Why does the LDS Church oppose Gay Marriage?
Unlike most Christian denominations that cite a small handful of biblical verses which condemn homosexuality to support their opposition of same-sex marriage, the LDS Church has in place a very specific and broad theology of gender and gender relations which precludes the possibility of same-sex relationships. In order for the LDS Church to embrace same-sex marriage, or even tolerate homosexual practice more generally – the church would be required to significantly alter some core dogmas and doctrines which are central to LDS belief.
The LDS Church teaches that the union of a man and a woman is central to God’s design. See Doctrine & Covenants section 132. (which incidentally, also addresses the issue of plural marriage as practiced by Mormons prior to the 20th century) In LDS theology, men and women are destined to become like God himself. In this view, God is an embodied but exalted man with a female counterpart. See the Proclamation on the Family which references “heavenly parents.” There has been much speculation over the years as to how this relationship between man and woman leads to becoming like God but what is clearly taught by the Church today is that gender (and by extension heterosexual sexuality) is central to this notion of exaltation. Thus, homosexuality and in particular, the inability for this type of sexual relationship to produce children, is anathema to the current LDS conception of exaltation.
This is not to say that LDS perceptions may not change. In early Utah, it was clearly taught and widely believed that exaltation was dependent not just on marriage but on plural marriage. Clearly, the modern church has rejected this notion with its focus on the nuclear family and active opposition to the practice of polygamy.
One of the key tenants of Mormonism is the concept of continuing revelation to the Prophet and President of the Church. Thus, in this author’s opinion, it would require a new revelation, such as was required to alter the priesthood policy in 1978; in order for the modern LDS Church to change its stance on homosexual relationships. Such policy changes have happened in the past but are rare.
Related Documents:
LDS Same Sex Marriage Political Strategy - 1997
First Presidency Letter on Proposition 8 - June 2008