President Russell Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reasserted the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage. He also explained the reason behind the Church’s decision to prohibit children of same-sex parents from getting baptized.
Students of predominantly Mormon university, Brigham Young University, which is based in Utah, were told by Nelson on Tuesday that marriages in the beginning were ordained by God and to this day are defined by him as a union between a man and a woman.
Nelson who is also a famous heart surgeon went on to talk about a 2015 Church policy that came into effect in 2015 but was revoked earlier this year. The policy does not allow children of same-sex parents to be ordained into priesthood or serve on missions unless they publicly disavowed their parents upon turning 18.
“We knew that this policy created concern and confusion for some and heartache for others,” Nelson said. “That grieved us. Whenever the sons and daughters of God weep, for whatever reasons, we weep.”
Nelson affirmed that the Church did not want to be the reason of friction between parents and children, or put young adults in a position where they had to give precedence to either their belief or family. This concern led the Church to change its course earlier this year.
According to a recent survey, almost two-thirds of Mormons oppose marriage between partners of same-sex and a majority feels homosexuality must be discouraged.
Many people believe homosexuality is not natural or rational. This is a common argument made by Mormons and many others.
