A serious question for mormon members

Hello all

First off I want to say this is not an attempt to insult anyone's religious views its jut me wondering if I could get some opinions on a topic related in part to the church of laterday saints

I recently came across a series of articles talking about how the suicide rates among 10- to 17 year-old has tripled in Utah in recent years. some say there is a correlation between this and the churches harsh stand on lgbt issues. One even pointing out that in the first few months after a new edict banning same sex couples and there children from joining the church there were atleast 32 suicides of gay or bisexual teenagers already born into the church.

I honestly don't know what to think on this and wondered what folks who are Mormon think

A lot of the articles are from more liberal sources, for the simple fact that they are the only ones who would report on something like this

Some of the data on the numbers of LGBT suicides comes from mama dragons a support group aimed at helping parents of LGBT parents in the mormon church. While the state seems to claim that the increased suicide rate isnt related to homosexuality based on the fact that it's not one of the questions they ask when investigating suicides they say the rise in death rate is due to lower oxygen levels due to high altitudes, loose gun restrictions and "a western, rugged mentality of self-reliance."

The Trevor project shows statistics that say LGBT youth are already 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide on average with that going up to 8 times in an environment where there fear there family would out right reject them. and with the new edict saying some one can't join the church if there parents are gay unless they publicly renounce them. Its hard not to see how some kids would see rejection as the only possibility.

I don't have any answers and I don't feel that anyone has any right to try and force a church to change against its belief system if this is genuinely something fundamental to it but there seems like there should be something that could be done, more then saying “I’m aware that those tragic things happen. Those things have to be judged by a higher authority than exists on this earth.”

thank you for your time, I hope I didn't offend anyone, and sorry to be a bother

Thanks for your efforts to be respectful. Regardless what anyone's views are concerning the church and the LGBT community, it always seems to be a sensitive topic. How could it not? Both promote the idea of striving to being your best, true self. Hearing someone else criticize an organization that's been a source of comfort and inspiration for you can make anyone feel defensive.

Regarding the suicide rates, I believe they have more in common with depression that homosexuality - Utah has some of the highest recorded numbers of anti-depressant prescriptions in the nation. That being said, there is definitely a correlation between being a gay youth in Utah and being depressed. Regardless of origin, a spike in suicides is not something that should be ignored or excused.

Personally though, I'm optimistic about the church and the LGBT community finding a way to coexist better. Right now, the church is being led by people who grew up in a world where the general public knew nothing about homosexuality - except that it could ruin your health, your career, and your family. But our children are growing up in a world of acceptance. They're learning homosexuality is not something to fear or ignore, it's just another kind of normal. I'm looking forward to seeing how what these generations will do when they inherit the leadership roles of the church.

phew!

Believe it or not I was worried all day that I might have seriously offended someone

phew!

And yeah depression is a major part of it I'm sure,  as someone gay battling with depression its all a happy family of problems

Thank you very much for your reply,  I'll admit ma'am you were one of the people I really hoped to hear from on this.

the comment sections on the articles I was reading were little more then sounding boards between extremes by the time I'd found them.  I came here since Furry experience is one of the places I thought I might be able to hear a level headed opinion from people in the area affected by this

thank you so much

I too am glad that no one got offended, that a open discussion can take place.
I am a good supporter of Furry Experience. I have recommended it on FB's LDS Beta page.
But I am not LDS. My wife's ancestors are, but that is the closest link I have.
I am still fascinated.
And from this and other articles, I see that the LDS system is internally consistent, and within that culture, it works. (I do have a few questions but not to distract)
I have just read an article that is interesting but about non standard LDS.
https://longreads.com/2018/06/07/meet-the-new-mormons/
What do you think, and would any mention of the existance of this ever pop up in FE?

I am interested in writing, and have found a wonderful beta place or two on FB. One of which is LDS Beta as noted above.
It is just odd that LDS has come up as often as it has.