Setting the Record Straight: Mormons & Homosexuality

by A. Dean Byrd

In the book, practicing Latter-day Saints psycologist Dr. Dean Byrd illuminates some of the little-known realities regarding homosexuality. He relies on his expertise as a social scientist and a practicing mental health professional as he shares the research and clinical data on this controversial topic. He provides compelling evidence on what science can and cannot say about homosexuality.

With abundant clarity, Dr. Byrd explores common misconceptions, answers challenging questions, and shares personal stories of triumph. In addition, he offers a chronology of the events that have brought the United States and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to their present positions regarding homosexuality. Employing a thorough, scientific, and engaging style, this volume provides readers with the best LDS analysis of the issue of homosexuality available.

Genres: Lds, Religion

115 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Zinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book only had about 9 pages about Mormon doctrines on the subject, which can be summed up as "they arn't for it". The bulk of the book was about gay activists pushing their agenda into the American Psychological Association that caused decisions an research to be based on political correctness rather than science. The trend is changing as more science based information is being sought. There was a pretty good list of references of studies done if someone wanted to learn more on the subject.

[Nathan Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminating and well cited. This is one of those books that can undo years of false education and media reporting.

[Ethan Unklesbay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre writing packed with bias.
I was really hoping to get some clear information about how the LDS Church views and interacts with homosexuality, but the author has a personal experience too damning for him to look past.
The author is a psychologist who had many successful patients overcoming unwanted homosexual attraction. The 70s were full of activism, which he does fairly point out was not based on psychological science and research but rather on political agendas, which made it more difficult to treat and help the type of patients he had previously helped.
Every chapter, almost every page comes back to the condemnation of gay activism that ignores and distorts science. There is very little about the LDS Church at all. I noticed 3 typos in the first 15 pages: to be clear, my complaint isn't about the author's grammar, rather that the editing process didn't appear to have been rigorous at all.

[Bill Housley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this author's expertise so that I could write such bold truths on this very culturally relevant topic. All of modern civilization needs to read this book and begin an honest dialog based on its topic.

[Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives the reader a true, unbiased look into what science has proved or disproved in the realm of homosexuality. It informs the reader of all the scientific claims made by homosexuals in the media and in academia without one shred of scientific proof.

Other eye-opening points of interest include ex-gays (men who've underwent reorientation therapy and have been free of homosexual urges for up to 25 years), the Human Genome project (and it's debunking of homosexuality genetics), the sexual orientations of discredited, yet once-prominent researchers in the field of homosexuality, and the failure of the media to inform the world of the Human Genome Project;s failure to find any inkling of a "gay gene."

The book is well cited, and simply provides an objective history. LDS doctrine does not even enter the discussion. The final chapters of the book do begin to talk about LDS stances of homosexuality but in no way infringes, encroaches, or enters the discussion of the history of the APA and Homosexuality.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational and blunt. I wish there was an updated 2011 version.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the most interesting read, nor perhaps the best laid out, but the points and statements made are excellent!