Origin
The Northern Lights blog is sponsored by North Star. In the fall of 2005, a group of Latter-day Saints dealing with issues around same-gender attraction?both individuals and family members?discussed the need for something more than what was currently available as resources for those who are committed to living the teachings of the restored gospel and Church. In that conversation was sown the seeds for what later became North Star. In the spring of 2006, that group started working more heavily on the actual planning and creation of North Star?applying for 501(c)3 non-profit status, organizing, planning a website, etc. The idea of North Star was not just to try to connect people with useful information (there are other valuable resources for that, though they are few), but rather to connect people with people?to foster a supportive and spiritually encouraging community where committed Latter-day Saints could learn from one another and have a forum where they could share their ideas, feelings, beliefs, and experiences.
Around that time?during the summer and fall of 2006?some North Star organizers discovered the small community of LDS bloggers discussing issues around same-gender attraction. As they got increasingly involved in the discussion of this community, the idea was born to have a group blog?similar to others in the larger LDS bloggernacle (see another gateway here)?that would foster open and extensive discussion on homosexuality within the framework of commitment to the beliefs and ideals of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though under the sponsorship of North Star, the blog would be its own entity.
From there, Northern Lights was created by several established bloggers who are believing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who have first-hand experience with issues surrounding homosexuality. Northern Lights is to be a place where we and our readers can openly explore and discuss topics and issues of interest to the LDS community?and particularly as they relate to homosexuality and the Church?in an edifying and uplifting manner and within the framework of commitment to the beliefs and ideals of the Church.
Disclaimer
Neither North Star nor Northern Lights is owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and site content should not be interpreted as official statements of Church doctrine, belief, or practice. While North Star entities wholly support the doctrines and values of the Church of Jesus Christ, all views expressed or errors made are the sole responsibility of site contributors.
Though under the sponsorship of North Star, Northern Lights is its own entity, and all views expressed and errors made are the sole responsibility of constituent blog contributors.
North Star Mission Statement
The mission of North Star is to provide a place of community for Latter-day Saints who experience homosexual attraction, as well as their family, friends, and ecclesiastical leaders. North Star serves those who desire the spiritual and social support that strengthens faith, builds character, and empowers men and women to live in joy and harmony within their covenants, values, and beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
North Star Values Statement
North Star appreciates the importance of supportive fellowship and friendship with others who share their life experiences, values, and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. North Star seeks to facilitate these relationships and to create a community where individuals will find joy in the gospel, help one another more fully understand and apply the atonement in their lives, share their experiences and challenges without shame or fear, and discover ways to contribute their unique gifts and talents to the work of the Lord.
Recognizing the uniqueness of individual circumstance, North Star takes no official position on the origin or mutability of homosexual feelings and attractions but supports all temporal efforts consistent with the gospel that help individuals live in increasing harmony with their covenants and attain greater peace, fulfillment, and sense of individual worth, while affirming that the most essential and eternal changes come only through the power of the Savior and adherence to the teachings of His prophets.
North Star holds that the power and grace of Christ can enable each individual to renounce behavior and thoughts that will prevent him or her from returning into His presence. North Star testifies that Jesus Christ has the power to reach and transform every life and that every individual can find genuine peace and hope in the promises of His gospel.
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