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Choice
For at least half a century, Church leaders insisted that complications relating to gender and identity could be overcome by self mastery and by drawing closer to Christ. They assured the general membership that both factors were a matter of self-control and personal choice, so the solution was straightforward.
Affected members were encouraged to maintain a course correction by consciously choosing thoughts and behaviours that were natural, wholesome, and indicative of their predetermined, innate, and eternal nature as a son or daughter of God. The onus of responsibility lay firmly on the individual to adopt inner change as a precursor to appropriate outward expression.
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15
Product
Scientific research has since concluded that gender and identity develop from the interplay of biological, genetic, environmental, and social factors. None of these is under the control of the individual at any point, and attempting to change one's identity after it has formed is unequivocally proven to cultivate emotional and psychological harm. Gender and identity are the product of circumstance.
Where is the balm ?
In the wake of greater understanding, the Church has adopted a position of publicly stating that issues relating to gender and identity are complex. Senior Church leaders no longer offer guidance on how to better align oneself with desired outcomes — nor on how to alleviate the continuing distress and anxiety associated with gender and identity complications. They do, however, insist that members must consciously reject all behaviours that fail to align with established doctrine. To accomplish this, vulnerable and conflicted individuals are expected to deal privately with their personal discomfort — or maybe pay for therapy.
In respect of gender and identity, the Church has left behind its decisive 20th-century era of "Thus saith the Lord." One might now be forgiven for assuming that the heavens are closed. There is neither inspiration nor revelation available to help tackle the burdens of those who remain in a state of compromise as a result of unfortunate circumstances. There is no balm in Gilead.
Maybe encourage them to speak with unit or stake leadership. If that draws a blank, maybe contact the site administrators.
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