By Susie Augenstein

Great things for our LGBTQ happening in Poland! My son, Josh Augenstein is serving a mission for the Church in Poland. He shared this story about what happened in a church class he attended yesterday (Sunday). I am amazed that in church classes across the world people are fighting and sticking up for our amazing LGBTQ brothers and sisters!

This is the pure love of Christ! This is the gospel!

Here is Elder Augenstein’s Email: 

Dear Mom, 

Sunday here was madness.

So, we had the Elders Quorum president give the lesson and he started off with president Oaks’ talk from last conference and LGBTQ+ stuff. The focus was really good though, all about what did Christ teach us to do and how to treat people. He included great examples of how Christ taught the Samaritan at the well and more. His part was great, but some members (really just one) got really loud and really rude and it got pretty awful. Worst part, we had two people there for the first time.

Eventually, multiple other members (including the branch president) were trying to pull this member into the hallway just to bring peace and it was getting whack crazy. It was super hurtful to hear things that apparently had been a big issue here in Poland recently in politics. Like, a lot of politicians are saying really bad things about LGBTQ+ stuff. At one point there was shouting “Synu Diabła! Przestań!” which means “Son of the devil! Stop!” and an arm raised to the square, like holy crap it was going nuts.

One of our investigators that we are teaching the missionary discussions to stands up and asks to speak and gave a short monologue to the group about love and listening to the lesson and it was probably the best thing ever to happen. So many people went up afterward and thanked him for his words. At the end of the lesson the guy teaching, Brother _________, he’s from the States, said his son came out as gay and there are more LGBT people in the branch than probably the member’s know and that we should watch ourselves and be careful and try to do more of what Christ did. It’s definitely been hard for him and his family and I want to help them.

I don’t like close mindedness and people who don’t want to try to understand. I’ve never witnessed such discrimination and dislike like I did there. It got heated. Make sure to give all those guys some extra love from me at the next LGBTQ+ game night, I’ll sponsor it. They do have a place!

Love you tons,

Josh