More on Gender Transition Taught in Schools

 

The above image is of a front-page article published in the British newspaper the Daily Mail yesterday (March 30, 2023). The text of the article can be read on their website here. The following image is of another front-page article published the same day in The Times, which is probably the most prestigious daily newspaper published in the UK, expressing the same kind of concern (click to enlarge):

And it looks like the same thing is also being reported in the US. There are several similar newspaper reports published in the US, indicating the same thing happening there, such as in the New York Times, New York Post, The Atlantic, and Fox News. Looks like the West is going crazy. Parents have infinitely more rights over their kids, what they are taught, and what happens to them than schools do. And I only know English, so I don’t know to what extent the same kind of thing is happening in the rest of Europe. I know in Russia all kinds of LGBTQ propaganda has been banned. But about the rest of Europe I couldn’t tell. I doubt that the rest of the world is going to go along with it. This kind of thing is happening mainly in the collective West, as far as I can tell.

Taking the Gender Unicorn Test!

 

After posting my previous messages on the subject of transgender stuff being taught in schools, I searched the Internet a bit more, and found the above video in which the presenters effectively mock the “Gender Unicorn Test” by pretending to work through it, answering all the “gender related” questions it poses—aiming to demonstrate the absurdity of it—and I think that they have succeed in achieve their objective. So it is an informative as well as an amusing video to watch. This video is 18 months old, indicating that this kind of thing has been going on in schools for quite some time. So they must have been doing a good job of keeping it covered up, which is why I and many others hadn’t noticed it until now. It explains the dramatic rise in recent years in the number of children seeking gender transition. It also explains why those dealing with the problem, including many professionals, have been puzzled by this sudden and dramatic rise. It has been happening because the kids have been indoctrinated (groomed would probably be a better word) by it on a large scale in schools. Below is the transcript of the video. The video is presented in the form of a casual conversation, with a lot of interjections. So I have had to edit it a little bit in order to smooth out the narrative:

• “Where are they doing this test? They are giving it to kids?”

• “Yes, so the Gender Unicorn test is given to 10^th graders. So that …”

• “10^th graders?”

• “10^th graders! So that they could learn about their sexual identity, their preference, at a public school in Kansas.”

• “Okay, so let me show … there it is, the Gender Unicorn. And there is like a little list of arrows and lines; there it is on the fullscreen:”

• “But you have to basically, you mark down how you feel like, about yourself and your gender; and you can find it at transstudent.org/gender. I mean, what could go wrong there? So, I mean, it is not funny, I have to laugh. But you go out on the line, and you talk about how far out like you are on issues; like the three arrows at the top says, ‘Gender Identity:’ there is ‘female, woman, girl’; the next one is, ‘male, man, boy’; and the next is, ‘other genders’. Then you mark how far out on the arrow you are. So like, I would have to be all the way out on the tippy tip of ‘male, man, boy’. Like honestly, like, ‘Gender Expression’ is the next one down; and you have ‘feminine, masculine, other’. I mean, maybe somebody could convince me otherwise. I mean, maybe I have some, if I am understanding this right, some feminine expressions. I guess we all do.”

• “We all do, I think so!”

• “You know, I mean, I don’t think about it that way, but I am sure we all have things that would be—to me this is kind of weird, because aren’t you kind of stereotyping, by having to take this?”

• “And that is why I brought it up, because you have to go very stereotypical on every answer of this.”

• “Right, So like, I think my expression, like, sometimes I would, like, even when I watch this show back, and I look at, like how my hands, like how I do my hand motions, or whatever, I am like, that is kind of a feminine way to be.”

• “Yeah, you know you can see that.”

• “But in that stereotype, like I am stereotyping?”

• “Yes, you are!”

• “You know, maybe my wrist is a little bit or dainty! I mean, I am getting in touch with my feelings here!”

• “You are taking the damn test, you are!”

• “‘Gender Expression’: I would say, masculine?”

• “Okay!”

• “I would say, far out? But I am sure I have some feminine expressions as well. I don’t know what an ‘Other Expression’ would be, like I don’t ever behave like a dog, I don’t think; I mean, I might get on all fours, but who knows. ‘Sex assigned at birth’: Male?”

• “Okay!”

• “You picked that one! ‘Physically attracted to’: that is another hard one, like, okay, I would say women.”

• “Okay!”

• “But I am willing to admit, if a dude is attractive, I am like, that is a good looking dude!”

• “Yeah, I could see that!”

• “Yeah, and ‘Other Genders’: so like, I see, like our friend Blair White. And I am like, all right, you were born a guy, but you have had some great work done.”

• “You have some great doctors!”

• “So, okay, like, you are an attractive person, so you know I am being honest.”

• “You are!”

• “‘Emotionally attracted to’: well, I mean, this might be hard, like, I might be more emotionally attracted to men than I am women, cause, I mean, emotionally. That sure can get all over the map with chicks, dude! You know what I am saying? Like, that can go crazy! So I don’t know, maybe I just want to hang with the dudes in that regard. I am just being honest here. I mean, I think emotionally, I am attracted to women; but you never know, it depends on maybe what time of the month! Maybe I don’t want to be that emotional with girls; so there you go. And then it has got the opportunity to list if you are emotionally attracted to ‘other genders’. I honestly, I don’t know if I have hung out with ‘other genders,’ besides male and female, enough to know if they entice me emotionally. But I am willing to explore it.”

• “There you go! You know, one of the reasons also I brought this up, was because parents, like they should, they got outraged at this Kansas public school.”

• “Yeah.”

• “And in a letter by the principal, she acknowledges that, quote: ‘Not appropriate for students, and asks questions that could violate their personal privacy, and we are working with the staff to make sure this worksheet is not distributed to any other classrooms, moving forward.’”

• “All right, pull your kids out of school, folks, that is what I am telling you. Pull your kids out of school. This is the level of BS we are dealing with, pure insanity. You know what, I would hope that as a parent, that you are helping to walk your kids through their sexuality, and I guess their gender. I think we are making up problems in a lot of cases; we are just creating problems for kids to have. And I mean, I would hope that, you know, when it comes to these kind of things, you are having a conversation with your kids. I don’t need a teacher with a worksheet, with a unicorn on here; coming up with some kind of, you know, yeah, I mean, it is just like, I am going to make up all this stuff to say, what do you, how do you feel about this unicorn feeling you are feeling? Well, I don’t know, I have never been around a unicorn; so I like, I don’t know how to associate with an effing unicorn.”

Pastor Jeff on the Absence of the Cross With LDS!

 

This one doesn’t require a lengthy reply, so I am going to highlight a couple of main points. The first is that he has not paid enough attention to what Elder Holland has said. Elder Holland has made it quite clear that he respects the use of the symbol of the cross by traditional Christians, and has no objection to it. This is what Elder Holland said, as quoted in his video at the 3:38 minutes mark:

“Now as I attempt to explain why we generally do not use the iconography of the cross, I wish to make abundantly clear our deep respect and profound admiration for the faith-filled motives and the devoted lives of those who do.”

So Elder Holland is not objecting to the symbolic use of the cross by the Christians. Jeff notices it, but doesn’t give enough credence to it. The fact that we fully respect the use of the iconography of the cross by traditional Christians, is far more significant and important in this discussion, than the fact that we do not feel the need to adopt that iconography in our Church ourselves. That is what he needs to focus on more. Another thing that he mentions several times in the video is what he considers to be our belief that the Atonement took place in Gethsemane rather than on the cross, which also is not an accurate expression of our doctrine. Likewise his assumption based on what others have said—that we believe the redeeming “blood” of Christ was “shed” in Gethsemane rather than on the cross—is also altogether unjustified and incorrect. These are LDS folklore, not sound theology based on LDS scripture. True LDS theology and doctrine is derived from LDS scripture, or scriptural canon—meaning the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price; and they teach a different doctrine of the Atonement from what he has been getting from LDS folklore. Here are some verses from modern scripture that elucidate the doctrine of the Atonement and redemption of Jesus Christ from the LDS theological perspective:

1 Nephi 11:

32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.

33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.

2 Nephi 9:

7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement, this corruption could not put on incorruption. …

Jacob 1:

8 Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger; but that all men would believe in Christ; and view his death, and suffer his cross, and bear the shame of the world. Wherefore I Jacob take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi.

Mosiah 3:

11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.

• • •

15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing, except it were through the atonement of his blood.

16 And even if it were possible that little children could sin, they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.

17 And moreover I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given, nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men; only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

18 For behold, he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls, except they humble themselves and become as little children; and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Alma 5:

21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.

• • •

27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

Alma 13:

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

Alma 21:

9 Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood.

Alma 33:

22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

Alma 34:

8 And now behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people; and that he shall atone for the sins of the world, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God, there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish. Yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.

12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered. Therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

• • •

36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.

Alma 42:

15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

• • •

23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

3 Nephi 27:

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

• • •

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

Moroni 10:

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Doctrine and Covenants 29:

17 And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:

4 I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom—and verily I say, even as many as have believed in my name—for I am Christ; and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:

68 These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.

69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:

35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.

Moses 6:

59 That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death; and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul; even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water and of the Spirit; and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten, that ye might be sanctified from all sin; and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

60 For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;

61 Therefore it is given to abide in you, the record of heaven, the Comforter, the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things, that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.

62 And now behold, I say unto you, This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Moses 7:

55 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men;

56 And he heard a loud voice; and the heavens were veiled; and all the creations of God mourned; and the earth groaned; and the rocks were rent; and the saints arose, and were crowned at the right hand of the Son of Man, with crowns of glory;

As these verses make clear, the Atonement took place primarily on the cross; through the shedding of his blood on the cross. All the references to “blood” in the above verses, as the context makes clear, are references to the shedding of his blood on the cross. They all have reference to his sacrificial death—nothing else. Now we do also have other scriptures that teach that Jesus also suffered intense suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, as part of that Atonement process:

Doctrine and Covenants 19:

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

That is an obvious reference to his experience in the garden of Gethsemane. But that does not cancel out the overwhelming fact taught throughout the rest of scripture, both ancient and modern, that the primary agent of the Atonement was indeed his sacrificial death on the cross. That is where his “blood” was shed to “atone” for our sins. Modern LDS scripture teaches that Jesus in fact suffered intense sufferings throughout his life, not just in Gethsemane or on the cross; and that all of his sufferings were in fact part of the Atonement process:

Mosiah 3:

7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body—hunger, thirst, and fatigue—even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

That verse also is in part an obvious reference to his sufferings in Gethsemane—but it is not limited to it. His sufferings also include “hunger, thirst, and fatigue” (more than any man can suffer); and also very severe temptations, which he experienced throughout his life (see Luke 22:28-30). So Jesus experienced intense sufferings of all kinds throughout his life, all of which in fact count towards the Atonement. They were all part of the Atonement process. But none of that diminishes the central role of his sacrificial death on the cross, where the Atonement was ultimately performed—where he also possibly experienced his most intense sufferings (see Matthew 27:45-46, 50; Mark 15:33-34, 37). Therefore the correct doctrine of the Atonement from an LDS theological perspective is that Jesus suffered intense sufferings throughout his life, all of which count towards the Atonement—but the ultimate and final act of the Atonement took place on the cross, where he offered his life as a sacrifice for sin, and where his “blood” was shed for the sins of all mankind. That is the true LDS theology of the Atonement. That is where true LDS theology and doctrine is obtained—from the scriptural canon of the Church—not from LDS folklore, where he is getting it from!