Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Mormon Therapist

Home
Latter-day Saint
Health, Fitness and Religion
More Families Affected by New Policies

More Families Affected by New Policies

Last updated on: November 12, 2015 at 12:41 am by Natasha Helfer

More Families Affected by New Policies 2015-11-12T00:41:15-05:00 Natasha Helfer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I am dedicating this week to sharing first-hand stories of Mormons who are being affected by the policy changes our church confirmed last week. All stories are posted with permission.

These stories are very personal and can be emotionally and psychologically triggering.

Courtney Galloway

Went to church today in my slacks, my pagan wife at my side. Gave hugs to friends, and tried to console one sweet friend in my ward- who has a gay daughter and seemed to perceive my presence in the ward as hope that her daughter might find peace in the church- who burst into tears when she found out I was turning in my letter of resignation to save us all the trouble, hassle and stress of a disciplinary council. My partner of 12 years and I got legally married finally just a week ago on our anniversary – Halloween. We were celebrating that I would now have health insurance, among other things. And now I’m branded apostate for it.

The Bishop, to his credit, was very kind about the whole matter. Accepted my letter without argument and with tears in his eyes. Told me that he hoped I would still feel welcome to come and listen any time. That I am loved by the ward and they still want to be there for me. Said he hoped that I didn’t feel judged.

I told him it was rather hard not to feel judged but that I wasn’t taking it personally – at least not from the ward. Told him that I am still living my beliefs and my faith. And still wish to be there and be of service for the many friends I’ve made in the ward. That they have always been very kind to my wife and I, and I will always be grateful for that. I still have my faith and beliefs. I’m not resigning those. I am keeping what is of God. I am only resigning the parts that are of man, and that man is fallible.

On the whole, it went about as well as it could.

Talya Miriam Johnson

It’s so hard for me to separate God, from Mormon God, from my own insecurities. 30 years of being an active member has left so many voices in my head, that I don’t know what is mine, what is is not, let alone God’s!

It’s taken four days from the announcement of this policy change simply to realize that it labels my son an apostate!! It was everything I feared when I realized my sons were not straight.

How can I love and devote my time to a church that doesn’t love my sons?? How can I justify that to my sons? And if the prophets are getting this wrong, what else have they got wrong? Where is the line of truth and programming?

Cami Ann Godfrey Clough

My husband and I have both really struggled with this new policy.
I am literally having a hard time eating right now.
We have many dear friends that are gay. We know their stories and struggles. Most of them grew up Mormon. Some of them married, and tried North Star (reparative therapy is medieval and barbaric).
Those of you that are posting stuff (albeit well intended):
“Will this feed your faith or drown it” or “you’re choosing to be offended” or “stop pretending like Jesus accepted everyone” or Todd Christofferson’s interview (he may as well have interviewed himself since there was no challenge there).
This is not helpful!!!!. At all!
Please! I beg for your compassion. That’s it. If that’s all you can do. Just say, ” I am so sorry you are sad”.

Please contact me at natashaparker.org if you are interested in sharing your story on this blog. Other spaces where you can share or read these important accounts include: Feminist Mormon Housewives and Suffer the Little Children.

Trigger Warning: If you identify as LGBTQ – please be careful in reading the comments people post on this site. I allow all comments (that don’t personally berate another person) because I want there to be a witness to the many opinions on this topic – but some are triggering, harmful and often give inaccurate information.

Civil Rights

Emotional Abuse

Faith Crisis/Faith Transition

Previous Post

November 8, 2015

Families Affected by New Policy

Next Post

November 10, 2015 Churches that Abuse

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Addiction Adolescents Anger Anxiety BDSM Bipolar Disorder Body Image Boundaries Children Circumcision Civil Rights Consent COVID19-Coronavirus Death Depression Divorce Domestic Violence Emotional Abuse Erectile Dysfunction Faith Crisis/Faith Transition Gender Identity Gender Roles Gospel Teachings Grief Homosexuality Infidelity LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Male Issues Marriage Masturbation Menopause Mental Health Mindfulness Miscarriage Missions Mixed-Faith Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Parenting Perfectionism Physical Abuse Physical Health Pornography Premature Ejaculation PTSD Race Relations Relationships Rest Righteousness Self Care Self Injury Self-Esteem Sexual Abuse Sexual Disorders Sexual Education Sexuality Single Adults Social Media Spirituality Suicide Survey Temple Issues Transgender Health Trauma Uncategorized Violence Women's Issues Word of Wisdom

Select a Month September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 December 2018 November 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 July 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 April 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about pride?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It is harmless It goes before a fall It is a virtue It always wins