Overnight Letter to Monson

[_RAJ]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA8C ... QD8UN5F5O0

Sunday, 10 February 2008

Gay group asks to meet with Monson


Jennifer Dobner - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY -- After decades of being judged or painfully dismissed by their church, a group of gay Mormons is seeking a peaceful reunion -- asking a new church president to meet and begin a conversation to change the way the church supports and counsels its gay members and their families.

The invitation from the group, Affirmation, was sent by overnight letter to Thomas S. Monson on Feb. 6 -- three days after he assumed leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the death of its previous president, Gordon B. Hinckley...

____________

I doubt that the invitation will be accepted. And on the subject of shape-shifting, the story provides a brief overview of how the Mormon Church has shifted on yet another topic, mostly because some of their past positions have proved untenable.

[_Runtu]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA8CSXEYyWIkWsrf4df19x3VWVMQD8UN5F5O0

Sunday, 10 February 2008

Gay group asks to meet with Monson


Jennifer Dobner - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY -- After decades of being judged or painfully dismissed by their church, a group of gay Mormons is seeking a peaceful reunion -- asking a new church president to meet and begin a conversation to change the way the church supports and counsels its gay members and their families.

The invitation from the group, Affirmation, was sent by overnight letter to Thomas S. Monson on Feb. 6 -- three days after he assumed leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the death of its previous president, Gordon B. Hinckley...

____________

I doubt that the invitation will be accepted. And on the subject of shape-shifting, the story provides a brief overview of how the Mormon Church has shifted on yet another topic, mostly because some of their past positions have proved untenable.

If Packer was right, the leadership is not supposed to listen to groups like this. We're supposed to be "facing the same way" taking our cues from the leadership, not the other way around.

[_RAJ]

If Packer was right, the leadership is not supposed to listen to groups like this. We're supposed to be "facing the same way" taking our cues from the leadership, not the other way around.

Hmmm. It appears what the gay Mormon group did was send the letter and then notify the media, which is pretty smart because in my experience, the GAs really, really, REALLY care about what other people think. Maybe, according to Packer, the leadership is not SUPPOSED to listen to groups like this, but if outsiders are watching --- they might.

[_Boaz & Lidia]

I just do not see their motivation for validation of their lifestyle within an organization that will never accept it.
The Mormon church is modeled for one type of member. Straight, married, and child bearing.

They have bent a little over the past 10 years to accommodate the growing numbers of divorced members, so long as they get back in line and get remarried.

All discussions and focus are about the priesthood holding head of the household male, the stay at home mommie, and their obedient church loving children. Everyone over the age of 21 who do not fit within that will be outside of the core. Single people straight or gay do not fit in the Mormon paradigm over the long term.

What they are asking Tommy for is a paradigm shift.

The constitution will hang by a thread before that ever happens.

Why not start their own LDS sect? Call it GLDS, G'Mo', or Ho'Mo' :p

[_Gazelam]

He probably framed it and put it on his desk next to his Far Side calender, that way he could have two chuckles every morning.

[_harmony]

He probably framed it and put it on his desk next to his Far Side calender, that way he could have two chuckles every morning.

I don't think so. I can't see him marginalizing anyone like that. I don't know that he'll ever directly address it, but I don't see him laughing about it.

[_Wintersfootsteps]

I agree that he might consider talking to them only due to the fact that the media is involved. They don't like bad press, the group was smart.

[_RAJ]

I just do not see their motivation for validation of their lifestyle within an organization that will never accept it.
The Mormon church is modeled for one type of member. Straight, married, and child bearing.

I can't disagree with you B&L.

I think it would be ideal if all gay Mormons made their way out of the Church and never looked back. If they realized it was a private club for members only and just left it to those who groove on it (like Gaz.) But the fact is, there are people out there, born under the covenant, baptized and confirmed, raised in the Church, who've served missions, who love the gospel, who hold testimonies of its truthfulness --- who are also gay. Don't they have as much right to it as anyone else? And actually, I think this gesture is aimed more at helping young people in the Church who are gay. Shouldn't this group want succeeding generations to have it better than they did? And finally, I'm not sure the gay group actually believes Monson will meet with them. It feels more like a tactical move. After all, isn't the real value of requesting a meeting the free publicity you get when you're denied?

[_John Larsen]

I don't think the Church has any motivation to publicly meet with them now. Any move they make, other than ignoring them, will look bad in the press.

John

[_Gazelam]

The Church welcomes all Gay people who are willing to repent, and also those considering it.

The Church has no interest in discussing the acceptance of this behavior, which is of itself counter to the entire plan of salvation.

Homosexuality and the gospel of Jesus Christ are antithetical to one another.