Di: Colby Townsend

Thanks Leah! One of the most interesting things to me when discussing this issue is that I didn’t first learn this aspect of the story of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah from reading commentaries and literature (interesting because a common reaction is that I’m just studying “wordily” literature, and not paying attention to the gospel). It was in an Old Testament 1 class in the Religious Education department at BYU while I was a visiting student during the Spring term of 2012. The professor mentioned in passing that homosexuality had little to nothing to do with the destruction of Sodom and Gormorrah, but rather that it was inhospitality. I found that idea fascinating. I discussed that with him at the time (as I did many things; ex. later Jewish traditions that Isaac actually was killed by Abraham, but resurrected) and have really appreciated his kind words while I visited. And then, of course, a conservative Jewish rabbi (Jacob Milgrom) had some incredible points on Leviticus 18.