Question
Hello Gramps,
I have a question that is very important to me and I cannot find the answer. I am a returned missionary, temple-married mother and wife who is active and faithful in the gospel and temple worthy. I am also gay. It is a constant struggle in my marriage and my life. It is a core part of who I am and does not change with any amount of prayer, fasting and obedience. My question is : Will I still experience same sex attraction after the resurrection? Many thanks.
Kel
Answer
Hi Kel,
I want to start off by stating that it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job. You have shown remarkable faith and courage in setting aside temptation and becoming an active, temple-worthy mother. I think it is safe to say that the Lord loves you very much and is very proud of you.
As for your question, I went looking for a conference talk from a General Authority regarding healing from same sex attraction in the next life. I wound up finding something even better.
In the Eternal Marriage Student Manual, there is a chapter on Same-Gender Attraction. Much of the chapter is taken from an old Ensign article written by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. In that chapter, Elder Oaks recognizes that “All of us have some feelings we did not choose”. He then states that “God has promised that he will consecrate our afflictions for our gain (see 2 Ne. 2:2). The efforts we expend in overcoming any inherited [or developed] weakness builds a spiritual strength that will serve us throughout eternity. Thus, when Paul prayed thrice that his ‘thorn in the flesh’ would depart from him, the Lord replied, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'” In other words, not only will the Lord help us overcome feelings such as same sex attraction in either this life or the next, but, if we let him, he will turn this affliction into strength that will serve us throughout all eternity!
The Lord loves you very much, more than you can ever imagine. Have faith, and keep doing such a great job, and in either this life or the next life, the Lord will heal you.
Gramps