QUOTE: “When we consider the dangers from which children should be protected, we should also include psychological abuse. Parents or other caregivers or teachers or peers who demean, bully, or humiliate children or youth can inflict harm more permanent than physical injury. Making a child or youth feel worthless, unloved, or unwanted can inflict serious and long-lasting injury on his or her emotional well-being and development. Young people struggling with any exceptional condition, including same-gender attraction, are particularly vulnerable and need loving understanding—not bullying or ostracism. With the help of the Lord, we can repent and change and be more loving and helpful to children—our own and those around us.” –Dallin H. Oaks, Protect the Children, in General Conference, October 2012. [source]
FIRST PRESIDENCY LETTER: “Our concern with respect to children is their current and future well-being and the harmony of their home environment. The provisions of Handbook 1, Section 16.13, that restrict priesthood ordinances for minors, apply only to those children whose primary residence is with a couple living in a same-gender marriage or similar relationship. … All children are to be treated with utmost respect and love. They are welcome to attend Church meetings and participate in Church activities. All children may receive priesthood blessings of healing and spiritual guidance.” –from a letter from the First Presidency, 13 November 2015. [source]
COMMENTARY: Jesus hung out with sinners and invited all to come unto him. If we reject and exclude others, regardless of our pretended reasons, we are not being Christlike. The church leaders ask the members to accept and fellowship all, even as they themselves direct the church as an institution to disfellowship and excommunicate those who, through no fault of their own, were born with a different way of loving. Let’s stand for truth and righteousness. Let’s end this senseless discrimination. Let’s love and accept everyone. But don’t listen to me. I’m just another apostate.
