Episode 105: Craig Newsome, Calling in from New Zealand, Convert, Gay, Age 55, Active LDS

04/02/19 • 83 min

Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler

My friend Craig Newsome shares a remarkable story growing up in New Zealand, gay, being part of several different religions, leaving all religion, dealing with drugs, alcohol, porn and sex partly as a way to escape and deal with all the pain, and then finding his way into our Restored Church. It is a remarkable story of God’s love for all his children and the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its ability to heal and give hope. Craig is joined by Elder Alan Thacker who, along with his wife, served as senior missionaries and came to know and love Craig (who is out as gay to everyone in his Ward and Stake as is a needed and valued member). Thank you for sharing your story Craig. It gives all of us more hope and better understanding. You are a great man.

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Episode 104: Mikel (Dad) and Joe (21 Year Old Gay RM son)

Mikel tells the story of waking up one night and discovered his 16 year old son watching gay porn. If you are a parent, what would you do in that moment? If you were Joe, how would you feel knowing your Dad just found out this about you? Well, it is beautiful parental moment as Mikel and Wendy handled this situation with love which led to more family unity and understanding. Mikel and Joe share that experience as well as their family journey to come to terms with Joe being gay. Joe later come out to his entire early morning seminary class, served a mission and remains an active Latter-day Saint. Joe shares his journey as a gay Latter-day Saint, his strong relationship with Heavenly Father, feels no shame for being gay, and his hopes for the future. Joe is one of the most spiritually mature and gifted men I have met. I often feel that the LGBTQ people I meet are some of Heavenly Father’s most valiant pre-mortal spirits and Joe is one of those spirits. Please listen to the podcast to learn gain wonderful parental insights and how a family grew and became closer by having a gay son.

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Episode 106: Lance & Tiffany Sweeten (active LDS), Gwen Sweeten (23-year-old transgender daughter).

Lance and Tiffany Sweeten share their journey having their oldest child come out as transgender at age 16, navigating this road (new name, pronouns, seeing her leave the church and find a husband who they love as part of the family). Gwen talks about her gender dysphoria, difficult years and how much better she is emotionally now that she has come out and living her ‘truth’. Lance and Tiffany share how church attendance increasingly become difficult and how they ‘had one step out the door’ until a critical conversation with their Bishop where he ‘just listened’. That was followed up with another meeting with their Bishop and Stake President where they ‘just listened’. The Stake President felt inspiration to have the Sweeten help the Stake with better tools to minister to its LGBTQ members. Lance and Tiffany were asked to share their experience and testimony in the Stake Bishops Training. They were also asked to do the same in the Stake Leadership training for High Counselors and Auxiliary Presidents. Lance & Tiffany were asked by their Bishop to lead and conduct the September 2018 5th Sunday lesson of Loving and Accepting God’s LGBTQ children (which included several other guest speakers including their Bishop and Stake President). It was an amazing 2-hour experience. Finally, Lance & Tiffany were also asked to speak in the Adult session of Stake Conference and share their experiences. Thanks to their loving Bishop and Stake President who “just listened”, they are no longer ‘one step out the door’ and stay fully committed members. Lance & Tiffany continue to work with their Bishop & Stake President with finding ways to help LGBTQ members and families in their Ward and Stake.