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MORMONS, SEXUAL MINORITIES, and the CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS by Elijah K. Nielson a Dissertation Submitted To

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MORMONS, SEXUAL MINORITIES, and the CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS by Elijah K. Nielson a Dissertation Submitted To MORMONS, SEXUAL MINORITIES, AND THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS by Elijah K. Nielson A dissertation submitted to the faculty of The University of Utah in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Social Work The University of Utah August 2017 Copyright © Elijah K. Nielson 2017 All Rights Reserved T h e U n i versity of Utah Graduate School STATEMENT OF DISSERTATION APPROVAL The dissertation of Elijah K. Nielson has been approved by the following supervisory committee members: Patrick Thomas Panos , Chair 5/2/2017 Date Approved Ruth Gerritsen-Mckane , Member 5/2/2017 Date Approved Larry Lorenzo Smith , Member 5/2/2017 Date Approved Lawrence Henry Liese , Member 5/2/2017 Date Approved Walter P. Reeve , Member 5/2/2017 Date Approved and by Lawrence Henry Liese , Dean of the College of Social Work and by David B. Kieda, Dean of The Graduate School. ABSTRACT Individuals who identify as Mormon—adherents to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church), a distinct and peculiar form of Christianity—and who also identify as gay or lesbian face a unique challenge to their mental health as they wrestle with the integration of their faith and their sexuality. Compounding this matter is the commonly held belief that one cannot authentically be gay and Mormon nor can one be a practicing Mormon and gay. As academics and professionals gain a more nuanced understanding of the complexity of (a) those who identify as both Mormon and a sexual/gender minority, and (b) of the Church itself, they will begin to deconstruct their own biases and increase their multicultural competence, thus becoming better equipped to address the mental health concerns of this particular sexual-minority group. Cultural competence in this context involves an awareness that, under the modern gay rights movement, a troubling dominant discourse has emerged that—if taken to an extreme—is oppressive to the coexisting narrative of the LDS Church. For example, the LDS Church’s doctrinal view on same-sex marriage contrasts sharply from the dominant, gay-affirming discourse and, as a result, has been stigmatized and marginalized. To examine this marginalization, I employ critical discourse analysis (CDA) in order to uncover the LDS Church’s coexisting subordinate narrative and to further enable academics and professionals to deconstruct their own possible biases towards the Mormon religious minority group. Important to this deconstruction of bias is a realization that although cultural and societal values regarding sexuality, marriage, and family have rapidly evolved over this past decade, the fundamental doctrine of monogamous, heterosexual marriage espoused by LDS Church has not. Questions arise as to how orthodox Mormon families come to terms with their child coming out in light of the LDS Church’s policy on same-sex marriage and families. To answer that question, I employ a case study method to explore the experience of one such orthodox Mormon family whose child came out as gay. The findings from my case study suggest that it is possible for families and individuals in these circumstances to develop and maintain loving and supportive relationships in spite of religious differences. iv To all those struggling to reconcile their sexual orientation with their spirituality, to the family members of those who so struggle, and to the faith tradition that has expressly invited into the choir all who want to be there. “What is changing—and what needs to change— is to help Church members respond sensitively and thoughtfully when they encounter same-sex attraction in their own families, among other Church members, or elsewhere.” -Elder Dallin H. Oaks Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... ix Chapters 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 Importance of the Problem ................................................................................... 2 1.3 Theoretical Foundations ....................................................................................... 3 1.4 Overview of Important Literature ........................................................................ 3 1.5 Research Questions and Methodology................................................................. 6 1.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 7 1.7 References ............................................................................................................ 8 2. INCLUSIVITY IN THE LATTER-DAYS: GAY MORMONS .................................. 12 2.1 Abstract ............................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Literature Review ............................................................................................... 15 2.4 Methods .............................................................................................................. 18 2.5 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 22 2.6 Results and Discussion ....................................................................................... 23 2.7 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 29 2.8 References .......................................................................................................... 34 3. MARRIAGE IN THE LATTER DAYS: THE MORMON POLICY ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE ..................................................................................................................... 43 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 43 3.2 Literature Review of Critical Discourse Analysis ............................................. 47 3.3 Use of CDA To Examine Mormon Policy On Same-Sex Marriage .................. 50 3.4 Methods.............................................................................................................. 59 3.5 Analysis.............................................................................................................. 60 3.6 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 67 3.7 References .......................................................................................................... 69 4. WHEN A CHILD COMES OUT IN THE LATTER-DAYS: A CASE STUDY OF MORMON PARENTS ..................................................................................................... 76 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 76 4.2 Literature Review............................................................................................... 80 4.3 Methods.............................................................................................................. 85 4.4 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................... 88 4.5 Results and Discussion ...................................................................................... 90 4.6 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 97 4.7 References .......................................................................................................... 99 5. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................... 106 5.1 Summary of Findings ....................................................................................... 106 5.2 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 108 5.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................ 114 5.4 References ........................................................................................................ 117 viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My preference has always been for succinct but heartfelt acknowledgements. To this end, I offer thanks and acknowledge the support of so many, specifically: my Committee Chair, Dr. Patrick Panos for his constant support of my desire to pursue this research topic, my committee members, Dr. Ruth Gerritsen-McKane for listening empathetically to my struggles and concerns, Dr. Larry Smith for his unwavering interest in my topic, Dr. Hank Liese for his saving presence, and Dr. Reeve who taught me, as a Mormon, how to academically research Mormons. I also thank Dr. Christina Gringeri for believing in me and Ms. Mirela Rankovic for guiding me through this program from day one. Thank you, each of you. I also acknowledge and thank the journal Mental Health, Religion & Culture for recognizing the importance of my
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