October 2007
We have been fortunate to have had several statements recently from Church leaders supportive of the idea that faithful Latter-day Saints who deal with same-sex attraction have an equal place within the Church. This support, however, does not always immediately percolate to the local level. That is where we who are touched by the issue of same sex attraction (friends, family, and those who deal with it themselves) can make a very significant contribution. True, that must always be in harmony with the principles of what the General Authorities have taught and with respect to priesthood authority, but that still leaves us with wide latitude to “do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (Doc & Cov 58:27)
How can North Star help? We were hoping you would tell us! North Star is a different organization in that we are aiming to be a gathering place where we can share ideas and build a network to spread those things that are praiseworthy and of good report (Philip. 4:8), not just dictate policy and initiatives from the top down. Today, we are just an online community helping support and strengthen those touched by same-sex attraction desiring to regain, strengthen, or continue their association with the Church. But we hope that is only the beginning.
So what are you doing in your community? Could those things be done elsewhere? Can North Star help capture and spread the great energy and love and faith that exists among so many of us?
North Star isn’t an organization that exists as an end unto itself. The one true and living instrument of salvation has already been placed upon the earth by the Lord. Though no one individual is perfect or without sin, I have a testimony that this is the Lord’s Church. (Doc & Cov 1:30) It’s long been my belief that the unique gifts of those who deal with same-sex attraction (as well as those touched by it) would be a tremendous blessing to the Church as a whole. Aren’t we uniquely positioned to “lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees”? (D&C 81:5) Not only by helping bring back those experiencing same-sex attraction who have wandered from the fold, but also to spread the spirit of love and fellowship to others who are hurting and feeling alone and neglected, like those suffering from addictions, the divorced, the widowed, the orphaned, the childless, the elderly, those weighed down by temptations, sins, and feelings that can be every bit as heavy as our own. And couldn’t we also benefit greatly from their fellowship as well? May it be so my dear friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ!
