The same is true of being gay (or heterosexual). The origins of sexual feelings and attraction – to those with characteristics common to the same sex, or the opposite sex – are buried deep in the past and deep within our psyches, and perhaps even in biology (ala Freud).

The origins of both religious faith and sexual orientation seem to be mystical, inscrutible, and only modifiable by earth-shaking effort or “miracle”.

So if you are LDS AND Gay, you are kind of stuck in an existential dilemma not of your own making.

But when it comes to religion, I think it is a huge mistake to assume that those who don’t believe the same things we (I) believe (or, put another way, those who “don’t have as much faith as me”) are somehow weaker, less worthy, slackers, who are not willing to try hard enough.

Likewise, it seems to be a bit arrogant to believe that those who “fail” to overcome their SSA are somehow weaker, less worthy, slackers who are not willing to try hard enough.

Years ago, I had a friend who was born in the Church. He tried to gain a testimony, but never felt he was able to achieve the “knowing” that everybody else seemed to profess. On the cassette tape he left when he committed suicide, he explained that the only way he was going to “know beyond a shadow of a doubt” was to go see God personally and directly.

The news media is filled with accounts of gay LDS who felt forced into the same desperate situation.

“The circle of our love is more
Than just a rising sun that sets,
The circle of our love, it goes forever.”

I agree with John, Mark and Ardis.