CaseStudy2

Case Study Name : Gavin Horne Case Study Option (A, B, C, or D) : Case Study Option A Instructions The purpose of this assignment is to apply your knowledge and deepen your learning by responding to real life examples that you or others may face in defending the Proclamation and the eternal family . Your response to the case study you have chosen may be written in essay format, or you may choose to write your response as if you were speaking or writing directly to someone facing the situation described. Your response must show thought, reflection, pondering, and depth, and be presented with college-level writing skills. The following should be integrated into your response:  The gospel doctrines or principles that are involved in the case study, and how they help to clarify and give direction in addressing the situation.  Messages from scripture, the proclamation, and the course readings for the current unit of study that address the dilemma and how those messages would be helpful.  Your own suggestions and ideas about actions that would be helpful in addressing the issue. Your response must include:  At least four references, each from a different talk or article in the current course readings. These may be direct quotes or paraphrases of statements, and must include appropriate in-text citations. (See Good Writing Practices for REL 200 )  A pertinent passage from the Proclamation  A scripture that would support your thoughts and ideas  As an option, you may choose to use two statements from two of the most recent General Conference addresses in place of two references from the current course readings Be sure to connect the references to your thoughts and discuss why or how the reference helps to address the situation in the case study . These assignments help you to dig deeply into the readings for the course and to show your understanding of the content, but they are not a place to simply regurgitate what you have learned. Please have at least 50% or more of the text be your thoughts and comments. It may be helpful to bold or use a different color of text for your references and citations. This will help you see how much of the text is from quotes and words of others and how much is your own words. Case Study Report In 1-2 page(s), write a response to the case study that you have chosen and that meets the requirements explained above. BYU-Idaho 1 REL 200

I have selected case study A which states: “ You have a friend who shares with you that he experiences same-sex attraction. He loves the Lord, loves the Church, but struggles to move forward in Church experience.” As stated in the book of Moses, God’s purpose/goal is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39, KJV). That is the doctrine of the plan of salvation, and why God wants us to come to this earth, gain a body, enjoy our agency, and work to be worthy to live with him again. To find success in this, God gave us all of the tools and guidelines necessary for our salvation and exaltation. He gave us commandments like the 10 commandments revealed to Moses and written in Exodus. We also have more modern revelations like the Word of Wisdom. The law of chastity, however, is a law that has been a doctrinal principle on this earth since the time of Adam and Eve, the first humans to inhabit the earth. The commandment was given from the very beginning that “a man [shall] leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). He also gave them the charge to “multiply and replenish the Earth” (Genesis 1:28). God gave us the ability to procreate as an essential step in his perfect plan. Each spirit child of God needs to receive a body in order to continue their divine progression, and we are able to provide this new estate to those spirits waiting in heaven. But of course, just as with any privilege and power, it comes with great responsibility. God asks that we don’t abuse and misuse this power that he has given us to procreate. It’s also useful to establish that homosexuality is only an appendage to the law of chastity. Elder Jeffery R. Holland in his 2007 General Conference shared a personal conversation with a friend who was struggling with same-sex attractions. He lovingly expressed “You see, same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is—just as it would be with heterosexual feelings… You serve yourself poorly when you identify yourself primarily by your sexual feelings. That isn’t your only characteristic, so don’t give it disproportionate attention. You are first and foremost a son of God, and He loves you.” (Jeffery R. Holland), "Helping Those Who Struggle with Same Gender Attraction," Ensign , October 2007, 85). For the same reasons that heterosexual sins are contrary to God’s plan, so are homosexual sins: because they are destructive to the progression of His children. It’s no wonder that Satan tries so hard to corrupt the family unit and the sanctity of the powers of procreation. President Nelson warned us in his April 2019 General Conference address, “The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord. He is arming his minions with potent weapons to keep us from partaking of the joy and love of the Lord” (Russel M. Nelson, “We can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign, April 2019, 82). Thankfully, we have modern day Prophets and apostles to warn us of these spiritual dangers. One of these roadmaps came in the form of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The first presidency and quorum of the 12 apostles collectively declared “…that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children... We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife” ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Ensign , Nov. 2010, 129). It can be easy to question how “perfect” God’s plan really is, however, if he is going to permit some of His children to have same-sex attractions, while at the same time forbidding any kind of homosexual behavior. And in the spirit of honesty, sometimes we don’t know EXACTLY why God operates the way he does. President Nelson reminds us that in this life “You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless.” He also promises that “As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!” (Russel M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign, October 2019, 85). President Nelson also spoke on the fear of unworthiness when he said I fear that there are too many men who have been given the authority of the priesthood but who lack priesthood power because the flow of power has been blocked by sins such as laziness, dishonesty, pride, immorality, or preoccupation with things of the world” (Russel M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” Ensign, April 2016, 85). The beautiful thing is that BYU-Idaho 2 REL 200