Many people struggle with attraction to the same gender and desire to live a righteous life yet find no relief, nor have any true solution their problem presented to them. They read and hear of gender being an eternal characteristic of our spirits yet wonder why they feel attracted to someone of the same sex. It becomes almost impossible to square their beliefs with their feelings.

Loved ones of those who struggle with this temptation are also faced with the difficult challenge of loving the individual, yet holding a boundary when it comes to condoning sinful behaviors and lifestyles. What is to be done? Is there truly a path to healing?

In the Book of Mormon Nephi records that he saw “multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits. . . And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.“ (1Nephi 11:31)

There is a distinction between devils and unclean spirits made for a reason—they are not the same thing. A devil is a member of the third part of the hosts of Heaven cast down to earth who are bodiless. An unclean spirit is the disembodied spirit of a wicked man or woman who has died. These unclean spirits still possesses all the same tendencies, thought patterns, desires, and addictions they had while in the flesh; yet now without a body they have no way to satisfy those desires.

Thus they seek to possess or attach to the physical bodies of those who are living in order to take part in the experiences and sensations of the flesh. Devils also have an astounding desire to possess the bodies of the children of men, for they have never had one.

Devils and unclean spirits can tempt, torment, afflict, project thoughts and emotions, distract, depress, throw people into fits, trouble them with nightmares; they can cause panic and anxiety attacks, sickness and disease, mental illness, homosexuality, etc. They can imbalance hormones and disrupt the functioning of bodily systems, organs, and glands. If permitted, they can even cause death.

A homosexual, or someone suffering from same gender attraction is someone who is possessed by one or many unclean spirits of the opposite gender. A homosexual man is possessed by one or many female spirits, while a homosexual female is possessed by one or many male spirits.

The emotions, desires, thoughts, and drive for sexual relationships, intimacy, and connection of the unclean spirits are felt by their victims as if they’re their own. Thus, the man possessed by female spirits feels of their desires to be intimate with men and is then attracted to those of his own gender; the same is true for females possessed by male spirits.

The apostle Paul acknowledged the reality of spiritual evil: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

Joseph Smith taught that “one great evil is that men are ignorant of the nature of [evil] spirits; their power, laws, government, and intelligence. . . And it is very evident that they [devils and unclean spirits] possess a power that none but those who have the priesthood can control.” (Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842, p. 744-745)

The message here is one of hope. If you or a loved one are suffering from this affliction, you can overcome it through the atonement, power, and priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Suggestion if you are currently afflicted or have someone you care about that is:

Find a worthy Melchizedek priesthood holder and ask them to give you a blessing and cast out all the unclean spirits that are afflicting you. It will need to be someone who has a soft heart, an open mind, and priesthood power flowing within them.
Invite them to anoint with olive oil that has been consecrated for the healing of the sick and delivering of the afflicted and then speak something like these words in the blessing:

“In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood I rebuke any devils, demons, evil or unclean spirits, sexually immoral or abusive spirits, observers, watchers, tormentors, ancestral or familial spirits, and any entities of any kind; as well as any other devil, unclean spirit, or entity of any kind that has not been directly named or identified but is working for the adversary in any way or is evil, dark, or has wicked intent that is afflicting _ (insert name of person receiving blessing) in any way. I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to be bound with cords of light and I cast you out to spirit prison and send you away never to return again throughout all eternity. I command you to refrain from transferring to any friend, neighbor, or acquaintance, and command you to destroy all records kept concerning ____ (insert name of person receiving blessing) including central records that Satan has ever kept. I wipe your memories clean through the light of Christ and say unto you, depart. I also destroy and negate through the light of Christ any dark portals, shunts, marks, or entrances of any kind these entities were using, as well as any record keeping devices, spells, viruses, connections, cords, contracts, negotiations of any kind. I clear any false patterns or thought processes and invite new neuropathways to form through the light of Christ. I bless you (insert name of person receiving blessing) in the name of Jesus Christ to be healed physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally of any effects from these afflictions and dispel any leftover energy or emotions from them.” [Then give a blessing as the spirit directs]

This outline or suggestion does not need to be followed exactly, however, using it as a general pattern has brought great success in my own priesthood ministrations. God bless you my friend.