statements from church leaders
president russell m nelson
“Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, educational degrees, culture, or other significant identifiers is offensive to our Maker!” “Choices for Eternity”- Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with President Nelson)
elder patrick kearon
(On LGBTQ members) “We need to treat them like everybody else, treat them as the Savior treated those he ran into. … He blessed them. That’s our model. The invitation to all of us is to get better at being like him. When we treat people the way he would have us treat them, we feel more peace, we feel more joy. And that’s what we want for them.” ”LDS Church’s newest apostle talks singles, women and LGBTQ members in sit-down interview” - The Salt Lake Tribune, Jan 23, 2024
elder ronald a rasband
“We can make a difference in their lives. Particularly vulnerable for suicide are those youth and young single adults who struggle with gender issues. They need to be encircled in the arms of their Savior and know they are loved. So often the Lord calls on us; He expects us to be His welcoming, loving arms” (“Jesus Christ Is the Answer” -Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2019)
SISTER CAROL F MCCONKIE
"I know people who come to church every Sunday so that they can be inspired and uplifted and who just simply walk away feeling judged and unloved—unneeded, like there is no place for them at church…We need to do this differently"(“Sister McConkie: Too Many Walk Away from Church Feeling Judged. We Need to Do Things Differently”)
reyna I aburto
“Let us follow the Savior’s path and increase our compassion, diminish our tendency to judge, and stop being the inspectors of the spirituality of others” “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!” November 2019
sister carol f mcconkie
"The gospel of Jesus Christ does not marginalize people. People marginalize people…If we are going to build the kingdom of God on earth, we need everyone to come” (“Sister McConkie: Too Many Walk Away from Church Feeling Judged. We Need to Do Things Differently”)
JOSEPH SMITH JR
“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” source
Sister SHARON EUBANK
"Each of us is going to have deeply wounding experiences, things that should never happen. Each of us will also, at various times, allow pride and loftiness to corrupt the fruit we bear. But Jesus Christ is our Savior in all things. His power reaches to the very bottom and is reliably there for us when we call on Him. We all beg for mercy for our sins and failures. He freely gives it. And He asks us if we can give that same mercy and understanding to each other” “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power With God” - Oct 2020 General Conference
Elder Gary E. Stevenson
“We have a primary responsibility to set a tone and be role models of kindness, inclusion, and civility—to teach Christlike behavior to the rising generation in what we say and how we act. It is especially important as we observe a marked societal shift toward division in politics, social class, and nearly every other man-made distinction” “Hearts Knit Together” - April 2021 General Conference
SISTER SHARON EUBANK
“We have power to remove prejudice and build unity” “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God” October 2020 General Conference
elder ronald a rasband
“Christ’s enabling power is manifest in the simplicity that He is there for us. Come what may, He will be with us, He will comfort us, and He will heal us if we come to Him and draw upon His power to save us. Most often He heals the wounded heart,” Elder Rasband said. “How does it happen, we ask? By the power of the Atonement exercised in our lives today, not at the end before the final judgment, but every day as we seek to be like Him.” (“Jesus Christ Is the Answer” -Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2019)
ELDER M RUSSELL BALLARD
“We need to embrace God’s children compassionately and eliminate any prejudice, including racism, sexism, and nationalism. Let it be said that we truly believe the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are for every child of God” “The Trek Continues” General Conference, October 2017
elder ronald a rasband
“I am a child of God” is both knowledge and security, not just a long-held memory of singing in Primary.” (“Jesus Christ Is the Answer” -Evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2019)
FIRST PRESIDENCY STATEMENT
“Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father… We believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation” “Statement of the First Presidency regarding God's love for all Mankind” February 1978)