Mormons at it again

[marshlander]

Oh, Packer is a piece of work!! He, along with former LDS President, Spencer Kimball, and current boss, Thomas Monson, blighted my teenage years with their unfounded, bigoted bile. Last weekend, during the church's twice yearly "general conference", which is broadcast all round the world, he apparently told the faithful in reference to glbt people,

“Some suppose that they were pre-set and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember he is our father.”

At a time when people in the US are trying to come to terms with the spate of recent tragic youth suicides his remarks are especially crass. I am delighted to see that his stupid remarks prompted a response from thousands of local lgbt people and supporters who formed a ring that went twice round Temple Square in protest.

Interestingly, the text of his conference talk was altered on the LDS website.

The speech spawned widespread criticism from those who felt Packer’s words suggested that gays can change their orientation. Last night thousands of black-clad protesters surrounded Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City for a “die in,” expressing their view that Packer’s speech might cause more LDS gays to commit suicide.

The LDS Church has not yet responded to questions about changes in the text of Packer’s sermon.

Mormon apostle's words about gays spark protest | The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/504404...s.html.csp

You may remember that this is the same part of town where Mormon security guards arrested and handcuffed a young man who kissed his boyfriend on the cheek last year (details here). In case you have forgotten, this is how Mormon security guards treat gays in Salt Lake City.