In recent decades homosexuality has gone from being illegal and taboo to legal and culturally accepted. This is lauded as a victory for human rights. There are some, however, who seem to be resistant to progress—the church. Granted, many churches and Christians have embraced homosexuality as compatible with their faith and practice, but others have not. The question becomes, what does the Bible teach about homosexuality anyway?

Claim #1: The Bible Hardly Even Mentions Homosexuality!

It is true that homosexuality does not fill a huge portion of the Bible’s teachings, yet it is spoken about more often than you might think. It’s discussed in Sodom where the men of the city want to rape angelic visitors. Similarly in Gibeah where the men of the city try to rape another man. When Israel drove out the inhabitants of Canaan, homosexuality is named as one of their sins. In the time of the Israelite kings we have male cult prostitution an established practice. We see prohibitions against it in the Old Testament and numerous times in the New Testament. It’s said that Jesus never taught against homosexuality but Jesus did. In Matthew 19 Jesus defines marriage between one man and one woman as the only God-ordained relationship for sexual intimacy.

Claim #2: The Old Testament Commands Are No Longer Binding!

Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (see also Leviticus 20:13). Everyone would agree that these commands in Leviticus are clear, but do we follow them today? Doesn’t it also tell us not to eat pork or shellfish and not to wear mixed fabrics? Aren’t some Christians hypocrites then? Before we dismiss Leviticus, Jesus and the apostles quote from this book and did not dismiss it. What must be asked is why would Jesus, the apostles, and Christians today obey some of the commands in Leviticus and ignore others? The answer is simple. Some commands in Leviticus have been repealed by God himself later in the Bible. God has made a number of covenants with his people and the new covenant, inaugurated by Jesus changed the ceremonial and cultural portions of God’s law. Jesus in Mark 7:19 declared all foods clean (no more prohibition against pork or shellfish). Priests, Jewish customs of dress, circumcision, festivals, Sabbaths, have all been repealed in the new covenant. However, the sexual ethic has never been repealed anywhere. God’s moral law remains unchanged. In fact, his sexual ethic is repeated rather than repealed under the new covenant.

Claim #3: Homosexuality? What About Your Pride, Greed, and Gluttony!?!

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 says, “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (see also 1 Timothy 1:8).

We can all see that this new covenant text condemns a wide range of practices. Do Christians make too much of homosexuality when there is so much other sin? Perhaps. Our culture has made homosexuality a big deal and while it’s certainly not the biggest sin or an unforgivable sin, it is a sin nonetheless. To say the Bible doesn’t call homosexuality a sin would be a dishonest. All sin is sin.

Claim #4: God Nowhere Condemns Committed, Loving, Homosexual Couples!

Romans 1:26–27 says, “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

This description of the sin of homosexuality is sometimes said to describe pederasty (men having sex with boys) but it clearly says “men committing shameless acts with men.” Others claim that the “unnaturalness” is when heterosexuals engage in homosexual activity. Again, no such indication comes from the text but rather is imposed on it. Others claim that in Bible times there were no committed, loving, monogamous homosexual relationships so these prohibitions do not apply to today’s partnerships. Again, this claim has no historical basis. Historical records show that homosexuality, including committed, loving partnerships have been around for a long time, well before and during the time when these words were first written.

Claim #5: How Can You Be Against Love?

Why are Christians so judgmental and against love? Why should you get to say who should and shouldn’t love one another? The fact is, we all make judgments. We all would agree that a child and an adult, or a daughter and a father would be a wrong relationship—no matter how much they loved one another. The key is to define what love is.

We can’t be more loving or tolerant or accepting than God, right? How does God define love? God shows his love in that while we were still sinners Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” What these texts are saying is that God demonstrated his love by dying for sin, not denying it. He provided rescue from our sin, not leaving us in it.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must lovingly warn all sinners and point them to the forgiveness and promise of change that God offers.

Claim #6: But I’m Born This Way!

I’m not going to argue that homosexuality is a choice rather than something you are born with. The simple fact is, we all are born with desires and impulses. Some of which we embrace, and some of which we fight against. To have a desire or impulse doesn’t make it right and not sinful.

We all wrestle with desires to lie, to be angry, to steal, to be unfaithful to the ones we love, to quit our jobs or school, but we don’t identify ourselves by these desires, rather we wage war against them (1 Peter 2:11). How do we know which of our desires are right and which are wrong? We’ll either interpret them through our culture’s values or through God’s values. Only God’s values will lead to the good of all mankind.

Claim #7: Christians Are On The Wrong Side of History!

Homosexuality is now accepted and continuing to grow in its acceptance. Are Christians just behind the times on this? In response, are there any trends in the world today that you are against? How about increased wealth for the rich and poverty for the poor? The rise of terrorism? Increased fossil fuel development? The truth is everyone is against certain trends today and supportive of others.

Yes, but weren’t Christians supportive of slavery, and a flat earth, and a geocentric universe? Didn’t they defend these things with the Bible and think that the Bible was clear on those things!?! As you examine the truth behind these claims, however, there really isn’t much there. The Bible uses sunrise and sunset, and so you do, but I’m not going to fault you for not being more accurate by saying, “That’s a nice earth rotation!” Second, Galileo and Copernicus were lauded by the church. Their opposition came mainly from Aristotelian philosophers. Galileo himself said that he fell out of favor with the pope, not because of his science, but because he portrayed the pope unfavorably in one of his books. Third, with regard to slavery, it’s true that the southern states defended the practice, but this was by no means the universal understanding. In fact, Christians throughout the centuries have called for the abolition of slavery and it was abolished because of Christians and the Bible. This is much different from homosexuality where it has been universally understood to be prohibited by God until only very recently.

Why Not Simply Personally Disagree and Not Judge?

While this is a common position among Christians, we can’t be more loving or tolerant or accepting than God is. God loves us in such a way that he desires to do something about sin, not leave us in it. It would be unloving for me not to warn you about danger when I know that what you’re doing is going to bring great harm to you.

The truth is God is holy and just, meaning no sin can be tolerated in his presence. Whether pride, gluttony, lying, or homosexuality. The truth is that every single person has the same problem. Our sin (in its various types and degrees) separate us from the relationship with God that we were created for. God’s love is demonstrated, not by changing his standards or redefining sin, but by sending his only Son Jesus to die and take the penalty that we rightly deserve. Your sins, no matter how small or great, can be forgiven because God has intervened for you. Everyone, everywhere is now called to turn from their sin and believe this good news.

All of us are going to face God in judgment. He has arranged the terms of peace, not us. He knows when you will die and face him, we do not. Do not delay. Our lives are so very short and our lives are so precious to us. Do not ignore God speaking to you through his word but come to Jesus that you might have life, forgiveness, and the promise of being one of God’s children for all eternity in his paradise.

If you have any other questions on this or other topics, we would love to hear from you. May God grant you grace.

The following contains 4 basic teachings of the LDS Church with the references to these doctrines and a comparison to see if the Bible corresponds to these basic teachings.¹

Basic Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

1. The Nature of God

Adam, from the Garden of Eden, is our Father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do.² God Himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man with a body as tangible as man’s³ who lives near the star Kolob.⁴ He was once a child who had a father before Him, who had a father before Him…⁵ an eternal progression of gods.⁶ He is also a member of a council of gods.⁷ God has not always been God; He progressed to become the god of this planet.⁸ There is a plurality of gods, as well as a mother god in heaven.⁹

2. Jesus

Jesus is a created being,¹⁰ one god among many gods,¹¹ the spiritual brother of Satan,¹² a polygamist,¹³ and was not begotten by the Holy Spirit, but rather was conceived by Heavenly Father having sexual intercourse with Mary instead of letting any other man do it.¹⁴

3. A Member’s Responsibility

You’ve got to learn to become gods yourselves…just as all gods have done before you.¹⁵ The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.¹⁶ If any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned.¹⁷

4. Salvation

Salvation is not by grace through faith alone, but by grace, after all we can do.¹⁸ You must be obedient to the laws and ordinances of Christ.¹⁹ You must be immersed in water for salvation.²⁰ You must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Joseph Smith is a true prophet at the same time trying with your might to live the holy principles, in order to be in possession of God’s Holy Spirit.²¹ You must have the passport and consent of Joseph Smith to enter the mansion where God and Christ are.²² The blood of Christ will never wipe away some sins; your own blood must be spilled in order to atone for them.²³

The Bible

The Bible is inspired scripture in which God breathed the words onto the pages (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Knowing the inerrancy of God’s Word, revelation that purports to be added to scripture must coincide with already existing revelation if they are to be from the same God. Below is a biblical response to LDS theology.

1. The Nature of God

God created Adam (Genesis 1:27) and formed Adam from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt that serve (Matthew 4:10). God has been God from all eternity (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2, 93:2). God does not have a body of flesh and bones but is spirit (John 4:24; Luke 24:39). There were no gods formed before God, and no gods will exist after Him (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 44:6, 45:5, 45:22; 1 Corinthians 8:1-6). God said that He doesn’t know of any other gods (Isaiah 44:8). Jesus taught that there is only one God (Mark 12:28-34; Revelation 22:7-13).

2. Jesus

Jesus was not created, but rather created all things in existence including Satan (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:14-17). Jesus is the eternal God (Isaiah 9:6-7, 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:12; John 1:1, 14, 8:58, 10:30-33; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:14-19; Acts 20:28; Titus 2:13). Jesus was begotten by the Holy Spirit, and was miraculously conceived (Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:35).

3. A Member’s Responsibility

There were no gods formed before God, and there won’t be any after Him—which excludes the opportunity to become gods on day (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6, 8). God commanded not to multiply wives, Jesus also confirmed this teaching (Deuteronomy 17:17; Matthew 19:4-6).

4. Salvation

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:28-29). Man is justified by faith without deeds of the law (John 6:47; Romans 3:20-31, 4:1-8, 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16, 21, 3:10-13, 5:4; Titus 3:5). Baptism by water immersion is only a picture of what has happened to you spiritually; the water does not save you (1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Peter 3:21). That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Once you are saved from your sin and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, the blood of Christ cleanses you from all sins (1 John 1:9; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 10:29; Romans 8:37-39).

The Way to a New Life in Jesus Christ

The gospel that our Lord came and preached was one of hope to those that are lost. The Lord Jesus commanded everyone to repent, He said, “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). He taught very clearly that when a lost soul trusted in Him for their salvation, they would “have” everlasting life and forgiveness of their sins (John 3:15-18, 36, 5:24). When He was asked, “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:28-29).

The Scriptures are abundantly clear about our lost state: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10-12) and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “All of our righteousness are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

The only hope for the sinner who has turned against the Holy God, is through the grace of God and the full payment of His Son on Calvary. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not by works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Apostle Paul declared, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:20), and “we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). Paul taught that you actually fall from God’s grace when you attempt to mix faith and works (Galatians 5:4). It has been said, “Justification takes place once for all; it is not repeated neither is it a process; it is completed at once and for all time. There is no more of less in justification; man is either fully justified, of he is not justified at all.” When God has drawn you to Himself, and you turn to Him in faith, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is charged to your account, and all of your sins were laid on Him on the Cross (Romans ch. 3-5).

The Scriptures are constantly warning us against “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9), even another “Jesus,” and a different “Spirit” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Even the most sincere believer in a false Jesus, is sincerely wrong. If you do not have the Jesus revealed in the Holy Scripture you have embraced a false “Way” (John 14:6). The Bible commands believers everywhere to “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). You have received this information from someone who cares very deeply for you. This is not an issue you can wait to answer. We exhort you, in the name of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13), to look at this information and what you believe in light of God’s revealed word. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We would be honored to meet, share God’s word with you and answer any questions you have.