General conference talks provided us with a few comments on homosexuality from our church leaders, comments that were, expectantly, less than helpful or revelatory in providing answers to important questions. But in spite of the repetition of the same old lines, there were a few small steps that were suprisingly positive.

President Hinckley spoke briefly about the position of the church on those who consider themselves gays and lesbians, saying that "we love them as sons and daughters of God."

"They have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. If they do not act upon these inclinations, they can go forward as do all other members of the church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the church, then they are subject to the discipline of the church, just as others are." He also added: "we want to help these people."

This represents a positive step because up until now, no prophet of the church has ever said that the church loved us. This simple declaration makes it difficult now for any church leader, school or other church-sponsored institution to kick us out for simply "being gay." The new standard for excommunication would require that we "act" on our feelings. This is significant, because we in Affirmation, all know the many reports from our membership of men and women who were excommunicated for sharing with their bishop that, although they had never acted upon their feelings, they thought they might be homosexual. He also states openly that our fellow church members and leaders love us, a welcome message of hope. We know too well of the hateful stereotypes promoted in church meetings by ignorant individuals. This will all have to stop if we really love and "want to help these people."

It's also positive because it recognizes that homosexuals really do exist. This significant recognition makes us a legitimate minority in the church for the first time. Formerly, church leaders professed that we were only heterosexuals with homosexual urges. It would seem that our church leaders are finally ready to accept facts which have been right in front of them all along.

We in Affirmation should applaud our prophet for speaking these positive, supportive words in our behalf.

On the other hand, it represents a negative step backward because it restates the requirement of a life of celibacy of its homosexual members, a requirement not imposed on any other members of the church. To say that we are subject to the same discipline, "just as others are" ignores the fact that all heterosexual members have at least the opportunity to marry, and are given the full support and encouragement of the church. It's a case of "apples and oranges." However, even if we were to accept this as revealed truth, where is the needed guidance on how we can live a life alone, never knowing the love and growth that comes through an intimate relationship with a life partner? Or does he think that all gay and lesbian members of the church have some special innate ability to live a celibate life? Stating that "we want to help these people," but offering no ideas to the church on how we can help is not helpful.

President Hinckley also touched upon the same-sex marriage issue: "we cannot stand by silent if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in so-called same-sex marriage situations. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families."

Here we begin to see things begin to unravel. Homophobia can be the only inspiration behind these words.

We see this because when we look at other areas, such as polygamy, we do not see the church giving away its tithing monies to break apart families (especially in Utah) who see things differently. In fact, we do not see the church giving away large sums of money (as they did recently where church leaders gave over a million of our tithing dollars to the efforts in Alaska and Hawaii to make same-sex marriage illegal) or sending out its leaders to try to influence political processes in any other area (as they did in Hawaii-see related articles), except when it comes to sexual matters. We question the inconsistent application of the standards the church imposes on its gay and lesbian members.

We see this because we realize that former church prophets have stated that plural marriage was the only true order of marriage, ordained by God. We also read in the Bible of same-sex relationships between men and of prophets having concubines, apparently "God-sanctioned" situations. So to set up the current marriage situation as the standard to judge all other marriage relationships by, calling them "sacred foundations," would have us standing on a "sandy foundation."

We can also plainly see the wonderful examples of same-sex couple families who are raising children without the gloom and doom results that the prophet would have us believe they would produce. How does the raising of a child by two same-sex parents "make light" of a "sacred foundation" when studies prove that such families are just as healthy and stable as traditional male/female couples? What does this say about their words, keeping in mind "by their fruits ye shall know them," when the results of our choices are in plain view, already in existence, and do not produce the implied outcome? Why do they continue to ignore our combined testimonies that we have the influence of the Spirit in our lives just as we are, that we are not facing special challenges (other than homophobia), and that we are gay and lesbian because this is God's intention?

The answer to these questions is easy. The inspiration behind the agenda is plain to see. The current, changing position of our church leaders is simply the result of their unquestioned opinions that reflect current Judeao/Christian sexual values. Values that have changed throughout history, and that will continue to change. Sexual matters did not weigh heavily on the minds of early church leaders, Biblical prophets or Christ. Our preoccupation with sex is just one of the current topics of discussion for religious institutions, a preoccupation that has us, as a society, quickly approaching the point of becoming fanatics.

In our past, world religious leaders were talking about world conquest attempts by the Soviet Union—it was the hot topic of the day. Today, lacking a "cause," they choose homosexuality as the big "evil" to fight against. In the future, when some other "great threat" comes along, we'll switch over to that. Whether real, or imagined, it's nice having someone to blame all of societies problems on.

We in Affirmation, will continue to be a witness for God to the leaders of the church, by simply being ourselves. We have been taught that God works in mysterious ways, and homosexuality is certainly "mysterious" to many church leaders and members. Perhaps, now that we "exist" as a real minority, we will be the motivating factor for our leaders to begin questioning their long-held assumptions about us, and begin to make real progress in becoming examples for non-judgmental acceptance and Christ-like love toward all the members of God's family.