“This is one of the most unique and powerful podcasts we’ve ever done. I encourage ward councils, local leaders, and families to listen to this podcast to better understand how to love and support our LGBTQ neighbors and friends—and really anyone different than us. Dan Link, Kristin Sokol, and Miki Eberhart join in this episode to share a remarkable story of a ward family who learn to love and then truly show up for two gay dads in their very homogenous Herriman neighborhood. It’s a story of love, tragedy and how the power of friendship and the spirit of fellowship moved everyone closer to the Savior. Dan talks about growing up in the Church, serving a mission (in the 70’s), but never feeling accepted or normal as a gay Latter-day Saint. He shares his story about finding the love of his life in Ryan and building a life and family together.
Hear their story about being invited to the Ward Trunk-or-Treat in Herriman, Utah. This event, led to Dan and Ryan being curious about what attending church would be like. Dan shares the journey with health challenges his husband Ryan faced and the unwavering ward love and support they received in that time, including seven months of meals that were delivered while Ryan was in the hospital during 2020. Ryan passed away on July 25, 2021, and the ward continued to rally around them, fully participating in Ryan’s Celebration Of Life in the local ward building.
Dan talks about his loving Bishop who asked him to serve as the Ward Librarian and how it led to a full return to church activity. Dan talks about doing the Temple proxy work for Ryan (including baptizing their son for Ryan). Dan talks about his continued love for Ryan and how much he misses him and feels peace and hope for their ability to be together again”