JOEL - The response of individual members would vary from one member to the next. Most members try to love all people as Christ would, regardless of who or what they are. Here is our prophet's response to a similar question:
"In the first place, we believe that marriage between
a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that
marriage may be eternal through exercise of the power
of the everlasting priesthood in the house of the
Lord.
People inquire about our position on those who
consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My
response is that we love them as sons and daughters of
God. They may have certain inclinations which are
powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most
people have inclinations of one kind or another at
various times. If they do not act upon these
inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other
members of the Church. If they violate the law of
chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then
they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just
as others are.
We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to
assist them with their problems and to help them with
their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they
indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and
defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage
situation. To permit such would be to make light of
the very serious and sacred foundation of
God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the
rearing of families." (Gordon B. Hinckley, October General Conference
4 Oct. 1998)
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