2013 Articles

The “Queer” God(s) of Mormonism: Considering an Inclusive, Post-Heteronormative LGBTQI Hermeneutics

Hite, Devan Mark

A handful of studies have recently emerged dealing with Mormonism, its unique set of authoritative texts, and the topic of homosexuality. Some seek to demonstrate how Mormonism might imagine new or alternative theological positions in the Church by deconstructing dominant Latter-day Saint theologies and the verses of scripture that shape them. Specifically, two come to mind (among a handful of examples): Taylor Petrey has written an article titled "Toward a Post-Heterosexual Mormon Theology," which was recently published in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. In another instance, Seth Payne has written an essay titled "Mormonism and Same-Sex Marriage: Towards a Mormon Theology of Gender," forthcoming through the Journal of Catholic Legal Studies. What has not been attempted, to my knowledge, is a work that deals with the "everyday theologies" of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints, their families/allies, and those who defend more traditional theological (and political) positions.