I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (known commonly as the Mormon Church or the LDS Church). The church is a gift of Jesus Christ in order to help us to develop a better relationship with Him.
I joined the LDS Church at the age of 19, after fully realizing and accepting that I am gay. Many people think that being LDS and being gay are mutually exclusive -- I disagree. Paradoxical, yes, but not irreconcilable. The struggles I've experienced as a gay member of a very non-gay church have less to do with my being gay as with the hurtful and unchristian attitudes of much of the membership.
The most important thing for me to do is to develop my spiritual existence -- to bring my mind, body, and spirit into harmony through faith, the pursuit of knowledge, and personal development.There are many fascinating aspects to Mormon culture, theology, and history, some of which I hope you will find interesting.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Christ, which would become known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was organized on 6 April, 1830, by the Prophet, Joseph Smith. Prior to organizing the church, he had received a personal revelation of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, recieved the plates, from which the Book of Mormon was translated, during a visit with the Angel Moroni, and was ordained an Apostle in the Holy Melchizidek Priesthood by the ancient Apostles, Peter, James, and John.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest claimant to the heritage of Joseph Smith, maintains a website for members and nonmembers alike. The site is now in its earliest stages (a website in embryo, if you will), but proves to be quite a valuable resource in the future.
Richard Hardiston's Church Page offers perhaps the best introduction to orthodox LDS doctrine and practice. However, the LDS Church is more than religion. What was a provincial Utah culture has spread to Latter-day Saints everywhere, and can be quite amusing. William Perry Shun's Mormon Matter offers a fascinating look at the religion that became a (quite humorous) culture.
Brigham Young University is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and isn't the best place to exercise intellectual freedom. In spite of the sometimes frightening attempts at orthodox LDS indoctrination, students have found a voice in the Student Review, the "underground" newspaper at BYU.
The alt.religion.mormon newsgroup is a great place to experience the many different expressions of LDS (and non-LDS) faith. Please read the alt.relgion.mormon FAQ before posting to alt.religion.mormon.
Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons exists as probably the best resource available to gay and lesbian Mormons. There are chapters located all over the country (indeed, the world!), and the national organization sponsors retreats and conferences throughout the year.
The Los Angeles Chapter of Affirmation also hosts a site with many great resources.
Stripling Warrior Films is offering a film documenting the struggles which beset lesbian and gay Mormons.
The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, or F.A.R.M.S., offers great resources for a study of the Book of Mormon.
Latter-day Feminists and Latter-GAY Saints are new sites which I maintain. Both of these are still in their developmental stages.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, headquartered in Independence, Missouri, was organized on 6 April, 1860, following Joseph Smith III's acceptance of the Presidency. Between the late 1840's and 1860, members of the Reorganization, or "New" organization met congregationally, with little direct influence from above. It has been said that members of the RLDS church practice "moderate" Mormonism. The years of Joseph Smith III's presidency were quite formative. I strongly recommend the book Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet by Roger D. Launius for information on these important years.
The RLDS Church sponsors Graceland College, a small liberal arts school located in Lamoni, Iowa, an early headquarters of the RLDS church.
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, alternately known as the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Juby), was organized on 6 April, 1991, and declares itself the true spiritual successor of the RLDS church, which they believed had gone astray through liberal doctrines. The church is headquartered in Independence, Missouri.
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, alternately known as the Church of Jesus Christ of All Latter-day Saints, provides a setting in which gay and lesbian Mormons can practice the faith of their fathers and mothers supportive of their needs. The RCJC is set up similarly to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, with a First Presidency (presently Douglas B. Madrid, President, and Larry Tidwell, Counsellor) and Quorum of the Twelve (Robert McIntier, President). They accept as scripture the four standard works of the LDS Church, the Lectures of Faith, which were included in the original 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, the RLDS D&C (in a limited sense), and their own book of revelations, Hidden Treasures and Promises. They operate a Temple, which is actually more a Tabernacle after the style of the Israelites' mobile Beth Elohim.
Mormon History
I hope someday to be a religious historian, focusing on Latter-day Saint history. There are many great resources on the web with historical Mormon documents. My favorites are
General Religion Resources
The Reiligium Religion Index is one of the best general religious resources on the web.
The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitain Community Churches is the largest gay and lesbian church in the country. With churches located in all major and most minor metropolitain areas, it provides a great resource for lesbians and gay men who feel alienated by traditional Christianity.
The Radical Catholic Page is the best liberal Catholic source I've seen. This site also includes the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Catholic Handbook.
Be sure to visit these sites as well:
