Comments on: Listen to Elder Oaks talk, “Religious Freedom” http://asoftanswer.com/2009/10/15/listen-to-elder-oaks-talk-religious-freedom/ an unseemly mix of politics and Mormonism Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:25:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Benjamin http://asoftanswer.com/2009/10/15/listen-to-elder-oaks-talk-religious-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-7671 Benjamin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:23:05 +0000 http://asoftanswer.com/?p=3292#comment-7671 If you read the Oaks and Wickman interview from a few years back there were some really unhelpful statements that Elder Oaks made regarding parents with adult sons who happen to have a same sex partner/husband. I know of some parents who felt guilty after listening to his talk because they have totally embraced their gay children and their same sex spouses. I know some LDS families who even include them in the family photos. These families sometimes feel very torn when they hear these kinds of things. I have to say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come a very long way even over the past 10 years which is incredibly inspiring to me. I know of a bishop from California (Bishop Robert Reese) who is one of the most amazing and true disciples of Christ I know of. He wrote an amazing essay on the issue of homosexuality in the Church of Jesus Christ. His essay came in the wake of one of the members of his ward and a dear friend who committed suicide (shot himself in front of his local ward meeting house) as the conflict between his Mormonism and his orientation became too great for him to deal with. Bishop Reese's essay is entitled "In a Dark Time the Eye Begins to See’: Personal Reflections on Homosexuality among the Mormons at the Beginning of a New Millennium.” [Personal Voices] Dialogue 33 (3) Fall 2000: 137-151 [p. 149] I believe that the Latter-day Saint response to their homosexual family members and friends and neighbors is one of the most exquisite tests of Christian discipleship that there is. I believe that there are portions of the Kingdom who have responded in amazing ways, other portions who have not. It's the ultimate test between legalism and the higher law of love. If you read the Oaks and Wickman interview from a few years back there were some really unhelpful statements that Elder Oaks made regarding parents with adult sons who happen to have a same sex partner/husband. I know of some parents who felt guilty after listening to his talk because they have totally embraced their gay children and their same sex spouses. I know some LDS families who even include them in the family photos. These families sometimes feel very torn when they hear these kinds of things.

I have to say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come a very long way even over the past 10 years which is incredibly inspiring to me. I know of a bishop from California (Bishop Robert Reese) who is one of the most amazing and true disciples of Christ I know of. He wrote an amazing essay on the issue of homosexuality in the Church of Jesus Christ. His essay came in the wake of one of the members of his ward and a dear friend who committed suicide (shot himself in front of his local ward meeting house) as the conflict between his Mormonism and his orientation became too great for him to deal with. Bishop Reese’s essay is entitled “In a Dark Time the Eye Begins to See’: Personal Reflections on Homosexuality among the Mormons at the Beginning of a New Millennium.” [Personal Voices] Dialogue 33 (3) Fall 2000: 137-151 [p. 149]

I believe that the Latter-day Saint response to their homosexual family members and friends and neighbors is one of the most exquisite tests of Christian discipleship that there is. I believe that there are portions of the Kingdom who have responded in amazing ways, other portions who have not. It’s the ultimate test between legalism and the higher law of love.

]]> By: Benjamin http://asoftanswer.com/2009/10/15/listen-to-elder-oaks-talk-religious-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-7670 Benjamin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:11:56 +0000 http://asoftanswer.com/?p=3292#comment-7670 Dan you might want to hear what Elder Holland says about some of these issues as his words and approach tends to be more equitable and understanding. Not legalistic in approach. Dan you might want to hear what Elder Holland says about some of these issues as his words and approach tends to be more equitable and understanding. Not legalistic in approach.

]]> By: Greg http://asoftanswer.com/2009/10/15/listen-to-elder-oaks-talk-religious-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-7618 Greg Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:12:04 +0000 http://asoftanswer.com/?p=3292#comment-7618 Dave - I thought you might want this for reference for your readers. A transcript of Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk about <a href="http://www.believeallthings.com/articles/united-states-constitution/religious-freedom/" rel="nofollow">Religious Freedom</a> - <i>along with links to many of his source citations</i> - can be found on Believe All Things. Dave – I thought you might want this for reference for your readers. A transcript of Elder Dallin H. Oaks’ talk about Religious Freedom – along with links to many of his source citations – can be found on Believe All Things.

]]> By: Dan http://asoftanswer.com/2009/10/15/listen-to-elder-oaks-talk-religious-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-7505 Dan Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:09:12 +0000 http://asoftanswer.com/?p=3292#comment-7505 It is an otherwise good talk. I still don't care for the belief that our "religious freedom" is threatened. I don't think it is. I also didn't realize just how hardcore conservative Elder Oaks is, quoting Hugh Hewitt and Dinesh D'Souza. Those boys are ultra hardcore. Sadly I'm going to have to be more careful with what Elder Oaks says from here on out. It is an otherwise good talk. I still don’t care for the belief that our “religious freedom” is threatened. I don’t think it is. I also didn’t realize just how hardcore conservative Elder Oaks is, quoting Hugh Hewitt and Dinesh D’Souza. Those boys are ultra hardcore. Sadly I’m going to have to be more careful with what Elder Oaks says from here on out.

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