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The Rev. Budde wasn't lecturing. She was encouraging the mercy we all need more of right now - by Tom Christofferson
Read the article by Tom Christofferon. “The Rev. Budde wasn't lecturing. She was encouraging the mercy we all need more of right now" by Tom Christofferson. Deseret News 1/23/25
MAY 2024 LIFT+LOVE HEARTH FIRESIDE - IDENTITY AND LANGUAGE OF BELONGING
MAY 2024 LIFT+LOVE (UTAH) HEARTH FIRESIDE - IDENTITY AND LANGUAGE OF BELONGING
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How Can I Help Gay Church Members Feel Loved, Welcomed, and Inspired at Church? (CHURCH WEBSITE)
CAROL F. MCCONKIE: “It is so important that we understand, first of all, that everyone is in a different place along the path and that we develop an awareness of the people that are around us. I know people who come to church every Sunday so that they can be inspired and uplifted and who just simply walk away feeling judged and unloved and unneeded, like there is no place for them at church. We need to do this differently. We need to be deeply aware of what the purpose of coming to church on Sunday is and make sure that everyone who comes feels loved, needed, accepted, and lifted. Everybody has struggles we don’t even know about. And it’s so important that we be aware that everyone around us is loved of God and that we need to see them through Christlike eyes. And we cannot allow judgment to dictate the way we interact with people. It’s just simply not right. I feel that the Lord places us where we are and connects us with the people around us for a purpose…
“It is so important that we understand, first of all, that everyone is in a different place along the path and that we develop an awareness of the people that are around us.
“I know people who come to church every Sunday so that they can be inspired and uplifted and who just simply walk away feeling judged and unloved and unneeded, like there is no place for them at church. We need to do this differently. We need to be deeply aware of what the purpose of coming to church on Sunday is and make sure that everyone who comes feels loved, needed, accepted, and lifted. Everybody has struggles we don’t even know about. And it’s so important that we be aware that everyone around us is loved of God and that we need to see them through Christlike eyes. And we cannot allow judgment to dictate the way we interact with people. It’s just simply not right. I feel that the Lord places us where we are and connects us with the people around us for a purpose.
“Because it’s not only about our own progression but about helping others progress. And I have come to recognize that we are placed where we are so that we can love and lift others.
“We just cannot be, or even call ourselves, a disciple of Christ if we are not helping others along that path. The gospel of Jesus Christ does not marginalize people. People marginalize people. And we have to fix that. We need to be sensitive and love them and allow them the opportunity to grow and to blossom and to be their best selves. They have talents and abilities and personality that is needed in the kingdom of God. And if we are going to build the kingdom of God on the earth, we need everyone to come, to come and do their part. And we need to recognize that. When anyone’s shadow darkens the door of the chapel, they ought to feel immediately embraced and loved and lifted and inspired, when they walk out that door, to go and be better. Because they know the Lord loves them. And because they have friends in their faith” (Carol F. McConkie, “Lifting Others,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
LGBTQ Church Members - How Do I Minister to the One? (Church Website)
JEAN B. BINGHAM: “When you focus on the one, you can really lift and strengthen. I have had the opportunity to visit different areas of the world. And we have attended church in many different wards and branches. And until you’ve seen people that are different than you, in lots of different ways, I think it is easy to get focused on a very narrow segment and feel like that’s the only way to be. I think when we get outside ourselves, when we consider others, it helps us realize that we are all a family, our family of Heavenly Father. …Someone might say, ‘Well, I don’t have a need for other people.’ But maybe they have a need for you. When you choose to put yourself out there, you are blessing someone else’s life”
LIFT AND STRENGTHEN
“When you focus on the one, you can really lift and strengthen. I have had the opportunity to visit different areas of the world. And we have attended church in many different wards and branches. And until you’ve seen people that are different than you, in lots of different ways, I think it is easy to get focused on a very narrow segment and feel like that’s the only way to be. I think when we get outside ourselves, when we consider others, it helps us realize that we are all a family, our family of Heavenly Father. …
Someone might say, ‘Well, I don’t have a need for other people.’ But maybe they have a need for you. When you choose to put yourself out there, you are blessing someone else’s life.
I think one of the things that we can do is to focus on the one. Can you find one person that looks like they would love to visit or that they need someone to listen to them? Can you look for the person who is sitting on the outside, sitting on the fringe? That gives me a purpose. That gives us a purpose, when we feel not so comfortable with large groups but we just focus on the one.
One of the best ways to form a good relationship is not to come in with assumptions or preconceived notions, keeping an open mind, an open heart. Sometimes we tend to pigeonhole people, or we assume that they are a certain way because of a certain situation in their life or their family. And it’s always surprising; if you keep your mind open and your heart open, you find out lots of wonderful things about people that you might not have ever expected. When you’ve experienced, when you’ve seen, when you’ve opened your heart to other people, you see that we all belong” (Jean B. Bingham, “Focus on the One,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
How Can I Help Those In My Ward/Stake Feel Loved/Valued/Needed? (CHURCH WEBSITE)
D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON: “It breaks my heart if someone comes and is very vulnerable and says, ‘I want to try it. I want to be here,’ and then get a cold shoulder or a lack of interest. And that’s tragic. It really is tragic. We have to be better than that…The diversity we find now in the Church may be just the beginning. Frankly, I think we will see greater and greater diversity. In the ancient Church there was tremendous diversity. And it’s not just diversity for diversity’s sake but the fact that people can bring different gifts and perspectives, and the wide range of experience and backgrounds and challenges that people face will show us what really is essential in the gospel of Christ. And that much of the rest, that has been perhaps acquired over time and is more cultural than doctrinal, can slip away and we can really learn to be disciples” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Is There a Place for Me?” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
“As Church members, we all have a responsibility to create a supportive and loving environment for all our brothers and sisters. Such a support network makes it much easier to live the gospel and to seek the Spirit while navigating any aspect of mortality.
I don’t believe I’ve ever met anybody who didn’t want to belong to something that made them feel worthwhile, that made them feel that they had value.
When people wonder, Is there a place for me? it may be any number of things behind that, and now they ask themselves, Do I fit? Do I belong here? Do they really need me? And I want to say emphatically, ‘Yes!’
I think of the metaphor of Paul, which I love very much, [where] the Church is the body of Christ. And he says we are baptized into that body. And he says it’s one body. Many members but one body.
I understand people’s feelings at times that they may not be needed. And sometimes others are guilty of saying we don’t need this person; we don’t need that person; we are fine as we are. Neither one is true. That’s not the Christian way. That’s not the way Christ sees us. He sees all of us with infinite worth. And whatever our condition at the moment may be, the body of Christ is there to sustain each member. When a person feels isolated—I don’t deny the reality of the feeling and why it’s so natural to feel that way—but each of us, whenever that sense may come upon us, needs to stop and think, Jesus Christ died for me. Jesus Christ thought me worthy of His blood. And He loves me. He has hopes for me. And He can make a difference in my life. His grace can transform me. And maybe this person sitting next to me, ignoring me, or even wanting to move away, maybe he or she doesn’t. But that doesn’t change the reality of what Christ feels toward me and the possibilities I have in Christ.
It breaks my heart if someone comes and is very vulnerable and says, ‘I want to try it. I want to be here,’ and then get a cold shoulder or a lack of interest. And that’s tragic. It really is tragic. We have to be better than that.
The diversity we find now in the Church may be just the beginning. Frankly, I think we will see greater and greater diversity. In the ancient Church there was tremendous diversity. And it’s not just diversity for diversity’s sake but the fact that people can bring different gifts and perspectives, and the wide range of experience and backgrounds and challenges that people face will show us what really is essential in the gospel of Christ. And that much of the rest, that has been perhaps acquired over time and is more cultural than doctrinal, can slip away and we can really learn to be disciples” (D. Todd Christofferson, “Is There a Place for Me?” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
How Can I Include or Reach Out? (Church Website)
QUENTIN L COOK: “As a church, nobody should be more loving and compassionate. … Let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach. … Let’s not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender…No family who has anybody who has a same-gender issue should exclude them from the family circle. They need to be part of the family circle” (Quentin L. Cook, “Let Us Be at the Forefront,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Express Love, Compassion, and Outreach
“As a church, nobody should be more loving and compassionate. … Let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach. … Let’s not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender…No family who has anybody who has a same-gender issue should exclude them from the family circle. They need to be part of the family circle” (Quentin L. Cook, “Let Us Be at the Forefront,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
What Causes Same-Sex Attraction? (Church Website)
“The Church does not take a position on the cause of same-sex attraction.* President Dallin H. Oaks stated: “The Church does not have a position on the causes of…same-gender attraction” “What Causes Same-Sex Attraction?” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Resources for Leaders (please note that this current statement indicates the incorrectness of previous assumptions that sexual orientation is caused by poor parenting, sins of the parents, or any other factor - Lift+Love)
“The Church does not take a position on the cause of same-sex attraction.*
President Dallin H. Oaks stated: “The Church does not have a position on the causes of…same-gender attraction”
*please note that this current statement indicates the incorrectness of previous assumptions that sexual orientation is caused by poor parenting, sins of the parents, or any other factor -Lift+Love
All 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
“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: https://gather-conference.com/eventinfo
Finding 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.
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.
The 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
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 Soto 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
Of 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.
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.
Personal 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
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
"Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus"
"Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus" by Robert M. Daines. from the OCTOBER 2023 General Conference.
