Question
Gramps,
My brother, a former bishop, recently spoke to us about his daughter, who came out as gay a few years ago. He and his wife have quit wearing their garments and attending the temple, saying they leave there in tears each time because they don’t know where their daughter fits in. He still has a testimony of Jesus Christ, but that’s the extent of his testimony right now. The question he posed is: Why does God make someone gay and then turn around and call it a sin?
Thanks for your time,
Angela
Answer
Angela,
I want to start right off the bat with a clarification regarding the question about why God makes someone gay. The Church has never taken or taught this position. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has no official stance on the precise causes of same-sex attraction but teaches that individuals do not choose to have these feelings. The attraction itself is not considered a sin, but acting on it is, in accordance with their law of chastity.
In a world that feels increasingly divided along moral and cultural lines, what does the Church actually teach about homosexuality and the final judgment? Is it possible to be gay and faithful? How does doctrine balance justice, mercy, and inclusivity? Let’s thoughtfully unpack these questions by examining doctrine, policy, and, most importantly, the overarching message of hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ offers to all.
The cornerstone of understanding homosexuality within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lies in the crucial distinction between experiencing same-sex attraction and acting on those feelings. This distinction is explicitly taught by Church leaders and echoed throughout modern commentary on doctrine.
Church leaders consistently affirm that feeling attraction toward members of the same sex is not in itself sinful. Temptation, in its various forms, is an inescapable part of the human condition, and experiencing these feelings is neither a moral failure nor a cause for shame. Being gay is not a sin. However, acting on those feelings is.
What, then, constitutes a sin? According to the law of chastity, sexual relations are ordained of God to take place only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Any sexual relationship outside of this pattern—including homosexual behavior—falls outside of God’s established boundaries.
No one is born immune to temptation. Just as some may struggle with pride or anger, others face sexual temptations. The vital gospel principle is not whether we are ever tempted, but how we respond. Christ Himself faced temptations yet remained sinless. Our task is to resist temptation, and when we fall short (as we all do), to repent, strive to do better, and seek the grace of Jesus Christ.
As the doctrine makes clear, repentance is available to all—regardless of which commandments they struggle to keep. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is all-encompassing, making it possible for every honest soul to return, to change, and to be made whole.
One of the most heartfelt challenges shared by many LGBTQ members of the Church is the struggle with loneliness and the prospect of celibacy. Is it fair, some wonder, to ask those who experience same-sex attraction to remain single for their entire earthly lives? Does God want anyone to be alone or left out?
For those facing such deeply personal challenges, the Church’s teachings acknowledge the pain and difficulty that accompany them. Leaders and fellow members are encouraged to respond with empathy and love, not with hollow platitudes or quick solutions. The pain is real—yet so is divine love and the hope of eventual peace. One Church member who experienced the journey themselves shared:
“Christ can and will take all of our sorrows, all of our pain, and turn it into joy and peace in the next life. I believe that whatever we have experienced here, we will say, ‘It was all worth it.”
During those seasons when the burden feels impossible, the advice is to lean on the Savior daily—even, if necessary, hour by hour. Members are counseled to support one another—not by condoning sin or lowering standards, but by offering real friendship, compassion, and understanding.
The Old and New Testaments, as well as modern revelation, are replete with stories of individuals called to make unique sacrifices. For Latter-day Saints, living the law of chastity—no matter what form of temptation is most acute—is one of the clearest expressions of loyalty to God. For those with same-sex attraction, this invariably means a life of celibacy if they are to remain in good standing with the teachings of the Church.
However, the doctrine affirms that no righteous sacrifice goes unnoticed. The Lord’s promise is of compensatory joy—now or hereafter—for all who choose Him in the face of real adversity. Rather than seeing this requirement as a cruel restriction, Church teachings openly recognize the cost while holding out the hope of God’s perfect justice and mercy.
Perhaps the most pressing concern for many is what eternal consequence, if any, same-sex attraction or homosexual behavior might have. Do gay people “go to hell”? Is there room for LGBTQ members in God’s eternal plan? The Church’s doctrine provides clarity—and, perhaps surprisingly to some, reassurance.
If a person experiences same-sex attraction but strives to live according to gospel standards—exercising faith, repenting, and relying on the grace of Christ—they can receive the highest reward the gospel offers: the celestial kingdom. The determining factor is not the type of temptation, but whether one chooses repentance and faithfulness, relying on the Savior’s atonement.
As for those who struggle to keep the commandments but continue to repent and seek forgiveness, the doctrine reconfirms that God judges justly and mercifully, “according to the desire of [our] hearts.” The only truly lost are those who knowingly, willfully, and completely reject Christ after receiving a perfect knowledge of Him—a category that applies to almost no one.
Beyond all questions of theological policy, the central commandment remains: *love one another*. In practice, this means refraining from judging others, creating space for their struggles, and seeking to understand before attempting to correct.
The Church’s doctrine does not minimize the real and difficult experiences of LGBTQ members. The imperative to love applies regardless of whether we understand or agree with every choice another person makes. There is no need to understand to love. A gay person is not, as some might misunderstand, a “broken straight person.’
Finally, the doctrine reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love or the possibility of return. Even those who have stepped away due to inability or unwillingness to keep some commandments are still fierce recipients of Christ’s compassion.
Welcoming all is not an optional extra of the gospel: it is the gospel. The burden falls not just on individuals with same-sex attraction, but on every member to support, uplift, and love in a Christlike way.
To read more about the Church’s position on this: Same-Sex Attraction.
Gramps
