Thread by @jamcjon

Tl;dr President Oaks is wrong about queer people.

He ain't say anything new, but he didn't really need to. He validated the church's queerphobia by putting God's name on it multiple times. No scriptures quoted. Just divine hearsay. #GeneralConference

In next Sunday's Come Follow Me lesson, we'll read about the Israelites failing some significant tests, even though they were told what would be on the test. The same folks that walked across the Red Sea would complain against God twice about similar crises.

They doubt what God could do because they forgot what God had done.

I see members of my church do similar things today. They act brand new when queer folks expect to be treated like human beings, meanwhile we've had the necessary revelation to pass this test for centuries.

"All are alike unto God", "God is no respecter of persons", "There is no male nor female, Jew nor greek, bond nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus", and scores of other verses have been available for centuries.

In other words, we're failing this test.

I can appreciate the caution some want to take in not complaining against the brethren. In those same stories I cited, Moses also tells the Israelites that they're not complaining against him, but God. Moses was God's mouthpiece on earth and we believe the brethren to be the same

However, there were times when Moses either didn't have all the answers (see: Jethro, daughters of Zelophehad) or straight up acted contrary to the direction he received (see: Not circumcising his son, smiting the rock instead of talking to it).

In such cases, I hope we could act as Zipporah did and step up to do what is necessary to protect our families and the means of fulfilling God's covenant to their people. All I have spoons to do right now is simply say that President Oaks is wrong.

Queer people are entitled to everything the rest of us are entitled to by virtue of our orientation alone. I hope those of y'all who feel the same way can at least declare the same. I'd go as far as to say it's part of our covenantally obligated responsibility (Mosiah 18:9)

I hope we can also act as Judah and ask ourselves "how shall I go up to my [heavenly parents], and [my queer siblings] not be with me"? "Family Proclamation" is going to be the wrong answer.

President Oaks is wrong.

Le Fin