These are serious issues--religious, cultural, societal. Acts chapter 10 has been used. Details have been left out. Read the whole chapter! Cornelius fasted, "prayed continuously", helped the poor, and honored the Jewish faith. Peter prayed and followed the Spirit. Cornelius had a vision with an angel. Peter had a vision also. It was repeated 3 times. Cornelius listened to the angel. Peter listened to the Spirit. Peter overcame prejudice and religious laws. Peter gave a powerful, Spirit-filled sermon. Cornelius and his household were baptized in the Spirit. Peter then baptized the first non-Jews.
My point: Spirit and the baptism of the Spirit unites. In 1860, after the ordination of Joseph Smith III, persons spoke and sang in tongues. In 1911, at the end of Joseph Smith III's leadership, reunions had the gifts of prophecy and tongues.
I am personally against same-sex unions and [practicing homosexual] ordinations. But if they show baptism of the Spirit (paragraph 3c), who am I to deny them a calling and ministry?
Where is the baptism of the Spirit within the church today? President Smith III in 1912 stated, "I trust we shall be able to appreciate and enjoy the spiritual gifts more than we have...."
BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO RESOLVING THESE ISSUES!
Thank you.
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