Best LDS Resources to Help with Same-Sex Attraction, Gay, LGBT
Same-sex attraction refers to emotional, physical, or sexual attraction to a person of the same gender. The experience of same-sex attraction is not the same for everyone. Some people may feel exclusively attracted to the same sex, while others may feel attracted to both sexes.
The resources below explain the Church’s position about same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. They also provide an understanding about this complex human experience. No matter what challenges we may face in life, we are all children of God, deserving of each other’s kindness and compassion (Romans 8:16–17). When we create a supportive environment, we build charity and empathy for each other and benefit from our combined perspectives and faith.
- See a list of resources about same-sex attraction in multiple languages at the bottom of this page.
- Read a Guide for Family, Friends, and Church Leaders on Same-Sex Attraction
Articles on LDS365.com about Same-Sex Attraction
Invite Your Church Leaders to the North Star Conference
Church leaders can attend the North Star Conference at a reduced rate. This is a great chance for leaders to learn about same-sex attraction and gender identify from a faithful gospel perspective. Learn more about the North Star LDS Conference 2024: Understanding...
North Star LDS Conference 2024: Understanding Same-Sex Attraction & Gender Identity
Registration is now open for the North Star Conference to be held at the Sheraton in Salt Lake City, June 20-22, 2024. The North Star Conference is the premier conference exploring the LGBT/SSA experience within the context of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Keynote...
North Star LDS Conference 2023: Understanding Same-Sex Attraction & Gender Identity
Registration is now open for the North Star Conference to be held at the Sheraton in Salt Lake City, June 15-18, 2023. The North Star Conference is the premier conference exploring the LGBT/SSA experience within the context of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Keynote...
Counseling Resources for Parents and Ministering Brothers and Sisters
Many people face a variety of challenges. Parents, leaders, ministering brothers and sisters, and friends have the opportunity to provide help. As you minister to the needs of others, you can help them experience joy and fulfillment. As people seek solutions to their...
What To Say When a Family Member Comes Out as Gay
What can you say when someone you love comes out as gay? Although we may have the best of intentions, some of the words and phrases we use may marginalize rather than be helpful to someone who is LGBTQ. The article "What can you say when a family member comes out as...
Understanding and Including Our LGBT Brothers and Sisters
The Liahona magazine has published an article by a bishop who explains how he learned to understand the experiences of members who identify as LGBT and their families. Through heartfelt and open conversations, study, and relying on the Lord for understanding, he...
North Star LDS Conference: Understanding Same-Sex Attraction & Gender Identity, June 11-13, 2021
The 2021 North Star Conference, June 11-13, 2021, is a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria and wish to live a Christ-centered life. Hear firsthand accounts of LGBT individuals and families as they...
Resources to Help Us Counsel with Others
Many members face a variety of challenges. Parents, leaders, ministering brothers and sisters, and friends have the opportunity to provide help. As you minister to the needs of others, you can help them experience joy and fulfillment. As people seek solutions to their...
Updates to Life Help Resources
The Church has updated the Life Help resources available online and in the Gospel Library. Everyone needs help sometimes. Life is like that. In fact, God planned it to be that way. Mortality presents each of us with a wide variety of experiences and some are easier to...
2020 North Star Conference This Weekend for LGBT Latter-day Saints
Attend the 2020 North Star conference this weekend to hear firsthand accounts from Latter-day Saint LGBT individuals and families about how they navigate the complex journey of reconciling faith with sexual orientation and gender identity. Listen to keynote addresses...
Resource on Same-Sex Attraction Added to Life Help Section of Church Website
The Church has published a website on same-sex attraction in the Life Help section of the Church website. It provides a gospel context for understanding gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. You can use this resource to gain hope or help for your own needs, or to...
Video: Faith Crisis: What Do We Do When We Feel Nothing?
The Church video "Faith Crisis: What Do We Do When We Feel Nothing?" includes a member's story of his journey of faith. “Dad, I can’t do it anymore. I’m gay.” Michael Mclean’s son had come out to him. “Dad, I’ve tried to do everything you said. I went on my mission. I...
Church Leaders Teach About LGBT Issues
As is customary for the October general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Authorities and General Officers of the Church met this morning to be instructed by the First Presidency. In that meeting, President Dallin H. Oaks spoke...
President Russell M. Nelson Speaks to Young Adults in Worldwide Address
President Russell M. Nelson spoke on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, to a worldwide audience of young adults in a devotional address broadcast from BYU. His message was carried live on the Church’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and the main website...
Video: “I am a Latter-day Saint, I am LGBTQ, and This is What I Know”
Over the weekend, North Star International held its annual conference with faith-affirming Latter-day Saints, their families, and church leaders. On Saturday, they debuted the video "I am a Latter-day Saint, I am LGBTQ, and This is What I Know." ...
2019 North Star Conference This Weekend for LGBT Latter-day Saints
Attend the 2019 North Star conference this weekend to hear firsthand accounts from LGBT individuals and families about how they navigate the complex journey of reconciling faith with sexual orientation and gender identity. This year’s conference is at the Sheraton in...
Why LDS Couple Married in the Temple After 20 Years in Same-Sex Relationships
In an interview with Leading Saints, Bennett and Becky Borden explain why they married in the temple after 20 years living in same-sex relationships. Bennett and Becky Borden both experience same-sex attraction and were both in same-sex marriages and relationships for...
North Star LDS Conference 2019: Understanding Same-Sex Attraction & Gender Identity
North Star is a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saints addressing sexual orientation and gender identity, and who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....
Video: How We Can Support Our LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters
In November 2017, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, "We need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly, we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where...
Elder Ballard: Gays Have a Place in the Lord’s Church
Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke to BYU students at a campus devotional on November 14, 2017, and answered questions that covered a variety of topics. The following are some of his comments answering the question of what message he had for the LGBT young single adults....
Pages on ChurchofJesusChrist.org about Same-Sex Attraction
Church's Site "Same-Sex Attraction"
Church website with resources to help individuals and families understand same-sex attraction in the context of the gospel. Personal stories and videos of people who have chosen to stay faithful in the gospel as they navigate this aspect of mortality. English only, but two sections of the site are available in 38 languages (see the table below).
Counseling Resources for Leaders
Counseling and ministering helps for leaders and ward council members at CounselingResources.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Gospel Topic about Same-Sex Attraction
Gospel Topic from ChurchofJesusChrist.org explains what Latter-day Saints believe about same-sex attraction and has links to resources to learn more. Gospel Topics site is available in 9 languages, but the “Same-Sex Attraction” entry is translated into 38 languages (see the table below).
Suicide Risk for LGBTs
Gay individuals may be at higher risk for depression or suicide. See the “Individuals” section of the Church’s site on Same-Sex Attraction.
Magazine Articles about Same-sex Attraction
Articles from the Liahona, For the Strength of Youth, and Friend magazines.
Videos about Same-Sex Attraction
Watch videos of Church leaders and members about same-sex attraction.
Same-Sex Attraction
This article from the Church’s Newsroom has links to several additional resources.
General Authorities & Officers Speak About Same-Sex Attraction
"Same-gender Attraction," by Dallin H. Oaks
This article in the Oct. 1995 Ensign discusses the spiritual aspects of same-sex attraction.
Elder Bruce C. Hafen Speaks on Same-Sex Attraction
An address given September 19, 2009.
“I admire your courage and your righteous desires. You may not have consciously chosen to have same gender attraction, but you are faithfully choosing to deal with it.”
“Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” by Jeffrey R. Holland
This article from the October 2007 Ensign. “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.”
"God's Love," Sharon Green Larsen (Young Women General Presidency)
Address given September 14-15, 2001.
“There is no need to hide behind who you really are because the truth is: Your real self is who God made. Your real self is your spiritual self—the part of you that is divine, holy, and good. It is a constant battle to separate ourselves from the identity and labels the world tries to pin on us.”
Remarks by Bishop Keith B. McMullin About Same-Gender Attraction
Address given September 18, 2010. Also posted on the Church’s Newsroom site.
“In the chasm between man’s ways and God’s laws regarding same-gender issues, there stand earnest souls yearning for understanding and solutions to what for them is a moral conundrum.”
Some Gospel Perspectives on Same-Gender Attraction by Elder Alexander B. Morrison
Address given September 16, 2000.
“I submit that the light of the gospel of Christ
best illuminates the path to follow in coping with same-gender attraction.
In this part of life, hope for peace and happiness will not be found in
medicine, psychology or political activism. It can be obtained only
through obedience to revealed truths.”
"The Worth of a Soul is Great" by Elder James O. Mason
Address given September 17, 2005.
Read in Spanish
“I express my love and total respect to my brothers and sisters struggling with same gender attraction. You who are true to the faith and obedient to sacred covenants are not few in number. I commend you for your unshakable faith in the face of the unwanted feelings you did not choose to have. I commend you for never forgetting that God loves you and that you are His sons and daughters. I commend you for not forgetting your magnificent divine potential and for using your God-given moral agency in resisting temptation and evil.”
Community and Other Resources about Same-Sex Attraction, Gay, LGBT
North Star International
A community of Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction and desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of the Church.
Helping LDS Men Resolve their Homosexual Problems: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Church Leaders
Book that urges love and sensitivity toward those who experience same-sex attraction. Also available in Spanish.
My Son Is Gay: An LDS Father's Journey Into Love and Faith
In this book, a father shares the heart-breaking but ultimately triumphant story of his journey of discovery. Offers insight and practical suggestions for responding with faith and charity to a loved one who experiences same-sex attraction.
Voices of Hope
A collection of video testimonies and written essays that document the voices of thousands of Latter-day Saints and their experiences with same-sex attraction.
Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide for LDS Men
Book written to LDS men who want to resolve their homosexual feelings and follow Christ. Offers practical suggestions by a man who has walked the journey. Also available in Spanish.
Language Resources from the Church
Below are links to translated documents from the Church that provide an understanding of same-sex attraction:
- A notice that was sent to Church leaders when the resources listed below were published in October 2016 (see table below).
- “Church Teachings.” This 4-page document is the translated text from the “Church Teachings” section of MormonandGay.lds.org (see table below).
- “Same-Sex Attraction” entry from Gospel Topics. The Gospel Topics are available in 10 languages at topics.lds.org, but the “Same-Sex Attraction” entry is available in a total of 38 languages (see table below).
- “Frequently Asked Questions.” This 2-page document is the translated text from the “Frequently Asked Questions” section of MormonandGay.lds.org (see table below).
- Counseling Resource on Same-Sex Attraction with specific helps for leaders is available to members of ward and stake councils in 10 languages.