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HEAST
Year 1 Number 14

27 March 1982-Mo Oldham's Birthday

.'AN-INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

HOMOSEXUALITY AT BYU

Acaderni cs
Halmrose
Wilhelm
Athletics
Reeve
Burr
Culture
Randall
Engebretsen
Finance
Money
Jenson
Organizations
Tanner
Vincent
Social
Slack
Lee
Stud. Comm. Service
Jensen
Huff
Women's
Sorensen
Jannan
Pres./ Exec. V. P.
Schipper/Webber
Bulloch/Kirch
Hollingsworth/Adams
Schofield/Depew

By DEAN HUFFAKER
Seventh East Press Staff Writer

A noted psychologist named Alfred Kinsey


made a survey of sexual behavior in America
and published the results in 1948. According
to Kinsey, one third of all adult males engage
in some kind of homosexual behavior,
although their primary orientation remains
heterosexual and they don't think of
themselves as being "gay."
John Baswell, in his book Christianity,
Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality,
differentiates between homosexuality and
Jeing gay. Baswell says that gays have an
~"erotic preference for their own gender" and
says that the category is "principly selfassigned." A homosexual is one who
commits homosexual acts.
According to these definitions, BYU has,
and has had, both homosexuals and gays.
There are professors and students who
believe, or fear, that they are gay. Some have
never engaged in a homosexual act, others
prefer sex with women, but because of
emotional orientation consider themselves
gay. There are still others who have
commited homosexual acts but do not
consider themselves gay.
An assistant professor of psychology on
\. campus laid down the ground rules for trying
to understand -and describe gays and

'I(

homosexuals: "There are incredible


differences between them, just as there are vast differences between heterosexuals" and
straights. "We have a problem of lumping
individuals into one group."
From interviewing gays and homosexuals
on and near campus-including a former
BYU instructor, a former BYU professor,
and former and current BYU students-this
point becomes apparent.
"Companionship is mainly what I'm after,"
says Alan, who last semester was a ward
clerk in a BYU ward. "I need someplace to
go where I can feel accepted for what I am."
Alan now lives in Salt Lake City with
"fifteen close, gay friends," only two of
whom are not returned missionaries. Many
of them have attended BYU.
Alan explains that "It was too dangerous
to organize any kind of group at BYU.
Usually the only time a bunch of us got
together in Provo was Monday nights. We
had our own FHE program. We called it
'Faggot Home Evening.' The center of the
BYU gay scene is not in Provo at all. With
Security actively hunting out gays, it is very
dumb and risky to attempt to make contacts
in Provo."
Continued on Page 13

Platfonn
B c
A
A-

AA-

8.90
8.56

A
B-

A
B-

10.00
4.56

A
B-

A
B

AB-

9.63
4.81

A
A

AB+

'9.25
8.50

B+

BB+

1.16
6.80

BC+

5.06
3.00

B+

AB

C+
B

3.81
6.38

C+
B

C+
B

3.60
5.63

B+
A-

B+
A-

B
A-

6.80
8.56

B
A-

B
B+

5.63
7.86

AB

AB

A
B,

8.90
5.63

B
B+

B+
A-

6.38
7.86

BB-

B+
B-

B+
B

5.74
4.81

A-

A-

8.56
2.50

B+
B+

B+
B+

B
B

6.80
6.80

B
A-

B
B+

5.63
7.86

AC+
6+
B+

B
C+
B+
c B
Average

6.59
3.83
6.80
5.31
6.33

CC+
A

C+
A

0-

0-

2. 13
3.60
10.00
0.63
5.91

BBB

CANDI-D ATES RATED


By KENT APPLEBERRY
Special, to the Seventh East Press

Ratings always present problems. It IS


difficult, perhaps impossible, to accurately
reduce complex situations into simple
figures. Nonetheless, we love to rate thingsacademic work, consumer goods, movies,
argument, Winfield declined to comment.
people-even spiritual phenomena are not
Bigger says that the claim of the flyer that
exempt. So why not politicians?
the "quality of ASBYU officers may'decline_
There are several rating systems which may
with competition" is false. He says that, if
be applied to ASBYU candidates. By far the
anything, the chances for more competent
most common rating scheme among students
officers will increase since selection will not
here is also the simplist (mere coincidence?),
be based on name recognition in elections,
as reflected in the attitude, "Anyone who
but on qualifications.

would run for ASBYU office isn't worth


Winfield responds that there is no guarantee voting for."
that appointees will not be selected by
Slightly more discriminating students may
patronage to friends and campaign workers.
rate candidates according to personal
Jay Burrup, a delegate to the convention,
appearance, colorful buttons, or catchy
says that the flyer is a "snow job" on
slogans.
uninformed students. He criticized a point in
The ratings compiled here are based on a
the flyer that claimed that the new
somewhat more complex system involving
constitution "creates an imbalance of power"
the often neglected platforms and
_by giving all decision-making power to the
qualifications of the candidates. These two
Continued oar Pa 17
criteria were selected because they indicate,
more or Jess, what a candidate will and can
do if elected, and because they are the only
aspects of ASBYU campaigns which are
published by all candidates. Thus they are
generally both useful and well documented.

-Christian Bookstore Carries


Hard-To-Find Literature

Format
The format of these ratings combines the
familiar Jetter grades and the ever popular
"Bo" scale (0-10).
The "platform" section was broken down
into three partially distinct subcriteria:
(A) Specificity Does the platform present
a definite plan/philosophy or just vague
notions?
(B) Practicality. Is the platform realistic?
Have the changes called for already been
made? Do the goals put forth fall within the
power arid scope of the office sought?
(C) Importance. Are the important and
worthwhile issues related to the office sought

By TERRY KEEGAN
Seventh East Press Staff Writer

Looking for a place in Provo to buy or


a borrowing policy to make book~ available
borrow Christian books by non-LOS
to the non-affluent. A customer can check
authors? One place to try is His Place,
out any book for a two week period. And
located at 288 N. 100 W. (just east of Sears).
since a greanleal of LDS material is already
His Place is one of the few bookstores in the available in the area, the books and materials
area which exclusively carries Christian
His Place makes available are all non-LDS,
literature. It serves as a combination
some being hard to find elsewhere.
bookstore-library and makes available to
Books and listening materials come in the
customers books, tapes, and records that are
following categories: scripture commentaries
hard to find anywhere else.
and references, Christian biographies,
Chris Vlanchos and Stephanie Carbon
children's materials, practical Christian Jiving
have been managing the store since it first
guides, devotional prayer books, and religion
came to Provo a year-and-a-half ago. His
comparison books. His Place also boasts of
Place is owned and maintained by a nonhaving the largest C.S. Lewis collection in
profit corporation called Community
the area. Materials not on hand at the store
Christian Ministeries (CCM). Chris and
can be quickly ordered through the store's
Stephanie support CCM by voluntarily
direct accounts with Christian publishers.
I running the store-one of five in the
Chris and Stephanie say they get a lot of
Northwest. They, therefore, support the goal
patronage from the students at BYU. The
of the CCM: helping truth seeking
hottest selling items for LDS customers are
individuals find easy access to Christian
the books by C.S. Lewis and James Dobson.
material.
His Place also hosts a student Bible study
"Provo was an ideal location to establish
on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the small
the store," says Chris. "We can make our
coffeehouse adjacent to the store. They
materials available to people of south and
sponsor community service projects, concerts,
central Utah and, of course, to the great
a non-denominational
number of students in the area."
Utah County Jail, ,and publish a monthly
Because the cost of books often 'hind~r
periodical called Streams in the Deseret.
people with little money, His Place has created

Experience
A B Comp.

AA-

Constitution Flyer Labeled Half-Truth


An anonymous flyer attacking the
proposed ASBYU Constitution is being
distributed around campus. It makes several
statements which the authors of the proposed
constitution say are misleading at best and
half-truths and lies at worst.
Don Bigger, ASBYU Executive Vice
President and chair of the Constitutional
Convention, says that the flyer doesn't
discuss the proposed constitution, but deals
with emotional arguments. "It doesn't
address the problems we were trying to
correct in the present system at all," he said.
Bill Winfield, former Organizations Vice
President and president of Samuel Hall
Society, admits that he is one of the
anonymous authors. When asked about the
accusation that the flyer is an emotional

Comp.

~ddressed?

Each of these criteria was assigned a


standard letter grade. The letter grades were
then converted to numeric form (A =4.0, A= 3.7, etc.) and combined into a composite
platform score ( A(B + C) (.3125) ranging
from 0-10.
This method of combininJOt the 2rades puts
particular weight on the specificity of tlie

...

platforms and also accentuates which, in


keeping with BYU tradition, is where the
bulk of the grades fall.
The "experience" section was divided in two
subcriteria:
(A) Quantity. How many, how long, and
how many hours per week in leadership or
staff positions?
(B) Quality. How responsible and
important were the positions held? How
closely related were they to the office sought?
Other Factors
How accurate are these ratings? Probably
about as accurate as the other grades these
candidates have received at BYU. There are,
however, important factors which are not
rated here simply because they are difficult to
pin down. This is especially true of
personality and morality which are as
important as platform and experience.
Although difficult to quantify, some
indications of personality can be isolated
from the campaigns themselves. Creativity,
humility,honesty and leadership, or the
absence of these qualities, are revealt;d in the
way a campaign is conducted. A few
examples:
-One candidate has distinguished herself
in a novel way, being the only candidate to
purposely promote her platform as "twofaced." She is either creative or disgustingly
honest.
-Moving from creativity into other realms
one candidate has found an unusually
anatomical way to tell people to vote for
him. Perhaps he should change his name to
"Grrr."
-A presidential team promising fiscal
responsibility for next year has this year
circumvented the intent of the spending
limits in an exorbitant, slick campaign. They
have, however, demonstrated useful
organizational skills in the process.
Each of these examples shows something
about the candidates which will affect their
performance but which does not fall into any
of the categories rated here. Such factors
exist for all the candidates. Thus the
information presented here should be
complemented by personal contact with the
candidates and their campaigns ..
A final caution: These figures are estimates
only. Actual candidate performance may
differ and, if elected, will probably be Jess.

Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID
Provo, Utah
Permit no. 192

THE SEVENTH EAST PRESS

27 March 1982

Page 13

Finally I decided that if 1 did all I could and me assure you, it's the minority who use
A former BYU instructor, Lee, has
served a mission, the Lord would bless me by makeup," Jon explains.
published an anonymous letter entitled
In groups, gays often refer to each other
making me normal."
Prolougue, which explains his personal
Continued from Page 1
Tom, like many others, was disheartened
with feminine pronouns to mock the whole
experience in dealing with homosexuality.
to come home from a successful mission on~y idea of differentiating between sexes, Of
Every weekend, there is an exodus of gay
The 52 page letter was initially written in
BYU students to one of the most popular
to discover that his feelings hadn't changed.
course, this overt behavior is avoided by
response to a lecture given by Dr. Reed
And, like many others, it was just a matter
BYU students while on campus. Exercise and
gay bars in Salt Lake City, The Sun.
Payne, of BYU, in a beginning psychology
Extreme caution is taken to park fai enough
of time before he went to a gay bar in Salt
toning of the body ar'e also very important.
class. Lee writes, '.'I would not wish this
The display of emotions is by no means
away from the bar as not to have license
Lake City to "explore what it was I really
experience on anyone ... and I'm sure most
plates identified by BYU Security.
felt inside-a preference for men instead of
discouraged, including crying when desired.
homosexuals feel the same way."
Jon, another former BYU student, says
.women."
.
Alan says that he finds himself crying over the
Near the end of the Jetter, he writes, "Lest
that "the gay lifestyle, whether gays want to
Steve, a middle-aged homosexual and a
LDS television ads. "Any type ot emotional
you mjsunderstand me, I must clarify that I
admit it or not, is based on sex." But, even
former BYU professor, says that he struggled catharsis is a spiritual thing," says Alan.
am advocating nothing; certainly I am not
Jon admits that, in close friendships, sex is
with the problem for ten years while teaching Gays are also very physical. They hug, kiss,
advocating homosexuality. I wish very much
often not involved because it can ruin a
at BYU. He finally became exhausted trying
and touch' each other without inhibition.
that tomorrow I could awake and never
Those closely associated with someone
relationship.
to fight it. fie says that he came close to
again have to face the difficulty of being
Four or five times a year, Jon visits a gay
having a nervous breakdown and
who is gay often want to understand why
homosexual. The greatest hope I hold is to
bath in Salt Lake City. He explains that,
occasionally considered suicide because he
that person is that way, The many theoretical
be able to marry and begin to raise my own
"You walk in, rent a locker, an<l. while
could not'reconcile his feelings. Although sex explanations of homosexuality by
family. But it is an undeniable fact that I am
cruising with just a towel wrapped around
with his wife was gratifying to him-and he,
psychologists can be classified under four
homosexual, and complete honesty in
. you, you're free to do just about anything
in fact, preferred it over sex with a manmajor theories.
.
relationships procludes my getting married."
intimacy with a woman was very difficult for
The Negative Conditioning Theory
you want." The bath is replete with a sa,una,
This is the first of a two part series on
him. "What finally caused me to face it was
assumes that negative experiences with
weight room, video room and many rooms
homosexuality and the gay .lifestyle. Part two
with mattresses on the floors.
when I met a certain man. For the first time
persons of the opposite sex lead to the
will discuss the ways BYU and the LDS'
When a BYU professor or student decides
in my life, I knew whatit felt like to be in
development of an aversion towards all
Church have chosen to deal with the
Jr,,>""'"-to "come out of the closet," it is a time of
love. Terminating my marriage was the most members of that sex.
phenomenon.
In the above story, the name
''.,~.~-~onflict and confusion. Many tend to go
painful thing I have ever done, but I had to
The Family Pattern Theory deals with
"Steve"is a pseudonyrn11..
I
overboard and get into alcohol and drugs.
do it because it was unfair to my wife to
problems experienced in the relationships
But, most mellow out after the initial period
continue in a relationship that was a
withfamily meinbers during the
of adjustment. Many say that it is the first
mockery of what marrige should be." Steve developmental years-for example, the son
time in years that they have felt good about
says that, when he visits his children every
growing up with a lack of paternallove and
themselves.
other week, he often cries all the way back to attention, and with a surplus of maternal
Mike, who is going through a temple
Salt Lake City, where he now lives.
love and attention.
divorce and church trial, explains; "I got
Being understood by family members is,
The most controversial explanations have
John Zaratzian, representing the Greektired of living a double life. By hiding my
perhaps the biggest problem gays, and
to do with the Genetic or Hormonal Theory.
letter fraternities and sorrorities, and John
true feelings, I was being dishonest with
homosexuals, face when "coming out of the
These variations say that homosexuality is
McKay, pulling votes from the LDS Student
myself and others."
closet." "My family wants to understand me; the result of some type of genetic disorder
Association. forged a coalition this yearthat
Dennis, a former BYU student, says that
they want to know why I've done what I
releasing perhaps the "wrong" hormones or
wori the Associated Sfudents of the
he confessed to his BYU bishop before he
have, but they don't know how to deal with
creating an imbalance of the right hormones.
University of Utah (ASUU) presidency. Their
had committed any sin. According to Den'nis,
the situation, so they are afraid to face it,"
The newest theory is the Erotic Orientation
party won 44 of 64 ASUU Assembly seats.
the bishop didn't understand the trauma he
says Mike.
Theory. This theory claims that
Zaratzian and McKay are now choosing
"What upset me was that my mom put a
homosexuality in an individual results from
cabinet members to serve as the chairs of
was going through. Says one BYU student,
"It gnaws at you and gnaws at you until it
homosexual label on every friend I had, and the individual becoming sexually mature at a
boards, wbicb are similar to ASBYU's
finally consumes you."
most of my friends were straighter than an
very early age when associations are mostly
executive "offices."
Tom, a former BYU student, says, "As _
arrow," said Jon. Alan says that his mother
with playmates of the same sex. When the
ASUU's elections are less fragmented than
is seeing a psychiatrist.
individual's first sexual experiences are with
ASBYU's. Presidential hopefuls form
long as I can remember, I felt this way-long
before any kind of sexual experience. It
LDS gays have formed a social
. these playmates, homosexual behavior is
political parties, which are joined by students
seeking seats in the Assembly, and candidates
wasn't until I was thirteen years old before I
organization for mutual support called
reinforced through a "learning plus pleasure
"Affirmation." Some see this as an attempt
equals preference" process.
tun together on common platforms. Political
realized that the Church considered my
feelings wrong and sinful. Out of guilt for my
to hold on to the past, but the group is
Most psychologists don't believe that any
ads contain the names of Assembly hopefulls
; popular, nonetheless. There are chapters in
one theory explains every case of
in small print below the presidential names
feelings, I went to my bishop when I was
fifteen. The inner conflict between what I felt
Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Boise, Seattle,
homosexuality. Isolating a cause of
and pictures. Many students vote straight
San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego,
homosexuality and proving it as such has not
party ticket.
inside, and what the Church taught about it
Dallas, New York, Washington D.C., and
yet been accomplished and might be
Zaratzian and McKay's "Opportunity"
was becoming more than I could bear. I was
told that what I felt was wrong-1 had to
London.
impossible with Cl\rrent knowledge.
Party promised increased funding for
How many BYU men find themselves in
The main issue now between homosexuals
ASUU's newspaper, among other things. On
change. I wanted to be normal; I wanted. to
be accepted, and more than anything I
these circumstances? "You'd be surprised,"
and moralists is whether homosexuality is
the other extreme, the "Grand Ole
wanted to do the Lord's will, so I did my
says Dennis. While Steve was teaching at
caused byanything besides the "free choice
Democrats," also known by their acronym,
best to change. I tried everything on top of
BYU, he was receiving help from the
to partiCipate In perversion." Psychologists
GOD, promised to convert 60 percent of
fasting and prayer, but I didn't change, and
counseling center. His therapist told him that
find themselves on both sides of the issue.
~-~UU funds into liquid assets, "preferably
the frustration and
kept building up.
he was seeing three hundred students with
One psychologist interviewed thinks that
into Miller bottles." Other political parties
,..._ _ _ _ _ _...._ _ _ _ _._..;...;._..,;;._ the same problem.
.
.
homosexuality is incurable. According to this were "Balance," "For You," and the "AntiOne of the gay membership clubs in Salt
psychologist, although a homosexual can
Federalists."
Lake City has over a thousand members.
control his behavior and marry, or remain
Last year's ASUU Vice Presid~nt, Craig
Non-members have to pay $8.50 for
celebate, he can never eliminate the pain he
Clayton says that an average of seve_nty_
admittance, but once a week there is a special feels over being homosexual.
applications are received each year for the
"A gay growing up in the church learns to
seven cabinet positions. The applications
college night when students with activity
cards may attend for only $2.50. Tl;le
hate himself," says Dennis. "It wasn't until I
must be accompanied by resumes and letters
manager says that there are "a lot" of college
came out that I was at peace with myself."
of recommendation from professors and
Restaurant & Oyster Bar
former employers. McKay says that he and
students who come on that night, including
Alan thinks that "we call ourselves gay
Cotton Tree Square 2230 North at Untuerslty Parkway
BYU students.
because we know how to have a good time. I
Zaratzian are choosing "a number of people
Provo. Utah 84601 Telephqne (801) 375-1345
As for the gay lifestyle, most..gays agree
can do whatever I always wanted to."
we've never rnet before. Cabinet positions are
Jon has lived in the gay communities of
.. filled according to qualifications."
that there is no true stereotype, although
they can recognize other gays with relative
Washington D.C. and New York City. "I
McKay adds that cabinet members have to
accuracy. Steve refers to obvious gays in a
think it is basically a very depressing
be compatible. "The group has to be
derrogatory way as "clones." But, there are
lifestyle," says Jon. However, he still believes
cohesive. Otherwise, it would be like pulling
similarities, even among those who are not in it is the life he is consigned to by his
teeth all year to try to get things done."
the mainstream of gay life.
innermost feelings.
As board chairs, cabinet members have the Gays seem to place great emphasis on
Steve's sentiments resemble Jon's. ''I'm still same responsibilities as ASBYU's vice
outward appearances. Alan says that he
bitter .and angry-not against the. Church,
presidents, and in soine cases more. The
Academic Affairs Board coordinates the
thinks days ahead about what he'll wear on a but aga,inst the 'gods,' against nature, against
date. Popular clothing styles include the
whoever made me the way I am. It's a totally activities of the student committees in each
department which consider curriculum and
cowboy, leather, and collegiate look. Very
counterproductive act. I try to accept the
way I am and make the most of my life, but - professor-promotion and tenure.
bright colors are popular. Some don't wear
underwear in order to avoid "panty lines."
I think everyone of us would change if we
Cabinet appointments are ratified by the
could."

Assembly.
Alan
blush. "Let
~~~~------~--

BYU HOMOSEXUALS

ZARATZIAN - McKAY
WIN U OF U ELECTIONS

Banquets
Wed~ings
Receptions
Luncheons
Business
Meetings

Yeiu I Number 15

L2 April 1982

AN INDEPENDNET NEWSPAPER

HAWS TO LIGHT
"Y" ANYWAY
ASBYU President Kasey Haws has
recently been in communication with physical
plant personnel in preparation for electrically
lighting the block "Y" as a part of the
coming graduation ceremonies.
"Although the studentbody last Fall
adopted a referendum forbidding the
Executive Council from using class gift
money to light the "Y ,"most of the
appropriate equipment was ordered before
the referendum was initiated.
. According to a source in the Brewster
building, ASBYU has yet to order light bulls
~ . and enough cord to connect the system to a
portable generator, an estimated $600 cost.
. According to Haws, because ASBYU
would lose more by returning the equipment
that has been received than by purchasing
what is still needed, it is in the best interest
of the student body to see the project completed.
Haws admits that he has not discussed his
plan with anyone outside of physical plant
personnel. "There's no reason to talk to
anyone," he says. "If the lights go on on the .
hill, that's news. If Kasey Haws makes a
phone call, that's not news."
When asked if he would go to the
Executive Council for the six hundred
dollars, Haws responded that "there are a lot
of different ways that money comes about in
ASBYU."

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
DENIED CLUB -S TATUS
Last week BYU denied permission for
students to organize an A~nesty
International club on campus.
Amnesty International, an organization
headquartered in London, England, works
for fair trials for political prisoners, and for
the release of "prison of conscience" who
have been detained because of their beliefs,
color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religion,
provided they have neither used nor
advocated violence.
Amnesty International, which recently
received a favorable report in CBS's 60
Minutes, claims to be independent of all
governments, political factions, idelogies,
economic interests and philosophies, and
religious creeds.
Rodney Greeno, head of the students
requesting permission to form a BYU
chapter; said he was disappointed that
students were not allowed to participate in
the human rights organization.
Greeno said that a BYU club would "write
letters requesting the release of prisoners of
conscience in foreign countries and also work
to educate the university community on the
cause of human rights."
Offici.als in the office of the Dean of

HOMOSEXUALITY AT BYU
By DEAN HUFFAKER
Scvcutb Eut Press Staff Wriler

This is the lost of a two-part series on


homosexuality.
R. Michael Whitaker, director of
University Standards, outlined the
university's policy toward homosexuals, "A
student involved in homosexual acts is
subject to termination at BYU."
He explained further, "When a
homosexual violates the honor code in this
manner, it is appropriate as part of the
repentance process that he go to the
institution that was wronged and make
amends, which often involves having to leave
the institution."
The way BYU has enforced its policy
toward homosexuals has, in the past, drawn
fire from many directions. Although its
policies have stayed basically the same , there
have been slight modifications.
Shock Treatment
In the early 1970's students who confessed
homosexual tendencies were referred to the
BYU Counseling Center. Steve, then a BYU
professor, went through this counseling
program and received what he called "the
shock treatment," similar to the therapy
sometimes used by psycologists to help
patients stop smoking.
Jon, a former BYU student who is gay,
described this treatment as experiencing an
electrical shock while viewing a pornographic
picture of a male. The patient would then be
shown a pornographic picture of a female
without an electric shock.
When asked about this treatment, a former
BYU conselor said that "aversive therapynot shock treatment" - had been-used in the
past. Mild electric stimulus was used in
conjunction with slides of males and females
in various stages of dress.
But, according to this counselor, "Even
the raciest pictures wouldn't be considcn:d
pornography."
Describing his opinion of the effectiveness
of a\ersive therapy, Jon quipped, "Thanks to
.the shock treatment. now every time I see a
rna n. I get a jolt."
Seeurity
Over the years there have been concerted
efforts between BXl! ~c.uritY. Jtlld. .

Student Life said no reason was given by the


administration for denying a charter.
Paul Richards, BYU Public
Communication's Director, said that
Amnesty International, recipient of the 1977
Nobel Peace Prize, was denied club status
because of a long-standing policy of the
Board of Trustee's which limits political
clubs on campus to three: College
Democrats, College Republicans and
Independents (a club chartered as a result of
John Anderson's presidential candidacy).
"The Board of Trustees does not want a
proliferation of political clubs on campus,"
said Richards.
Although the Board's policy has been in
effect for a long time (Young Americans for
Freedom, Barry Goldwater's conservative -:national youth organization, was rejected last
December), some administrators over student
affairs had expressed hope that Amnesty
International's petition would be granted.
When the petition was first presented,
Marin Mouritsen, Associate Dean of Student
Life, said that since the club was
international in nature she felt it had a good
chance of approval.
Last Fall David Sorenson, Dean of
Student Life, stated that he thinks BYU
should allow more political clubs on campus.
"As long as club members keep the Code of
Honor," he said, "I see no difference between
political and non-political clubs."
When learning of the decision, one student
who was planning on joining Amnesty

International said, "I don't underStand this


policy. We are continually told to be
indepently active in politics, but then they
tell us we can't have a club on campus. They
must be extremely naive to think that all
political participation occurs in the two
political parties. Anyway, this is a university
where free interchange of ideas is suppose to

INSIDE
Doonesbury

The End of Terra!!!

Natur~ of the Holy Ghost

Why I Became a Homosexual

Thrills

Can Nations Love Their Enemies?

be encouraged, not rep pressed."


Greeno isn't sure whether or not they a re
going to form a chapter off-campus.
A club chartered by BYU can schedule
rooms to meet in, be publicized in The Daily
Universe's "Club Notes," post flyers on
approved bulletin boards around campus and
pa~i~i.pate in ASBYU club fund-raising
activities.

undercover student volunteers tQ identify


homosexuals and help them find thei; way
out of BYU. Dallin Oaks, then BYU
president, said, "We are not going to stand
for solicitation of sexual acts- homosexual
or heterosexual-on this campus and among
its students. We ask Security to be especially
watchful for that kind of crime."
Gays have many stories about methods
By RON PRIDDIS
used in the past by BYU Security to be
Seventh Eut Press Staff Writer
"especially watchful" of their activities.
'Hiroshima- Nagasaki' and then pay for
Dave, a former BYU student, said he knew
The results of the ASBYU class gift
their bus fares."
two gay students in 1973 who, threatened
election were made public for the first time
Before the results. of the election were
with expulsion from the university, were
yesterday after weeks of litigation. Food for
persuaded to work for security as spies.
known, the legality of Food for Poland as a
Poland received 2, 727 votes, the Botannical
"Security was obnoxious and knew how to
class gift choice was challenged by S.id
Gardens 2,269 votes, the Parent-Child
push people into things they didn't want to
Enrichment Center 797 votes, and the HFAC Sandberg, a first year law student and carrotmate of Craig Pett, an ASBYU Supreme
do," said Dave. Apparently a few of the spies
Secured Art Gallery Display Case 295 votes.
Court justice. Sandberg, who admits some
became fed up with such tactics and went to
The $25,000 class gift fund will be spent on
prejudice against applying class gift money to
the Botanical Gardens.
TV stations in Salt Lake City to tell their
off-campus projects, says that he was
story publicly. "After that blew over things
133 of the ballots were either unclearly
were quiet for a while," said Dave.
incensed by in-class announcements for Food
marked or had alternate suggestions written
for Poland by three of his law professors.
According to Jon, during the "Purge of '75" in, including "none of the above," "a highThe announcements were made in response
Security officers took male drama and ballet
rise parking lot," "a John Belushi Memorial
to a flyer distributed to faculty by Food for
students out of their classes to interrogate
Garden," and to "bring all the World's
them and to get the names of any
Poland volunteers.
leaders together, make them watch
homosexuals they knew.
After hearing the announcements,
Sandberg asked Pett what could be done
Because, as Jon said, one of the "codes of
about this kind of solicitation. Pett felt that
behavior" used by gays to identify each other
in bathrooms was to tap their foot three
it was beyond the scope of ASBYU to deal
times in the direction of the person sitting in
with the subject matter of professors 'lectures.
Sandberg later told Pett he had the
the next stall, scores of students working
An open debate on Thursday in the West
undercover for Security acted as foot-tapping
impression that much of what was done by
Patio of the Wilkinson Center will explore
decoys arresting those who responded to
ASBYU was extra-legal, and that placing
the topic, ~censorship at BYU- For Better
their psuedo-advances.
Food for Poland on the ballot seemed to be
or for worse?"
Dave said that Security people also used
one of those areas where legal precedent was
Professors Thomas Rogers (Asian and
being ignored.
the gay's method of passing notes to tlie
Slavic languages, playwright and producer)
person in the next stall to identify
Sandberg asked Pett how he could best
challenge the placement of Food for Poland
homosexuals. Dave also made mention of the and Arthur Henry King (Moral Studies) will
discuss contrasting views of censorship on
.on the ballot. Pett sought the opinion of
purge. "It was January of 1975. It happened
campus. Interested students will be given the
another first year law student, and former
within a matter of days and nobody expected
opportunity to express their views on the topic. ASBYU attorney general Joe Hepworth.
it." Dave described how one day during the
Hepworth's opinion was relayed through Pett
purge there were Security officers with
The debate will start at noon and is coto Sandberg.
walky-talkies on every level of HFAC. "It
sponsored by the Hyde Park 'c lub and
was all a joke in the Drama department. We
ASBYU Academics.
Continued on Pace 5
had T-shirts made at the Bookstore which
read 'I'm on the list- are your Being that
Bulk Rate
blatent helped people to look at the problem
U.S.
Postage
realistically," said Dave.

Food For Poland


Loses Winning Battle

Professors to
Debate Censorship

PAID

An Anonymm Letter
In Spring of 1977 Dr. Reed Payne touched
Coatbiaed on Pap. U .. _ _ . . . _ . . .. _ , . . . . . . .

Provo, U..h
PennH no. 192
~

_ . _ ... _ _ . _ . . _ _ . ___ . . . .. _ _ _ _ . . . . . . .. .

Page6

12 Aprill982

THE SEVENTH EAST PRESS

WHY I .BECAME A HOMOSEXUAL


;-

By A RETURNED LDS MiSSIONARY


It won l be easy-, you 'II think.it strange
heterosexual way of life. I lived as a teenage -psychologists in Church Social ServiCe (CSS)
that I was a second class person.
When I try to explain how I feel
thinking that I couldn't possibly be called a
are to be employed in an attempt to cure the
In spite of the Church's position on
That I still need your love after all tha;t I've done,
homosexual because I had never really had
You won't believe me
homosexual member of the church of his
homosexuality, I knew that I was a good
All you will see .is the boy youonce knew
the opportunity to explore my sexuality.
problem. To cure_ a homosexual means to
person and. not the scum of the earth. I was
Although he's dressed up to the nines
Religious leaders confirmed my beliefs
help him overcome his neurosis and to help
energetic. I was ambitious. I still had
At sixes and sevens with you.
when they told me that someday that special
him mentally prepare to come back into full
standards and principles by which I lived mY
I had to let it happen, I had to change
girl would come along and I would fall .
fellowship in the Church. EventuallY- he is to
life. Finally, I came to the point where I
Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
hopelessly in love and all of my homosexual
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun.
be prepared to accept the responsibilities of a
realized that the various theologies in the
So I chose freedom
problems would disappear.
family and all that goes along with it.
world are offshoots from the basic nature of
Runningaround trying everything new
For three years before and after my
This is all very wei! until one stops to
man to treat one another with love and
But nothing impressed me at all
mission, I curtailed my homosexual activity
examine the methods used by the various
.
.
charity.
I never expected it to.
believing that if I lived up to the covenants
psychologists to cure homosexuality .. Within
Until that time; I had questioned whether I
I prefaced the letter tellmg rrty parents that l
that I had made with the Lord, he would
CSS there are conflicts over what the best
would ever become successful in my personal
am a homosexual with this poem from the
bless rrte with a proper sexual orientation. I
method of curing homosexuality is. And the
goals unl.ess I made up my mind to succeed
Broadway musical, Evita. This article is not
tried it all-singing hymns, avoiding the very
sort of behavior modification they use leads
'1n spite of my homosexuality. When~ gave
to apologize for my homosexuality nor is it
(lppearance of evil, taking cold showers,
to asexuality rather than a heterosexual
up my religious beliefs, it becam~ eas1~r to
to convert anyone to my particular way of
trying to fantasize. about women, covenanting orientation. Some doctors in CSS admit to a
give up the idea that I was workmg w~th a
thinking. I do hope it will.direct the focus of
with God to live a week, a day; an hour, a
handicap and I was able to see that w1th the
very low success rate when it comes to
the way Mormons look at homosexuality
minute at a time with pure thoughts-but
necessary work, I would be successful in life
permanently "curing" anyone of his
from the real problems facjngthe
nothing changed my sexual orientation.
homosexuality. A few of the Church Social
~
because I was a human beingwho had
homosexual in LDS society.
After I had been home from my mission
something to offer the world by virtue of my
Services psychologists will admit that they
The article published last week on
for a long time I went to a psychologist and
have yet to see any permanent cures.
humanity.
.
!1omosexuality made me very angry: You see,
told him that I was homosexual. This was
With this realization, I concluded that the
As I faced the religious views, my
I am Alan-the Alan interviewed in the article
the first time that I had ever admitted to
depression over my plight in LDS society
only way I would ever be free to give
whose greatest worry was whether his nails
being gay. It was a hard thing to say, and I
increasec;l. I began to reach for straws as I
whatever it was that I had to offer would be
were nicely painted and his panty lines
will never forget the devastated feeling that
watched the semester that I was trying to
to leave the environment which kept
hdden.
came over me when I admitted my sexuality finish at BYU to pot. I lied and did what I
pounding into me that what I was doing was
As I read the article I realized that of a
for what it was. I had been raised thinking
could to' get teachers to give mejncompletes
evil. I decided to tell my family about my
three"hour interview, the only things which
that the sin of immorality was the worst of
in my classes so that I could finish them up
homosexuality and, no matter what _
stood out in the minds of those whom I
all the sins, save murder, and that
when I was in a better mental state.
happened, never lie to them again. I gave my
talked to were the stereotypes and the
homosexuality was the filthiest of all the
parents letter justbefCilre Christmas 1981
oddities-the make-up, the clothes, and the
moral transgressions. I had been
I asked the only girl I ever thought I loved
which contained the message which I wanted
statements which, out of context, made it
programmed to think that there was no way
to marry me, hoping that would stop my
to give not only to them, but to anyone who
sound like those were my own greatest
that a homosexual could. be successful in
questioned the rationality of my decisions
immersion into misery. When we were
worries in the world.
anything in this life and that he could
together, I did everything I could to prove to
concerning my homosexuality. Here are some
Reading the article made me realize that
certainly look forward to nothing in the life
myself that I was a normal, straight
pieces of that letter:
the greatest of the problems that
.
to come.
.
individual-on the inside, or at least to prove
Dear Mom and Dad,
homosexuals face are those which concern
After that I came face to face with all of
that I had what it took- to live like a straight
1 am homosexual. 1 know those are hard words
straight people's- view of us. And the greatest
the negative stigmas attached to
person. I tried to enjoy kissing her, holding
to read about one's own son. It took me a long
challenge homosexuals face as a collective
homosexuality in the Church. I was told by
her hand, and acting out all of the
time before I would admit to myself that they were
group is that of proving to the straight world
various people whatJ could expect out of life heterosexual roles that I had been practicing
true. I have decided that it is time to inform you
that we are worthy of more than a
as a gay Latter~day Saint. One view was that
throughout my dating years, but there was
of the decisions I have made concerning the
stereotyped view of men running around in
I would be better off dead than gay beca1,1se
no difference. She finaUy decided that things
direction I want my life to (ake, and let you in on
women's clothing and hanging out in public
there_was no provision in the gospel for
wel'en't going to work out betw.ee.n us,-and
the particular thoughts which brought me to make
'
.
restrooms;

those particular conclusions.

homosexuals. Another view was that I could


she left 0n a mission to give me time to get
1 know what a shock it must come to you to
There are those at BYU who believe that
keep myself free from the sins asssociated
myself straightened out.
hear a good returned missionary say that he is gay.
homosexuality is not one of the major
with homosexuality and live a perfectly
I was. frustrated because I was caught
Many of my gay friends came home from their
concerns of the Church and the university,
straight way of life; through behavior
between two opposing views. The first-was
missions and got married on the notion that if they
but those are they who naively think that the
modification, I could eventually become
the Church view, pounded into me for years,
did and remained faithful in the bonds of
greatest problem in the Church is that home
straight and solve all of my homosexual
that what I was doing was a filthy and
ma;riage, that their problem would disappear.
teaching is always put off until the last day
problems. If I were to marry and have a
horrible, yet changeable thing. The second
Many did this on the advice of their mission
of the month. The fact is that homosexuality
family, so much the better, because I would
was the view thai I was gaining through my
presidents and bishops. I ca.n't t~llyou how ~any
is one of the most preplexing concerns of the
direct experiences, that a homosexual
of my friends have entered mto Ill-fated mamages
become a god With them in the world to
Church and the university.
because they. got married in an effort to overcome
come-,-if I were pure in heart. If I didn't
lifestyle
was
a
viable
alternative
to
a
their homosexuality. This has been worsened by
I am a homosexual who attended BYU
marry, yet became pure in heart anyway, I
heterosexual lifestyle and the best that I
the fact that they haven't just affected heir own
and though I was never forced to leave the
could look forward to spending eternity as a
could expect from trying to change was
lives but those of the girls and in some cases, the
university as others have been, I left BYU
ministering angel.
asexuality.
'
lives' of children. I have, therefore, decided that
because I felt that my integrity was
Perhaps the most popular view in the
Finally, in an attempt to come out of the
marriage is not for me. In our day it is an ofte?threatened by'the conflicts which arose when . Church is that a person suffering from
depression that had taken hold of me, I
shaky institution, and I see no reason to enter mto
I examined university and Church policies
problems with homosexuality should marry .
decided that I needed to weigh the options
a marriage which would just be looking fo_r ~.
toward homosexuality and the actual
and do everything in his power to make the
open to me atid decide what I was going to
reason to fail. I am happy to take responsibility
experiences I was having as a homosexual
marrige work. If he lives up to all of his
do to get off dead center. I looked at the
for my own life, but I will not be held responsible
operating in both the gay and the LOS
for screwingup the lives of others.
covenants, he will .be blessed in the marriage
Church view and decided that while I
I know many homosexuals who are "living in
societies.
and become free from his homosexuality.
believed the Church to be true, it was
the closet." I was given that advice by my bishop
I left BYU short of only a few credit hours
The current official policy concerning
seriously lacking in direct revelation about
when he asked me if I was ready to accept the
from my bachelor's degree in English. I had
homosexuality in the Church is that in order
homosexuality .. Then I looked at the world
responsibility of being gay by living my entire life
served in many Church positions, including
to keep them active in the gospel,
view that homosexuality was fast becoming
in celibacy, away from anyone: whom I could
ward clerk; counselor in an elder's quorum
homosexuals need to be involved in as many
an acceptable way of life. In order to resolve.
"pollute with a potentially filthy lifestyle." This is
presidency, and home evening group leader. I
of the "safe" activities as possible. That is,
these conflicting viewpoints in my mind, I
also not the path that I have chosen to follow.
had served an honorable mission. On the .
they should be passed over when it comes tci
took up the belief that while the Church was
Living in the closet doesn't foster happiness, only
outside I was as normal as anyone else
service in youth programs and the like. As
still true, I had consciously given up my
~~r~~::~: ~~:; ~a~~:llfo~~~~~ot~e~~~~~~~ of
attending BYU. But I was homosexual.
the Spirit directs, homosexuals sh9uld also be salvationJor what I considered a more
and crush me under his long, providential thumb.
For a long time I denied my
limited in their participation in .Church practical, 'immediate way of life.
What happened was 1 became more happy than I
homosexuality, but in 1980 I faced the fact
activities and temple attendance. Under no
had ever been in my life. 1 was finally free to be
I held to this belief for a long time but
that the homosexual feelings that I had felt
circumstances are people with current that gave rise to the idea that I was not as
who 1 Was and to do the things I wanted to do.
all of my life were real. I had always told
homosexual problems to be admitted into the good a person as someone who had chosen
Which brings me to excommunication-1 will
myself that I was only attracted to males out
Church. educational system, nor become to "endure to the end" under the pretense of
be. I know what a scandal that will cause. I also
of convenience; and that as soon as the
missionaries.
being straight. I felt the need to be an
know the heartache that you will feel, but at this
chance came along, I would make a very
Church courts are to be held as the Spirit
integral person, so I began to work to shed
point, it is the only sensible thing. .
. .
natural and normal transition intoa
directs. And whenever
'ble, the
beliefs which led me to rth:;:i::n=k===E=x=co=m=m=u=n=ic=at=io=n=w=o=n'=t=so=l=ve=an=y=t=h1=n=g=,b=u=t=1=t=w=llill

HOW IT,
6/fN/3/?AI.-.

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@~\\f.~ ~1111 lUJ~


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ll'~lhi IPJIPJIl'
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II

i-

make it clellF to the people who don't understand


knew, and let them know of my love for that though religion has played an active part in
them. All. is well when I am with them; the
my life until recently, I have chosen _someting_ else
subject of mylife never comes up.
and I intend to pursue a tnore practical, tangtble
But the reports that I. get from outside
way of1ife. And l intend to stand by that decision. sources let me know that all is far from
The worst thing about all of this is that no
peachy.l have told my parents that I am not
matter what 1 say, it- will never be enough. You
h h
will never understand and you will make attempt
asking them to come to grips Wit t IS
after attempt to "redeem" me from my "wicked~
quickly or easily. A few weeks ago I had to
state. Just be warned that I have made my
remind mom and dad that I had told them
decision, and all of the talking in the world won't
the truth so that they would not have to live
change my mind. I oi:tly warn you because I am as
on the false hope inspired by my lies about
firmly set in my decision to live my life in freedom
wl\at I was doing and where I spent my time.
as you will be in your desire to change me. And
I told them that any hope they had of my
we can avoid many nasty confrontations by
, ever changing and "becoming straight" were
seeking to understand the position of the other.
the result of their own desires, and that while
The attempts which are made to bring me to my

b r f 1 d'd 't
knees and make me repent will do more to screw
they were welcome to then' e 1e s,
1 n
up the life which 1 have chosen thap. th~y will ~o.
care to hear about them.
. .
to bring me to salvation. 1know bow difficult tt 1s
My father. thinks I have been programmed,
. like a Moonie. My mother thinks I ~ill co~e
for you to understand _that I can be happy, but I
would rather be disowned than suffer through your back to the gospel some day and be an active
efforts to convert me. I don't want to fight with
force in. turning about the lives of many of
you for my rights, but I will if I am pushed. I have my friends. In spite of all that I have done
made mY decision, and won't be kept in subjection and said, I am afraid that they really haven't
through manipulation and guilt ever again.
listened to me. I am confident that these
I already feel your disappointment, your anger, . thi_ngs_. will w_ork themselves out in time.
But I ask you to accept me. I am happy. My life
doesn't center in sexual relations with anyone at
There is no way to be active in both
all. It eenters in finding fulfillment in the day to
woi:lds. I have chosen the one which seems to
day pursuits that I have. I am working to become
offer the most tangible, satisfying rewards. I
successful in my chosen profession, and along with chose tlie path I am on because the world
views of biology and psychology logically
that, I stili see the basic principles of Christianity
as the key to a happy life. Brotherly love,
answered more of the questions not only
longsuffering, purity of heart and purpose, a
about my own sexuality, but about the
selfless and unassuming nature are the basic
mysteries of the world around us which have.
nfl'
h
principles in all of the great world relgions, and I
. plan on developing these things continually in my
brought religion into co tct Wit sCience
life and helping. my gay brothers work to develop
since before Aristotle.
And the future? If I fail to find satisfaction
them also. These principles, along with hard work
will bring peace and universal love to the people of and fulfillment in my career and my personal
the earth, and the members of the Church don't
pursuits it will. be a result of my own
hold the corner on the market in brotherly love or
downfall. And even a:t that, I can't imagine
charity any more than the Catholics, the
that 1 will be much worse of( than most of
Buddhists, the Jews, orthe Quakers.
the straight people that I know. The way tha.
Many people who are gay blame their parents
h
d
h
h
rt
and the environment in which they were raised. I
I c. oose to ea1, wtt my omosexua 1 Y may
don't. 1 don't blame anyone. 1 have bright hopes
for the future and won't be dissuaded from making
something of my life by something so insignificant
as sexual prefetence. And I won't let my life be
ruled by fear of what someone may think of the
things I do.

I hope you understam~ the things I have said. I


am an adult, and I have made a life decision.
There are a million things we can do to make each
other's lives miserable. I will work to maintain the
status quo if you will. Neither of us will be totally
satisfied with the attitudes and decisions of the
other-that's the way life is. Now that you know
what is goingon in my life I will never have to lie
to you again, and if you will allow me, I shall be
able to continue my life witjl pride and integrity.
That is, I can now be an integral person-and I
am at peace with myself. Please, don't make me go
to war with you. I still need your love, and I think
you can use mine.
Although my parents had suspected that I
was involved in homosexuality, things
changed drastically after I gave the letter to
them. They set do\vn a number of rules by
which they expected me to live. When the
rules were set down I decided that I could
not maintain the relationship that I had built
up to that time. That is what caused me to
leave BYU and move to Salt Lake City. I
decided that though I could probably pull
the wool over the university's eyes for
another semester or so, I was no more
justified, in lying to the school than 1 had
been in lying to l!lY parents. Arid 1 decided
that I would be as well off living in Salt
Lake and attending University of Utah with
tny own money and living in my own phice
as 1 would be living in the house _my parents
had bought for their kids in Provo.
Since moving to Salt Lake, my life has
been much more relaxed. 1 live near the
university and I am working. The majority of
my family, including my parents, live in Salt
J..ake so I visit them often and try to show
them that I am the same boy that they once

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not be the way others choose to deal with


theirs at all. My message to gay members of
the Church is to deal with their
homosexuality somehow. Don't try to put it
off and hope that it will go away-it won't.
My goal is not to condemn th~ Church for
its stand on homosexuality, and I would
never attempt to lobby for a change in policy
with a group who believes so strongly in .

No two diamonds
are alike. To have a
diamond setting with the
, quality ofindividuality,
Sheldon L. Baker offers expertise and
originality. A graduate gemologis~
gem cutter, goldsmith, and
silversmith, Sheldon L. Baker
handcrafts each
rtng

direct revelation as a means for guiding the


Church. It would be foolish to believe that
God gives in to group pressure. My desire to
change the perspective of the LOS'
community stems from the fact that religious
stands on homosexuality conflict with most
of the observations I have made through
direct involvement.
No one can sit back and pretend that if
ignored, homosexuality will go away. A gay
person is not condemned to a second-rate.
existence or a double life any more than a
straight person. l have chosen to ignore
eternity and look to the da in

lof1iai -~
teve what you will, but
don't make your own homosexuality or that
of someone close to you a source of misery
for yourself and those with whom you come
in contact. I have discovered that there is too
much happiness to be had in finding oneself
and discovering the simple joys of being

Sheldon L. Baker
226-3008

a\iv~.

=::=============================
It is usual that the moment you write for

BY APPOINTMENT

. publication-I mean one of course-one


stiffens in exactly the same way one does
when one is being photographed. The
simplest way to overcome this is to write it
to someone; like me. Write it as a letter
aimed at one person. This removes the vague
terror of addressing the large and faceless
a_udience and it also, you will find, will give a
sense of freedom and a lack of selfconsciousness.
-"Johf! Steinbeck in A
528~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

r.===~~===============~

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THESEVENTH EAST PRESS

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-SALVAf)fR., Gl:I-JifML '?

THE SEVENTH EAST PRESS

12 April 1982

Page 12

HOMOSEXUALITY
ContinQed from Page 1
on the subject of homosexuality in a lecture
to his beginning Psychology class, which set
off a chain of events bringing the Church's
and university's dealings with homosexuals
into public view. Apparentlyhis comments
weren't taken well by those present who were
gay, which led Lee Williams to publish a 52
page letter explaining what it was like to be
gay. Williams,one of the principle authors,
. wrote the letter anonymously
because at the time he was an instructor at
BYU.
In the letter Williams et al asserted that
homosexuality was a state of being and not
just a chosen pattern of behavior; that it
cannot be cured, and those claiming to ha:ve
been cured might have experienced
modification of their sexual behavior but not
their preference.
Wrote Williams, "No one knows what
causes homosexuality. However, we do know
one thing that does not cause homosexuality
and that is free choice. Until the cause or
causes are known it is grossly inappropriate
to moralize about it."
Williams went on to give a warning. "As
the homosexual becomes less and less willing
to submit to this damaging influence
[humiliation and discrimination from the
church,) and the rest of the world comes to
realize the plight of the Mormon
homosexual, the Church stands to face a
very serious and embarrassing blow to its
integrity."
A former Social Service Counselor at BYU
said that William's response to Payne, called
the "Payne letter!' caused a "real stir"
at BYU and in the Church. "Officials in both
.
places were very touchy over it," he said.
What further fanned the fires of
indignation was an article containing
excerpts of the letter which appeared Feb. 2,
1978 in "Advocate," a homosexual
publication. Along with the article appeared
a derrogatory cartoon depicting President
Kimball's disgust with homosexuals.
One month later on Man;h 5, Elder Boyd
K. Packer addressed a BYll 12-stake Fireside
in which he directed his talk toward
homosexuals.
Elder Packer's comments, published by the
Church under the title "To the One,"
reflected and emphasized the Church's policy
on homosexuals. He used the word
"homosexual" only once in his address.
"Please notice that I use it as an adjective,
not as a noun: I reject it as a noun. I repeat,
I accept that word as an adjective to describe
a temporary condition. I reject it -as a noun
naming a permanent one."
Later that month Rev. Bob Waldrop,
pastor of the gay Metropolitan Community
Church in Salt Lake City reQuested equal

PJHY, H/iUO,
MR.. CORCORAN.
tf/HATAI<& YOU
00/NG He~<;?

office where he was placed under arrest.


Upon learning of the account, President
Oaks put a halt to such tactics. However,
Chipman was prosecuted and convicted.
Two months-later a three-part series on
homosexuality was published in the Daily
Universe. This unprecetended attempt by
the Universe to increase understanding of the
problem of homosexuality on campus took
many by surprise:
Legislative Action
A faculty advisor explained that the series
was read by President Oaks prior to its
Another significant event duringthis time
publication, but that Church officials in Salt
concerned action taken by the Utah
Lake City still "weren't at all pleased" that
-Legislature. During its 1977-78 interim the
the subject had been brought up in the first
Transportation and Public Safety Study
p.lace although the Church's position ori
Committee headed by Public Safety
homosexuality was reflected strongly
Commissioner Larry Lunnen made a study
throughout the series.
to re-define the authority of various law
In the meantime, the Payne letter was not
enforcement agencies throughout the state,
well received by many members of the
including BYU Security.
psychology department. One professor of
As a result of the study the Legislature
Psychology commented, "It's a fabrication.
passed House Bill 80 giving BYU Security
Those guys aren't interested in facts.''
officers 24 hour jurisdiction throughout the
This same professor, then a member of

state.
BYU's Institute for Studies in Values and
In addition to that, the bill read
Human Behitvior, headed by Victor L.
ambiguously, "Members of the police and
, Brown Jr., helped prepare a rebuttal to the
_security department of any college or
Payne letter in the form of a preliminary
university shall also have the power to
statement on a study the Institute was doing
enforce all rules and regulations promulgated
on homosexuality.
by the governing board of such an
The rebuttal, published in.the Fall of 1978~
institution."
was entitled "A Reply to Unfounded
Gays have in the past complained of
Assertions Regarding Homosexuality" and
harassment from BYU Security in Salt Lake
was prepared partly "from the files of LDS
City and even in areas as far away as St.
Social Services."
George. Mike, a gay returned missionary
'This BYU publication made statements
said, "I've seen BYU Security officers in Salt
such as "Since homosexuality is not unique
Lake City at the cruise areas driving past
in its patterns of causation or cure, it does
lines o(, cars leaning out the window taking
not deserve privileged status as special
- pictures of not only the license and cars; but
disorder different from other behavior
of the passengers inside ofthem also."
problems or sexual sins." "Homosexuality is
Chief Kelshaw denied that tracking down
one of a class of impulse disorders and is not
homosexuals off campus had anything to do
the.result of a unique set of psychological
with BYU gaining statewide jurisdiction.
disorders~' "Highly religious groups, like the
"You don't even need police power to take
Latter-day Saints, have been found to have
. pictures or write down license plate
significantly lower [homosexuality] incidence
numbers," said Kelshaw. He did say that
rates."
having statewide jurisdiction can help in the
This rebuttal also gave a brief conclusion
prosecution of off-campus cases.
of
the unfinished study being done for LDS
More Controversy
Social Services. "There is no scientific
Just three months before the passing of t-he
evidence that homosexual behavior is the
bill an arrest was made of a homosexual
inevitable product of biological or
which caused an even greater stir than the
environmental influences, However, there is
Payne letter. David Chipman, 22, was
evidence that agency is involved.
arrested February 1979 and chargt:d with
Homosexuality can be changed."
forcible sexual abuse. The charges were filed
According to one BYU professor, the
by David Newmann, a police science student
rebuttal was so poorly done that "it was an
working under cover for BYU Security.
embarassment to all involved," and most of
Newmann, posing as a homosexual, had
the copies were given back to the authors or:
previously written a letter which appeared in
their request.
a gay publication, expressing a desire to .
The claims made by the Values Institute
organize a gay underground group at BYU.
reflect the present position of the Church on
Chipman, a non-student, respond-ed to
homosexuality. In Homosexuality, a Church
Newmann's letter and they arranged to meet
handbook distributed to stake presidents and
at BYU. After meeting, they consented to go
bishops, the Church policies and procedures
to Squaw Peak for sexual activity.
are spelled out: "As we have previously
After sexual activity had been initiated,
stated, homosexuality is a sin in the same
Chipman was taken to the BYU Security
and-fornication."
time on KBYU to resportd t6 Elder Packer's
"very offensive and highly inaccurate"
remarks. KBYU General Manager, Bruce
Christiansen denied Waldrop's request. The
March 30, 1978 edition of the Daily Universe
quoted Christiansen as saying, "We recognize
our responsibility to cover all aspects ofthe
gay rights issue and we believe we have done

that with fairness."

PI<05PU:/7NG, OF
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The handbook emphasizes that


"homosexuality is a learned behavior, and as
such can be changed." The handbook states
that "Modern day prophets have clearly
promised that homosexuality. can be
changed. You should convey this positive
attitude because it encourages change ... Be
careful not to label people 'homosexual.' It is
better to refer to their 'homosexual behavior'
than to call them a homo~exual. "
Steve, a former BYU professor who is gay,
said, "The Church's simplisticattitudes
toward homosexuality are the cause of its
lack of understanding in dealing with it.
When the Church says that there is no such
thing as a homosexual, and you know that
you are one, how do you resolve that?"
LDS gays who finally adopt the attitude
that they can't change are classified in the
Church handbook under "Rebellious
Homosexuality... This category represents
primarily an attitude and lifestyle. These
individuals may be either !!arly memory or
situational types who, for various reasons,
have chosen to fully accept a homosexual
lifestyle. They have little if any, motivation
to change their behaviour and are openly
active, even promiscuous in their homosexual
behaviour. They promote the concerns of the
homosexual community and may belong to
various homosexual organizations. They
commonly manipulate others to meet their
own sexual needs. Generally they are not
active in the Church. They tend to rationalize
and interpret doctrines for their own
purpose, and try to refute. the position of the
Church oil homosexuality."
Because the modern day prophets have
clearly promised that homosexuality can be
conquered, those "rebellious" homosexuals
who believe otherwise are subject to
excommunication from the Church.
In Welfare Services Packet One,
instructions to bishops and stake. presidents
concerning homosexuals include, "An
attitude of stiffneckedness and rebellion is
almost always a clear indication of the need
to be sternly disciplined, even to
excommunication, so that others are not
contaminated by unclean habits."
Another procedure of repentance was
outlined by the Church handbook. "Since
homosexual behavior is possible only with
others, the individual should disclose his
sexual partners as an essential part of
repentance. The purpose is to help save
others."
Cause and Cure Uncertain
A growing difference of opinion involving
the causes of homosexuality-and hence the
action that should (or shouldn't) be taken by
the Church-exists between some
psychologists in Social Services and the First
Presidency;
Many homosexuals report that certain
General Authorities and Social Service
counselors agree that although behavior can
be modified, in many cases homosexuality
can't be cured. Some Church Social Service
psychologists have privately indicated that
many homosexuals may carry the problem
"essentially from birth.''
Some homosexuals claim to have modified
their behavior to the extent that they no
longer feel a need for a homosexual
relationsip, but they admit that intimacy with
a woman still seems unnatural to them.
"There is no cure for it," said one "it is a
!ife-long_process overcoming it. B~t eternity
IS more Important to me. than a few quick
tricks in this life."
Most public statements made by
authorities in the Church concerning
homosexuality in the Church seem to have
been rather harsh.
Elder Boyd K. Packer said the following:
"There is a falsehood that some are born
with an attraction to their own kind with
nothing they can do about it. They ~re just
"that way" and can only yield to those
desires. That is a malicious and destructive " ' '
lie. While it is convincing to some it is of the ,t:/
devil."

'
One psychologist from LDS Social
Services has reportedly said that "although
President Kimball's public statements sound
like he is condemning homosexuals to the
lowest hell, in private he is unbelievably
A newspaper is not just for reporting the
news as it is, but to make people mad

. ' ;;'. / ;;'_ ~f!O.Jl~-~();40. ~~~eJI}.ip.g?QO.} it~-., ... : ,;_,


-Mark Twain

12 April 1982

THE SEVENTH EAST PRESS


understanding, tender, and eager to help
campus in Provo is Pioneer Park which, said
rather than castigate." He is also reported to
Byron, "is also frequented by undercover
have said that President Kimball has files on
BYU Security officers."

over t,500 homosexuals who he has


Byron states that the foot-tapping still goes
personally seen and counseled, and that the
on. "Most of the time .you can tell when the
contrast between Kimball's personal dealings
tapping feet belong to Security officers .since
with homosexuals and the First Presidency's
most of them wear ugly black forwardpublic statements is "almost schizophrenic."
thrust-type shoes. Gays care more for their
Steve, who had talked with President
appearance than to wear those," said Byron.
Kimball before being excommunicated,
In spite. of that, Byron noted interestingly,
concurred. "President Kimball was
"BYU is the hardest place to differentiate
wonderful. I. was startled from his kind
between gays and straights-everyone dresses
reaction."
so well and has such nice hair cuts."
How does BYU Security currently handle
Steve was also startled by the kindness of
homosexuality on campus? "It is a violation
the ward members and leaders. "The
heartening thing about. coming out was to
of University policy and members of my staff
realize that most of the people out there are
will agressively enforce these laws. I will do
everything in my power to protect the
good people. They are concerned about you
as a person-an individual." Steve said he
students at BYU who want nothing to do
received nothing but kindness from the
with this problem," said Chief Kelshaw.
bishop of his ward, "although his ignorance - . "Our purpose is to seek out and identify
those persons who have such tendencies and
of the problem was appalling."
are not capable of controlling themselves,"
When asked how he deals with members
who come to him confessing homosexual
Kelshaw added.
When asked about leaving campus to
preferences, one local bishop said; "I feel
identify gays, Kelshaw said, "In the past we
helpless at times in how to deal with it more
have gone off campus to seek them. This
effectively in order to help. I find myself
year we haven't, althoughwe do
wishing I could do more to help."
Another local bishop, as quoted in the
communicate with other law enforcement
agencies and check court records
Dailv Universe, seemed less concerned with
his ignorance of the problem. "I found that
periodically. But I have no plans to go to
my lack of training in treating homosexuals
known gay hangouts in Salt Lake City just
was really not much of a problem. Social
to find homosexuals.
Services took care of most of the counseling
Kelshaw indicated that volunteer students
and treatment. All he needed from me was
haven't been used in identifying homosexuals
support and encouragement."
in bathrooms for months, and that
That most every bishop will have to deal
investigators in bathrooms do not initiate the
with the problem is expected by the Church.
foot-tappin,_g. "We don't want to make
According to one formal Social Services
matters worse," said Kelshaw.
counselor, the rule of thumb is that there are
Sincethe mid 1970's aversive therapy has
two to four homosexuals in every ward.
not been used at BYU. (A Social Services
"Research replicates the Kinsey statistics [see
authority said that this therapy was never
used in the LDS Social Services counseling
part one of this series] of 4% exclusive
homosexuals in virtually every culture," he
program.) According to a psychologist in the
BYU Comprehensive Clinic, one form of
said ..
therapy now being used is coversive therapy,
A gay who recently returned from a
which associates negative thoughts with
mission and is currently
attending BYU, (we1l call him Byron,) said a
pictures.
Current attitudes of BYU students toward
large percentage of one of the wards he
homosexuality parallel those of the local
served in is gay, and that "they fit in very
Church leaders. Most st1,1dents exhibited
well with the other members." He also said
ignorance to the problem.
that half of the people he baptized on his
One group of students last fall invited Dr.
mission were gay.
David Weighj, a psychologist at the
Another Social Services psychologist
admitted that "homosexuality is a widespread Comprehensive Clinic, to lecture on
problem in the Church." In an attempt to
homosexuality. Some of the studerrts were
protect its image, the Church downplays the
reportively somewhat disappointed. One
member explained, "We gave him
problem as much..as possible.
the assignment to speak on the negative
This is also the case at BYU. According to
Dr. Davd M. Sorenson, Dean of Student
aspects of homosexuality on society, but
Life "The administratiorr does not look upon instead he just described the condition. It,
it (h,omosexuality] as a pressing problem. It"
was very informative, but he wouldn't come
is looked upon as inappropriate behavior. As
out and say that it .was wrong."
such it is a concern, just as any other
Many students wonder why homosexuals
~orne to BYU in the first place.
inappropriate behavior."
"Everyone counseled me to come to BYU,"
Most administrators declined to give an
said Byron. "My stake president knew I was
estimate of the number of male.homosexuals
gay, and he told me 'Go to BYU-everything
at BYU. But one former Social Services
will be OK.' It turned out not to be OK,"
counselor at BYU said that 600 would be a
Mike said, "Most gays I know went to
conservative estimate.
BYU initially with an undying desire to
According to Byron, homosexuals can be
change."
found in most every department on campus,
Gay BYU students who come to the
but the greatest degree would be found in the
realization that they haven't changed find
humanities, business, and law departments.
thf:mselves in a difficult situation-not. only
Byron said that there are homosexual
with BYU, but also with the .Church;
hangouts all over campus.
"With its present attitude," said Steve,
There are several locations in the library,
"there is no place in the Church for
the main ones being the northwest corner on
homosexuals. I don't know why there are
the first floor (where the books on
homosexuals either. I just kriow there are,
homosexuality are kept), the reference area
and I am one. There is a reason why I am
and bathroom on the third floor, and the
what I am. Someday 111 find out why."
northwest corner on .the fifth floor.
The second floor bathroom in the
BLOOD DONORS
Wilkinson Center is still a popular me~ting
place. The most popular meeting place off
ARE SILENT HEROES
50 H?PIP

YOU l/1<&

7JfE /?EIJYKJN

] GIG,ZONK?
/

Page 13

THE BEST HOPE EVER SOWN?


Continued from Pa!~ 8
consent of an established bureaucracy which was simultaneously repressing other hopeful
student initiatives. There is litife sign that the establishent is pr.ogressing towards a more open
campus.
While we do not blame the current administration for the 1984 mind set that exists at BYU, its
presence is frightening. The book The Destruction of the European Jews ~orrifi_ngly d~cuments
how bureaucracies once set in motion, if unrestr:ained, will carry flawed pohcy to Its tragic end. In
the case of Nazi Germany the bureaucracy did not initally intend to eliminate six million Jews, but,
unrestrained by law, cult~ral norms or courageous individuals, it carried to the extreme it initial
mandate to identify and then segregate Jews. Henry Kissinger. observed !he same tendency when ~e
wrote "It is the nature of a bureaucracy to move by almost Imperceptible stages toward a goal lt
may itself only dimly perceive (The White House Years, p. 350). Although BYU has many social,
moral and individual restraints upon its bureaucracy, given thedanger and nature of bureaucracy
and also our tendency to submit to injustices for the "good of the Church;' and the pervasiveness ot
the BYU bureaucracy--even bulletin board flyers must have a stamp to be hung-we should be ever
We are nervous because the openness promised in President Holland's inaguration
watchful.
seems to have been unfounded. And any real change in the BYU bureaucracy, any meaningful hope
for good causes, any change in the repressive mind set must come from the president of the
u~iversjty. Only on his initiative will bureaucrats change the direction of their activities. Yet
Holland appears to be a general authority "yes man" wishing, even at great costs1to maintain the
status-quo in the name of Zion. Which status-quo includes a bureaucracy with frightful
paternalistic and even tyrannical tendencies held back by a concern for image more than individual
rights; and which Zion is not yet present and whose establishment will most likely require changes
more comprehensive than anyone can imagine.

BERKELEY
Continued from Page 9
enjoys, as evidenced by a quote from the
general catalog:
The campus is internationally noted for its
a{!lldemic excellence. Its faculty includes 11
Nobel Laureatis, 85 members of the National
Academy of Sciences, and more Guggenheim
fellowS than any other university in the country.
Twenty-six of its departments are ranked first,
second, or third best in the nation.

I have my own frequent reminder of


Berkeley's academic excellence. Just outside

the door to my lab in Gilman Hall is a


bronze plaque declaring that room a
"Registered National Historic Landmark." It
was there, in 1941, that Seaborg, McMillan,
Kennedy, and Wahl discovered the 94th
element, plutonium. Wwking dailyin the
same place that history was made, one soon
comes to believe that he or she might also be
able to make a significant discovery-to
tnake a little history. For myself, that may be
the most important difference of all between
BYU and U.C. Berkeley.

Paul Anderson; a graduate of BYU in


chemical engineering, is cu"ently studying
chemistry at Berkeley.

Tired of buying
copies for friends ?

Give a subscription
D riew subscription
D renewal

D Spring/Summer ($3 mail/$2 on-campus)


D Winter 1982 ($3 mail/$2 on-campus)

Name--------~--------------~~------------------~
CitY----------'-State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ __
MAIL TO: 7223 University Station, Provo, Utah 84602

HIS PAR- PAllS /llt'ReN15 Plff RIEIJA801JT

FOR

~ 816

, 7HE 5TUfJtNT NHAT,


SQIJiiEZE IJJI.W CI/T5. 5/JNTAN
ON! I
I N6EIJ7He /DlTON?

------~---------------

.,

7th EAST PRESS May 17, 1982

Page 9

Homosexuals Can Change

~l
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...

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.:'~i:!"'"'"J;:;":-~:,,s-.,;;::_.1@ ~~i~ Ui!!!i~~l.;;;;:

-r"&~~Sr~

\S "THE 60\.D ~TATuE. OF McMAM~ '.\)PPO~E.b


F~ EAA't OR.. WEf't'T l'

LiftERSResponse to Barnhurst
Editor:
I read with.some wistfulness Kevin Barnhurst's letter
disputing Peggy Fletcher's view of the history of
Sunstone. I remember fondly the pleasure many of us got
from seeing Kevin Barnhurst's first issue of Suns tone and
excoriating its many flaws. Barnhurst must surely realize
that the rancor came not from any absolute badness of
his issue (or of those preceding his) but from the way
Barnhurst had offered himself as the salvation of the
magazine and then, of course, failed to work miracles.
There is no way that those -who preceded him could help
but feel a little glee as he turned out not to be one of the
Three Nephites after all.
But that sort of clubby feuding - and revisionist
history - should not be what remains of any venture like
Sunstone. In fact Barnhurst's undeniably weightless
version of Sunstone was a move toward an informal
news, commentary, and review sheet; despite .Peggy
Fletcher's denigration of his work, Barnhurst did
prefigure the excellent Sunstone Review. And the
previous issue, which he so despised (and I, who edited it,
certainly knew its flaws) was also an important move for
Sunstone, even if an imperfect one. Suns tone had begun
its life as a journal, distinguished from Dialogue
primarily by its youth and unjaded enthusiasm. Just as
Barnhurst saw in it a possible newspaper, I saw in it a
possible magazine, and pushed for the change to its
present 8% by ll format. The size of the magazine does .
. make a difference. No more was itnecessaryfor every
article to be Important. Now the door was open tor
briefer, lighter features, and the. magazine had more
room to grow. It seems ungenerous of Barnhurst to
despise what went before him, just as it is ungenerous of
Peggy Fletcher to speak of Barnhurst with contempt.
I

, J"
I

Most ungenerous of all, however, is any revision of

\v J"unstone S history that does not afford Scott Kenn~y his

place as the founder of the journal. Those who were


involved early in the magazine's history know what seems
to be forgotten now ~ that Scott bore the financial and
editorial burdens almost alone for years, during a time
when none of us, including Peggy Fletcher or me, was
completely or consistently reliable; that most of the
magazine still follows the direction Scott set for it; and
that, without belittling the contribution of the present

Dear Editor:
May I express my appreciation to the Seventh East
Press for the- two-part story entitled "Homosexuality at
BYU." My appreciation is not so much for the content of
the articles, but rather for the courage to bring to the
front pages this very real and pertinent subject. I'm glad
to see that gays were portrayed as individuals and not as
freaks for the most part. But I regret that most of the
material was of a negative nature and gave little or no
hope for homosexuals seeking or even considering
change. Though cures maybe few, when they do occur
they should be reported in an effort to show that
reformation is possible.
I knew that I was gay even while I was very young. I
came to BYU as a non-Mormon but later joined the
Church. For a long time I was both a Mormon at BYU
and a homosexual. But I knew what I was doing was
wrong.
Eventually I confided in my bishop and stake
president, who were very loving and very helpful. The
road to change was long and difficult and there were
many setbacks. But as the months passed by I also
increased my>efforts to live the gospel and I continued to
follow the counsel of my leaders. Eventually I was

allowed to serve a mission.


I find now that I really have brought about a change in
my preference. I admit not every improper thought has
been struck from my mind but there is a significant
reversal from when all this began.
As sonie choose to live a homosexual lifestyle I have
chosen to abandon such and strive for a heterosexual
lifestyle. Without question it is a personal choice. There
is a cure and the cure is the gospel. If anyone says
otherwise they are in error. If we lise logic and wordly
understanding we shall sucumb to the mundane, but if we
will give the Lord and His Gospel an honest chance we
can and will, with effort, overcome this less fulfilling lik

staff, Sunstone remains, in large measure, an expression


of Scott Kenney's vi~ion.
Does it matter? I thinkso. Like the Seventh East
I changed and I'm changing. The truth is if a person
Press, Sunstone began in frustration, not particularly truly wants to reform he can. I've done it. There is a cure!
with the insipidity of official publications, but with the The work is hard, the road is long, and there is much
Saints' seeming contentment with iL The trouble with frustration and pain involved, but salvation is so much
independent publications in the Church isthatthey tend more important than anything else.
to become captured by ideology. Sunstone - and
Dialogue before. it - ran a grave risk of becoming, not a
Anonymous
magazine for Saints, bl;lt an anti-Ensign; just as Seventh
East Press runs a grave risk of becoming an anti-Daily Editor:
Universe. There is much to despise about the Daily
I was once a homosexual. I write to letyou- and your
Universe, and even more to resent about those Saints readers - know that your series on this subject has been .
who seem to feel that anything not officially approved slanted. Homosexuals can change. I am one of many
must have been spawned in hell. But if an alternative examples.
publication allows itself to become-so anti that it begins
You never interviewed any of us. If you had, you
to forget that it is speaking from within the Church (or
would
have found that those who want to change can.
university) community, the.n it ceases to be an alternative
for a loyal member of that community. It is the strength BYU counseling coupled with a spiritual commitment
of Sunstone that despite flirtations, it has not yet become can bring about the mental understanding that will make
captive to a single viewpoint; one of the most delightful repentence true and right and longlasting.
things about Seventh East Press is thatyou, too, have not
Homosexuality is sin. It can be repented of and it can
yet seduced yourselves into believing you are righter than be changed~ Much love and understandingand support
everybody else -'- or at least it hasn't shown up in the is needed. But; above all, the individual must want to
issues I've read! I wish you had been publishing when I change.
Some do, others don't.
I did.
was a student at BYU. Even now I'm grateful to the
Anonymous
anonymous donor who gave. tis our subscription: In
addition to its quality; the Seventh East Press makes us
Disarmament
glad to be at Notre Dame, where, when idiotic things are
Editor:
done in the name ofthe dominant church, it isn't my own!
I was extremely pleased to read the article entitled
Orson Scott Card
"Can Nations Love Their .Enemies?" by . Kent
South Bend, IndKma Appleberry. There were several enlightening statements
General Authorities and others concerning war that I
Developing a Personal Relationship ... by
was not previously aware of.
Editor:
I agree wholeheartedly with the statements concerning
There has been considerable confusion and unilateral disarmament of nuclear weaponry; however, I
consternation exhibited over the BYU Devotional of completely disagree with statements attributed to Eugene
March 2, 1982 by Brother Bruce R. McConkie on "Our England. He is quoted as saying that efforts toward
Relationship with the Lord," as reported in the LOS disarmament have failed because of mutual distrust, and
Church News. There seems to he a difference between the beca\lse "we have not been imaginative in trying to
general message of the talk and some of it~> specific understand the Russian position, their ancient fears for
statements, and between these statements and statements their borders, their need for security, their worry about
by other General Authorities, Church publications, espionage."
implication of some scriptures, etc. There is concern
Brother England implies that if we make the first m.>ve
about the harsh and angry tone and about the posshile
toward disarmament, showing our. trust in the. Soviets,
context.

they will follow suit and begin to do the same. He


Apparently the speech is addressed to and condemns -illustrates man's inhumanity to man with the use of the
those who teach that we should develop a personal atomic bomb in Japan. Apparently, he ignores the
revolutions in Central and South America and the atrocities committed by the Soviets in Poland,
Caribbean, not to mention the military support given to Afhanistan, and in their own country. The smoldering
continued on page 13

continued on page 13
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7th EAST PRESS

June

10; 1982

Page 9

The Arts in the Church

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.VlTA.MIN SA\...EO:,MA.N

An 1 1nsicler' Views MTC Experience

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continued from pg. 8


Restoration of the Church, "the struggles and
. frustrations; the apostasies and inner-revolutions and
counter-revolutions of those first decades." (p. 5) He
wants all the history of the Church celebrated in art, not
just the positiveand faith-promoting aspects of it. Let the
institution, then gird up its loins and encourage rather
than constantly discourage the Mormon artist who gives
voice to the darker and more tragic side of what it means
and has meant to be a Latter-day S_aint The only thing
sadder than hiding one's own light under a bushel is
causing someone else's to be extinguished.
Finally, to the public: No art can exist in a vacuum. It
needs nurturing, encouragement, patronage. In an era
when funding for the arts from government is being
drastically Teduced, the shortfall must be made up out of
the pockets of private benefactors. But, beyond financial
considerations, the Mormon artist needs from his own
people respect and freedom frorri provincial res taints and
biases. Consider: the true artist may not always be the
one who soothes and pleases, who proclaims through a
. pretty and easy painting or play or song that all is well in
Zion; he may very likely rather be the one who nettles and
disturbs with -searing images and words of fire. The
Saints must not reject the prickly genius and embrace the
seductive charlatan, simply because the work of the latter
is more instantly accessible to them, more immediately
gratifying, or more flattering. Ultimately, easy art, like
lasy religion, rots the soul. How often will the Saints
shell out for the feel-good musicals, the PMA mossproduced paintings, and the you're-o.k. literature? How
long will they continue to ignore the soul-stretching art
that demands their effort and full .attention?
In Mozart's day, it was not he, but the musically glib
court musician Salieri, who won the praises of the crown
and people. How blind! we say -from the security of
centuries. But what about today? President Kimball says
there should be Mozarts in our midst. Will the Saints
recognize them? Or will they continueto pay tribute to the
Salieris?

By THOMAS F. ROGERS
The MTC experience. discloses everyone's personal
Some express understandable anxiety with respect to
quirks and emotional-spiritual disorders. But, despite
the state of their testimonies and their ability to witness to
others. Here again the missionaries are encouraged not
the occasional social pressures, the inevitable 'incident,'
only to detect those signs of the Spirit that may have
I recently completed a three year assignment as one of and ensuing friction with. a companion, teacher or even
branch president, most recognize that no one is making
some thirty branch presidents to those who, during the
eluded them but also to exercise patience along with faith
first weeks of their missions, intensively . prepare
as they await the moments up ahead when confiming
them do a thing and that their free will is as inviolate as
ever. (No real learning ever took place when forced, and
themselves in the basics of a language, review of doctrine,
feelings will come. By far the greater number readily
experience such feelings while still at the MTC. In the
teaching skills and the standard missionary discussion at
that principle is increasingly well understood at the
process they spontaneously recapitulate what every
the MTC. With each new wave of incoming elders and
MTC.) On the whole, the missionaries also readily sense
convert undergoes. and what their own future
the good will of those on the staff and in the ecclesiastical
sisters I was reminded of the understandable fear and
investigaton; will too. The process is ongoing. Some
arm who are there to serve them .. Mission rules are
outright suspicion with which a number are inclined to
view the experience that awaits them. Such apprehension
explicitly spelled out, it is true. They are issued by the
missionaries have already dramatically experienced it,
is indeed often prompted by the offhand remarks. of
General Authorities and posit essentially the same
especially those who are themselves recent converts.
Some, especially from the Wasatch Front, encounter it
recently returned missionaries who fail, I contend, to
standards to which missionaries are traditionally
for the first time while at the MTC, at least consciously,
remember that, for all the MTC required of them, it also
expected to adhere in the field. Whereas their violation
afforded them the most profound spiritual growth they
or neglect are not and should not be condoned, . the
I have tried to explain the testimony-strenthening process'
had so far known. For most members, I believe, the
individual is nevertheless allowedfu/ffreedorn to choose
to myself and others as follows: by finding himself in
positive nature of the MTC experience is one of the least
how conscientiously he will obey.
Sensing this,
temporarily discomforting situation and unable to cope,
appreciated facets of the Church. Numerous colleagues
missionaries generally try even harder to live up to the
the missionary turns to Christ and, in sensing the
at BYU share in the universal skepticism; and , if I am
trust placed in them. As the current MTC Mission
difference his doing so has made, comes to recognize just
honest, I must recall the pity with which I once viewed
President, Joe J. Christensen, routinely assures them:
how real the Savior's intervention- and hence personthose who preceded me there: How tedious and
"We respect you. We have confidence in you. We trust
continued on pg. 11
you. And we love you."

superficial, I used to think it must be, processing all those


bodies. But how wrong I was in that assumption!
The same basic trust extends to the branch presidents,
My first contact with the MTC as an 'outsider' was . the content of whose weekly gospel discussions with
equally misleading. Having noted that an elder or two
branch members is left to their own inspiration and
who were then having a difficultlidjustment were former
personal discernment of members' needs. Administrative
Editor:
BYU Honors students, Paul Felt, then a counselor in the
styles vary with the branch presiaents'particular training
The author of your recent series on homosexuality.
MTC Mission Presidency, invited some of us who had
and temperament,--'- a high proportion ofwhom also
and
the psychotherapeutic and law enforcement
been their teachers, to come to their aid. I distinctly serve on the BYU faculty. There is also a keen sense
authorities
he consulted, treat homosexuality as a
among the MTC's administrators of the need to innovate,
remember how at the time the t,wo I spoke with made me
strictly
male
phenomenon ("Some homosexuals claim
feel: their eyes were lustreless; they felt regimented and
improve already existing procedures, keep pace with
to
have
modified
their behavior ... but they admit that
oppressed; one had been reprimanded by a teacher when,
change and be ever responsive to the missionaries' special
intima,cywith.a
woman
still seems unnatural tothem,"
failing to invite his companion to accompany him, he had
needs and personal requests. It need not be that way, but
for
example).
Perhaps
this
bias stemsfrom a tendency
momentarily leftr the classroom for a drink of water in
it is. The open and outward-reachng spirit which stems
to see women as less real than men,' or from the
the adjacent hallway. Both missionaries were on the
from such leadership. is a joy to work with.
assumption that women are not sexual beings, or are
(((f verge ~f going home, but. they held out. One ~ent to . There is . always of course the possibility of sexual
in only an orthodox fashion. These attitudes do
Argentma, the other to Tatwan. I have spoken wtth both discouragement and 'guilt trips' -especiaily onthe part
not
reflect
reality. I suspect that there are differences
since the completion of their missions and even attended
of the more conscientious missionary~ Rather than
the
male and female experience. of homobetween
the marriage of <me of them. As so often happens, both intensifyhisemotional bUrden, the thrust of my and myli
sexuality
at
BYU,
and that a discussion of them might
have considerably mellowed, and I now recognize; as I colleagues' counseling has been to recommend patience
be quite revealing-but I do notthinkthat the difference
believe they do; that, as precocious, highly self-confident . and reassur.ethemissionary that, whatever the .state of his
is that men can be homosexual and women cannot.
Honors students, they had not been very teachable .and progress, he should, if he is doing his best, feel good about
You
might consider this pointa:S the basis for a future
were too easily offended. llater discovered trhat th~y . his'efforts. Many fail to. realize, especially at first; that
article
to complete your treatmentofthis topic ..{Mayl
were also atypical. Of the over 1,500 I have .worked with languages ,~ie .not le~rriedHor discu.~si~nsmastered in a
suggest that you assign a woll1ant6the story,w\lt;!nyou
- a fairsample ~Jam only aware ofa very few who day.. !J an occasional 111issionaryleader of returned
do decide to write it.)
seemed deeply distressed or whose attitude distressed me . rnissionatyi~s~~uctorbec~m~s dictatorial, he is lovingly
Gigi Doty
astheywent.intothefield.
.

'urge~d' to' resp.'ect'\his fel:lows' agency.


Chair;nan. Department of
Asian and Slavic Languages
Brigham Young University

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