Foundation for Attraction Research

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Foundation for Attraction Research (FAR)
Formation2005
Dissolved2014
TypeResearch Institute (homosexuality, religion, Latter-day Saints)
PurposeDeveloping resources and conducting research supportive of LDS teachings on homosexuality
HeadquartersLehi, Utah, US
Founder
Dennis V. Dahle[1]
Founder
Shirley Cox
Founder
A. Dean Byrd
Parent organization
Brigham Young University
AffiliationsThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
WebsiteFoundationForAttractionResearch.org

The Foundation for Attraction Research (FAR) was a Utah-based research and publishing institute with the goal of providing literature and conducting research supportive of religious teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) on homosexuality, including asserting that sexual orientation change efforts were effective.[2] One of the founders, A. Dean Byrd, was also in leadership of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).[3] FAR published a guidebook for therapists in 2009, and the LDS Church's counseling organization LDS Family Services held a conference based on the book in 2011.[4]: 192  The book advised homosexual readers to seek reparative therapy through Evergreen International and LDS Family Services.[4]: 192 

History[edit]

FAR was founded in 2005[5] and run by mostly professors from the LDS Church's largest university, Brigham Young University (BYU). These included psychology professor Dean Byrd and social work professor Shirley Cox.[6] The board of directors also consisted of BYU English professor Doris Dant,[7] law professor William Duncan,[8] religion professor John Livingstone,[9] and retired psychology professor Gawain Wells.[9] In 2009 the organization published Understanding Same-Sex Attraction through the LDS Church's publishing arm Deseret Book.[10] It advocated therapy to change sexual attractions.[11] In 2012 FAR co-hosted the Reconciling Faith and Feelings conference with the Association of Latter-day Saint Counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP).[12][13]

Publications[edit]

  • Understanding Same-Sex Attraction: Where to Turn and How to Help (2009)[14][15][2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dahle, Dennis V. (February 25, 2011). "Religion, science and same-sex attraction". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Understanding Same-Sex Attraction: Where to Turn and How to Help". BYU Studies Quarterly. 49 (1): 189–190. January 1, 2010. ISSN 2167-8472.
  3. ^ Staff (April 8, 2012). "Ex-gay movement leader A. Dean Byrd dies". QSaltLake.
  4. ^ a b Petrey, Taylor G. (June 15, 2020). Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1469656212.
  5. ^ "About Us". foundationforattractionresearch.org. Foundation for Attraction Research. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2019. Foundation for Attraction Research was founded by Dennis V. Dahle, JD; A. Dean Byrd, PhD, MBA, MPH; and Shirley E. Cox, DSW, LCSW in 2005 for the purpose of developing resources and conducting research supportive of traditional Judeo-Christian standards of morality. ... The members of the Foundation's board of directors, all of whom served as editors of Understanding Same-Sex Attraction, follow: A. Dean Byrd, PhD, MBA, MPH; Shirley E. Cox, DSW, LCSW; Dennis V. Dahle, JD; Doris R. Dant, MS, MA; William C. Duncan, JD; John P. Livingstone, EdD; M. Gawain Wells, PhD
  6. ^ "Brigham Young University's School of Social Work Annual Newsletter 2015–2016" (PDF). socialwork.byu.edu. BYU. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  7. ^ "'Glory' author to speak at BYU". Deseret News. LDS Church. February 23, 1999 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ Duncan, William (July 2010). "William C. Duncan". fairmormon.org. FAIR Mormon.
  9. ^ a b Dahle, Dennis; Livingstone, John; Wells, Gawain (February 25, 2011). "Religion, science and same-sex attraction". Salt Lake Tribune.
  10. ^ "Understanding Same-Sex Attraction: Where to Turn and How to Help (LDS Edition)". Deseret Book. LDS Church.
  11. ^ Reid, Kimberly W. (2010). "Review: Understanding Same-Sex Attraction: Where to Turn and How to Help". BYU Studies Quarterly. 49 (1): 189–190. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2023. Instead, the authors of this book assert the unpopular opinion, backed by scientific research, that same-sex attraction can be lessened or eradicated in those who desire change and are willing to try. Readers who empathize with the Church's position on homosexuality will likely find hope and useful ideas in this five-hundred-page compilation ... Here essayists recount how they emerged from homosexual lifestyles to find satisfaction in rejoining the Church mainstream, some even finding success in heterosexual marriages ... As some professional and state organizations frown on therapists who believe in reorientation therapy—seeking to ban their practice, in some cases—this book fills a void.
  12. ^ "Video for AMCAP/FAR conference addressing same-sex attraction now available online". ldslights.org. North Star. March 2013. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018.
  13. ^ "Reconciling Faith and Feelings Conference 2012 Highlights". Association of Latter-day Saint Counselors and Psychotherapists. 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  14. ^ Livingstone, John; Cox, Shirley; Duncan, William; Wells, M. Gawain; Reid, Kimberly; Dahle, Dennis; Byrd, A. Dean; Dant, Doris (2009). Understanding Same-sex Attraction: Where to Turn and How to Help. Foundation for Attraction Research. ISBN 978-1-932597-69-1. Retrieved May 20, 2023 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ Dahle, Dennis V. (October 30, 2012). "An Invitation to Take a Stance with Faith, Hope, and Charity". Stance for the Family. p. 9. Retrieved May 19, 2023 – via Issuu.

External links[edit]


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