This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Bible tells how certain Pharisees believed "that it was needful to circumcise" the adult male gentile converts in order for them to "keep the law."

The apostles disputed the matter until head apostle Peter said: "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice … that the Gentiles … should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God... [gave] them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. … Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke" of circumcision "upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:5-10)

If having the penis of an adult male snipped was something the ancient fathers would not be able to bear in the name of God, how much more would today's Mormon patriarchs not bear having their conjugal copulations permanently banned? Yet that's exactly what they require of gay men.

Mormons once criticized the permanent celibacy of Catholics; now, in the name of "compassion," they champion for others a thing they themselves would not bear.

Sounds like the church needs another revelation.

Pat Braden

Salt Lake City