Lindford stated that two of his brothers had already left the church for similar reasons and that he had yet to tell his parents he was quitting too, adding “it’s only them now”.
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Roughly 1,500 Latter-day Saints have submitted letters of resignation from the Mormon Church this weekend in protest against homophobic changes to church policy.
However, the Mormon backlash this week has brought many members to the point of resignation after the new policy involving children of same-sex couples.
Children who have a gay parent, but do not live with the parent in their “primary residence”, are also exempt.
Mormon church spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a statement that officials hope the expanded clarification issued Friday will provide understanding and context to Latter-day Saints who were considering leaving the faith. After they turn 18 years old, Janice and Trevor will have the chance to be baptized – but only if they disavow the practice of same-sex relationships and marriage. If you are angry today, you are not alone. “A world that is choosing love”.
Across the country, religious denominations are wrestling with how – and whether – to include gays and lesbians in church life. We dont want to support them because they dont support us.
Children who are already baptised, they said, will not have their membership revoked. She grew up Mormon but drifted from the faith in her early 20s and formally renounced her membership two years ago.
Her father, however, has to figure out how to explain that things have changed. “They will be treated differently”.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, revealed harsh new policies in its updated guidebooks this month.
Church leaders said they would respect the Supreme Court decision and follow the law of the land, but the document sent to church leaders is just the latest in recent troubles between the church and the gay community. Mansfield said a few people outside the church have interpreted the church’s position to mean it is close to accepting same-sex marriage, which it is not. In a state and city so dominated by the religion it is wonderful seeing so many people stand in solidarity with their LGBT brothers and sisters and realize the mormon cult for what it is. It has a Family History Library in downtown Salt Lake and runs a genealogy website, FamilySearch.
On Monday, a prominent Utah LGBT group hosted a “Family Homo Evening”, a play on the Mormon ritual of family home nights where gay-supporting Mormons gathered to show solidarity.
That’s why, he said, the conservative institution supports a more liberal immigration policy that keeps families together.
Brooke Swallow, who helped organise the protest, said: “It is hard for people to leave the Church”.
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“They’re treating the gay community like they are criminals, and they are not”, Newcomb said.
