The scriptures talk about identical twins: one straight, one gay
liftandlove.org/stories/the-barth-family. Used with permission. #liftandloveorgIt’s an impossible, brain-breaking situation. Identical twins, raised LDS. One straight, one gay. How do the parents teach one how to be a good husband and a good dad, and explain to the other that none of those things are available to him if he wants to stay in the Church?
I say that the scriptures talk about the Barth family (read more of their story at Lift+Love). In the chapter about faith and works, James said, “If there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:2-4,8). The law James is talking about is the law of love — loving all persons, no matter what.
Angie Barth said, “With identical twins, the differences between how they are treated and the blessings that are or are not available to them in the church feel especially poignant and so completely arbitrary now. Both boys are equally righteous and worthy young men, but because one of them happened to be born gay, the church doesn’t make the blessings and ordinances of salvation available to him in a way that’s sustainable and congruent with the way that God created him. It feels every bit as arbitrary as having these blessings withheld from your child just because God created them left-handed. These days, there are many days I question where, how, and if I have a place in the church. . . . But I’m trusting that God loves me and loves my family, so I’m just taking it one day, one step, at a time.”
Like Angie, I look forward to the day when further light comes into the world to illuminate this impossible situation with God’s love. Until then, our job is to love. Just love.
With love to ALL y’all,
Marci