LDS and LGBTQ+ in “Mormonism for Dummies, 2nd Edition”
The second edition of Mormonism for Dummies is out! Authors Christopher Kimball Bigelow and Jana Riess have taken a nuanced, even-handed approach to history, doctrine, and actual daily practice, succinctly distilled between the covers of a single book. It’s even funny.
It’s worth getting the book just for the few pages in the section “LDS versus LGBTQ+”, with these tantalizing excerpts:
Oddly enough, Mormon scriptures. . . say nothing about LGBTQ+ issues. In rejecting homosexual relations, Latter-day Saints rely on the same Bible passages as other Christians, which warn against homosexual lust and promiscuity but don't address anything resembling morally ethical same-sex marriage. (page 265)
As gay Mormon historian D. Michael Quinn (1944-2021) discussed, it's possible that some top LDS apostles already know more about homosexual potential in God's plan but can't publicize it yet because not enough Church members -- perhaps including fellow apostles -- are ready to face a new reality. (page 265)
About transgender:
Many transgender Latter-day Saints say that they agree that "gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Transgender people point out that in this imperfect mortal world, sometimes biological switches don't get flipped correctly, even those that match a person's mortal body to their eternal gender. The transgender person's goal is to correct an earthly error, not change their eternal gender. (page 266)
This LGBTQ+ section is found in Chapter 15, “Hot-Button Topics.” That chapter also covers women and the priesthood, race, “Puh-puh-puh-Polygamy,” and more, with the same succinct insights.
It’s a great read.
-Marci
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