Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught that (people who experience gender dysphoria)… “need to be encircled in the arms of their Savior and know they are loved. So often the Lord calls on us; He expects us to be His welcoming, loving arms. We need to encourage their friends to do the same” Ronald A. Rasband, “Jesus Christ Is the Answer” (evening with a General Authority, Feb. 8, 2019)
Read MoreExpanding the Borders of Zion - Charlie Bird
Many people want to offer love and support to their LGBTQ friends and neighbors but aren't sure how. Bird’s unique position as a gay Latter-day Saint has given him valuable insight. In this book, he authentically details the blessings and challenges faced by gay members of the Church and provides readers with the perspective, understanding, and tools they need to more effectively minister to those who identity as LGBTQ. Expanding the Borders of Zion bridges the gap between religion and the LGBTQ community in a way that is both bold and inviting. It will undoubtedly inspire you to love deeper, grow closer to Christ, and expand your heart to more fully embrace all of God’s children.
Read MoreTender Leaves of Hope: Finding Belonging as LGBTQ Latter-day Saint Women - Meghan Decker
Growing up, Meghan could not see how her deep spiritual faith and her attraction to women could coexist. But after decades of shame, denial, and hiding, Meghan came to accept this part of herself. She realized that while she can't decide to change her sexual orientation, she can decide how to respond to the circumstances of her life. As she felt the tender love of the Lord, her faith deepened. Her experience will help Church leaders, friends, and family understand how to support their LGBTQ loved ones. Now Meghan is sharing her story, along with insights from dozens of other LGBTQ Latter-day Saint women.
Read MoreCome As You Are - Creating Space for the Rising Generation - Samuel Norton
With faith and testimony under increasing attack, parents can often be left wondering what they can do to help their children remain faithfully on the covenant path. Come as You Are by Samuel Norton, looks at some of the cultural aspects of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and questions if those aspects of our lives are helping connect our youth and young adults to the Source of Redeeming Love. With the notion of creating “space,” listeners will understand that the opportunities to connect with Jesus are limitless, if we will give our youth and young adults the tools and the “space” to do so their way.
Listeners will understand that the “space” needed to connect with our Savior can be encroached upon by the language we use, the lessons we teach, our discomfort with not having the answers, and our binary approach to life.
Giving the rising generation the opportunity to connect with Jesus Christ isn’t about just making sure that they show up at church and attend activities every week. It’s about making sure they understand Christ stands willing to welcome them as they are. It’s about recognizing that He will perfect them in the process of time. It’s about helping them see that everyone can Come as They Are.
Read MoreThat We May Be One - A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith & Family - Tom Christofferson
"A happy gay Mormon." That's the shorthand I often use to describe myself," writes Tom Christofferson. "Some of my gay friends--as well as some of my LDS friends--are a little surprised that I think it's possible to be a gay Mormon." In That We May Be One, Tom Christofferson shares perspectives gained from his life's journey as a gay man who left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then returned to it. After having asked to be excommunicated from the faith he was raised in, Tom spent two decades in a loving relationship with a committed partner. But gradually, the love of family, friends, and strangers and the Spirit of the Lord worked on him until he found himself one night sitting in his car in front of the bishop's house....
This book is about the lessons Tom, his family, and his fellow Saints learned while trying to love as God loves. It is about the scope and strength of this circle of love and about how learning the truth of our relationship with God draws us to Him For anyone who has wondered how to keep moving forward in the face of difficult decisions and feelings of ambiguity; for anyone who needs to better understand the redeeming power of our Savior, Jesus Christ; for anyone who seeks to love more fully; this book offers reassurance and testimony of God's love for all
Read MoreBut Jesus: A Conversation - Autumn McAlpin
But Jesus: A Conversation takes us on a journey of a family deconstructing with the use of a compass and their conscience, and reconstructing with the salve that will help bind them most of all: love. With stunning cover art by J. Kirk Richards, this book is intended to offer an open shoulder for all families who find themselves at the intersection of the LDS and LGBTQ+ conflict, and for the loved ones trying to understand the complex choices they face. All proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to life-saving therapy programs for the LGBTQ+ community through 501c3 nonprofits Encircle and Flourish.
Read MoreAll Things New - Rethinking Sin Salvation and Everything in Between - Fiona and Terryl Givens
Fiona and Terryl Givens trace the roots of our religious vocabulary, explore how a flawed inheritance compounds the wounds and challenges of a life devoted to discipleship, and suggest ways of reformulating our language in more healthy ways all in the hope that, as B. H. Roberts urged, we may all cooperate in the works of the Spirit to find a truer expression of a gospel restored.
Read MoreLove Boldly - Embracing Your LGBTQ Loved Ones and Your Faith- Becky Mackintosh
"Mom, Dad, I'm gay." One Facebook message completely changed Becky Mackintosh's life in the blink of an eye. Though she had often wondered about her son Sean when he was young, she had never entertained the possibility that her suspicions could be true. And just like that, battle lines were drawn between siblings, parents, friends with the Church somewhere in the middle. A choice was before the Mackintosh family. Just not the one they were expecting. Experience Becky's journey and witness how her faith allowed her to embrace her religion and her gay son. She'll tell you that the answer to every question and conflict is love.
Goodbye, I Love You - Carol Lynn Pearson
“Published by Random House in 1986, this is the story of my life with my husband Gerald, a homosexual man, our twelve-year Mormon temple marriage, our four children, our divorce, our ongoing friendship, and my caring for him in my home as he died of AIDS. This book took me on a national tour with appearances on Oprah, Good Morning America, and many other major talk shows, as well as a feature in People Magazine. For numerous people, this book opened up the conversation on homosexuality”
Read MoreThe Law of Love - by Steve Young
THE LAW OF LOVE―loving as God loves, seeking another’s healing, expecting nothing in return―is a simple principle with profound, life-changing implications. How can we live the law of love? Steve Young shares insights from his own multifaceted life as well as from others who are scientists, fellow Latter-day Saints, Anglican, atheist, Baptist, Catholic, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and secular people of wisdom, as well as from the scriptures. This practical book may shift your mindset to a more expansive worldview that just might change everything. Whether in football, work, church, or family, the law of love is undefeated.
Read MorePreparing for lessons about the Temple
Lessons about the temple can be difficult for a variety of reasons. If you know a lesson about the temple or eternal families is coming up, what can you do to make the situation more inclusive for everyone in the class?
Read MoreRespecting Pronouns - A Simple Way to Save Lives
Lift+Love Transgender Mama Specialist Anita Ervin has compiled an easy-to-understand resource titled “Transgender and Non-Binary Education” that covers many of the basic facts about being transgender or non-binary. It’s great for beginners or anyone who has questions about what it means to be transgender or non-binary. You can find the document on the Lift+Love website in the educate section (under “helpful info”). She covers definitions, pronouns & appropriate verbiage, and more. Check it out - you will learn a lot!
Read MoreWhat Do You Do When Church Leaders Give Talks That Are Painful?
It’s okay to acknowledge that church leaders said something that caused you pain. And it’s important to allow yourself to feel it without judgment. Sometimes, as members of the church, we think that in order to be “all in” the gospel we need to be 100% behind what every church leader says from every pulpit. That is simply not true.
Read MoreTo Condone or Not To Condone - That is the Wrong Question
It’s common to talk about condoning as it applies to LGBTQ people (whether they’ve actually done anything wrong or not), but why is this the thing that people feel they are obligated to judge, when there is an endless list of our neighbor’s actions and beliefs we could potentially choose to condone or not condone?
Read MoreAll Are Alike Unto God - Meghan Decker Gather Conference 2023
“Come tell us what is saving your life now” the wise old priest said to a visiting speaker. Meghan talks about what is saving her life today. She explores the various ways God expresses love for us and compassionately surrounds us with “gods with skin on.” Meghan also discusses the origin of the new Janice Kapp Perry song "All Are Alike Unto God" (which she co-authored with Janice).
Free sheet music for "All Are Alike Unto God" is now available on the Gather Conference website
Read MoreFinding Hope in Christ - Bree Borrowman Gather Conference 2023
Bree Borrowman (she/her/hers) shares her personal experiences growing up with gender incongruence and gender dysphoria, while wondering for decades why her faith, prayer, church service, and marrying a woman didn't "fix her". She explains how she found an unexpected ally in her wife Kit, moved past shame and guilt to be happy living authentically, and ultimately has found hope in Christ.
Read MoreThe Sacred Work of Bridge Building - Michael Soto Gather Conference 2023
Most Americans do not know a transgender person which means most people know little to nothing about transgender people and consequently can be susceptible to misinformation that fuels social division based on fears about transgender people. This is similar to when fear was stoked about gay people in the 20th century. But the antidote to division, strife, misinformation, and fear about transgender Americans is building relationships and sharing our lives with transgender people. Michael shares how with greater understanding and fellowship as Americans and Christians, we can recommit ourselves to pluralism and to God’s greatest commandments. Topics: LGBTQ, LDS, transgender, understanding, trans, gender
Read MoreOf One Heart Initiative - Deborah Jensen Grizzell and Erick S Hacking
The Of One Heart Initiative is one stake's effort to create a more welcoming, inclusive, loving community of Saints for LGBTQ+ persons and their families. This presentation will discuss the collaborative development effort involving many levels of councils with the goal of reaching every member of the stake through existing delivery channels, such as Teachers' Councils, Devotionals, and Ward Youth Discussions. Participants will have access to Of One Heart Initiative materials and slide decks that may be used for reference as they develop similar local LGBT initiatives. Q & A with an Of One Heart Initiative organizer and a gay member of their stake.
Read MorePersonal Stories of LGBTQ Saints - Valerie Nicole Green and Carson Perez Gather Conference 2023
Valerie Nicole Green and Carson Perez share personal stories as LGBTQ saints. Specifically, Valerie shares her experiences with local leaders during her initial transition and as they are currently constituted. Both Valerie and Carson share their personal interactions with ward members, what they have taught their wards about the LGBTQ experience, and what they have learned from their ward families. Topics: LGBTQ, LDS, trans, personal stories, church leadership, transgender
Read MoreLoving Your Family When They Don’t Know How to Love You - Gracee Purcell Gather Conference 2023
In this empowering exploration of navigating difficult family relationships as queer individuals, Gracee Purcell discusses how to love your family even when you feel they aren't loving you back. Presented at Gather Conference 2023. TOPICS: LGBTQ student college YSA family
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