My Perspective on LGBTQ+ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

In class this week we talked about how the current trends in gender identity and LGBTQ+ have an effect on families.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are familiar with "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" presented by the leadership of the church in 1995. I was about 5 months old when it was presented, and I have heard many people my parents age talk about how they were confused that the leadership would feel a need to emphasize the family and restate what the Lord expects the world to strive for in family and what to steer clear of. My parents felt that it was well-known and common.
Looking back, I view the proclamation as a prophetic statement because of how much we need it today. When discussions of gender come up I quickly refer to the portion of the proclamation that says,

"Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

If this is true, and we are supposed to stay the gender that we were born into, it is possible that we need to do more research into why so many people are confused with their gender. There could be a societal reason why so many people are confused with their gender like the disintegration of families, strained relationships with parents, a lack of general interaction with others, etc. Even though I don't understand everything about why this is a growing phenomenon and why the Lord has declared gender to be eternal and important for our identity, I have chosen to trust in the Lord and believe that there are explanations and solutions.

Now I would like to address same-sex attraction. The proclamation begins with this sentence:

"WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

It has been long accepted and understood that marriage is between a man and a woman. It has only been recently that societies have become more accepting, and have been demanding more acceptance, of same-sex relationships. In class we discussed a theory regarding same-sex attraction that is well explained in this article. The theory is called the "Exotic Becomes Erotic", and states that children, whose personalities do not conform to their gender's norms, can view those of their same gender as exotic and different. When puberty comes around, it is possible for the exotic things to become erotic and sexualized. These feelings are often coupled with sexual abuse, pornography use, and a desire to be intimate (not necessarily sexual) with the same sex.
Through personal experience, I understand how real same-sex attraction is, and I know that it is something that many people struggle with. However, I know that the Lord has said that he does not endorse same-sex relationships, and that he endorses only marriage between a man and a woman. I have tried before to ignore little standards that the Lord has set, and it takes away meaning and purpose from my life. The most fulfilling times in my life are the times that I have obeyed the Lord and sought to strengthen my relationship with Him. He is the source of light and truth, and we live in a fallen world. It is important to search for truth through Him, and not through the voices that we hear in the media: really anyone who preaches things contrary to God's standards and doctrine. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me. Knowing these two things and acting on that knowledge gives me freedom from sin and unrest. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church, and the doctrine will not change.