On October 13, 2010 the Human Rights Commission delivered a petition with over
Michael Otterson, managing director of Public Affairs for the LDS church, delivered the statement to a room of reporters. Dressed in a modest suit and tie, Otterson typified the type of individual whom the church wanted the world to associate with the LDS faith. Dignified and respected worldwide, Otterson expressed the church’s point of view with sincerity. The choice of Otterson as deliverer of the response to the HRC was a rhetorical move by church leadership, whether intended or not. Otterson has a reputation among the press of being fair and just in his judgments. Besides his position in the LDS church, Otterson is also the author of a blog published by the Washington Post. When Otterson stood to deliver the church’s message, the press viewed the statement in a new light. There stood one of their own, one whom they knew by reputation and, for many, personally. Besides the reputation of the church, Otterson’s reputation now backed the words he said.
The United States has recently been hit by an emerging wave of disturbing effects from anti-gay and anti-lesbian bullying. It has resulted in several suicides and pain for many individuals and their families. It was into this environment that
President Boyd K. Packer’s comments were broadcast, and many immediately tookoffense. Many interpreted his blunt and powerful remarks as insensitive and cruel. The LDS church opened their statement with an expression of sympathy and love towards all those who have suffered because of their sexual orientation. It is followed by words of condemnation for those who inflict pain upon anyone because of their differences.Mormons are different. They have long “…felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization…when [they] were too few in numbers to adequately protect [themselves]”. LDS people have long felt the same type of suffering that many homosexuals feel. Isolation and loneliness, the victims of misconceptions and stereotypes, these are all things that Mormons have experienced. Love is again brought into play. Everyone has felt the deep connection that comes from shared experiences. By calling to attention these mutual experiences, the LDS church strives to find common ground with victims who have taken offense and help them see that they aren’t so different after all. With common ground, individuals are more willing to hear the words being said with an open mind.
At the same time, church leaders were addressing those members of the church who might have uncharitable feelings towards homosexuals. A common saying in Mormon culture is that the church is true, but the people sometimes aren’t. By making statements such as these, church leadership encourage Latter-day Saints everywhere to share the same stance, to not judge but to love.
After making appeals to the gay community, Otterson then uses the ultimate example of love and compassion, Jesus Christ, to appeal to Christians in general. Many Christians
believe that Mormons are going against the doctrine of Christ by speaking out against homosexuals and gay marriage. Many former Mormons, who left the church because of their sexual orientation, feel that the Church is being hateful towards them and therefore hypocritical in their own beliefs. Love again enters the rhetoric of the conversation. “Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel…Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment – to love one another.” While disagreeing with an individual’s actions, the goal of the LDS church is to continue to respect and love them. True Christ-like love is unconditional. While none of us is perfect, LDS leadership showed through their references to Christ that they are striving to keep his commandments.By clarifying their determination to love, the statement portrayed LDS to other Christians not as hypocrites but as disciples of Christ. In response to the Human Rights Commission’s demands that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints retract the statement’s made by President Boyd. K, Packer, the church made it very clear that it was in no way backing down on its position or denying its beliefs and doctrine. The statement declares, “Any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman.” This stance has caused much negative publicity to arise concerning the LDS church in recent years. The vote that took place on the infamous Proposition 8 in California is one instance where homosexuals felt the church was attacking their lifestyle and their rights. Otterson, on behalf of the church, reminds those who harbor grudges against the Mormons that although they do not support gay marriage, they do support other rights for those who feel same-sex attraction. This was a rhetorical attempt to show individuals that not only does the church feel love for them, but it will also put that love into action when their rights are in danger. However, there are no apologies given for what the church has said and done in opposition of gay marriage, and there is no inclination shown to give any.
It may seem odd to look at refusal to apologize as an expression of love or rhetorical technique; however, it is an effective tool that is sometimes forgotten or overlooked. The individuals that we most respect in life are those that never back down. Many times, we admire people we disagree with personally because they are so strongly devoted to their cause. Respect is a form of love, and indeed as humans we tend to eventually love those we most respect. The firm statements given concerning the irreversible doctrine of the LDS church are meant to clearly explain the doctrine to the world in hopes that when understood, it will foster respect not resentment.
Many who signed the Human Rights Commission’s petition were in disagreement with Mormon doctrine. Ironically enough, just as many homosexuals are the victims of misconceptions, the LDS church is often cited for believing in doctrine that doesn’t actually exist. One purpose of the press release is obviously to clarify and define church doctrine officially and then respond with love. While explicitly stating that same-sex attraction is against church doctrine, the statement offers up ways that individuals who feel this attraction can still be active participants in the church and receive loving help and guidance from church leaders.
The final sentence of the LDS response sums up the entire outlook of church officials. "We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail." Kindness, persuasion and goodwill - all mean showing love. The Human Rights commission's petition was sent because individuals felt that the church was expressing feelings of hate. The purpose of the response was to assure these individuals that Mormons strive to feel only feelings of love towards the homosexual community. Love is said to overcome all boundaries, and there are times that no amount of rhetoric can replace what occurs because of love. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' response to the HRC petition shows that love is indeed a form of rhetoric.
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