Mormon Leaders Urge Members to Have Compassion for AIDS Sufferers

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon Church issued its first official statement on AIDS Friday, telling its followers not to fear helping disease sufferers even though the church condemns homosexuality and illegal drug use as sins.

“Members of the church should extend compassion to those who are ill with AIDS,” Mormon President Ezra Taft Benson and his counselors Gordon Hinckley and Thomas Monson said.

“Current medical information indicates the AIDS virus is not transmitted through casual contact in homes, schools, churches or at places of work,” the church leaders said.

“People who are obedient to divine commandments need not unduly fear the affliction, although AIDS has infected innocent victims, including unsuspecting marriage partners, babies and those who have received infected blood.”