Letter: The statistics game

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This is in response to “Logical fallacy” (4/23), which asserted the illogicality of applying the national homosexuality statistic to BYU, as seen in the “It Gets Better” video.

In my own research, I found some other enlightening statistics. When the international averages are applied to BYU,approximately 100 percent of BYU students are mortal. 100 percent of us are tempted by Satan, 100 percent sin, 100 percent are (100 percent) dependent upon the Atonement of Jesus Christ and 100 percent of us can overcome temptation and repent because of that Atonement. If 6 of that 100 percent happen to be tempted by homosexual feelings, then so be it.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated, “Same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is.” Replace “same-gender attraction” with any consideration of sin, and you’ve now placed everyone on a level playing field and bridged the infamous gap between “us” and “them.” In this world, and especially within the Church, it’s not us versus them; it’s all of us versus Satan. Until we appreciate and act upon that truth, we will continue to do what the father of contention has always wanted — for us to fight against ourselves so that he doesn’t have to.

Imagine a world where we could help our brothers and sisters withstand homosexual temptation as freely as we help one another withstand every other temptation. Imagine a world where we could “lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees,” regardless of which burdens caused those hands and knees to tremble. Instead of fighting one another with the devil’s weapons of pride and judgment, let’s fight our true enemy with the godly weapon that never faileth — charity.

Whether there are 1,800 BYU students fighting the homosexual battle or only 18, it’s worth an increase in kindness from all of us. Satan is our real enemy, and it is going to take 100 percent of us to defeat him — yes, even those 6 percent who are tempted by homosexuality. We need them, and they need us. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

LIZ MONTGOMERY

Fort Collins, Colo.

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