendship!

just me wrote:
So, does that mean that french kissing is not a sexual act or that french kissing is not allowed unless married?

Cuz that would be great if gay people can french kiss according to doctrine.

I'm going with the theory that it's not really sex unless penis-vagina intercourse occurs and there's a possibility that children can result. (We're often reminded that sex inherently implies procreation). Any so-called gay sex is not really sinning because it's not really sex. It's just an alternate form of massage between friends.

I once had a gay bf. He proposed to me, and said that gay sex is not adultery. BS. Bill Clinton and all, you know.

Morley wrote:

just me wrote:
So, does that mean that french kissing is not a sexual act or that french kissing is not allowed unless married?

Cuz that would be great if gay people can french kiss according to doctrine.

I'm going with the theory that it's not really sex unless penis-vagina intercourse occurs and there's a possibility that children can result (we're often reminded that sex inherently implies procreation). Any so-called gay sex is not really sinning because it's not really sex. It's just an alternate form of massage between friends.

This makes perfect sense to me.

MCB wrote:I once had a gay bf. He proposed to me, and said that gay sex is not adultery. BS. Bill Clinton and all, you know.

At least he got that out of the way BEFORE you married him. Geez.