subject: Accepting All People As Equal [print this page] In the year 1847, Mormon pioneers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints entered the Salt Lake Valley and began building up the territory of Deseret. Their pilgrimage west from Illinois and Missouri was inspired by the mobs of people outside of the LDS religious faith that did not understand the beliefs and convictions of the "Mormon" people and persecuted them for their secular differences. In spite of being created equally in the image of God, many individuals and groups throughout the world cling to their own set of beliefs and often do not tolerate the views or convictions of others. Unfortunately, this lack of understanding and respect has caused rifts in the way that people of differing faiths, political views, and sexual orientation regard each other.
The teachings of religion-regardless of a person's specific faith-proclaim the acceptance of every man, woman, and child. Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the religious doctrines are based upon scriptures in professing the two great commandments: first, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, might, and strength; and second, to love thy neighbor as thyself.
Having lived through a time of great persecution and misunderstanding in the early years of the church, as well as being driven out of their homes and cities by angry mobs of people that were intent on killing every Mormon they encountered, it should be easier for people of the LDS faith to accept the differences in others. Jesus Christ teaches forgiveness and love for every person on the earth, but sometimes certain individuals blur the lines between acceptance of an individual and allowing the person to participate fully in the sacred ordinances of the religion.
In following its own teachings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement that it supports the basic rights of gay and lesbian individuals, as they should receive the same rights as any other person. Upholding the rights of same-sex couples in receiving medical care, hospitalization, fair housing rights, equal employment opportunities, and probate rights through a nondiscrimination regulation is an issue that is currently being lobbied by gay and lesbian rights activists in Salt Lake City.
While the LDS Church continues to stand firm on its position regarding the marriage between a man and a woman, it has issued a statement that supports the equal and fair treatment of alternative lifestyle couples to be given the same rights as the heterosexual people receive. Through the acknowledgment and acceptance of all people, the doctrines of the LDS Church are showing the support of fair and equal rights and opportunities for diversity of the people living and working in and around the church headquarters in Salt Lake City.
