Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Russ Lane

Separating the Church and the Gospel

by Russell Lane, General Coordinator Emeritus
Source: Affinity, September 1997, pp. 1-2, Reprinted from May 1988 issue.

In his address at the LDS General Conference in October 1984, Elder Ronald Poelman of the First Quorum of Seventy delineated the differences between the institutional church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although he was later forced to retract and rewrite his classic discourse,¹ those who heard it or read it in its original form in Sunstone Magazine know he said:

Both the Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ are true and divine. However, there is a distinction between them which is significant and it is very important that this distinction be understood. Of equal importance is understanding the essential relationship between the two and to comprehend their proper relationship may lead to confusion and misplaced priorities with unrealistic and therefore failed expectations. This in turn may result in diminished benefits and blessings and, in extreme cases, disaffection.

* * *

“ The conformity we require should be according to God's standards. The orthodoxy upon which we insist must be founded in fundamental principles and eternal law, including free agency and the diving uniqueness of the individual.”
—Elder Ronald Poelman

Sometimes traditions, customs social practices and personal preferences of individual Church members may, through repeated or common usage, be misconstrued as Church procedures or policies. Occasionally such traditions, customs and practices may even be regarded by some as eternal gospel principles. (My note: The practice of excommunicating gays, like denying the priesthood to blacks, is one example.) Under such circumstances those who do not conform to these cultural standards may mistakenly be regarded as unorthodox or even unworthy. In fact, the eternal principles of the Gospel and the divinely inspired Church do accommodate a broad spectrum of individual uniqueness and cultural diversity.

* * *

The conformity we require should be according to God's standards. The orthodoxy upon which we insist must be founded in fundamental principles and eternal law, including free agency and the diving uniqueness of the individual. It is important therefore to know the difference between eternal Gospel principles which are unchanging, universally applicable and cultural norms which may vary with time and circumstance.

The source of this perspective is found in the scriptures, and may appear to be presented in a rather unorganized and untidy format. The Lord could have presented the Gospel to us in a manual, systematically organized by subject, perhaps using examples and illustration. However, the eternal principles and divine laws of God are revealed to us through accounts of individual lives in a variety of circumstances and conditions.

* * *

Every Church member has not only the opportunity, right, and privilege to receive a personal witness regarding Gospel principles and Church practices, but has the need and obligation to obtain such assurance. One may feel confused and perhaps even burdened by what may appear to be simple institutional requirements of the Church. (My note: Including gay members as to the veracity of Church policy, as well as divine sanction of their relationships.)

Indeed, it is not enough that we obey the commandments and counsel of Church leaders. In response to study, prayer and by influence of the Holy Spirit, we may seek and obtain an individual and personal witness that the principle or counsel is correct and divinely inspired. Then we can give enlightened, enthusiastic obedience, utilizing the Church through which to give allegiance, time, talent and other resources without reluctance or resentment.

When we understand the difference between the Gospel and the Church and the appropriate function of each in our daily lives, we are much more likely to do the right things for the right reasons. Institutional discipline is replaced by self-discipline. Supervision is replaced by a righteous initiate and a sense of divine accountability."

(Note: the asterisks (***) indicate paragraphs between. Quoted from Sunstone Vol. 10:1 [Jan 1985], p. 45)

Those of us who have felt discouragement in being misunderstood or wrongly judged by the institutional church can take comfort in knowing that one's standing within the institution is not nearly as important as our personally realized standing with the Lord. Because we are ostracized by the Church, all too often LDS lesbians & gays "throw out the baby with the bath water"--that is, many throw out the truths of the Gospel and the principles which they know to be good and right, with that which they have come to realize is wrong in the Church. The results are sad. Often they are as miserable without the Gospel while accepting their sexuality, as they were accepting the institutional church and denying their sexuality. Neither extreme works, and over the years I have seen very few of either extreme who are happy. Those who are happy have found the balance, as they know that their sexuality is a part of their spirituality and visa versa. Each is a manifestation of love--of giving and receiving.

Even though the General Authorities of the Church often seem cold and indifferent to us, I hope that each of you will continue to live the true principles of the Gospel. As well, evaluate and follow inspired counsel that Church leaders may give. We also should continue to support local dialogue and understanding, and not discard them. Because of them, some things have changed. Church spies no longer infiltrate our organization nor attempt to disrupt our meetings. Shock treatments are no longer sanctioned by the Church. And I occasionally hear from Affirmation members relating how their bishops will not seek church court action if they remain within committed, monogamous relationships. Even more, church leaders are not pushing their homosexual members into heterosexual marriages. Nevertheless, let's focus on our support and strengthen Affirmation. Only we can meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of gay and lesbian Mormons in the world with love, understanding and education. Remember as you serve and give of yourself in Affirmation, you will reap the reward of happiness in knowing that by serving your fellow beings you are serving God. (Mosiah 2:17 & Matthew 25:40).

With best wishes,

Russell Lane

Note

1. For more information on how Elder Poelman was forced by the Church to rewrite and retape his talk, see the following: Fletcher, Peggy, "Poelman Revises Conference Speech," Sunstone 10:1 (January 1985), pp. 44-45; Wagner, Rodd G., "Elder's Address Rewritten from Conference Version," Salt Lake Tribune, 16 November 1984, p. B1, B4; Elder Poelman Revises, Retapes Conference Talk, Deseret News, 17 November 1984, p. B5; Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, 26:1 (Spring 1993), p. 23.