LoveBetter Archives

Hi, I’m Jill

Posted 4 years ago Tagged Allies Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Homophobia Kindness LoveBetter

Hi, I’m Jill Mortensen. I’ve been sitting on this post for a while now, not knowing how to appropriately express the full emotional impact of this incident. It shook me to my core. But, because I have personally seen and … Read the rest here

What Can’t Be Said

Posted 6 years ago Tagged LDS ListenLearnAndLove LoveBetter Richard Ostler Seminar Tom Christofferson

by Thomas Montgomery

Tonight, I went to a seminar called “Being a Good Latter-day Saint & Supporting God’s LGBTQ Children” a Listen, Learn, & Love production by Richard Ostler. The seminar was a high school auditorium in Mesa Arizona full … Read the rest here

Latter Gay Stories

Real Stories. Real Talk. Real People
IN or OUT of Mormonism.

Latter Gay Stories

1 day ago

Set against a backdrop of red poinsettias and twinkling lights, Dallin H. Oaks, the next in line to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered a pointed message at the Church’s annual Christmas devotional. He called on members to demonstrate greater "peace and goodwill"—values he suggested were lacking in Latter-day Saints’ treatment of others.

"We should teach our children to be kind and considerate of everyone," the senior apostle declared. "I am saddened whenever I hear of non-Latter-day Saint parents in this community sorrowing because they believe their sons and daughters have been excluded or ostracized by our member children or youth. I hope such instances are rare and diminishing. We ought to be the friendliest and most considerate of all peoples anywhere."

He seemed to rebuke everyone except himself.

Oaks’ comments carry weight, particularly given his controversial history regarding LGBTQ issues. As a prominent figure shaping the Church’s stance on sexuality, Oaks has been linked to some of its most polarizing rhetoric. Notably, Oaks and Lance Wickman, the Church's senior legal counsel, officially advised parents to ostracize LGBTQ children under certain circumstances.

When asked if parents should welcome a gay child and their partner into their home, Oaks offered an unsettling response: “I can imagine that in most circumstances the parents would say, ‘Please don’t do that. Don’t put us into that position.’ He added, “I can also imagine some circumstances where it might be possible to say, ‘Yes, come, but don’t expect to stay overnight, don’t expect to be a lengthy house guest, and don’t expect us to introduce you to our friends or deal with you in public situations that might imply approval of your partnership.’”

More recently, Oaks reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the decline in membership councils (formerly excommunications) during a leadership training for stake leaders, urging a return to stricter practices reminiscent of the Church’s conservative 1950s-era discipline.

Seems peaceful. And full of goodwill.
Rules for thee, but not for me.

Merry Christmas.

The broadcast aired Sunday, December 8th. ... See MoreSee Less

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Latter Gay Stories

2 days ago

God didn’t send Jesus to condemn the world—so take comfort knowing He didn’t send Sister Gaster, or Bishop Jones, or some random internet troll to condemn you either.

You are not alone. You are not broken.

There’s a whole community that supports you. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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