Tag: gay and lesbian families

The Safe Way

LDS Living recently had an article with excerpts from Tom Christofferson’s book “That We May Be One, A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family.”1  Within LGBTQ+ Mormon circles, Tom’s book is controversial in that he tells his story of…

Grace

Recently we held a fireside at our home.  There was no specific topic, speaker or agenda.  We simply sent out the invitation and 20-30 people came.  Many were our LGBT+ friends who live in the area and a few visitors…

Rejection and the Family

Five years ago, my son was a 13-year-old deacon in our church.  He came out on Super Bowl Sunday, 2012.  For the year previous to that, my wife and I were very concerned as he was notably going downhill and…

Anger

I have a visceral memory from last year.  I remember stumbling out of Sacrament meeting with Wendy shaking and heaving with pain and despair.  Half way to our car, we just turned to each other and held each other weeping.…

A Tale of Two Weddings

Sunlight diffused through the trees over the wedding.  A light breeze cooled the summer day to a perfect temperature.  The wedding arch was decorated in lace and beautiful white lilies.  The groom stood to the left of the wedding officiant…

Clarity

It has been over four years since Wendy and I found out that Jordan was gay.  Three wards, two states and a persistent search for a ward family to call home.  I have documented our experience in our first ward…

The Scarlet Letter: Apostasy

“…if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom…” The last few weeks have been agony.  On November 5th, the Church shifted its policy regarding LGBT members.  Now any LGBT person who…

What Words Can’t Define

Mormons, like most Christian’s, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding, pursue Christ’s words in scripture. Who’s words, on any given subject, are more authoritative than those of the Savior himself? Even more notable are subjects on which Christ never spoke…

Shame and Affirmation

I am the father of a teenage gay son and the sun never sets on the drama and trouble that that boy can get into.  As such, there is a continuous need to touch base and talk about the things…

Christmas Cards

Christmas has come and gone.  It is now that carefree time between Christmas and New Year’s.  The Christmas tree is still up and Christmas lights still adorn the house.  There is a bit of a food hangover from family parties,…