Customer Reviews

Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ

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Benjamin S. Clark

This comment is based on a response I made to a customer's review below. I love how glibly and gallantly many would be authorities on homosexuality (especially LDS) think they can judge this issue as though it were "no different than any other problem." Why don't LDS people who have any question at all go and talk to gay or lesbian people who are LDS or have been excommunicated and listen to their personal stories instead of self-righteously making a determination based on Dean Byrd's rhetoric as though it were scripture? These ex-gay organizations (including Evergreen and NARTH) continually cherry pick the evidence (including misquoting authorities to fit the Evergreen agenda) in order to back up their own self-righteous pharisaical views on this issue. They ignore the mental and emotional damage that is being done to severely conflicted gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints. Gay LDS people are too often left feeling that they cannot trust themselves and become very dependent on people like Dean Byrd and organizations like Evergreen and NARTH. I used to be involved with Evergreen and found that the majority of those involved are very conflicted, sometimes suicidal, on anti-depressants and often depend upon the group for their self-esteem. Gay leaders in the group often find their self-esteem through their zeal, intellect and ability to attract the less confident members who think they are "spiritual giants", etc. when the reality is that these leaders who are "strugglers" are just as conflicted as anyone who tries to convince himself that he cannot be who he is. Ex-gay organizations tend to look at the increasingly healthy gay community with disdain as though it were evil perjoratively using words like "gay activists" or "people in the gay lifestyle". These statements are bigoted and create division and show forth an ever increasing contrast between groups like Evergreen, NARTH and the real world. Also various authorities outside of the NARTH and Ex-gay world have been quoted by Dean Byrd and others to support their ex-gay agenda, however, these authorities (being made aware of this) have called them on the carpet for this irresponsible and reprehensible behavior. There are various watchdog groups online, etc. that are doing all in their power to expose the hypocrisy and the propaganda that is coming out of much of ex-gay organizations which includes groups like the Evangelical based Exodus International, etc.. [...] for the other side of the story.

Until gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints start depending upon their own self-determination and their personal relationship with God directly (trusting their own relationship with Father in Heaven) they will all too often stay dependent on organizations like Evergreen and have a tough time differentiating between the voice of God and the opinions of people like Dean Byrd. I have learned far more about scriptural interpretations about topics like Sodam and Gommorah (for instance) from reading Hugh Nibley's Approaching Zion than from Dean Byrd's anachronistic Medieval interpretation. Also I have found far more love and truth in Carol Lynn Pearson's new book entitled No More Goodbys: Circling the Wagons Around Our Gay Loved Ones than from anything I have read by Dean Byrd's legalistic and dogmatic approach. Not all local Church leaders approach this issue in the same way. Those leaders (i.e. local leaders) who educate themselves about it through listening to people's personal stories and really listening and reading up on it from a variety of sources have been the leaders who are typically the most compassionate and understanding.

The prophet President Hinckley was the only one I have heard as of late who said the most wise thing on the issue of any of the brethren. He said on Larry King Live that he is not an expert on the issue and that he cannot pretend to be an expert on it. So does that mean Dean Byrd is? Don't you think that the prophet (if Dean Byrd is correct) would have read up on such an extremely important issue and agreed with him if Dean Byrd is the authority on these issues? I think that the prophet knows a lot more than Dean Byrd knows and is far more trustworthy because he is very humble and that humility is a powerful testimony of the prophets' calling.

You know that the Church has long taught (in the missionary program) that you need to go to the source for truth. Joseph Smith went directly to God for the truth he was looking for and found the answers. Do you ask the Baptists or Presbyterians about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or do you go to a Latter-day Saint (and the basic books describing the gospel including the scriptures)? The same thing holds true of a person who has "same sex attraction" or in otherwords is gay. Go and talk to that person, preferably go and talk to 3 or 4 and ask them about what their experience has been like. Talk to gay people who might happen to be in a stable partnership/relationship and ask them about their experience. Talk to a gay person who is LDS and very self affirming of their orientation and who has chosen celibacy and ask them about their experience. The contrast between authentic Godlike unconditional love (the love the Savior exemplified) and cold know it all legalism is tremendous. I disagree with the approach that far too many people take (both LDS and conservative Christian) that the final word is out on this issue. As long as people think that way the same mistakes will continue to be made.

Byrd's book is hands down the most superficial and misleading book I have ever read on the topic of homosexuality. He is either unable to understand the information on which he reports, or he is purposefully misrepresenting the work of many experts in the understanding of homosexuality. He seems to be intent upon taking advantage of naive family members who hope against hope that homosexuality can be cured. The results of this kind of pandering can only be damaging on the individual and on family relationships. Byrd has proven himself again and again to place his own personal agenda over that of the people he claims he desires to help.

Dr Byrd,

Why do you continue to write these books that ignore every shred of evidence and fact? You know, as well as I do, that reparative therapy does not work, yet you still promote it. You know that homosexuals are happier in committed same-sex relationships, but you still denounce them.

How many more homosexuals have to take their own lives because of people such as yourself and your buddies at NARTH and LDS Social Services? How many more children and spouses have to suffer because of homosexuals being pressured into getting married to the opposite sex?

Please take a long hard look at what you are doing.

Sincerely,
Shane Greenburg (surviver of Evergreen, LDS Social Services and Exodus International)

Dr. Byrd's book is a bold, succinct, and well-rounded explanation of the LDS Church's stance on homosexuality. This very important book should be in all LDS home libraries, in every Church leaders's office, and referred to and taught from regularly. It totally counteracts what we are constantly hearing from the mainstream media which has taken to promoting rather than reporting homosexuality issues. While the world and even some within the Church, although perhaps well-meaning, are busy spreading lies that this perverse pattern of thought and behavior is normal, natural, and immutable, even healthy and preferable, the author is steadfastly reminding us in a timely way through scripture that it is nothing of the kind. Dr. Byrd shows that the infinte power of Jesus Christ to change our very natures is just as applicable to homosexual tendencies as it is to every type of problem, according to our desires and faith.

I admire the author's refusal to waver on the issue of sexual purity and to hold fast to everlasting truths in the face of today's very real political pressures, the sexual revolution, and homosexual recruitment. Dr. Byrd's book should be a great help as concerned citizens of all faiths strive to press forward amid the current culture wars in defense of our God, our religion, our freedoms, and our families.

This book is very straightforward which is just what we need right now in our Church and families. It shows that concerning homosexuality there are no gray areas. After reading the words of the Lord, his prophets and apostles, I don't see how anyone can condone it. I am sorry for people who struggle with this problem but really it is no different than any other problem. We all have the choice to overcome our problems and resist our temptations.

I am grateful to have these clear guidelines in place as I raise my children in a world that not only accepts but celebrates harmful sexual perversions.

Dr. Byrd has penned a truly amazing book in Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ, and it should be read by every member of the church, whether or not this behavior has penetrated their home. It is exactly what the world and the Church needs to read on this subject.

This small, but powerful book indicates clearly the postition of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as regards homosexual behavior, and Dr. Byrd briefly, but adequately outlines this, his information compiled from several resources, including the words of the Latter-day prophets, clear passages from the Bible, and several psychological and biological studies. How anyone could follow LDS teachings and disagree with this book is truly beyond comprehension.

While this book addresses several aspects of the issue of homosexual attraction and behavior, many of him most insistent points are particularly noteworthy. First, that this is a church of compassion, and its members and leaders ought truly to strive to love people, regardless of their behavior; second, that the church has stated clearly and irrefutably its stance on the issue, and deviance of any kind is unacceptable; finally, that the culturally popular mantra of "Born that way" is in no way absolute truth, and that change is indeed possible (even as indicated by a lesbian activist, cited in this book), and denying such is denying the all-encompassing Atonement of Jesus Christ. Sin is sin, and challenges are challenges, and all must and can be overcome through Christ.

This book may be small, but it packs a punch, and says infinitely more in its 93 pages than most books written on the issue do. This is an absolute must for every family's library, LDS or not. Besides outlining religious ramifications of homosexual behavior and overcoming sexualized attraction, it indicates that any scientific studies "proving" the genetic causes of homosexuality are flawed, skewed, inconsistent, and inconclusive. Thank you, Dr. Byrd, for reminding us that there are those intelligent, informed, and inspired people still fighting for the truth and standing unwaveringly for righteousness. It truly is encouraging in today's cultural and political world.

Dr. A. Dean Byrd's book, Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ, is a welcome fountain of truth in the midst of a sea of lies. While we are daily bombarded by pro-gay propaganda, here is a little book filled with big truths. Dr. Byrd quotes liberally from the scriptures, church leaders, professionals and scientific research.

Whereas detractors go for the emotional, half-truth low road, Dr. Byrd takes the better high one. He clearly, logically and faithfully steps through questions of faith, cause, motive, consequence and responsibility.

If you ever wondered where the LDS Church stands on homosexuality, here is the definitive place to look. It's a tight, representative collection of statements and explanations sticking to plain facts.