SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A top leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reaffirmed the faith’s opposition to same-sex marriage and “changes that confuse or alter gender” as debates over gender and sexuality resurface up in the United States.
Dallin H. Oaks, the second highest leader of the faith commonly known as the Mormon Church, told thousands of audience members gathered at a conference center at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City that what he called “social and legal pressure,” would force the Church to change its stance on same-sex marriage or issues of gender identity that it did not specify.
The highest level of redemption, Oaks said, “can only be attained by being faithful to the covenants of an eternal marriage between a man and a woman. That divine teaching is why we teach that gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
Oaks also said church doctrine was “against changes that confuse or alter sex or homogenize the differences between men and women” and warned that “confusing gender, falsifying marriage, and discouraging childbearing” could not work. of the devil.
He also pleaded with members of the faith to live peacefully and to respect those of faith other than their own.
Oaks’s comments reaffirm the faith’s long-held stance on same-sex marriage that it has held firm even as it relaxed its policies on other LGTBQ issues, including having children of same-sex couples baptized.
The Latter-day Saints’ reaffirmation of their positions comes as debates across the country rage about transgender youth and what children should learn about gender and sexuality. Texas officials have fought to classify gender confirmation surgeries as child abuse, and Florida has banned sexual orientation and gender identity instruction in kindergarten through third grade.
More than a dozen states have restricted when transgender children can participate in school sports, including Utah, where the church is located. It has not played an active role in the policy debate this year.
Oaks’s comments come a day after Church leaders opened their biennial general conference, which emphasized unity amid polarization, with senior Church official Neil L. Andersen comparing Church leaders to those “with worldly motives such as political, business, and cultural leaders.” ” declined .”
On the closing day of the faith signing conference, officials also condemned the war in Ukraine and attempts to remove religion from public life.
Russell M. Nelson, the Church’s prophet president, said he had visited Russia and Ukraine many times and said all the wars were “horrific” and that he did not denounce the Russian invasion.
“I cry and pray for everyone affected by this conflict. The Church is doing everything it can to help those who are suffering and struggling to survive,” he said.
