Letter sent to SP's - damage control.

[_Darth J]

However, you must agree that church leadership immediately flew off the handle and began to make hay of it. Why the overreaction? Much better to wait and see just what happens before claiming that people in same-sex relationships are apostate etc. Allow the gay families to explain their relationship and reflect on it.

But what do we have? A bunch of yahoos howling and screaming about marriage equality almost immediately that it came out.

[_SteelHead]

Handbook 1 is kept online. That these changes were in the current version has been validated by several people with access to the online handbook.

[_Darth J]

How cruel for you to make your children choose between loyalty to you and their church. Much better for them to have to disavow your apostate lifestyle if they want to remain members.

I have an open and honest relationship with them. From the time when they were small, they knew that daddy always took a walk after sacrament. No problem. Of course this was many years ago. But not much has changed.

I think it's abusive that you're so focused on yourself that you confuse your children by exposing them to a lifestyle that contradicts church teachings. Much better for them to admit you're not a legitimate parent if they want to choose the church.

[_palerobber]

Q: the leaked document was a set of draft revisions, was it not?

it appears that way from how it's formatted, but do we know for sure how close to approval and publication this was? Dehlin wrote on Facebook that the doc was "obtained from an LDS bishop" and i think he said on RadioWest that more than one person leaked it. did it go out to all bishops?

I thought it was published in the newest edition of the handbook. Now I am confused.

Christofferson made it sound like feat accompli. Issued the day before (i.e., on 11/5/2015).

Handbook 1 is kept online. That these changes were in the current version has been validated by several people with access to the online handbook.

sorry, my bad. i had only skimmed the leaked doc and thought it didn't look like a finished publication, but it says clearly at the very top that it was approved and effective immediately.

[_why me]

I didn't say that I don't have a testimony. I do. But I choose to live my life in a different way. It is called free agency.

So you'll of course agree that gay people in a same-sex relationship can also have a testimony.

That is not an issue. It is their relationship and the conflict that it may cause a child who is baptized in the LDS church. The foundation for the church is the temple marriage between man and woman. This is the foundation. And homosexuality is a greivous sin. How to navigate the gap between the two positions with a child in the middle?

[_Darth J]

How to navigate the gap between the two positions with a child in the middle?

I'm sure your own kids have felt shame and emotional pain themselves as your lifestyle which is contrary to church teachings keeps them from really embracing the gospel. Much better to tell their bishop you're not a legitimate parent so they can choose the church.

[_Sammy Jankins]

That is not an issue. It is their relationship and the conflict that it may cause a child who is baptized in the LDS church. The foundation for the church is the temple marriage between man and woman. This is the foundation. And homosexuality is a greivous sin. How to navigate the gap between the two positions with a child in the middle?

So those children should not attend church or be taught that homosexuality a grevious sin. That is the only way to avoid the conflict. If that's really the goal. Simply refusing to baptize a child does nothing to resolve that conflict.

[_toon]

https://www.Facebook.com/johndehlinpublic/

A post by Dehlin quotes a Stake President telling his Bishops that the Seventy have told him that the FP and Q12 are working on clarifying the new policy and requesting they help members not to be too hasty.

It has been reported to me that the following statement was sent out by a stake president to his stake leadership:
"Brethren, the following short statement was sent out by the Presidency of the 70 today related to the recent changes to the Handbook of Instructions:
"There will be additional clarification on these changes from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve in the coming days. We are invited to help people with questions not jump to unwarranted conclusions or interpretations and remain calm while we wait for clarification.”

It's a bit ironic asking the members to take a more patient and thoughtful approach to making decisions.
Have they absolutely no self awareness?

Seems to fit with what I thought was going on, that this was a reaction to a question or questions that had been received about how to deal with the children of same sex parents, someone pointing out that this might be similar to children of polygamous parents, a quick decision, and very little critical analysis. So much for inspiration and revelation.

[_kairos]

If the FP pulls this policy back Elder Christofferson will have tire tracks all over his body and will be sent to oversee the reorganizing of wards and stakes in Timbucktu for the next 20 years. He will be a goner!

just prophesin

k

[_Tator]

I have an open and honest relationship with them. From the time when they were small, they knew that daddy always took a walk after sacrament. No problem. Of course this was many years ago. But not much has changed.

Have you taught them to be soaking Mormons and the virtues of light cotton? Have you demonstrated your talent for reading the minds of porn stars for your kids?

Agreed, you are one creepy, weird dude, in my opinion, but not much has changed, right?