In a remarkable devotional address before thousands of BYU students Tuesday, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pleaded with students to ask God if church leaders “truly are the Lord’s apostles and prophets” and offered a detailed description of gospel love and law that motivated them to make church policy adjustments that affected the LGBT community in 2015 and 2019.
“We knew that this policy created concern and confusion for some and heartache for others. That grieved us,” said President Russell M. Nelson, who is revered as the church’s prophet.
“Whenever the sons and daughters of God weep — for whatever reasons — we weep,” he added. “So, our supplications to the Lord continued.”
BYU students began to line up at the Marriott Center two hours early, at 9 a.m., the earliest the university would allow. About 280 miles to the north, BYU-Idaho released morning classes early so its students could watch the live broadcast, also.
They heard President Nelson provide a significant look into church leaders’ thinking behind the November 2015 policy announcement that First Presidency approval would be required for baptism of children of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents.