Time’s Eunuch

Posted on April 30th, 2007 by Borealis

Tito asked for our thoughts on Elder Jensen saying, “My heart goes out to them.” Here is my answer.

The gospel isn’t a self-help plan. We don’t follow its principles (or shouldn’t) because it’s going to make us attractive, rich, famous, or even happy. We follow-first and foremost-because it’s true, and because it’s real.

Yes, I am bitterly aware it’s mighty easy for Elder Jensen, a happily married man, to counsel celibacy for homosexuals in the Church. But just because it’s easy to say doesn’t mean it’s wrong. And thinking along those lines makes it very easy for us to cue up the violins in the overture to the “Woe Is Me” symphony.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen on Homosexuality

Posted on April 30th, 2007 by Ty Ray

This morning, the New York Times reviewed the PBS special, “The Mormons,” airing tonight (April 30) and tomorrow (May 1) from 9-11p EST. At the end of that commentary, the Times remarked on a piece of the film in which Elder Marlin K. Jensen, the Church’s historian and one of my most favorite GAs, on the issue of homosexuality:

Yet the portrait of the modern-day church, which the program says has 12 million members worldwide, is compelling nonetheless. Some of its teachings — that marriage is eternal, that family is primary — have an undeniable beauty, and if the church isn’t shy about using excommunication to discourage deviance, even those who have been driven out speak of it with a certain affection.

Intro from Borealis

Posted on April 29th, 2007 by Borealis

Just a brief note about me. Since we’re living up here in the cold north, Borealis seemed an appropriate handle. It’s half of the term “aurora borealis” which means, of course, “northern lights.” I hope my wife “Aurora” will post here as well, but at the very least you’ll hear about her through me. Hopefully the ‘Borealis’ handle will be a bit of self-deprecating irony, rather than a prophecy about the character of my posts!

Orientation

Posted on April 29th, 2007 by Borealis

I was at the temple this weekend, and I thought again about how the purpose of the temple, even in its architecture, is to orient us in both time and space. It places things in a more eternal perspective and helps us see where we fit in the God’s eternal plan.

It reminded me of a story one of my psychology professors told in class once. I have no citations for it, so you may treat is as apocryphal. Though the larger ideas it teaches are true.

PBS documentary: “The Mormons”… This Monday!

Posted on April 27th, 2007 by Ty Ray

PBS MormonsWith much enthusiasm, many Latter-day Saints are anticipating the upcoming PBS special on Mormonism, titled aptly, of course, “The Mormons.” This documentary has been quite the buzz in many circles. As the Deseret Morning News reported just this morning (April 27),

Anyone who’s planning to use the two-part, four-hour PBS documentary “The Mormons” in Sunday School at their local ward is going to be sorely disappointed.

But then so is anyone who’s planning to hang copies of the program on doorknobs to convince members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to abandon their faith.

“The Mormons” is not a faith-promoting missionary tool. Although it might turn out to be that for some.

Addressing an unmet need

Posted on April 25th, 2007 by -L-

The predicament of an LDS person who is attracted to the same sex is confounded by the scarcity of supportive information. The info that is most readily available usually comes from activist groups who discourage faith (either explicitly or implicitly). I believe a person should deal with homosexual attractions in a manner consistent with their own values despite persistent efforts by society to trump those values with appeals to “authenticity” and “tolerance.” If values are to be adjusted, they ought to be informed by the true gospel of Jesus Christ rather than the conventional wisdom of the day.