natalka81 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 12, 2019 12:53 pmBut it isn't "absolutely fine", in my opinion, if someone wants temple to part of their path, but are told by the institution that it isn't possible. I really do appreciate you sharing this information, though- there's a lot about the LDS church that I don't know! I think I've said everything I can on this topic.FakingIt_MakingIt wrote: ↑Tue Feb 12, 2019 12:34 pmI don't feel like youre targeting me at all. I'll do my best to answer but Im not a master LDS teacher, nor do I know all things either.natalka81 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 12, 2019 12:28 pm So everyone has the right to choose to join the LDS church, but some people, based on their sexual orientation and other things (I am assuming there may be other things) do not have the right to have a temple recommend, meaning that they can't really be full participants in the religion, even if they choose to do so? I admit I am not an expert on this, but it still seems rather exclusionary to me. And I'm not targeting this at you specifically (although I am sure it must feel a little like that and I'm sorry) but I'm just having a really hard time accepting that it's a positive position to have when raising children in the modern world. Those of us who belong to some faith group likely don't endorse everything it stands for, so I'm not saying ALL Mormons hate LGBTQ people or anything like that, but again, it is my personal opinion that kids should be brought up to know that everyone is equal before God.
Yes, everyone has the right to join, and yes some don't qualify to hold a recommend to go into the temple. There are many things which would exclude you from entering the temple (sexual preference included). But being worth for the temple or not doesn't mean that God loves you more then someone else. My holding a recommend in NO WAY means that God loves me more then he loves you, or anyone who doesn't hold a recommend. God doesn't work like that. And the church doesn't teach that He does.
The church teaches that we should always be striving and working to be our best selves. For some that is being a recommend holder, for others that's not part of their path. And that's absolutely fine.
If the Griffith kids are being brought up to think theyre more loved by God because of their faith then that is on the Griffiths. That is not at all what we are taught at church. We are actually taught the opposite, nearly every sunday school lessons includes loving everyone because that is how God loves them. Whether theyre straight, gay, rich, poor, a different race, anything. We are taught to love everyone and be kind to everyone because that is what God would do.
But if they want it then the flip side would be they believe and support the things that are necessary to get there. So I don't know how many there are that genuinely want to attend the temple, for the right reasons, and cant.
Does that make sense? Like for example, my mom isn't LDS. She hates the church. She has NO desire to want to be there and go to the temple even if she were invited and met the requirements. I however WANT to be able to attend temple sessions, so I do what is required of me to hold a recommend...I actually really love debating/discussing the church. I don't intend to convert anyone and fully understand that most wont support what I say, but I think having a conversation where both parties get to say their opinion is great. If nothing else it makes me think! And as a convert that's always a good thing!