In a very interesting development that received only a little media attention, the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has announced a very decisive stance against homosexuality. The Mormon Church has issued a ruling that “Mormons in same-sex marriages will be considered apostates,” and that “it does not perform or accept same-sex marriages within its membership” (first link). It has gone so far as to announce that any children raised by same-sex parents will need to disavow the practices and lifestyles of their same-sex parents and not repeat their practices if they wish to be Mormons.
The Mormon Church used to be generally regarded as being on the fringes of modern Christianity, but has made an effort to mainstream themselves in recent years. Indeed, a Mormon (Mitt Romney) was nominated for the Presidency by the Republicans in the last presidential election. Yet interestingly, it is the Mormon Church which has now stood up strongly to say that it will not forsake clear biblical teachings on the matter of homosexuality. The Mormon Church deserves favorable recognition for being a Christian denomination which is standing fast for the biblical teaching on this subject when so many church denominations are forsaking the Bible and God’s teachings on the subject. The second link lists prominent Christian denominations that have abandoned the Bible and God’s teachings on this controversial topic by accepting same-sex unions. It also notes that Pope Francis gave a rather squishy, noncommittal comment about homosexuality when he was asked about it. I find it worthy of note that the old, mainline denominations which looked down on the Mormon Church are now apostatizing themselves by forsaking biblical teachings on homosexuality, and it is the Mormons, who they formerly looked down on, who are standing firm for biblical, Christian teachings on the subject of homosexuality. Just for the record, I’m not a Mormon, but this development should be brought to the attention of readers of this blog, in my opinion.
The Bible prophesied in II Thessalonians 2:3 that there would be a “falling away” from the Christian faith and biblical truths in the latter days. II Timothy 4:2-4 include another latter-day prophecy that, in the latter days, the time will come when people “will not endure sound doctrine,” and that “they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables.” The biblical evidence in both the Old Testament and New Testament that homosexuality is always a sin in God’s eyes is very clear. (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:24-28). The New Testament also teaches that homosexuals can repent of their sins (just like everyone else can repent of their sins) and be cleansed by God of forbidden lusts (I Corinthians 6:9-11). That scripture also teaches that those who practice homosexuality (and those who practice a list of other sins) “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These biblical teachings are very clear and cannot be misunderstood. Those who teach otherwise are turning away from sound doctrine and the truth and are turning to fables.
The Bible does prophecy that Christianity will consist of different denominations with very different doctrines, practices, organizational structures, attitudes, etc. in the latter days. My article, A New look at the Seven Churches of Revelation, examines Jesus Christ’s prophecy about the denominations of latter-day Christianity and attempts to identify them in the modern world in light of the clues of Revelation 2-3’s prophecy. I think that you will find it very interesting reading, and that it will be surprising to see how accurately Revelation 2-3’s prophecy describes some modern Christian denominations and denominational groupings.
Perhaps you need to ask yourself this question; Where does my church denomination or fellowship group stand on the matter of “same-sex marriage?” Does it faithfully teach and practice the clear biblical teaching on the subject or has it apostatized and followed the politically-correct crowd which opposes the laws of God on this topic? When the Mormons announced their policy which stands for biblical truth on the subject, I think heaven’s court cheered the decision. There really is a large “cloud of [heavenly/spiritual] witnesses” which watches and observes what we humans do (Hebrews 12:1). What is the reaction of Heaven’s “cloud of witnesses” to the teachings of your church denomination on the subject of “gay marriage?” If it is not a positive reaction, why are you in that denomination?
- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/07/us/mormons-gay-marriage.html?_r=0
- http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/1109/Mormons-prohibit-kids-of-gay-couples-from-membership-How-faiths-are-responding-to-gay-marriage
