Can I Resolve my Homosexual Problems?

by Jason Park

You may be struggling to make sense of homosexual attractions in light of the gospel. Although you have a testimony of the gospel, you also know these feelings are very real and strong and in spite of your efforts to live the gospel, the feelings don’t go away. You are caught between the gospel which is right and the attractions toward men that are contrary to the gospel. The response of most men is to (1) try to suppress the feelings and live the gospel or (2) decide that the gospel doesn’t fit in their life and pursue the attractions, thereby losing out on the blessings of the gospel. Rejecting the gospel was not an answer for me, but suppressing the feelings didn’t make them go away either. Suppression means a continual struggle where, at best, you are celibate but miserable, and at worst, lead a double life by pretending to be a good member of the Church but secretly engaging in homosexual behavior. The only way to resolve the problem is to identify the needs that cause the attractions and fill them in legitimate ways

This chapter addresses the reality of resolving homosexual problems. It gives a definition of what it means to resolve these problems, statistics on the numbers of people who have resolved them, and information about the time the process takes. Finally, it discusses how complete the change can be and the ultimate goal of doing all this work.

Is it possible to resolve these problems?

The world has defined concepts such as homosexual and sexual orientation and tells us that they are inborn and cannot be changed. Many people have bought into this theory and believe that a homosexual orientation is as genetic as race or left-handedness. They say that those who have changed are simply engrossed in a fantasy and some day will come back to reality and realize they are still homosexual.

Although these "pro-gay" arguments are complex and can appear logical, they have little credibility when viewed in the broader perspective of the eternal plan of salvation. To believe that God would give us problems that we could not overcome is to deny the power of the atonement and the omnipotence of God.

Dr. Charles Socarides stated, "The major challenge in treating homosexuality, from the point of view of the patient’s resistance, has, of course, been the misconception that the disorder is innate or inborn."¹ But you are not a "homosexual" and do not have an inalterable "sexual orientation."

President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "After consideration of the evil aspects, the ugliness and prevalence of the evil of homosexuality, the glorious thing to remember is that it is curable and forgivable. The Lord has promised that all sins can be forgiven except certain ones enumerated, and this evil was not among those named. Thus it is forgivable if totally abandoned and if the repentance is sincere and absolute. Certainly it can be overcome, for there are numerous happy people who were once involved in its clutches and who have since completely transformed their lives."²

I personally attest that it is possible to diminish homosexual attractions, eliminate homosexual behavior, and lead a happy life in full alignment with the gospel. I know this because I have done it. I used to be conflicted by my feelings and tormented by my desires to act out. Now that I have resolved these issues, I feel peace and comfort as a whole person. And mine is not the only case. I personally know many other people and have read about hundreds more who have resolved significant problems and are now much happier and at greater peace with themselves and with God.

The process described in this book is not one of learning to suppress the feelings and control the behavior through willpower. The goal is to resolve the issues that created the homosexual attractions in the first place and now continue to sustain them. A transition out of homosexuality might include the following:

• reducing or eliminating homosexual desires.
• eliminating homosexual behavior.
• developing a secure sense of self and male identity.

As men begin to resolve their homosexual issues, they note that their sexual attractions toward men significantly decrease. They may reach the point where they are no longer sexually attracted to men at all. Others may continue to be attracted to men as strongly as before, but they can learn to cope with the attractions without being overwhelmed by them.

Many men still experience some feelings or attractions from time to time, but they are able to deal with them with a minimum of anxiety and they do not dominate their lives or behavior. Over time, the feelings diminish both in number and intensity until it becomes easy to dismiss these fleeting thoughts, much like they do any other unwanted thought that enters their minds. As Joe Dallas describes, for most men these desires are "reduced from a major issue into a minor one, a problem that does not dominate their lives or keep them from experiencing healthy friendships, healthy marriage, and peace of mind. If it is still a problem to them, it’s only one of many; they don’t struggle with it daily and they seldom give it serious thought. For them, the battle is not even considered a battle anymore."³

Most find that heterosexual feelings awaken or increase within them.

With a greater understanding of their issues, men with homosexual struggles recognize they can choose to avoid sexual activity with other men and are able to control their actions. The comforting news is that as you resolve deeper issues, you will find that your compulsions to act out diminish and in many cases disappear. As time passes, homosexual behavior becomes less and less appealing, and in some cases even repulsive.

If you have been heavily involved in sexual behavior for a number of years, you will have a greater struggle overcoming habits and sexual addictions. But if you are sincerely motivated and make a significant effort, you can overcome these addictions.

You may be attracted to other men because of a distorted view of yourself and others. If you have accepted a "gay" identity, you can change that perception and accept yourself as a son of God with eternal potential. With increased levels of self-acceptance, your feelings of self-worth and masculinity will increase, you will begin to see your value in relation to other men, and stop comparing yourself with other men. As you become more pro-active rather than reactive, you will be able to develop increasingly healthy relationships with men and sexual attractions will decrease.

Since homosexuality is the outward manifestation of unresolved issues that are central to your personality, deciding to work on these issues involves reevaluating your core person and working to change it. This may be a long and painful process, and not everyone who begins it sees it through.

For the past seven years, I have been involved with LDS support groups for men with homosexual problems. I participated for half that time to work on my own problems and during the remainder of the time have served in leadership capacities. During those seven years, I estimate there have been more than a thousand men attend at least one meeting and I have personally met about 350 of them. Their success has varied because of several factors, chief among which I believe is their level of commitment.

Many attend only a few meetings, then drop out. They learn a little about the philosophy of change, but do not pursue it because they don’t believe that change is possible for them, they decide they don’t want to change, they are not ready for change, or they did not find the support group helpful to them.

• Others go to support groups because they enjoy the friendships they build with others who are likewise struggling with homosexuality. It is a great relief for them to find other LDS men who understand their value system and empathize with their situation. But for them, it is a social meeting and they lack the commitment to do much beyond showing up at meetings.
• Still others attend because of feelings of guilt. They know they should change but they are not willing to put forth the effort to change. Without much commitment, they participate on a superficial level to pacify their conscience and appease their family.
• Unfortunately, the majority of the thousand people who have attended support groups for one of these reasons have found only limited success. Their token efforts may bring about some changes, but few make significant, lasting progress.

However, there is hope if you are committed to the process and put forth a significant effort. Although it was the hardest thing I have ever done, it was worth the effort. I no longer struggle with homosexuality. It no longer controls my life or dominates my thoughts. For me to get to that point, it required the following:

• personal study, prayer, pondering, and journaling over a period of four years.
• reaching out and building important male relationships.
• individual therapy for five months.
• group therapy (two six-week groups).
• support group meetings for three and a half years.

Of those who make this kind of commitment, most are able to resolve their problems and make significant, long-lasting changes in their lives.

Fortunately, you don’t have to rely solely on my word. Read the following opinions and studies by professionals in the field.

Dr. William Consiglio is an associate professor of clinical social work at Southern Connecticut State University who for more than seventeen years has worked with men and women who seek freedom from homosexuality. He finds that 40% of his clients find personal resolution and enjoy a full heterosexual life, with many entering marriage and parenthood. Another 40% achieve a functional resolution in that they are able to control their homosexual thoughts, attractions, and behaviors, and thus maintain consistent celibacy. The remaining 20% drop out of the process and eventually return to active homosexuality.⁴ He reports that even for those people who do not make a complete heterosexual recovery there is great hope. They can "achieve a significant degree of emotional healing, growth in self-esteem, and spiritual well being and are able to move on in life freed of the homosexual obsession and preoccupation. It allows them to form rewarding and fulfilling relationships and live more integrated and satisfying lives which are compatible with their spiritual values and convictions. And that’s powerfully good news in itself."⁵

Dr. Reuben Fine, Director of the New York Center for Psychoanalytic Training, stated, "I have recently had occasion to review the results of psychotherapy with homosexuals, and been surprised by the findings. It is paradoxical that even though the politically active homosexual group denies the possibility of change, all studies from Schrenck-Notzing on have found positive effects, virtually regardless of the kind of treatment used. . . ."⁶ He further stated, "Whether with hypnosis . . . , psychoanalysis of any variety, educative psychotherapy, behavior therapy, and/or simple educational procedures, a considerable percentage of overt homosexuals became heterosexual. . . . If the patients were motivated, whatever procedure is adopted, a large percentage will give up their homosexuality. In this connection, public information is of the greatest importance. The misinformation spread by certain circles that ‘homosexuality is untreatable by psychotherapy’ does incalculable harm to thousands of men and women."⁷

In 1994, Dr. Houston MacIntosh reported in the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association a survey of 285 psychoanalysts who treated 1,215 homosexual patients. The psychoanalysts reported that 23% of the patients changed to heterosexuality and 84% received significant therapeutic benefit.⁸

Dr. Charles Socarides, who teaches and serves as attending psychiatrist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, reports that in treating forty-five "overt homosexuals," 44% developed full heterosexual functioning.⁹ These success rates are as good as, or better than, those for treating other conditions. Let us compare the success rate of overcoming homosexual problems with that of overcoming problems from depression, one of the most commonly treated behavioral issues. Of those treated for depression, about one third get better, one third stay the same, and a third continually get worse in spite of treatment. This division of thirds holds true for the treatment of many conditions. If homosexuality is indeed a treatable, changeable condition, we would expect about the same success rates. In fact, we find much better. Clinical evidence shows that the recovery rate for homosexual problems is even greater than for drug addiction and alcoholism. The professional community generally considers treatment a success if more than half the patients show improvement; the recovery rate for drug and alcohol addiction is about 50%. A Masters & Johnson study showed the recovery rate from homosexuality at 71.6% when there was motivation and support.¹⁰

Dr. Irving Bieber, former president of the New York Medical College, lead a nine-year study of male homosexuality. His research team concluded that "many homosexuals became exclusively heterosexual in psychoanalytic treatment. Although this change may be more easily accomplished by some than others, in our judgment, a heterosexual shift is a possibility for all homosexuals who are strongly motivated to change."¹¹ After following some of his patients for as long as ten years, he claimed success rates from 30–50%.¹²

Dr. Gerard van den Aardweg made an extensive analysis of 101 people he had in treatment and found that 60% of those who continued treatment reached "at least a satisfactory state of affairs for a long period of time. By this is meant that the homosexual feelings had been reduced to occasional impulses at most while the sexual orientation had turned predominantly heterosexual, or that the homosexual feelings were completely absent, with or without predominance of heterosexual interests. Of this group, however, about one-third could be regarded as having been changed ‘radically.’ By this is meant that they did not have any more homosexual interests but had normal heterosexual feelings, and in addition that they showed a fundamental change in overall emotionality from negative to positive—from instability to reasonable, normal stability. . . ."¹³

For her doctoral dissertation at Brigham Young University in 1978, Elizabeth James conducted perhaps the most comprehensive review of the literature on the treatment of homosexuality that had been conducted to date. In her analysis of 101 studies that had been published from 1930 to 1976, she found that approximately 35% of the clients recovered and 27% improved. She concluded that "significant improvement and even complete recovery are entirely possible."¹⁴ She noted an 81% recovery and improvement rate for bisexuals, 69% for long-term therapy clients, 53% for short-term therapy clients, and 42% for exclusively homosexual clients. She noted that "there is certainly room for the development of new treatments and combinations of techniques that will enhance the effectiveness of those procedures already in use."¹⁵ Since 1978, a great deal has been done to increase the effectiveness of treatment techniques. New theories and methodologies have been developed and many therapists are receiving specialized training. Numerous books have been written to help both therapists and individuals seeking greater insights to their feelings. Today, the outlook for successful change is even more encouraging.

Drs. Thomas and Ann Pritt state that "freedom from homosexuality is truly available to men and women as they come to recognize the underlying causes of their attractions, and as they are able to realize legitimate, healthful, identity-securing affections with valued heterosexuals of their own sex."¹⁶

These are just a few of the many studies and experiences that show that many people are resolving their homosexual problems. If you don’t personally know someone who has made these changes in his or her life, you might assume that no one has, because you don’t often hear accounts of people making such changes. People seldom appear on television or stand up in church meetings and admit that they used to be sexually attracted to the same gender but now are not. They typically keep these issues to themselves and when they make these great internal changes, people around them are often not even aware that anything has happened. Content with having put together the pieces of this internal jigsaw puzzle, they move on quietly with their lives. Psychologist Gerard van den Aardweg said, "I think these cases are perhaps more numerous than we would presume, because many of them prefer to stay anonymous and not be public examples of ‘the converted-and-cured-homosexual.’"¹⁷

Hopefully, the questions in your mind about changing homosexuality are no longer questions of if, but when and how.

How long does it take?

The length of the transition varies depending on many factors, such as the following:

• your motivation and commitment to the process.
• your willingness to take responsibility for your life.
• your efforts in personal study, prayer, pondering, and journaling.
• the closeness of your relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
• the amount and quality of individual and group therapy you receive.
• the level of support you receive from those who are close to you and from support groups.
• your efforts to reach out and build new relationships.
• the degree to which you have accepted a homosexual identity.
• the amount of abuse in your past and the severity of problems it has caused.
• your willingness to leave your homosexual past behind.
• the length and degree to which you have been involved in homosexual behaviors.
• the degree to which you have addictions and compulsions.

Those who are able to define their problems and begin working on them early, before compulsive behaviors turn into addictions and before attitudes turn into identity, may be able to make the transition in a matter of months. Those who begin the process later in life after years of sexual habits and mental conditioning find it takes much work and substantially more time. Most men I have spoken with report it takes somewhere from three to ten years. However, don’t set time frames for yourself and expect that changes will happen within a certain period of time. Your problems didn’t develop overnight and they likely won’t be resolved in a short time.

In today’s society, we often expect instant results. Satellites, computers, and microwave ovens allow us to accomplish things in a matter of seconds. When things don’t happen instantly, or when solutions are not forthcoming at computer-like speed, we tend to panic. We forget that some of the more important things in life take more time—usually in terms of months and years.

Don’t set time limits on change. Some people begin to see progress in the first few weeks, while others don’t see substantial progress for months. While God does work miracles, few people are freed from homosexual feelings in a blinding moment. Rather than a quick 180–degree reversal of their sexual attractions, most men experience gradual changes in their spiritual, physical, sexual, and emotional understanding of themselves. After some work, you will notice that your sexual attractions toward other men begin to diminish and have less control over you than they once had. They will be less frequent and intense and you will feel less compelled to seek homosexual connections. This kind of gradual progress requires patience and endurance and is the true test of your commitment to God. The key is in recognizing you are improving and in keeping the momentum going. My friend said, "I am content to change little by little and learn what Christ would have me learn from all this same-sex attraction stuff. I am content to struggle with everyone else on the planet to be happy regardless of life’s circumstances. I am thankful for the ride."¹⁸

Some people maintain that since the person often struggles for many years—and sometimes for his entire life—this is proof that change is not possible. However, the gospel teaches that one of the purposes of this life is to have experiences that test our faith. The scriptures exhort us to put off the natural man and become a new person in Christ (see Mosiah 3:19). It is expected that throughout this life we will struggle between our old nature and our new nature and the scriptures are filled with advice on how to win this struggle.

Don’t become frustrated if your progress is slower than you originally expected. Remember that this is a complex process that will not be resolved overnight. If you have righteous desires and are doing all you can, be patient. Answers will come and change will happen, but on the Lord’s timetable and not necessarily your own.

In the allegory of the olive trees in Jacob, we read, "And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit" (Jacob 5:21-22). We must be careful not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from Him (see Jacob 4:10). We are given the challenges in life that we need. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Don’t ask God to do it your way. Rather pray "Thy will be done."

Homosexuality seems to be an overwhelming problem to many people because they include in it a whole life of problems. But remember that everyone deals with issues of self-worth, relationships, intimacy, lust, comparing themselves with others, and a whole host of problems that are part of a lifelong process of growing, overcoming, and improving. These issues of personal growth and development are part of the larger plan of eternal progression. Changes we begin to make in this life will continue into the next. Therefore, whatever progress we can make in the short term or long term, we should begin it now.

My friend Brad has worked hard to resolve many difficult issues in his life. He has significantly increased his feelings of masculinity and sees himself in a new light. Heterosexual feelings have awakened in him, he is beginning to date, and is looking forward to marriage. However, he also has an advanced case of AIDS that he contracted during his earlier promiscuous days. I admire that he hasn’t let the progression of AIDS diminish his desire to work out his problems. It would be easy for him to stop working toward marriage, knowing that he most likely doesn’t have time to get married in this life. But he has an eternal view of his growth and development and realizes that whatever progress he makes in this life will be to his benefit in the next. (See Brad’s story in the Testimonials section of this book.) The goal of becoming a whole man of God is certainly attainable and is worth whatever work it takes. Begin now.

For most people, going through this transition process does not guarantee that they will never again have a homosexual thought. Joe Dallas explained, "If a man has been a drunkard for 20 years, then joins Alcoholics Anonymous and stays sober, he has definitely changed. His sobriety will have an impact on all parts of his life, improving his attitude, relationships, and job performance. Will an occasional desire for a drink nullify his claim to have changed? Hardly."¹⁹ Dr. Dean Byrd said, "It’s not so unlike treatment outcomes for other emotional struggles. Do we expect the individual to never struggle again? No, we simply expect that they will have the resources to respond to their struggles appropriately."²⁰

Don’t measure your progress simply by the types of temptation you still experience. Remember that temptation is not sin. Satan will likely try to remind you of your past and try to get you to doubt whether you have really changed. But remember that everyone is tempted. Christ was tempted His entire life but did not succumb to temptation. Life is a continual process of putting off the natural man and moving toward God. Temptations do not define us; we are defined by how we respond to the temptations. Therefore, if you dismiss the homosexual temptations and act responsibly, you can be confident that the changes you have experienced are real.

As Joe Dallas explained, "All Christians deal with sin, all Christians have stubborn areas of weakness, and all Christians at times feel overwhelmed by their personal issues. . . . Yet all Christians don’t feel as though they must either completely overcome their weaknesses or else abandon the faith."²¹ In the book A Place in the Kingdom, Leo Hall explains that his homosexual attractions have not disappeared. "I choose not to worry about when or if my SSA [same-sex attraction] feelings will go away. My immediate hope is that, day by day, I can control or master any sexualized thoughts or behaviors that come. I am learning to replace unwanted feelings with concern, love, and empathy toward all men. . . . In fact, I do not wish my SSA feelings to simply disappear. Rather, I hope that they will be replaced by or enhanced into a more celestial love."²²

What is a miracle?

"And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles" (Mormon 9:15).

My friend Alan wrote the following: "A woman in our ward was in a terrible automobile accident last summer. Her neck and back were broken and they expected she would be paralyzed for life. But she was given a blessing that she would recover in some important ways. She went through spinal surgery and for a long time had to wear a halo cast. She has slowly regained functioning, and now is able to come to church with two canes; she doesn’t even need to use a wheelchair or walker. She can go up stairs and actually has quite good use of her hands, although not complete. I looked at her Sunday, and felt I should go up to her and tell her how much joy it gave me to see her at church because it is a witness to me of a modern-day miracle.

"It is interesting to me, because her miracle is different from the way miracles are portrayed in the Bible. It wasn’t sudden. It wasn’t complete. She is still a lot more hampered than she was before the accident. Yet in my own heart, the Spirit witnessed to me on that day—and has on other occasions when I have looked at her—that, in fact, she was incredibly blessed in her recovery. It is a miracle, regardless of the time span involved, regardless of the fact that it wasn’t all at once or that it still isn’t complete or even that it may never be complete.

"I am just now making the connection with my own situation. The miracle of my recovery may take a long time. It may be gradual. It may not ever take me to the point I think I really want to be, in terms of no homosexual desires at all and no remnants of homosexual thoughts ever. (Even straight people have inappropriate thoughts, don’t they?) But that doesn’t mean the miracle won’t happen in other ways that can be just as wonderful. And whatever faith and effort it takes to bring about the miracle—whatever that miracle may mean in my life—will be worth it."

In the Doctrine and Covenants we read, "And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed" (D&C 46:21). Can God change you? Is there anything too hard for God? "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). No matter how monumental this struggle may seem to you, it is not too hard with God’s help. "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name" (D&C 35:8). Miracles do happen. They don’t necessarily happen overnight, and they don’t always happen in the way we expect. But miracles certainly happen. I have seen them in my life and in the lives of many of my friends.

The phrases "resolving homosexual issues," "overcoming the effects of homosexuality," "changing homosexuality in your life," and "transitioning out of homosexuality" are good descriptions of the process. It is a process of fulfilling legitimate emotional needs. Dr. Elizabeth Moberly explained, "One should not try to cure, or ask God to cure, something for which cure is not necessary. God does not ‘cure’ people of legitimate needs. . . . It is not merely ironic, but tragic, that people have attempted to ‘cure’ what should rightly be fulfilled."²³

It would be easier to coin a term to describe the process if homosexuality were a condition that was the same for everyone and if it had a definable beginning and end. If we could measure it, we could determine how and when we moved out of it. But the individual elements that make up the homosexual condition are simply life’s challenges that everyone faces to one degree or another and may have to work on for a good part of our lives. For example, there may not be a definable time when we can say we have overcome issues such as envy, lust, or denial. We may gain considerable progress toward overcoming them, but still struggle with some aspects for the rest of our lives. I’m not sure that in a lifetime anyone should stop working on improving their feelings of self-worth, and we can always work toward a more correct self-perception, constantly reminding ourselves who we really are and striving to return to our loving Heavenly Father.

We are part of a human family that has challenges in life to overcome. We all work on a unique set of problems and try to become better today than we were yesterday. Our divine nature tells us that we will continue to learn and grow and improve through eternity.

The ultimate goal of this transition process is to achieve the following:

• a sense of belonging to the male gender.
• a comfortableness with heterosexual men.
• male relationships that are emotionally healthy.
• the ability to relate to women emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
• the ability to function effectively as a husband and father.
• the personal satisfaction of understanding, controlling, and feeling good about yourself.

Homosexuality: Opposing Viewpoints (William Dudley, book editor, Greenhaven Press, San Diego, CA, 1993). This book objectively analyzes the two sides of the question whether change is possible.

Endnotes:

1. “Homosexuality”, Charles W. Socarides, in American Handbook of Psychiatry, second edition, vol. 3, p. 309.

2. The Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, UT, 1969, p. 82.

3. Desires in Conflict: Answering the Struggle for Sexual Identity, Joe Dallas, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, 1991, p. 47.

4. “CounselingOvercomers: A Four-Focus Framework,” an address by Dr. William Consiglio at the 18th Annual Exodus Conference. Also quoted by Bob Davies in “Mainstreamed Homosexuality,” Leadership, Summer 1995, p. 82.

5. Homosexual No More: Practical Strategies for Christians Overcoming Homosexuality, Dr. William Consiglio, Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1991, p. 13.

6. “Psychological Theory,” Reuben Fine, in Male and Female Homosexuality: Psychological Approaches, ed. Louis Diamant, Hemisphere, New York, 1987, p. 84.

7. “Psychological Theory,” Reuben Fine, in Male and Female Homosexuality: Psychological Approaches, ed. Louis Diamant, Hemisphere, New York, 1987, pp. 84–86.

8. “Attitudes and Experiences of Psychoanalysts in Analyzing Homosexual Patients,” Dr. Houston MacIntosh, M.D., Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 1183–1207.

9. Reported in NARTH Bulletin, National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, Encino, CA, Dec. 1994, p. 14.

10. William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson, Homosexuality in Perspective, Bantam, New York, 1979, p. 400

11. Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study, Irving Bieber, Basic Books, New York, 1962, pp. 318–19

12. “Male Homosexuality,” Irving Bieber and Toby Bieber, in Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, no. 5, 1979, p. 416.

13. Homosexuality and Hope: A Psychologist Talks About Treatment and Change, Gerard van den Aardweg, Servant Books, Ann Arbor, MI, 1985, p. 105–6.

14. Treatment of Homosexuality: A Reanalysis and Synthesis of Outcome Studies, Elizabeth C. James, doctoral dissertation, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1978, p. 183.

15. Treatment of Homosexuality: A Reanalysis and Synthesis of Outcome Studies, Elizabeth C. James, doctoral dissertation, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1978, p. 99.

16. “Homosexuality: Getting Beyond the Therapeutic Impasse,” Thomas E. Pritt, Ph.D. and Ann F. Pritt, M.S., AMCAP Journal, vol. 13, no. 1, 1987, p. 55–56.

17. Homosexuality and Hope: A Psychologist Talks About Treatment and Change, Gerard van den Aardweg, Servant Books, Ann Arbor, MI, 1985, p. 96.

18. Address at the Annual Evergreen International Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, 1996.

19. Desires in Conflict: Answering the Struggle for Sexual Identity, Joe Dallas, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, 1991, p. 46.

20. “Interview: An LDS Reparative Therapy Approach for Male Homosexuality,” A. Dean Byrd, AMCAP Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists, Salt Lake City, UT, 1993, p. 93.

21. Desires in Conflict: Answering the Struggle for Sexual Identity, Joe Dallas, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR, 1991, p. 28.

22. “Life Is Good and Getting Better,” Leo Hall, in A Place in the Kingdom: Spiritual Insights from Latter-day Saints about Same-sex Attraction, eds. Garrick Hyde and Ginger Hyde, Century Publishing, Salt Lake City, UT, 1997, p. 84, emphasis in original.

23. Homosexuality: A New Christian Ethic, Elizabeth R. Moberly, James Clarke and Company, Cambridge, England, 1983, p. 41.

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