I am perplexed by the idea of Divine Design.
Not the HGTV show; Candice Olson has very good taste. I'm talking about how Mormonism asserts that there are characteristics, talents, abilities, responsibilities, and roles that are unique to males and unique to females. As I understand it, this means that there are things that only a male can and should do, and there are things that only a female can and should do.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World eludes to divine design. Gender is a defining characteristic of the spirit. Gender determines eternal destiny and eternal purpose. An interesting idea, to be sure, but what does that really mean?
To me, this proclamation seems to use this idea of divine design to promote what, to the Mormon culture, is the perfect family: a patriarchal household where the father provides and the mother stays home and nurtures the children. Family is a man, a woman and their children. The idea that males and females are designed by God to be so different isn't really pushed farther than to encourage the sons and daughters of God to conform to gender stereotypes.
Maybe I'm missing a vital piece of information, and that's why I hold this opinion, but the seemingly deliberate vagueness of the Proclamation has always struck me as off. If males and females are designed by God to have gender unique gifts and duties, then shouldn't the human race be privy to the knowledge of our gifts as well as our duties?
But perhaps I am being unfair. I understand that I am to discover my talents and abilities with the time I've been given. I just have a hard time finding a part of me (besides the obvious anatomical differences) that can be specifically characterized as male.
To truly flesh out its doctrine, the Church needs its gay members. Often (but not always) gay people do not conform to gender stereotypes, and have traits and gifts commonly associated with the opposite gender. I, for example, have been told by female friends that I think like a female... A fairly subjective assessment to be sure, but take it for what it is.
What I'm trying to say is that perhaps by embracing gay members and every aspect of what and who they are, the Church as a whole can more fully understand what they mean when they proclaim gender is a defining characteristic of the spirit. Perhaps full acceptance of brothers and sisters of all orientations would facilitate the stripping away of gender stereotypes, and our inherent, gender specific gifts would be revealed.
If the Church truly has the authority to act in God's name, then it cannot be exclusive. It must welcome all; if it doesn't then the Good News isn't really good news, is it? To truly understand the spiritual spectrum of the human race, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints needs to openly love and support their gay members. We are unique, and we are real. And any ignorance or hostility in the Church towards its gay members, intended or not, precludes the Church from a substantial and encompassing understanding of eternal identity.
