The path I've chosen
I have so many things on my mind that I want to include in this blog, but I don’t know where to begin. First of all, let me get some facts out on the table. 1) My struggle with homosexuality has been a long, discouraging eight-year battle. 2) I am not sexually active and have never been. Yep, still a virgin. 3) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints excommunicates practicing homosexuals. 4) I was not born a homosexual; rather, certain events in my life led to my current situation (I know this for sure). 5) I have only told five people (However, I did attend a conference for LDS men struggling with homosexuality, and I met several people there. I guess you can say that I told those people at that conference. Nonetheless, I have only told 5 people whom I know well about my sexuality.) A bishop, two stake presidents, my father, and a friend (I only regret telling my friend).
Now that those facts are on the table, here’s my dilemma. Just know that for me this challenge has been a roller coaster ride. My descriptions right now are only a reflection of how I feel at this moment. Unfortunately, I go through many different emotions. That’s actually one of the reasons I started this: to see what emotional swings and shifts occur along my journey. Anyhow, it’s obvious that I have to choose between the church, which I love, and my sexuality. For the most part, I have been pursuing the church option. Every once in a while I entertain the thought of “coming out” and living a homosexual life, but I don’t see that as a viable option. Many within the homosexual community probably think I am an idiot, but my motivations for overcoming homosexuality are very deep rooted. Let me explain just a few of the reasons of why I am committed to overcoming my struggle with homosexuality.
First, I believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of God and that its teachings will guide us back to our Father in Heaven. I have always believed my church is true, but spiritual experiences I have had in recent years have solidified my beliefs. I know that Jesus Christ is the redeemer of the world and that he has a plan for us and for our happiness. Practicing homosexuality is not part of that plan. As part of life, He has given us trials and struggles in order to make us better people. I honestly believe that each person has personal goliaths that he or she needs to overcome in order to gain salvation. It just so happens that homosexuality is my goliath. How do I feel about this: depends on the day. I’ll definitely talk about my feelings in other blogs. For the time being, suffice it to say that I am trying to figure out what the Lord would have me learn from this experience.
Second, I am unhappy when I get wrapped up in homosexual activities; i.e., viewing male pornography or masturbating. Of course, I enjoy these activities for a few fleeting moments, but the feelings of unhappiness that follow these activities are dark and hellacious. I know that when I am living my life in accordance to Jesus’ teachings, I am a happy person. I have confidence; I feel good about myself. When I am living contrary to his laws, I feel dirty and dark inside. I don’t like those feelings. Psychologists may say my upbringing is to blame for my feelings of guilt and unhappiness after performing certain activities. I say that I have tasted of truth and light, and because I choose the evil over the good, God’s spirit departs from me, leaving me empty and dark inside. I suppose I could go through therapy to repair my parents’ mistaken teachings, and I would probably be able to progress to the point where I don’t feel guilt or pain after performing those activities, but I would never feel of the same joy I’ve felt by living according to God's principles. Trust me; this church has more to offer than one from the outside can imagine. Whether or not you agree with my view is irrelevant. The fact is I know my feelings and I trust them. These emotions are too powerful to deny, and I don’t want to deny them.
Third, I would not be able to spend the eternities with my family. This ties into LDS teachings. If I were to accept the gay lifestyle, my family would still love me, most likely. However, in the afterlife I would not be able to live with them because they will inherit a much greater kingdom than I (or so I hope they inherit the Celestial Kingdom). In fact, I wouldn’t even be able to spend much of this life with them. My sexuality would create an awkwardness for them that would limit our involvement with one another on this earth. They wouldn’t want their children to see me or associate with me. I would certainly be denied the privilege of bringing my significant other to family functions. Things would simply never be the same between my siblings and me. This may sound trivial to some, but family is important to me, and I don’t want to sacrifice mine. (As a side note, my father does know about my sexuality, and he is very supportive of my efforts to overcome this trial. He will continue to be supportive as long as I am trying to overcome homosexuality.)
Fourth, an openly gay lifestyle would eliminate my goal of meeting and marrying a girl and raising a family. I want nothing more than to marry a wonderful woman and raise a family. I realize my homosexual tendencies have destroyed much of my potential of ever marrying, but I have faith that God will help me have a family someday. I’ve just got to find a very open-minded wife. Good luck to me.
Fifth, my mother would have a nervous breakdown – another seemingly trivial reason. I am my mother’s favorite child, or so I like to think. She was devastated by my sister’s illegitimate pregnancy. What would this do to her? I don’t know. I don’t want to know. I know that she would fall into a depression, as she did when my sister became pregnant out of wedlock. I fear my coming out would ruin her altogether. I don’t want to hurt her. I love her dearly. She has been and always will be my best friend.
Sixth, I would jeopardize my efforts and goals of becoming a senator and possibly president of the United States (every one needs a dream, right?). I honestly have a goal of becoming a U.S. senator. Homosexuality would destroy my chances of being elected. I don’t want to risk it.
Seventh, my health would be placed in jeopardy. Accepting my natural desires would mean promiscuous sex with men. That jeopardizes my health and wellness. I don’t want to contract an STD, which is very good possibility as a sexually active gay man.
Eighth, I would not be able to go to my church or face people I know in the church. I love all my friends from church. Being a homosexual would eliminate relationships with many people in the church. It would also make future friendships through church impossible. I honestly love going to church and meeting people there. I would hate to sacrifice that.
Ninth, I have this deep-rooted feeling that I am supposed to overcome this so that I can help others with similar problems. I truly believe God has a plan for me. I know he wants me to overcome this and help others. I also know he wants me to fight against the homosexual agenda that is sometimes dangerous to our nation and society. However, I also think He wants me to help people understand homosexuality for what it is. In another blog, I will explain what I think it is and why people struggle with it.
In any case, those are some of the reasons why I have chosen this path. I know it’s a difficult one, but I believe it will pay off in the long run.
Now that those facts are on the table, here’s my dilemma. Just know that for me this challenge has been a roller coaster ride. My descriptions right now are only a reflection of how I feel at this moment. Unfortunately, I go through many different emotions. That’s actually one of the reasons I started this: to see what emotional swings and shifts occur along my journey. Anyhow, it’s obvious that I have to choose between the church, which I love, and my sexuality. For the most part, I have been pursuing the church option. Every once in a while I entertain the thought of “coming out” and living a homosexual life, but I don’t see that as a viable option. Many within the homosexual community probably think I am an idiot, but my motivations for overcoming homosexuality are very deep rooted. Let me explain just a few of the reasons of why I am committed to overcoming my struggle with homosexuality.
First, I believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of God and that its teachings will guide us back to our Father in Heaven. I have always believed my church is true, but spiritual experiences I have had in recent years have solidified my beliefs. I know that Jesus Christ is the redeemer of the world and that he has a plan for us and for our happiness. Practicing homosexuality is not part of that plan. As part of life, He has given us trials and struggles in order to make us better people. I honestly believe that each person has personal goliaths that he or she needs to overcome in order to gain salvation. It just so happens that homosexuality is my goliath. How do I feel about this: depends on the day. I’ll definitely talk about my feelings in other blogs. For the time being, suffice it to say that I am trying to figure out what the Lord would have me learn from this experience.
Second, I am unhappy when I get wrapped up in homosexual activities; i.e., viewing male pornography or masturbating. Of course, I enjoy these activities for a few fleeting moments, but the feelings of unhappiness that follow these activities are dark and hellacious. I know that when I am living my life in accordance to Jesus’ teachings, I am a happy person. I have confidence; I feel good about myself. When I am living contrary to his laws, I feel dirty and dark inside. I don’t like those feelings. Psychologists may say my upbringing is to blame for my feelings of guilt and unhappiness after performing certain activities. I say that I have tasted of truth and light, and because I choose the evil over the good, God’s spirit departs from me, leaving me empty and dark inside. I suppose I could go through therapy to repair my parents’ mistaken teachings, and I would probably be able to progress to the point where I don’t feel guilt or pain after performing those activities, but I would never feel of the same joy I’ve felt by living according to God's principles. Trust me; this church has more to offer than one from the outside can imagine. Whether or not you agree with my view is irrelevant. The fact is I know my feelings and I trust them. These emotions are too powerful to deny, and I don’t want to deny them.
Third, I would not be able to spend the eternities with my family. This ties into LDS teachings. If I were to accept the gay lifestyle, my family would still love me, most likely. However, in the afterlife I would not be able to live with them because they will inherit a much greater kingdom than I (or so I hope they inherit the Celestial Kingdom). In fact, I wouldn’t even be able to spend much of this life with them. My sexuality would create an awkwardness for them that would limit our involvement with one another on this earth. They wouldn’t want their children to see me or associate with me. I would certainly be denied the privilege of bringing my significant other to family functions. Things would simply never be the same between my siblings and me. This may sound trivial to some, but family is important to me, and I don’t want to sacrifice mine. (As a side note, my father does know about my sexuality, and he is very supportive of my efforts to overcome this trial. He will continue to be supportive as long as I am trying to overcome homosexuality.)
Fourth, an openly gay lifestyle would eliminate my goal of meeting and marrying a girl and raising a family. I want nothing more than to marry a wonderful woman and raise a family. I realize my homosexual tendencies have destroyed much of my potential of ever marrying, but I have faith that God will help me have a family someday. I’ve just got to find a very open-minded wife. Good luck to me.
Fifth, my mother would have a nervous breakdown – another seemingly trivial reason. I am my mother’s favorite child, or so I like to think. She was devastated by my sister’s illegitimate pregnancy. What would this do to her? I don’t know. I don’t want to know. I know that she would fall into a depression, as she did when my sister became pregnant out of wedlock. I fear my coming out would ruin her altogether. I don’t want to hurt her. I love her dearly. She has been and always will be my best friend.
Sixth, I would jeopardize my efforts and goals of becoming a senator and possibly president of the United States (every one needs a dream, right?). I honestly have a goal of becoming a U.S. senator. Homosexuality would destroy my chances of being elected. I don’t want to risk it.
Seventh, my health would be placed in jeopardy. Accepting my natural desires would mean promiscuous sex with men. That jeopardizes my health and wellness. I don’t want to contract an STD, which is very good possibility as a sexually active gay man.
Eighth, I would not be able to go to my church or face people I know in the church. I love all my friends from church. Being a homosexual would eliminate relationships with many people in the church. It would also make future friendships through church impossible. I honestly love going to church and meeting people there. I would hate to sacrifice that.
Ninth, I have this deep-rooted feeling that I am supposed to overcome this so that I can help others with similar problems. I truly believe God has a plan for me. I know he wants me to overcome this and help others. I also know he wants me to fight against the homosexual agenda that is sometimes dangerous to our nation and society. However, I also think He wants me to help people understand homosexuality for what it is. In another blog, I will explain what I think it is and why people struggle with it.
In any case, those are some of the reasons why I have chosen this path. I know it’s a difficult one, but I believe it will pay off in the long run.
posted by Gay Mormon at 3:22 AM
6 Comments:
I appreciate your sympathy. I am very happy you're happy. That's all I want too. Hopefully the path I've chosen will bring happiness.
good for you for sticking to your beliefs. I think thats pretty neat.How you ever looked to evergreen international.com. They are a great help.
"As part of life, He has given us trials and struggles in order to make us better people. I honestly believe that each person has personal goliaths that he or she needs to overcome in order to gain salvation. It just so happens that homosexuality is my goliath."
IMHO, Jesus would never give you homosexual tendencies. He would never put that kind of challenge in your way, simplly because God wouldnt make you gay and then punish you for it.
Also, no good deed can "gain you" salvation. No one is perfect. God loves all his children. All you need to do is ask His forgiveness.
Yes, homosexulaity is wrong, I agree, from a moral standpoint. I also believe its a choice, that you arent born with it. And I commend you for trying to find out what is best for you.
Good Luck, Mindi
if god is all-good he cannot create evil, or those who would choose evil. didn't the bible say something about a good tree being unable to produce bad fruit? if god is all-knowing he knew before he created us what choices we would make. If god is loving he wouldn't create us knowing we would make choices that would result in him having to torture us in hell for eternity. therefore, if something exists, including homosexuality, it is part of god's plan and not an expression of evil.
I was in my late teen years when I joined the Mormon church, I was so hopeful that through the church I'll be able to overcome homosexuality. I failed. And it hurts. It hurts to think that there really is no "cure" for this. That no matter how hard I try to get rid of it, its still there, always there. Ive been in the closet all my life, fearing that if I come out I'll be rejected by my family and the people I love most. I have no plans of coming out, although Ive already lost hope. I hate myself for being like this...I want to be normal, I want to know how it feels to be like a normal guy. I dont want this. If there is one 'disease' in this world thats far more worst than AIDS its homosexuality, its all diseases combined. Theres no greater pain one could ever have for it involves not just physical but also spiritual pain. Normal people cant understand us, they will never ever understand people like us, us who are struggling to keep ourselves normal. They dont know how much it hurts to fight smething that is within, and end up failing through through. I always carry this burden rooted deep inside me, that even if Im laughing or crying, its always there. I wanted to have a family someday, but I dont wanna share this pain with someone who will love me without any idea of who really am. I love the church, I love Jesus, but it seems like he has already forgotten me...
I just posted on your latest post. I just realized I'm in the exact same shoes as you. I am a conservative, struggling with gay temptations, I want to be Senator, I also want to be President. This is no coincidence that you have the same goals and reasons as I do. Your a leader. You think about others. If something will hurt others, you wouldn't do it. I see you've changed your opinions now. You've chosen to live a different lifestyle. You can still change back to the real you. I know it. You've put your lifestyle before your family, your mother, your dreams, your ambitions, your future family, your goals. I know you can be the person when you wrote this. You can, you ARE a child of God.
15yo kid
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