A member of the Mormon church wrote a strongly worded opinion piece for the Salt Lake Tribune.
Dave Winslow is a self-proclaimed "60-plus, returned missionary, temple married, father of eight, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", otherwise known as the Mormon church.
After his daughter came out as a lesbian, he revisited the church's teachings for a new perspective.
After doing so, he wrote an opinion piece for the Salt Lake Tribune, a news outlet for a city with a predominantly Mormon population.
Winslow referenced the teachings of former and current church leaders, like Spencer W Kimball—who was president of the church from 1973 until 1985.
Kimball wrote in 1980:
"[The Mormon church would] excommunicate [gay people] as readily any unrepentant addict."
"The fact that some governments and some churches and numerous corrupted individuals have tried to reduce such behavior from criminal offense to personal privilege does not change the nature nor the seriousness of the practice… This heinous homosexual sin is of the ages. Many cities and civilizations have gone out of existence because of it."
The church—which also had a high profile racist and involuntary polygamist past—is still notoriously anti-LGBTQ, even creating a policy that bars children of same-sex couples from being baptized in 2015.
However, that church law was overturned in 2019 after much protest.
Winslow continued in his letter:
"After a daughter disclosed her homosexuality, I was motivated to study the teachings on homosexuality of church leaders I revered, from President Spencer W. Kimball to Russell M. Nelson."
"The uninspired and ungodly teachings on homosexuality of these leaders were in opposition to what I know about my daughter. She is a beloved daughter of heavenly parents who was born without sin and homosexual. This absolute knowledge created cognitive dissonance and led me to question whether church leaders are truly inspired."
According to Winslow, about three-fourths of millennials born into the Mormon church leave, due to "a lack of trust that church leaders are truthful regarding controversial issues, the inaccurate portrayal of church history and the unfair treatment of the LGBTQ."
Winslow concluded:
"I again implore the leaders of the church to emulate the Savior's love to seek true revelation with empathy, strength and humility regarding God's plan of salvation for the LGBTQ."
Some members of the Mormon church responded negatively, citing the very controversial teachings of the church Winslow denounced.
However, many showed their support, or at least validation, of Winslow's message.
In the end, love should always win.
