ST. GEORGE — A top leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reaffirmed the faith’s opposition to same-sex marriage and “changes that confuse or alter gender” amid ongoing debates throughout the country about gender and sexuality.
Dallin H. Oaks, the second-highest-ranking leader of the faith known widely as the Mormon Church, told thousands of listeners gathered at a conference center at the church’s Salt Lake City headquarters that what he called “social and legal pressures” wouldn’t compel the church to alter its stances on same-sex marriage or matters of gender identity.
Oak’s sermon, titled “Divine Love in the Father’s Plan,” primarily focused on church doctrine surrounding what is known as the “Plan of Salvation,” in which the church explains the purpose of life and outlines how God’s children may return to him.
“In the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a unique understanding of our Heavenly Father’s plan,” Oaks said. “This gives us a different way of viewing the purpose of mortal life, the divine judgment that follows it and the ultimate glorious destiny of all of God’s children.”
The highest level of salvation in the hereafter, Oaks said, “can only be attained through faithfulness to the covenants of an eternal marriage between a man and a woman. That divine doctrine is why we teach that gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose.”
Oaks echoed words from the church’s 1995 “Proclamation on the Family,” which reiterates the faith’s stance on marriage and family being a focal point of God’s eternal plan.
“… the Lord has required his restored church to oppose social and legal pressures to retreat from his doctrine of marriage between a man and a woman; to oppose changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women; or to confuse or alter gender,” he said.
This stance frequently provokes opposition, Oaks said.
“Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to that plan,” Oaks continued. “Consequently, he seeks to oppose progress toward exaltation by distorting marriage, discouraging childbearing or confusing gender.”
Oaks reaffirmed that the church’s longstanding opposition to same-sex marriage will remain in place, despite its softening policies on other LGTBQ matters, including allowing the children of same-sex couples to be baptized.
A shift in the church’s stance on certain LGBTQ matters gained widespread attention in 2015, when church leaders lent their support for a nondiscrimination bill for housing and employment that ultimately passed the Legislature. It supported a similar measure passed in Salt Lake City in 2009.
While Oaks said the church will continue to oppose policies and movements that stand in opposition to its teachings on marriage and family, he also asked members of the faith to live peacefully and respect those with different beliefs.
“As followers of Christ who should love our fellow men, we should live peacefully with those who do not believe as we do,” he said.
The Latter-day Saints’ reaffirmation of its stances on these issues comes as debates rage throughout the nation over transgender youth and what kids should learn about gender and sexuality.
More than a dozen states have limited when transgender kids can participate in school sports, including Utah, where the church is based. The faith did not take an active role in the policy debate this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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