Dinner And a Movie

Heterosexuals Timmy and Tamara are good friends. The go out to movies and to dinners. They like each other. They consider each other the best-est of friends.

Okay, they are a little too old to be considering each other their BFFs, but you get the point. Timmy’s mother, Mrs. Tim thinks the relationship is a bit weird. She often gives Tamara the evil eye and makes remarks about Tamara’s habit of drinking diet coke incessantly and wearing too much eye shadow.

Tamara at one time thought her relationship with Timmy should move into something romantic, but it just never worked out that way. Timmy thought the same thing to, but again – timing is everything. For various reasons, they choose to remain good friends without benefits.

Should Mrs. Tim chill out and let the relationship be? Can T and T enjoy what they have keeping this relationship alive and active without marring or having sex?

Is it appropriate for two heterosexuals to enjoy appropriate, non-sexual relationships for the duration of their single lives?

Sam and Sandy are two men who like movies and eating as well. They accompany each other to shows and have dinners in restaurants and once went to a futbol game. Futbol, not football – but they would have gone to football if there had been tickets available. They like each other and enjoy each other’s company.

Sams Mother, Mrs. Samuel thinks is a bit odd – Sam and Sandy’s relationship. She makes comments behind Sandy’s backs making fun of his corduroys and boots. Sam likes Sandy and thought about changing the relationship, but decided against it. He even talked it over with Sandy once. They agreed it was probably better they not make theirs a sexual relationship for various reasons, but they still want to stay close.

Should Mrs. Samuel but out? Can Sam and Sandy stay friends; keep their jobs and church positions?

Do we allow homosexuals the same moral privileges we allow heterosexuals?

Here is a scripture reference from today's sundayschool lesion I taught.

1 And it came to pass... that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul...
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

From what I understand, this love that was shared was not sexual in any way - David later marries Jonathan's sister and loves her. Do I think they may have hugged? Would we look at that as weird if it was done today?

So, let’s throw that into the mix. Let’s add physical affection as in holding hands or an affectionate kiss good-bye. Is there such thing as a non-sexual kiss? Would we freak out as a people to see two men being physically affectionate? Not sexually, but physically? For us, is there a difference?

If sex between men is considered wrong, have we created a place in the Mormon church for affection?

When I was on my mission in central America, we saw two young men walking down the road arm in arm - and I mean wrapped up. One of them carried a normal one-person umbrella. Oh, and it was raining. I said, joking, that they must really like each other. My companion answered, "Or they just want to stay dry".

In the LDS church, are current teachings, standards and especially opinions such that would allow a wholesome relationship to exist between any men regardless of their sexuality?