Originally Posted by
Ma'ake
I agree the LDS church is not the most "progressive", but modern revelation makes it quite nimble, compared to the Catholic Church, who took 500 years to apologize about Galileo.
A friend puts it well - the Mormons can make a 45 degree course change at any time, eg, 1978, the Manifesto ditching polygamy. (I remember after the 1978 revelation, there was still "counsel" that people should marry within their own race, probably mostly to reduce potential trouble spots for young couples. So, 1978 wasn't a full 180 degree turn, at least arguably. Brigham said blacks wouldn't have the priesthood until after the Millennium, so 1978 was definitely a shock.)
The Catholics can only change course about 3 degrees at a time, because they don't have a prophet.
Here's a possible pathway within Mormonism: One of the controversial aspects of Joseph Smith was Polyandry, but there are clear instances where JS was getting sealed to women - and even men - where there was no conjugal relationship involved. Same with Brigham.
There are 2 families on my street that have had multiple kids come out of the closet. (Yes, the water has been tested! lol) One of the families just had one of their gay sons marry his "partner", but with a twist: the partner has a very young daughter, from a failed attempt at the regular kind of marriage. To their great credit, this family posted on Facebook a big family photo, including the new son-in-law, and his daughter.
I don't think it would be a massive reversal to bring back the JS-era temple sealings, eg, in the case of step-kids. (Can step-kids be sealed to both their original parent, and to a step-parent? If not, why not? Are there different types of sealings? From the days of JS, obviously there were, but I'm definitely not an expert.)
Anyway, yeah, I'm not betting money on any of this, but as understandings evolve, a path could emerge. Just the evolution in understanding about homosexuality itself - among good, faithful Mormons - has been pretty remarkable.
(EDIT - Ironically, "Internet Speculation" probably has an inhibiting effect on changes, it seems to me.)